I wanted to crawl into a hole so I told him to close his eyes. He gave me a slight frown but eventually obeyed. My heart fluttered at the sight of him meekly closing his eyes. I was happy that he was listening to me without complaining. I took the chance to study his face while he had his eyes closed. He had long eyelashes and a pointy nose.
How could someone be so handsome? I smiled. On my tiptoes, I resolved to engage only in light acts of affection until I came of age. There wouldn't be any big events after the banquet, anyway, so I didn’t have to be worried.
Suppressing the desire to kiss his lips, I approached his cheek. At that moment, Max suddenly opened his eyes.
Huh?
I didn’t even have time to protest before he grabbed me by the face and kissed me. I kept my mouth shut, but he gently pressed on my chin, coaxing my mouth to open. Taking the chance, he slid his tongue in, his lust wetting the inside of my mouth.
How was this a kiss for a blessing?! Wasn't it supposed to be a light peck with pure intentions? What we were doing was not pure by any means—it was ridiculous. I groaned inwardly as I berated myself for responding to his kiss. When I opened my eyes, I was immediately met with his. There was a sense of desperation and ferocity within them like that of a hungry beast. I felt as if I had become his prey. My knees grew weak from the peculiar tingling that had begun to resonate throughout my body. I staggered backward, but he held onto my back firmly.
He bit my lip gently before letting go of me and whispering, "I'm determined to win the contest.”
"What? But..."
I wanted to say that we should stay out of the emperor's focus during the competition, but he said, "It would be strange if I didn't do anything, especially since I can’t stand losing.”
Just then, I remembered his past actions.
Boldly telling me to talk respectfully to him despite my status as the daughter of a duke and treating Baron Gordon the same way by saying, "I don’t know why I have to apologize when you’re the one at fault for falling.”
And, lastly, when he had quarreled with Mikhail, the heir of Marquis Hessen, he said… "It’s none of your business.”
There were many other instances, but these were enough to remind me that he was a prideful person. He was right—the emperor was more likely to harbor suspicions if Max wasn’t acting competitively. I was completely persuaded by his reasoning.
"More than anything else,” he added, "I want to give the winning prize as a gift for your coming-of-age ceremony.”
I don't know how I ended up with two men offering to give me the prize. However, it would be a pleasant gesture if Max was the one who gave it to me. I was human, too, and I would be lying if I said I didn’t fancy expensive jewelry. The reason why I hated it when Lord Elios offered it to me wasn’t just because I didn't like the man, but because he had offered to present it to me publicly in front of everyone as if to show off his courtship.
On the other hand, Max was my lover. I would be pleased with whatever he gave me. The hairpin he bought me when I thought he was a commoner—whatever the price it was—was my treasure. Because he was someone I held dear to my heart, I was elated when he offered to give me something of great value. I pictured him giving the flower to me when we were alone, and if I hid it well, our relationship would remain safe as well!
A national treasure was soon to become mine...!
Unable to restrain a smile, I looked at him. He grinned at me and stroked my cheek with a finger. "
Are you happy?" he asked. I nodded and he patted me on the cheek again. "Since you like it so much, I'm determined to win the reward for you.”
I was happy to hear that for a moment. Then, I remembered what I had been thinking about earlier. This wasn’t the time to be giddy. I was about to tell him to protect Bea for me when he suddenly untied the ribbon holding my choker at my neck.
"Max!" I immediately yelled.
Heedless of my shout, he studied my neck.
"It's still there," he said, a satisfied smile on his lips.
I was offended. "
Do you know how much I struggled to hide this?" I asked.
I was about to complain, but he frowned.
"I don't want you to cover this. I want others to know that you have a lover.” His eyes turned a shade darker again and I flinched. Stroking the spot on my neck, he continued, "But since you don't like it, I won't do it anywhere visible from now on."
I hadn't said it openly because I was afraid of hurting his feelings, but he had read my mind. "Thank you."
He smiled. "You're welcome."
Max looked at the innocent Jubelian and smiled. It didn’t matter. He could just do it anywhere once she came of age. As he imagined dying her pale body red, he stroked the mark on her neck.
"Max,” she said, "I have a request."
Imagining a happily married life with her, Max nodded happily. "What is it?"
He had already received a kiss and a handkerchief from her as good luck charms for the competition. He was willing to do anything she wanted.
"I want you to take care of Bea tomorrow."
At the unexpected request, Max had no choice but to scowl.
I didn't think he would listen. It looked like things had improved compared to before, but the relationship between Bea and Max still wasn’t a close one, likely due to the empress. I had expected this reaction, but it made me uneasy how he just froze up. Was he mad at me?
I was thinking that I may have made an unreasonable request, but then he sighed. Looking into my eyes, he answered, "I'm working on it."
Contrary to his exasperated tone when he would speak of Bea in the past, his calm eyes now contained sincerity.
Thank heavens. Relief washed through me. "Max, I'm actually worried that something might happen to Bea during the hunting contest—"
Before I could finish speaking, he cut me off. "I was planning on having one of my knights escort her.”
His brow was slightly furrowed. Still, my heart swelled at his promise.
"Really?"
"Yes. I don't want to let the emperor get what he wants."