Chapter 61

“I was very impressed with your behavior just now.” I frowned at Marien’s words.

‘What? My behavior?’

I can’t think of it. I’m glad you don’t think it’s true, let alone impressive. In answer to my question Catherine opened her mouth, putting the teacup down on the pedestal.

“It’s not easy to reveal the secrets of such a great tea easily, no matter how close you are.”

‘It’s not a secret, it’s no big deal, so I just released it…’

I was embarrassed because I did not know that I would be overestimated.

“No, that’s….” Of course, I am grateful to have a good interpretation, but it is burdensome to praise me by interpreting it differently than intended. For that reason, I tried to confess frankly that I didn’t mean it. But the two women I mentioned earlier stopped me from speaking.

”Yes, I’m just grateful that you have trusted us and told us.”

”It’s the second time I’ve seen her privately, but I was thrilled by her kindness.” No, I was embarrassed to see them distorting my intentions.

“Everyone, cut it short.” When everyone couldn’t make a rational judgment, someone who could make a proper judgment appeared. Terrence Young-ae opened her mouth, staring at me. “Although the princess tells the secret of the car kindly, answers well, and she is a better person than you thought, you still have to be calm about the tea.” It’s my mistake that it feels like a compliment for some reason, right? Anyway, I don’t want to go to a tasting event and do any activities. Then I took her words with me.

“That’s right. I like being fair, too.” Lady Terrence nodded at my answer.

“In that sense, I’ll speak fairly. The tea she gave me is seemingly ordinarily dazzling.” Of course it will. The leaves themselves are worth looking at by mixing flowers, but no one will see the tea leaves because they are put in filter paper and brewed anyway.

‘Well, that’s a fail at the tasting.’

That’s what I was thinking.

“But it was wonderful to process the tea using a special technique called fragrant. The scent was very good. It feels like the moist rose scent from the dew at dawn spreads in my mouth?” I was listening to Lady Terence’s praise with a blank face. “Never mind that if you break the tasting rules in the future, you’ll get kicked out.” Leave, before I even accept the word that suddenly popped out.

“Oh, congratulations!”

”I can be with you in the future!”

“Please take good care for me!” I was filled with sighs at their congratulatory remarks.

‘Oh, Lady Terence… What do I do if you didn’t pass me?’

* * *

“Oh, it’s already time!”

“I’ll call you in advance for the next tasting!” It was when the tasting members were greeting one by one.

“Next time, can I write a letter?” The blushing Veronica made Juvelian turn her head slightly off.

“Of course.” Then, Veronica’s face was bright.

“I’ll see you next time!” As Veronica went out, there were only two of them left in the open drawing room. Max stared at Jubelian gently.

<I heard that the Empress Dowager was reluctant to accept the Prince.>

When I thought of the word, a bitter smile came to my lips.

<Don’t come to my place again, I don’t know if there’s poison in it.>

Isabel thought she would not be able to use force, but she tried to destroy the spirit of the young crown prince.

‘The Crown Prince was violent and had a cruel heart without blood or tears.’

The method was to spread rumors about the Crown Prince with malice. At first, I was angry and falsely accused, but nothing changed. So what he chose was to be insensitive to rumors directed at him. It didn’t get any better if you paid attention to it. Moreover, I thought it was not good for me to turn into a cold-blooded monster with no blood or tears like that rumor. It’s more like you’re risking your life will be better.

<You haven’t seen him in person yet, so wouldn’t it be too early to jump to conclusions? Maybe he’s more generous than I thought.>

But when Jubelian stood by him, something filled his chest and shook greatly. Yeah, that was a weird sense.

‘Why are you different from the others?’

Max was staring at Juvelyan with deeper eyes. Then, Jubelian rolled her blue eyes. It could have been avoided, but with the desire to look straight into the eyes, Max stared straight at Juvelian. At the moment of eye contact, the heart thundered and rang loudly.

‘Do you feel the same way as me?’

I hoped, but it was grumbling to Jubelian to stop by.

“Ha, I’m going to be in a tight circle.”

‘What’s wrong with social activities?’

Max closed his mouth as he tried to ask casually. Come to think of it, her behavior has always been strange. When she was alone at the ballroom, and at the tea party, he only answered other people’s questions but never spoke to them first. At that time, her gossip that I had heard one day came back to mind.

<Actually, it’s the Princess Floyen that I’m interested in this banquet.>

Only then could Max realize why he was so angry.

‘Is it because you look like me?’

Max, who silently responded to Jubelian’s face, opened his mouth.

“Don’t worry, you’ll be fine.”

