Chapter 202 - Adoration and Envy

Nevertheless, his elation did not last long. He scowled when he realized this was not the time to drool over her gorgeous appearance. With the hairpin, she was more charming than ever. Max was afraid that she would stand out too much to other noblemen.

'Once today's over… Should I ask her to only wear that when she's at home?' With these thoughts, he stared at the lady with a harsh gaze. Her face pale, Jubelian bowed her head. Max couldn't figure out what had happened. He began to worry. If he could, he wanted to run to her side immediately and grab her to ask if she was okay. But…

"Welcome, Beatrice and Max."

Now was the time to deal with his father and stepmother and perform as their son. His hand still holding Beatrice's, Max lowered his head slowly.

Laughing heartily, the emperor praised, "How nice it is to see you two getting along like this!"

Realizing the act his father was putting on, Max chipped in, "I was also very happy when I heard that Beatrice had asked me to be her partner."

"Yes. Why don't you two continue the friendly relations from now on?"

That was when the empress interrupted, "Dear Max, why have you worn that mask again today? I realize my beloved Beatrice had made a mistake last time, but that was then, isn't it?"

From the moment he had settled on the mask, Max had predicted that the empress would ask such a question. "Beatrice surprised me last time, so I wanted to return the gesture. She was the one who gave me this accessory, after all," he answered calmly.

Max expected her to continue finding faults with him, but contrary to the expectations, the empress nodded to her husband with a gentle smile. "I'm quite delighted to see him take such good care of our Beatrice."

Feeling disgusted by her hypocrisy, Max gave himself props for deciding to cover his face with a mask. If not, the whole empire would witness his irritation. In any case, Max appreciated the empress' incomprehensible pliancy. He furtively glanced at Beatrice and realized it would be difficult to monitor both his stepsister and the empress throughout the banquet—he would be suffering a headache by now if either of them had decided to go after him.

* * *

I sighed as I watched Beatrice conversing with her parents in the hall. I was positive that she would go dance with Mikhail soon and was worried about how she would become involved with such a terrible man. Fortunately—according to the original plot—Mikhail would transform into one of the best men in the empire after meeting her.

Besides, her love life was for her to decide. It would be discourteous for me to intervene, and such was not the problem at this moment. Swallowing nervously, I shifted my attention to the person next to Bea—her partner, the crown prince.

Everything was strange. Bea had partnered with her archenemy, and the King of Lagon had attended this banquet after losing the war against the Assiette Empire. He should be renouncing this kingdom by now. It was bothersome that the events before me were different from the future I knew. I wondered if my attempts to avoid the death flag were changing the upcoming events. Enveloped by an ominous feeling, I began making up all kinds of crazy logic.

"Lady Jubelian!" a voice called just then, bringing me back to reality.

The members of the tea-tasting party greeted me as they had at the banquet two weeks ago. I looked up at my father, to which he replied indifferently, "Go hang out with your friends." He left my side with those words, once again keeping his distance from me.

Confused by his ever-changing attitude, I watched my father as he disappeared into the crowd. The ladies from the tea-tasting party soon approached me, forcing me to put on a smile. "Hi, everyone. Is something the matter?" I asked.

It was Mary Ann who replied, "Lady Jubelian, you look even more beautiful today than usual! Your skin is flawless—not even the finest china would compare!"

Catherine chimed in. "I'm so jealous! Could you tell us your secret?"

Smiling in embarrassment, I thought to myself, 'The secret is… You just have to be scared out of your mind.'

In any case, I couldn't say that to my acquaintances. I sighed and looked around. My eyes landed on the scenery of the crown prince and princess conversing with their parents.

Today was the last day I had to take great care.

I slowly lowered my eyes to the marble floor.

****

Hope you enjoyed it,

Love,

Biji ^^,

Dec.15.2023