"Unbeknownst to you, I've been watching you all along, Lady Floyen,” he said.
"I'm sorry?"
"Would you believe me if I told you I nourish an unrequited love for you?"
His shocking words prompted me to recall the first time I had met him.
"It’s amazing, isn't it?” he had said. "I never imagined that an opportunity like this would come to me.”
At the time, I simply thought that he was interested in playing cards with me, but maybe I was wrong. Was he saying that he had been interested in me even before then?
Lord Elios was an attractive gentleman. I couldn't believe someone like him was interested in me. My eyes trembled, but I forced myself to keep my gaze focused on him. Lifting his teacup, he took a small sip. Once he met my eyes, he smiled brightly.
"If you could, please refrain from looking at me like that,” he said. "My heart might jump out of my chest at any second."
I continued to study his expression regardless. His eyes were relaxed and his smile was sly. His claim about unrequited love wasn’t convincing at all.
"You must be joking," I said sternly.
The radiance soon faded from his fine features. His turquoise eyes, which I had always thought carried a warm light, grew dark.
"I’m serious."
His tone had completely changed, and I involuntarily flinched a little. Unperturbed by my reaction, Lord Elios grinned as he put down his teacup.
"Not too long ago, I had looked down on your disrespectful conduct. After all, I am the son of a duke, just as you are the daughter of one."
Furrowing my brow, I attempted to counterattack. "In the end, this was your true intent—"
However, he cut me off. "Nonetheless, you kept changing for the better, and I couldn't help but notice it. At some point, I realized that I was smiling every time I saw or thought of you.”
Unsure of how to react to his strange confession, I lowered my eyes.
"Jubelian," he continued, "I believe that I would be an excellent candidate for a marriage partner."
He was one of the most beloved men in high society, not to mention the prime minister's successor. It was an undeniable fact that he would be the bachelor to marry throughout this empire, but I still had Max.
"I'm sorry, Lord Elios. Unfortunately, I’m not interested in you."
I refused resolutely. Even so, he spoke confidently, devoid of any disappointment. "I understand. This is why I want to take the time to show you my strengths.”
I declined once again. "There’s no need for that.”
However, he put on a charming smile. "There’s no use. I’ve already made up my mind.”
Speechless, I bit my lip.
Having finished his tea, he rose from his chair.
"I’ll see you at the hunting competition then, my love."
After he left, I stared blankly into space for a moment. Then, recalling what had just happened, I sighed. Why was he so bent on winning my heart? I had absolutely no intention of accepting his confession.
However, there was still a chance he would make a public one. Just the thought of having to reject him while being the center of attention amidst all the nobles throughout the empire terrified me. I would become a hot topic for gossip amongst those in high society, but I was also worried about how Max would react. In any case, I was determined to stop Lord Elios from winning the competition.
With this pledge, I decided to go back to my room.
Just then, Merilyn called out to me.
"Lady Floyen, there’s another guest here to see you,” she announced.
Confused, I rose from my chair with a frown. How could someone who had just left come back so fast? It almost seemed like he was just using me for his own amusement. Gritting my teeth, I shoved the door open.
Then, I flinched.
"Jubelian?"
Lord Elios wasn’t the one before me. It was Max, and he wore a puzzled expression.
"Oh, hello, Max,” I greeted, quickly putting on a smile. "Please, come in."
He was quick to realize something was wrong. "You seemed somewhat angry just now... Did something happen?"
"Oh, no. Nothing happened," I answered, giving him a white lie.
"Come on, what happened? Tell me what's wrong, Jubelian."
He was a persistent one. For a moment, I thought of telling him the truth. Then I remembered what Lord Elios had said.
"Jubelian, I believe that I would be an excellent candidate for a marriage partner."
If I told this to Max, he would be extremely displeased. I didn't want to hurt his feelings when I hadn’t seen him for a long time, so I said, "Well... It's because I haven't seen you in so long."
At that, he enveloped me in a tight hug.
"I missed you, too,” he said.
I snuggled into his embrace, burying my head into his chest. As if I was being protected by him, his muscular arms and broad shoulders made me feel at ease. It had only been a week, yet I had missed this feeling dearly.
He brushed his fingers through my hair.
"It seemed like someone had just been here,” he noted with a soft voice.
Uh-oh! I had been too occupied with my thoughts to clean up the tea set. I quickly came up with an excuse to avoid mentioning Lord Elios. "Ah, I was talking to my seamstress about a dress..."
He studied me with narrowed eyes before lifting me into his arms.
"Let's go to your room,” he suggested. "We'll talk there."
Embarrassed that I was being held bridal style, I thought about asking him to drop me. However, the biggest problem was him inquiring about the visitor I just had, so I meekly stayed put as he carried me upstairs.
Max swung his sword without stopping. However, his master swiftly avoided the strikes, even making counterattacks in response. He didn’t show any sign of exhaustion.
Max wondered if he would become like his master once he was a transcendent being as he struggled to discern his master's movements. Rushing toward him, his master’s sharp blade suddenly stopped once it reached his neck.
"That's all for today,” Regis said, lowering his sword. "Go see Jubelian.”
Max was only surprised at the unexpected permission to visit her for a moment because he quickly began to suspect that it could be a trap.
"What’s making you so generous today?" he demanded.
His master wrinkled his brow. "Don't jump to conclusions. It’s not because I think you deserve anything, but because Jubelian wants to see you."
Max felt his heart flutter. She missed him so much that his master was permitting him to go see her? A smile began to grow upon his lips.
Wham!
Something suddenly impacted the back of his head and Max turned to his master, his face twisted in pain. "Ow! What was that about?"
"Get stronger if you want to know,” his master taunted, smirking.