Chapter 271 - Her Protectors

Watching the lady’s figure from far away, Max sighed. She was someone he deeply cherished, and if he could, he wanted to keep her in his pocket. Also if he could, he wanted to kiss her, but… He twisted his lips into a frown, glaring at his master who was now before him.

‘I didn’t want to do it while this man was prying.’ Max didn’t care what his master saw, but it was clear to him that Jubelian would be embarrassed if she were to find out that her father witnessed her affectionate acts. Since Max had decided to put Jubelian first before anything, he had refrained from kissing her.

Yes, it was all for her.

Max couldn’t help but feel resentment toward his master for interrupting even the moment of goodbye. “I see that you still do not respect your daughter’s privacy,” he spat out scornfully.

Regis wrinkled his eyebrows as if annoyed. He then responded coldly, “Didn’t you say that you were busy?” There was sarcasm in his voice, implying that he wanted Max to leave immediately. Surprisingly, his disciple kneeled instead of getting upset. “What do you think you’re doing?” Regis asked, thoroughly irritated. However, Max remained unstirred as he looked up.

“I want to become stronger. Please help me.” Regis looked into his disciple’s eyes. A sense of desperation and intense longing for something lingered in those crimson eyes. Unlike before where he seemed to have no clear goal, it seemed that Max had something in mind.

‘It looks like you’ve finally come to a decision.’ Although he was proud, Max was still an arrogant disciple. Thinking the other might be tainted with pride again, Regis remained indifferent as he accepted the request. “Very well, then.”

At his master’s acceptance, Max exhaled a sigh of relief.

* * *

Victor gulped, his eyes on Beatrice. He couldn’t understand how the princess had found out. Although the crown prince and his personalities were different, Victor possessed a similar physique, eye color, and even tone of voice. If the crown prince’s closest aides were excluded, Beatrice would be the first to have seen through the disguise.

‘This is bad. With the uprising just around the corner, how could I…? This might serve as a fatal weakness,’ Victor lamented.

“You mean my brother often goes out with a body double sitting in his room?”

Victor frowned in response to Beatrice’s question. “Please don’t distort the answer I gave you earlier. I made it clear that this is a one-day-only situation.”

Beatrice’s eyes narrowed in response. “Who believes that?”

The princess was no joke, and Victor was now cursed with a throbbing headache. ‘Captain Dennis will be here soon… I will definitely get scolded. And His Highness…’ For some reason, Victor was more afraid of being beheaded by the crown prince before the princess could tell anyone about this. He swallowed nervously. ‘Now that it has come to this, the only choice I have left is to convince Her Highness.’ Hoping Max would come back as late as possible, Victor glanced at the princess. “Your Highness, the friend you mentioned earlier—I will assist if I can be of any help.”

Beatrice took a glance at Victor. ‘Hmm… he doesn’t look so trustworthy, but he is one of Maximilian’s closest aides. There must be a reason for it. Also given that, he wouldn’t dare to win Jubelian over for himself.’

If Maximilian showed interest in Jubelian, there was a high possibility that the emperor’s attention would be focused on the lady. However, if it were just a knight Beatrice would give orders to, no one would think it strange even if he wandered around Jubelian. After making up her mind, Beatrice opened her mouth. “On the day of the hunting competition, you must protect my friend.”