* * *

Fresia was frowning as she read the report given by her subordinate.

‘Secret contact with the Chang Jung-baek was successful, but the problem was the empress.’

The rumors spread by the empress were malicious. The Crown Prince, who turned away from his mother, returned as a tyrant who slaughtered the enemy like a butcher.

<Will the Crown Prince be able to make good choices?>

Fresia, who was reading the report of the load, spat out nausea.

“Brave, snake-like lewd bitch!” If public opinion in the Empire goes this way, the Prince’s enemy synthesis may be questioned unless he makes a great contribution.

‘In the worst case, you could be deprived of your crown prince status.’

Although it is true that you can’t say that you have a good personality, Max has never crossed the line.

‘I told you to keep the weak alive, who are not able to fight in the war.’

Most of the stigma written by the Crown Prince was unjust. But every time Max heard a stigma, he only answered with an empty eye.

<Report all the rumors about me since it doesn’t matter.>

But knowing that Empress Sun’s work was a wound to Max, Fresia could not dare to report to him the truthfully.

‘We need to crack down on this so it won’t catch the Lord’s ear.’

Fresia tore up the rumor report and put it in the fireplace. Staring at the blazing report, she was looking for a way to calm the rumour.

‘Even if the empress makes a fuss, she needs a decent shot…’

And it was the low-key voice that broke her imagination.

“What are you doing?” Surprised by the sudden appearance of Max, she pretended to be calm.

“Oh, are you here?” I turned my head, and the image of Max came into my eyes. a slightly subdued look. The atmosphere seemed calm with a slight downturn.

”What happened to the Chang Jung-baek?”

”Oh, we’ve been in touch and asked to support about 20,000 of our soldiers.”

If you lose 20,000 soldiers, it’s not a big loss. However, the number of soldiers trained by Byun Kyung-baek was only 60,000 and even if the support forces participated in the war, the number could not be guaranteed.

‘Maybe you want your king not to be involved in case you fail.’

If you send reinforcements as requested by Chang Jung-baek, you’ll only put them in danger. For that reason, Fresia was rather hoping Max would refuse. But coldly, the Crown Prince uttered his wish and other words outside his mouth.

“Send our reinforcements.”

“Sorry? But you’ll be wiped out.” Fresia dissuaded him, but Max was adamant.

“It’s a good thing if you can take a big one at a loss.” Yeah, I’m sure we can pull the Southern forces together, including Chang Chi-baek, if we support the South. But Fresia couldn’t bear to be happy.

‘Did you forget that few of them are your soldiers?’

A cold-blooded man who can throw away his men for the purpose. I denied it as a false rumor, but I couldn’t help it.

‘After all, it’s my fault that I didn’t do a good job.’

At the time of Prezia’s self-help, Max’s voice came.

“But send 50,000 soldiers.” Fifty thousand, which was enough to guarantee a victory. However, it was a big burden to send the troops to support them as they account for a large portion of the troops. Knowing that the Lord was doing nothing to lose, Fresia stared at Max with astonishment.

“Are you serious?” In fact, it would have been better for Max to send 20,000. Even if it was wiped out, it was a bearable loss. But there was a reason why Max forced his way into sending personnel.

‘You don’t think I’m evil when I do this?’

Max laughed as he recalled the face of Jubelian. Fresia was shocked to see the smiling face.

‘Yes, I’m sure you’ll reverse it as a mistake.’

But Max didn’t reverse what he said.

“If only 20,000 people were sent as support, would it be more than just getting my soldiers killed? In that case, it would be better to send a number with a certain chance of winning.” Feeling thrilled, Presia boiled on one knee.

“Really…… you’ve grown wonderfully.” While looking at the misunderstood Presia, Max made a strange expression and frowned.

‘You hear all the stars while I was trying to see Juvelian well.’

(he meant his just making his name good for Juvel but Fresia is enlightened because she thought Max is really thinking about his soldiers)

Suddenly, Max, feeling unfamiliar, turned away.

“And there’s something you need to do.”

“Yes, tell me! This Fresia, I will do it at the risk of my life.” Before long, Fresia heard Max’s words and asked back with a depressed face.

“Okay. Don’t let bad rumors about the Princess Floyen.”

“Okay.”

‘Why is the rumors of others who just left rumors about him…?’

It was embarrassing, but if you think about it, it was after meeting the princess that Max changed.

‘Princess Floyen, who really is you? My highness is the one who does this.’

Presia brightened his eyes and shook his head.

“I take the name.” As Presia left, Max frowned over the terms of the contract.

‘Should I say goodbye before I leave?’