What present the duke had for his daughter was of great interest to the staff of the Floyen mansion. As the butler, Derrick tried to obtain a hint using his close relationship with the duke, but Regis gave nothing away.
"The best thing I could give her,” he answered.
So, he’s keeping it a secret from me as well, Derrick lamented silently.
He understood that it was his fault that the lady had discovered where the training hall was located during that incident, but…
He paused and smiled. He would find out what the gift was in due time. Silently, he vowed to take good care of the lady and his master until then.
I had trouble sleeping last night because I was anticipating many things, but I seemed to have fallen asleep without realizing it. When I next opened my eyes, it was bright outside. Today, I would discuss the concept for the banquet with Madam Perez… I yawned, desperate to sleep for a little longer. Nevertheless, I forced myself to leave the bed because I wanted to keep my promises.
Once at my desk, I started writing out my plans for the banquet. The most important aspect was elegant but trendy decorations that would suit the duke’s mansion but still catch the people’s eye. I jotted down notes on all the details I could conceive, and once I finished, I could better envision the banquet in my head somewhat. This was good enough.
Turning to the clock, I then realized that quite a bit of time had passed. Glancing at the plan on my desk, I called for my maid. "Merilyn, could you please ask Madam Perez to come to my room?”
Madam Perez sighed at the sudden surge of heat that overcame her. She was far from feeling well. She always felt hot, cold, then hot again. She had been suffering from the symptoms of menopause for a while now, but she endured for the sake of the late duchess’s request: to remain until Jubelian’s coming-of-age ceremony.
"Madam Perez, I realize this is a difficult request, but… I want you to remain as the housekeeper until my daughter comes of age,” the lady had said.
It had been many years since she had been employed by the Floyen family and she had endured many hardships, but this wish helped her cope until now. Reminding herself that the banquet was just around the corner and that she could soon retire, Madam Perez entered the lady’s room.
"Welcome, Madam Perez,” Jubelian greeted.
She wore a simple dress, and after seeing her, Madam Perez found herself tearing up for some reason. Although Jubelian had been difficult to care for during her childhood and teen years, she had grown up to be a wonderful lady.
Sitting down, Madam Perez began to look through the plans that Jubelian had written. The ideas weren’t too extravagant, but they were creative.
"This is excellent,” Madam Perez praised, satisfied.
"Wow, really?!” Jubelian exclaimed excitedly, much like a child.
If Madam Perez had known Jubelian loved compliments so much, she would have praised her more often. She smiled. In any case, such regrets were now futile. She would be quitting soon, after all.
She stood up. "I will prepare the banquet according to these notes, then,.”
"Wait a minute!” Jubelian blurted.
Madam Perez looked back, curious. "I’m sorry?”
Taking something out of her pocket, the young lady handed her something. "Take this.”
"This is…” At the sight of the unexpected gift, the older woman trailed off.
Jubelian smiled. "It’s primrose oil, which is rumored to be a useful remedy for menopause. I’ve also told Allen about it. He’ll send you some medicine, too.”
It was strange. Madam Perez had already made up her mind to retire after Jubelian’s coming-of-age ceremony. However, now she wanted to stay by the charming young lady’s side for a little longer.
Bowing, she expressed her gratitude. "Thank you, Lady Jubelian.”
I jumped onto my couch once Madam Perez left, glad that she was appreciative of my gift. Worried that she might consider my actions excessively meddlesome, I had thought long and hard about giving her the primrose oil. In the end, however, no misconceptions were had, so I was relieved.
Madam Perez had served our family for many years. That was why I wanted to see her in good health for longer. Recalling our meeting, I gazed at the piece of paper before me. The concept for the banquet had been decided, which meant that half the battle was already over. Feeling proud, I got up from my chair. Since the seamstress would be visiting today, the next thing to do was decide on a design for a dress.
In the crown prince’s study, Max sat with his closest aides, Dennis and Victor.
"Your Highness,” Dennis began, "we should begin setting up a base for our—” He stopped himself. Then, he let out a small sigh; his lord was far from engaged in the conversation.
