The man glanced at the azure sky, vibrant roses, crowded banquet hall, and lovey-dovey guests who displayed affection on the terrace. As soone who had survived many near-death experiences, Max felt irritated and uncomfortable by his surroundings.
It might be difficult to find each other, so please stay at the arranged eting place, Your Highness,Fresia had told him. Max tried to endure his boredom by thinking about her earnest request, but this was difficult to do, considering that he had already been hiding in a tree all day long.
Should I just leave?Although he wanted to abandon the plan and return to Salon Blooms right away, he practiced patience.
Ah, about Lady Floyen. It seems like she will be ignored by many people at the banquet since there are rumors that she doesnt get along with her father,Fresia had said.
There is a lot to gain from this banquet.Many nobles who worked at the imperial palace were in attendance. Max decided it would be a good idea to make a ntal note of who approached his master and nip them in the bud later.
Despite his resolve, Max suddenly thought about Jubelian wearing a gorgeous dress and dancing in soone elses arms.She should be dancing by now, right?His gaze beca increasingly bloodthirsty as he stared at the banquet hall.
If I reveal my identity and go in nowMax was overco by this intense impulse when the door to the terrace, his arranged eting place with Fresia, opened. Upon seeing who it was, he widened his eyes.
Jubelian?He thought he was hallucinating at first, so he blinked to confirm that the person who entered the terrace was indeed Jubelian.Why did she co here?Various thoughts crowded his mind, but he felt strangely content by her appearance, so much so that the boring and dull scenery now looked lively.I guess she likes roses, seeing as shes gazing at them so seriously.
Max unconsciously smiled as he observed her, but he was soon puzzled by what she did next.Wait, why is she lowering her head?When Jubelian lifted her head back up again, he realized why.Is she crying?He thought he was hallucinating again, but the sight of her tears dripping down her jewel-like, periwinkle eyes was unmistakable.
At that mont, Fresias earnest words occurred to Max again.It might be difficult to find each other, so please stay at the arranged eting place, Your Highness,she had said.
Max paid no heed to her request and jumped off the tree.
* * *
I stared at my fathers disciple and frowned slightly.What is he suddenly saying?I didnt know what he thought of , but I was still the only daughter of a duke. Although I was infamous for being vicious to others and never having to experience difficulties, it seed like he thought I was a pushover because I had been kind to him.
Tell , my fathers disciple said in a bloodthirsty tone as if interrogating .
I stared at him. If I tell you who harassed , are you going to punish that person?
Yes. I promised to help you, after all, he responded imdiately.
I sighed, dumbfounded by how he had so casually distorted my words.Foolish guy, helping
will bring you closer to death!Although I had overlooked his arrogance because I didnt want to seem overbearing and haughty, other nobles wouldnt be as forgiving. They considered it mutiny for commoners to speak informally to nobles, unhesitant to dole out harsh punishnts right away. As a commoner, he would et the sa end if he used force against a nobleman. Perhaps that wouldnt even be enough.
He could be bluffing, but this person he might actually do such a thing.After observing my fathers disciple for a few days, I realized that he didnt know many social norms, almost as if he was raised in the wild. His mind was like a blank sheet of paper that could lead to his death if he wasnt careful.Weve known each other for quite a while, so I cant let him die.Although we werent close, I sotis felt comfortable with this person. He didnt seem to have any ulterior motives and treated
like a normal person, instead of the unapproachable Lady Floyen.
Excuse .
He turned to . Yes?
If you want to help
going forward, please speak to
formally in public, I said
What? he asked as if I had said sothing ridiculous.
Im still in a situation where Im being ignored by people in high society, I reiterated. How much of a joke will they think I am if you disrespect
as well?
He stared at
in response, deep in thought. I gazed into his red eyes and said, You can make enemies or friends depending on how you say things, especially when it concerns nobles. Although this will be a different story if the class system is abolished, Im just warning you to be careful.
His red eyes continued to stare at
when I finished speaking.If hes dissatisfied, he should just say so instead of looking at
so seriously. Why is he staring at
like that?Before his gaze got even more strange, he slowly nodded.
How nice.He looked like an obedient child when he nodded. I unconsciously felt the urge to stroke his hair, as if to praise him, but hastily pulled my hand back before I did.
