Chapter 284 - Kiss to Wish Victory

The day before the hunting competition, Max received a carrier pigeon from Fresia. Filled with anticipation and impressed that she had already thought of what to give the lady for her coming-of-age ceremony, he smiled proudly. He was in a hurry now that the banquet was only about a month away. In any case, thanks to his competent subordinate, he could now worry about one less thing. He decided to read the note, but upon opening the letter tied to the pigeon’s leg, he frowned.

‘Mikhail visited Viscount Droil and has been acting suspiciously since then?’

It was usually the other way around—Viscount Droil frequented Marquis Hessen’s mansion, but the converse was not so. If this was true, it would definitely be something to look out for. ‘That vermin. What is he planning?’ Max cursed inwardly. He was then engulfed in anxious thoughts. ‘Now that I think about it… All of Master’s knights—the skilled ones at least—will be attending the hunting competition.’

No matter how powerful his master was, if the emperor was determined to tamper with the duke’s plan to protect his daughter, there was a good chance that he would be swept away. Max was supposed to receive the handkerchief from Jubelian today. He decided to pay a visit to the duke’s house to check if Jubelian had plenty of escort knights.

‘Not only that…’

Usually, when a man was to receive a handkerchief from his lover before a grand event like this, he would also receive a kiss wishing victory. ‘I’ll have to check if the traces I made are still there.’ Recalling Jubelian’s flushed expression, Max raised the corners of his lips.

Once he entered the mansion and saw her face, he was overcome with relief and emotions. He immediately brought her into his embrace.

At first, he had pulled her into his arms. He then gradually began to lean on her body. ‘I’m certainly… dependent on her now.’ Max had never even trusted his powerful master until now. He couldn’t understand how he had come to rely on such a small and delicate woman. He was astonished.

Just then, Jubelian patted Max on the back. Sensing her tender and attentive touch, Max smiled. He realized he was depending on her because she supported him. That was when a slapping sound came from his back, along with slight pain. Her soft voice spoke, “Max, you’re heavy.”

He was stunned. He didn’t think she would hit him on the back. ‘Did I lean on her too much?’ he thought, ashamed, before straightening his back to hold her properly. He had long missed the feeling of her delicate and soft body fitting snugly in his arms. “How have you been?” he asked.

Jubelian looked up and nodded. “The preparations for the coming-of-age ceremony are going well. The only problem is… Dad has been returning to the house late these days.”

Max felt guilty. He was the reason behind his master’s late returns. Whenever his master would try to go back home in the evening, Max provoked him to somehow extend the training. “Is this it? It seems you have aged,” he would say, not knowing that what he did had made Jubelian lonely. Regret and guilt washed over him, but Max smiled once he came to a solution.

‘I’ll do my best to help her not feel lonely.’ Using one hand, Max pulled Jubelian close by the waist. With the other, he lifted her chin slightly upward. “I’ve visited to receive the handkerchief from you, as promised. And…” Max stopped talking and gazed at her lips. He then lowered his head toward them. However, Jubelian’s small hand stopped his mouth from reaching hers.

“No.”

He furrowed his brow at her harsh tone. Knowing that it may be effective to act pitiful, Max sulked. “What’s wrong? Do you not want to?”

Blushing, Jubelian answered, “It’s… It’s not that I don’t want to do it. It’s just because last time…” she trailed off then started adjusting the cloth choker covering her neck.