For a split second, I questioned what he might want from me. Swallowing nervously, I nodded. "What is it?”
"I want an embroidered handkerchief made by you,” he whispered.
Startled, I recoiled a little, meeting his eyes. This reminded me of the conversation I had with Lord Elios just moments ago. Did Max overhear? He already had a record of eavesdropping spanning several instances, so I couldn’t help but doubt him.
I was studying him questioningly when he spoke up again.
"You don’t want to?” he asked, his eyes pleading. He looked a bit disappointed.
"No, that’s not it...” I reflexively shook my head. "Why do you suddenly want an embroidered handkerchief?”
As an answer to my question, Max pulled something out of his pocket. My eyes grew wide with surprise. He still had the pink handkerchief I had given him a long time ago.
Carefully, he unfolded the fabric as if it was the most precious item in the whole world. It was clean but it looked a little old, as if he carried it around all the time.
"Thanks to this, I was able to get through the battle against the Lagon. This was a reminder of the moments we spent together,” he explained.
I gave him the handkerchief unaware he was going to war. Filled with embarrassment and regret, I gazed at him.
"I won’t force you to make me another one, of course. After all, you must be busy preparing for your coming-of-age ceremony.”
Shaking my head vigorously, I cried, "No way! There’s still a long way to go until then!”
Smiling with his eyes, he asked, "Does that mean you’ll do it for me?”
Realizing the promise I had just made, I forced a smile. Having spent most of my life as a spoiled, good-for-nothing brat, I wasn’t familiar with even the basics of sewing.
However, Max gave me one last chance to backpedal. "I guess I would be putting you in a difficult place. It’s okay. I still have this handkerchief.”
He kept making me feel sorry, so I couldn’t bring myself to reject him. "F-Fine! I’ll… do my best,” I said. That way, he wouldn’t be able to make fun of me even if the product ended up looking ridiculous.
He hugged me tightly.
"I love you,” he said.
They were sweet words, but at the same time, I was worried that I might not live up to his expectations. Wrapping my arms around his waist, I sighed. What was I going to do now?!
Recalling Jubelian’s flushed appearance, Max chuckled. He imagined what kind of embroidery she would make as he happily opened the window to his room.
When he stepped in, however, Victor took notice.
"Your Highness, you’ve returned!” he cried, his eyes wide with astonishment.
Dennis was also in the room, and his expression brightened as if he had just met his savior.
Puzzled, Max remained silent.
"You must change your clothes immediately, Your Highness,” Dennis urged, restless.
It was unusual for a calm man like him to rush Max.
"What’s going on?”
"The emperor sent a message requesting a private meeting with you. He has something to say about the upcoming hunting competition.”
"I was so worried that you wouldn’t come back in time, Your Highness!” Victor chimed in.
Max frowned. What could his father be planning now?
"Do I meet him at his office?” he asked.
"No, he asked you to come to his room for a drink.”
The crown prince’s expression crumpled at the mention of booze. "All right.”
Once Max left, I was tempted to ask Merilyn for help regarding the handkerchief. Judging by her personality, however, it was obvious that she would do all the sewing, saying that I would need to watch her first before doing anything myself. I told Max that I would embroider one myself and I wanted to keep my promise.
While I was preoccupied with coming up with a suitable candidate for teaching me how to do this, someone knocked on my door.
"It’s Perez, Lady Jubelian.”
"Come in, please!” I called as I got out of my chair.
She entered my room, notebook in hand. "My lady, I’ve come to discuss the concept for the banquet…”
Although I didn’t have to, I wanted to let her take a seat. By the looks of it, she was older than my mom was back in my previous life.
"Please, sit down,” I invited.
"Thank you, Your Ladyship,” she bowed, her speech rather robotic.
I smiled.
"So, the concept for the banquet,” I repeated.
"Yes. I was thinking of hiring a professional for the preparations if we couldn’t decide on one by the end of this week.”
It seemed that, as a perfectionist, she wasn’t fond of my ways. Still, the blame lay with me because concepts play a huge part in banquets.
I let out a quiet sigh. "I have one in mind. It’s just not organized yet. I was going to discuss this with you tomorrow since it was getting late.”
"I see.” She nodded. "Please let me know tomorrow, then.”
I watched as she stood up before I suddenly remembered something: she took care of all the maids working in our mansion.
"Oh! Do you know any maids who know how to embroider?” I asked quickly.
She sank back down. "Embroidery, you say?”
"Yes. I just want to learn…”
She squinted. "I’m sorry?”
Now, I was thoroughly embarrassed, but I still managed to keep my composure.
"I want to make something for my lover… and my father.”
She took a moment to simply observe me.
"I must say that now I truly feel like we are preparing for your coming-of-age ceremony, my lady,” she said eventually. "Seeing how much you have matured…” She smiled warmly.
A peculiar feeling overcame me—I guess I had been living too crazy of a life until now. Although everything I had done to ‘mature’ was to get rid of my death flag, through the eyes of others, it must have looked like I was undergoing a positive change.
"I’ve also heard that you have successfully undergone a negotiation with Lord Elios today,” Madam Perez continued.
"O-Oh no, I’m still worried that I might have made a grave mistake.”
With a faint smile, Madam Perez shook her head. "Not at all. His Grace will certainly praise your deeds once he returns.”
I had never received such compliments before… A ticklish feeling began to bubble within me. Being praised like this for the first time, for something I had done, made my face grow hot.
"Thank you for saying that,” I mumbled.
Madam Perez turned to the clock. "I’ve kept you occupied for too long with my unnecessary comments. It’s almost time for bed. There’s a girl who works in the laundry room and she’s excellent at embroidery. I will send her up tomorrow.”
"Thank you. Have a good night.”
"You as well, my lady.” She bowed before heading out of the room.
I ran to my bed once she left. Once I threw myself into the coziness of my mattress, the soft and warm blankets embraced me. It was getting late, past when I should have gone to sleep, but I was so excited that I couldn’t rest.