Putting their trust in him, the Floyen and Elios knights had waited patiently. Not long after, one of the knights announced, "Captain Dennis found traces of the beast in the underpass and hurried to the arena. Everyone, please make your way there as soon as possible."
Once the knights from both families had reached the arena, the case had already been resolved.
"Now, get out of my sight."
Frederich smirked as he watched Mikhail lower his tail to the crown prince. How ugly.
Then, he turned his head to see Jubelian in the prince's arms. She seemed more lively than usual.
Lady Floyan—Jubelian. She was someone he had considered pathetic at first. She was utterly incorrigible, and he was embarrassed that such a person could be the daughter of a duke. However…
"Why don’t we call it even with this, Lord Gordon? Speak as informally to me as my guard did to you.”
He had happened to witness her on that day in Arcade Street, and that was when she had caught his attention. Since then, his interest in her had only grown. He was overcome with a strange sense of elation every time he saw her change. She was gradually being carved to perfection like a finely crafted jewel. From a certain point onward, he would smile every time he saw her without even realizing it.
That was why he wanted to make her happy... Frederich had hoped that he would be the one to put a smile on her face, but in the end, it didn’t work out the way he wanted it to.
Well, as long as she was happy.
No. He pretended to be okay at first, but he felt sick to his stomach. She was the first person he had ever loved.
Sensing the crown prince’s gaze upon him, he narrowed his eyes slightly. Truthfully, he didn’t like the man. However, instead of revealing how he felt, he smiled with his eyes.
If the crown prince could make her happy, then Frederich would gladly bow to him. With this resolution, he lowered his head, and Max frowned.
What was wrong with him? He expected Frederich to stare back with hostility like Mikhail did, but there was a bittersweet mixture of respect and vexation in the nobleman's eyes instead. How annoying.
"People are coming. Let me down!" Jubelian cried, squirming in his arms.
She looked bewildered, and her cheeks were now rosy with embarrassment. She still looked lovely to Max, which just made him want to tease her more.
Smiling mischievously, he hugged her tighter.
"Yes, people are coming, and this is an opportunity to show them that I am yours,” he said.
Wriggling in his arms, Jubelian covered her face with both hands. Max headed to where the Floyen family's seats were with a smile.
The emperor clenched his fists.
Damn it! Mikhail, that idiot... he cursed silently.
Not only had the knight acted recklessly, but he messed up the plan by being unable to slaughter the beast.
The emperor watched his son walk with Jubelian in his arms and smirked. Well, at least he found Maximilian's weakness.
Then, their eyes met and the emperor noticed a dangerous glint in his son’s eyes. Those who dared to meet the crown prince’s eyes trembled in fear. Nonetheless, the emperor thought the sight of his son cradling Jubelian as if to warn him was laughable.
Was Maxmillian saying he wouldn’t let him be if he did anything to her? Turning to Regis standing behind him, the emperor grinned. "I didn't expect a girl to become my son’s leash... Thanks to your daughter, Regis, everything will be much easier for me."
Like a disloyal vassal, Duke Floyen remained silent. The emperor simply turned back to watching Jubelian as if the silence had been expected.
"If I put that girl in jail, my son won't make that arrogant face at me anymore."
Just thinking about that scenario put the emperor at ease. He now had a way to control his rampant son. Additionally, he gained another card he could throw away after using.
Looking at Regis again, the emperor smiled contentedly at the duke's unfocused blue eyes. "Don't be too heartbroken,” he said. "I’ll bury your daughter once I take care of my son. And when you’re no longer useful, I’ll kill you too so you may rest with her.”
The duke remained as still as a statue as the emperor voiced his cruelty.
"Your Majesty, what do you plan to do with the winner of the hunting contest?" the grand chamberlain asked.
The emperor quickly turned around and said, "Due to the severe damage done by the beast, there will be no reward."
Then, he turned around and left the box seats.
Eventually, Regis' blank eyes gradually rediscovered their light. Clenching his fists, he glared at the emperor with determination and bloodlust.
He was not going to let the emperor have his way.
Once Max subdued the beast, the nobles who had fled returned to the arena.
"The crown prince took care of the dire wolf?"
"He's amazing!"
"By the way, where is he? Doesn’t he usually wear black armor...?"
People were enthusiastic about the fact that the crown prince had defeated the dire wolf. After all, he was a heroic figure who had previously made many contributions to wars in the past.
"His Highness protected us once again."
Meanwhile, I was elated to hear people praising Max. He was my lover, after all. Nonetheless, I couldn't just sit back and enjoy the atmosphere.
"Wait, isn't that Lady Floyen over there?"
Oh, this was mortifying.
Feeling countless gazes on me, I was beyond embarrassed. It would have been fine if I was just standing next to him, but the problem was that Max was still holding me bridal style as he headed back to the seats.
"Max, let me go,” I urged.
"Why?"
It was unfair that he was still handsome even when he was doing something I hated. He gave me a puzzled look, so I decided to tell him my honest opinion. "I'm not a little kid and I’m ashamed to be seen like this by others."
He sighed. "If I put you down now, you won't be able to walk because of your ankle."
"It doesn't hurt—ah!"
Max lightly brushed his hand over my ankle while I was speaking and pain immediately followed. I was sure nothing had happened, but now I realized that I had aches throughout my body. It felt like I had been severely beaten.
Why all of a sudden? I was very confused.
Max sighed again. "Don't you remember how hard you fell to the ground just moments ago?” he prompted. "Not just that, too. That huge beast was pressing down on you. Your whole body must be sore by now."