Oh, why are you here at the banquet? I asked.
Because of work, he responded quietly.
Well, this made sense. It wasnt uncommon for nobles to hire rcenaries as security guards for banquets. I briefly wondered if he was overqualified to work as a temporary guard, but that wasnt as big of a problem as his appearance, which was very unusual for a commoner.
If nobles speak to you, you must respond formally. Okay? I said, making sure he understood to ease my worries.
He sighed. Alright.
Despite his affirmation, I knew how ignorant of the world he was, as well as arrogant, so I stretched out my pinky finger. Promise .
He frowned in response, then sighed and gently hooked his pinky finger around mine. After stamping our thumbs together, he pulled back his hand and spoke with an irritated tone. By the way, why did your partner leave you alone, making you look like soone who was abandoned?
Hm, I guess I probably looked like that.The terrace was a place where guests could, in a positive light, take a break. It was also, in a negative light, a place where people could escape if they were left out or unable to acclimate themselves. With my partner being a certain soone, I wasnt in a situation where I could enjoy the banquet.
My father is in the banquet hall
He stared at
with amazent when I ntioned my father. What? Didnt you decide to partner with a relative?
Well, it ended up being my father.
He frowned in response and stared at . Have you danced yet?
I sighed. If soone asked
to dance, would I be acting like soone who was abandoned, as you said?
As soon as I finished speaking, he snickered.Yeah, he probably thinks this is funny.In the past, people often asked
to dance out of reverence for my status as a dukes daughter. But oddly enough, I hadnt received a dance request from a single person today.
Well, its probably karma for the life Ive been living until now.I was lost in my thoughts when a hand extended towards . I looked at my fathers disciple, who wore a serious expression with his outstretched, unwavering hand in the air.
Why are you extending your hand? I asked.
He slightly frowned. Dont you understand? Im asking you to dance with .
You know how to dance? I asked with surprise. My goodness.
He nodded in response. You should be honored. I dont dance with just anyone, he said proudly.
I was a bit worried that he might step on my feet, but I couldnt refuse soone who seed so eager and decided to be generous. I took his outstretched hand. Yes, it would be an honor to dance with you.
At that mont, I wondered if my eyes were playing tricks on . For a second, he looked like an arrogant prince with a smile filled with confidence, which was quite unusual.His face is really handso.I was staring at him, almost as if I was possessed when he raised my hand.
Then, lets start.
The orchestra echoing across the banquet hall could also be heard at the terrace.I should take the lead, right?I moved slowly, trying to be considerate toward him, a beginner. To my surprise, he began to lead .
Huh?His steps were too skilled for a beginner; even his guidance was perfect without any faults. It was as if he had practiced dancing many tis.How?I stared at him, dumbfounded.
Ah!
Perhaps it was because I wasnt concentrating on my steps, despite wearing high heels, but I missed a step and almost fell.
You arent paying attention, he scolded.
In no ti, his red eyes got closer while he hugged my waist tightly. I beca flustered and tried to get out of his arms.
Is your ankle okay? he asked. Although he spoke brusquely, his words showed that he was worried about . I felt strange for so reason.
Ah, its okay. Now
I tried to distance myself, but he suddenly lifted , bridal style.Wait, what is he doing!As I was taken aback by his unexpected actions, he sat
on a nearby bench and applied sothing to my ankle. The cool sensation reminded
of a pain relief patch.
When I looked at him in amazent, he lowered his head. Youre lucky I brought this ointnt If I didnt, what would you have done? he complained.
Does he carry around household dicine because hes a rcenary?I stole a glance at him.
Thank you, I said.
He lowered his head further down in response, seeming to beco irritated. Theres no need to say thank you. Just dont get hurt.
I caught sight of a leaf on top of his head.I should take it down for him.
Its done n
At that mont, he raised his head slightly. I beca embarrassed because it seed like I was trying to stroke his hair.
He took my hand. What are you
Oh, did I make him mad?His face had turned slightly red, so he mustve been angry at . I was about to apologize when I suddenly heard a voice.
What the h*ll are you doing?
I turned towards the entrance of the terrace, where my father was staring at us with a terrifying expression.
F-father.
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