Chapter 100 - Please Listen to Me

It had happened to me in the original novel. My father was a hero, and I had a grand status as the daughter of a duke, but during a crucial moment, everyone had turned their backs on me. In the end, the only option left for me in my crisis was death.

"No matter how strong and remarkable you are, you shouldn't be overconfident about your situation or abilities. The moment the majority becomes your enemy, they will wait for the day you become weak." I smiled bitterly.

When I thought about my future, I became overwhelmed with hopelessness. 'I guess it's easier said than done.'

"I don't understand," Max said, looking at me with a serious expression.

I was dumbfounded by his ignorant response to my earnest words. 'I knew it. It's too much for a person who talks down towards me to understand power differentials in the first place.' I gave up on trying to explain it to him and decided to get straight to the point.

"That's not what matters now. What I mean is—"

"You're telling me to refrain from getting into conflicts with nobles when I'm with you," he cut me off with a displeased face.

My expression hardened. I didn't think he would blurt out the answer just like that after saying random things this whole time. I froze in astonishment but then frowned. 'I thought he couldn't understand, but he knew what I was talking about all along?' Even though he understood, I looked at him with questioning eyes because there was a chance he would disagree with me.

"So, are you willing to accept my request?" I asked carefully.

"Okay, while I'm with you, I won't fight with others," he answered immediately. It wasn't a very reliable statement, but the problem was resolved for now.

'Alright, now I have to…' I took out a handkerchief and handed it to him.

"What's this for?" he asked and took it from my hand.

"Wipe the cream off your lips." I finally told him about the thing that had been bothering me throughout our conversation.

He scrunched up his face and cleaned up the cream.

* * *

When he got back to his residence, Max scowled. 'Did she think I'd lose to someone like him?' Max hated it when someone looked down on him. He normally wouldn't have allowed for an assumption like that to be made. He then recalled what Jubelian had said to him in the past.

"You told me you owe someone, right? Take this and help that person out."

It was arrogant of his master's daughter to look down on him and try to take care of him. 'Except for my master, I've never lost a fight against anyone. I don't need her charity,' Max thought in anger, then remembered Jubelian's words from earlier.

"I'm only saying this because I'm worried! So…"

Max loosened his clenched fists. 'I really don't understand.' Despite his determination to resolve Jubelian's misconceptions, Max was strangely not upset anymore. What he wanted instead was to not miss a single word sounding from her red lips.

'Just why?' He had thought hard about this problem before, but no matter how much he pondered over it, he couldn't come up with an answer. Max looked at the cake box he received from Jubelian and glowered.

"Even though I hate sweets, she still gave me this useless thing as a gift." Unlike his displeased murmur, his eyes were slightly soft. At that moment, the door opened and Fresia came in.

"Lord Maximillian, I have a report on something you asked me to investigate… Oh my! What's with the cake?"

At Fresia's question, Max straightened his expression and tried to switch the subject. "It's nothing," he said, but his eyes were still fixed on the cake box.

As if her instincts were warning her, Fresia thought, 'If I touch that cake, I'll be in big trouble.' "Oh, alright. Then I'll give you the report first—" she continued awkwardly but was cut off.

"This cake is expensive."

Fresia flinched at Max's sudden remark. 'What does he want me to say to that?' She was flustered but managed to answer with a smile. "Ah, I see."

Max's eyes became sharp at her response as if he weren't satisfied. "Apparently, it's from the best tearoom in the capital," he said.

Although it was a fake identity, Fresia was the owner of the largest salon in the capital. At his words, she could instantly guess what Max's intentions were. 'Is he telling me to praise the cake?' It was unusual behavior from her lord as he hated sweets, but, just in case, Fresia opened her mouth to compliment the cake.

"The decorations certainly look great. The strawberries look fresh as well."

"Yes, because it's a cake boasted by the best tearoom in the capital."

Although they were just flattering remarks to please him, Fresia could see Max smiling. 'As I thought, it's a gift from Lady Floyen,' she assumed, narrowing her eyes slightly.

"Fresia," Max called her.

"Ah, yes, my lord." She wore a serious expression as she waited for Max to continue in case he was about to give an order.

Max opened his mouth after a short moment. "Since you've worked so hard all this time… I'll give you this cake as a special gift."

Fresia couldn't believe her ears. 'Did the lord just offer to share his precious cake with me?' With her wealth, she could buy as many cakes as she wanted. But this was the first time Maximillian was giving her a personal gift, so she knew that this cake was very special. "Thank you, my lord. I'll make sure to savor every bite."

Max nodded at her emotional response. "Don't eat it all. Half of it is mine."

Fresia knitted her eyebrows. 'If he's going to give it to me, wouldn't it be better to give me all of it? He doesn't even like sweets.'

<To Be Continued>

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Hope you enjoyed it,

Love,

Biji ^^,

March.29.2023