Typically, Max was serious when discussing plans for the uprising, so this was a peculiar sight. Dennis didn’t understand the shift in his lord’s attitude, but one thing was certain: he had changed after he met with the emperor the previous night. Instead of his usual leisurely air, he looked uneasy.
Overcome with an ominous feeling, Dennis turned to Victor, who was sitting on the other side of the table. Unsurprisingly, Victor was smiling with his head resting on his hand. Their good-for-nothing comrade was daydreaming again, apparently.
Furious, Dennis kicked Victor in the leg under the table. Victor cried aloud, but despite his exclamation, the crown prince didn’t stir, still deep in thought.
"Just be honest with me. If you like her, I’ll set up a meeting for you two.”
The emperor’s words lingered in Max’s mind. He was thoroughly bothered that the emperor had mentioned Jubelian. If he could, he would visit the lady at this very moment to check if she was okay. However, the problem was that he was stuck in an important meeting.
"Your Highness, is something the matter?” Dennis asked, finally bringing Max back to reality. He raised his head to look at his right-hand man. "I don’t know what happened during the meeting with the emperor last night, but I’m concerned. It seems like you’re upset about something.”
Max pursed his lips, wondering if it would be appropriate to disclose personal issues to his aides. Victor and Dennis had been by his side for many years and through countless battles. Nonetheless, Max had never learned to trust them—or any of his other subordinates, for that matter. To the crown prince, the men he led were existences to protect, not ones to depend on.
However, a familiar voice began to sway him.
"Well, do you feel better now after letting it out?” Jubelian had once said.
At one point in time, Jubelian had just been another person to protect. However, she had encouraged Max to be more open about his worries and everything changed.
Having come to a decision, he began to explain his woes. "The emperor has found out about my weakness. He mentioned it last night.”
Dennis’s expression grew foul. The weakness in question must have been Lady Floyen. The lady would be an excellent asset for the uprising as she could be useful when convincing the duke to side with them. If the emperor had noticed this already, it meant trouble.
Anxious, Dennis asked, "What have you told him, Your Highness?”
"I simply denied it.”
If they weren’t careful, there was a chance that Duke Floyen could become their enemy instead. For this reason, Dennis praised the prince. "A wise decision, Your Highness. I agree that it would be best to hide the truth for now.”
"Well, if we’re close to getting caught anyway, wouldn’t it be better to show the emperor that he will have to pay if anything happens to the lady?” Victor suggested, butting in with his simple advice.
Dennis rubbed his temples. "And if the emperor decides to intervene… Actually, never mind. This isn’t even worth my time.” Then, turning to his lord, he said, "Anyway, please go see the lady, Your Highness. We understand your situation.”
Silence followed, and Dennis lightly kicked Victor’s leg under the table. The man flinched. Then, sighing, he grumbled, "I, Victor, will guard this place on behalf of Your Highness.”
"Please don’t worry about us. We’ll take care of any issues should they arise,” Dennis assured his lord.
An unfamiliar feeling overcame Max, and he awkwardly began to express his gratitude. "...Thank you.”
Dennis observed him. He really had changed for the better. Despite all the years that Dennis had spent with his lord, the crown prince had always been somewhat distant. He seemed like a flawless being far beyond them, but now, he had someone he wanted to protect, and by trusting his subordinates and asking them for advice, he was unveiling a weakness of his. Dennis was deeply moved by the great transformation his lord had undergone. It was unlikely for a ruler who listened to his subordinates to turn into a tyrant. Although Dennis didn’t expect Max to become a sage, the knight was sure his lord would nevertheless become a wise ruler.
"Your Highness,” Victor called, interrupting Dennis’s train of thought. "Shouldn’t you tell us what your weakness is, then? We’re your right and left-hand men—we won’t tell anyone!”
Dennis’ face crumpled, but much to his surprise, the crown prince simply muttered, "I’ll tell you two later.”
With that statement, he left the room, unaware that his aides were watching him leave with astonished expressions.