He trusted his daughter’s claims, but he still couldn’t help but think that Max was a good-for-nothing who needed to be kicked out of the mansion immediately.
"Whatever the circumstances are, you must take responsibility for your position if you want to spend time with my—”
"Wait a minute!” Jubelian cried.
The duke flinched. Then, he sighed. Was his daughter going to take Max’s side? In any case, Regis had no intention of letting this issue slide. Determined, he was about to scold her when she suddenly issued a demand: "You two. I want to know what happened behind my back!”
Regis was bewildered by her unexpected exclamation. He couldn’t understand how his dense daughter had found out.
Meanwhile, Max was equally perplexed. He thought she would never find out. What happened?!
Once the two men froze in place, Jubelian frowned. "Just tell me what happened already. What did you two talk about and when was it?”
However, neither Max nor Regis could tell the truth. Max didn’t want his lover to know that he had been beaten up by his master. Regis wanted to hide the fact that he had secretly followed his daughter around because it was an indecent thing for a father to do. Having barely restored his relationship with her, he didn’t want to end up back at square one. Max felt the same regarding their romantic relationship.
Silence filled the room and Jubelian pouted.
"Why? Is it because I’m not good enough to know?!” she cried, frustrated.
Shivers ran down the spines of both men.
Max took the risk and spoke first. "Jubelian, it’s not what you think… What happened was—”
Regis interrupted him. "I’ll tell her what happened.”
Judging by his sharp gaze, Max deduced that his master had a plan.
Swallowing dryly, he nodded.
"Remember when Max and I dueled?” the duke began.
"Yes,” Jubelian nodded. "At the training hall.”
"At that time, I told him that swordsmanship was crucial if he wanted to be a suitable partner for you, but that wasn’t all. I also told him that he must be diligent in his duties as the crown prince.”
Max frowned slightly. This man... He was making it sound like Max wasn’t doing his job. However, despite his indignation, he remained silent because his master’s insinuations that he lacked diligence were true to some extent. Also, if Max decided to reveal everything that had happened instead, he would be at a disadvantage.
Jubelian turned to Max. "Is that true?" she asked, her eyes wholly innocent.
Max didn’t want to lie to her, but he nodded. "Yes, it is."
At his confirmation, Jubelian sighed. "Dad, Max, can't you two just get along?"
Disgusted and resentful of the suggestion, the two men’s faces contorted.
Nonsense, thought Regis immediately. He’s a cheeky bastard who’s always looking for a way to take you away from me.
I would rather tell Beatrice that she’s pretty than get along with that condescending man, Max groused.
The two glowered at each other.
"I just want you to get along well..." Jubelian mumbled softly.
At the sound of her sad voice, the two stopped glaring at each other and looked at her, their hearts immediately breaking at the sight of her sullen face.
Perhaps they should pretend for now... Regis and Max exchanged glances.
Jubelian delivered the final blow.
"It’ll make me upset... to see the both of you fight constantly like this.” Tears began to well up in her periwinkle eyes.
At the mention of her getting upset, Regis was instantly unsettled. "Jubel, I..."
Max suddenly raised his voice. "Jubelian! What are you talking about?! It’s nothing like that! Don’t you know how much I respect my master? He’s protected me ever since I was little!"
Bastard, Regis thought, scowling.
Max never listened to his advice even after he saved his disciple from death's door. Max was lying through his teeth.
"Is that true?" Jubelian asked.
"Of course."
She smiled and her eyes curved into crescent moons. "I'm glad."
Regis sighed at her daughter's naivety. He couldn't believe she trusted Max to this extent.
In no time, however, his innocent little girl stood right before him.
"Dad," she called.
He flinched a little, but he answered evenly, concealing his nerves. "Yes?"
Her coral lips parted. "You've been protecting Max since he was young, right?"
Remembering Max as a kid, Regis adopted a bitter smile. "I will make sure to repay this favor in the future,” his disciple had once said. Instead of repaying the favor, however, Max was now hovering around the person most precious to Regis, irritating him. He wanted to let out a loud sigh showcasing his annoyance, but deep inside, he knew he couldn’t blame his disciple. After all, Jubelian liked Max too.
"Yes, I have,” he answered.
Taking Regis' hands, she smiled. "Does that mean Max is precious to you as well?"
Regis recalled Max's youthful face. The hostile boy had looked into the duke’s eyes and said, "I won't bow down to you for saving me. However, I will remember the grace you've shown me."
Max was arrogant... but... Regis sighed and nodded.
Beaming, Jubelian said, "Then why don't you two shake hands as a means of reconciliation?"
Regis nodded.
Max glared at his master but eventually gave in, sighing and approaching the other man.
"Master, I'm sorry for all the wrongs I've done until now," he said.
At Max's apology, Regis smiled slightly. Taking his pupil's outstretched hand, he gave him a slow handshake.
Max couldn't help but smile a little once he saw Jubelian’s expression brighten. At least he got to see her smile like that. This might have been worth—
His thoughts immediately halted once he registered the terrifying amount of force being exerted around his hand. His master’s grip was impossibly tight. He barely managed to swallow a groan. What was that about?!
Regis smirked as he watched his disciple stiffen, the smile on Max’s face becoming forced.
You impudent fool. Just know that I have no intention of handing her over yet, he silently warned.
I watched my father as he nodded. His expression was more stern than usual. Well, it was true that he cherished his disciple a lot. I had even misunderstood their relationship in the past.
I grinned at Max, who stood still as he looked at me. "Then why don't you two shake hands as a means of reconciliation?" I suggested.
They shook hands awkwardly. When I found out that they were at odds, I wanted to resolve it naturally at first, but then they began showing more and more hostility toward each other as the days passed. Since there was no sign of them making up, I had decided I couldn't just leave them be, so I faked some emotional reactions.
It was a little embarrassing because I sounded like a little girl, but I was glad it worked out in the end.
Watching as they smiled, I felt warm inside.
"We should have teatime—with some sweets too!" I suggested.