A woman's sharp voice rang throughout the gaudy room decorated with gold. "What? The crown prince is back?"

"Yes, he has just returned and had an audience with the emperor."

"What was the emperor's reaction to this?"

"Ah, well… He's still chatting with Duke Floyen…"

The woman dressed in fancy clothing nervously bit her nails. 'Maximillian… I can't believe he has already returned to the capital.' Her eyes shook nervously as she turned her gaze to the man lying stretched out before her.

"What has the spy been doing to let things turn out like this?"

Her subordinate sighed and shook his head at her words. "It's been a week since we lost contact with him, and the prince decided to return without any notice…"

The woman's beautiful face twisted into a grimace as she raised her voice. "How could you handle matters like this! You're all useless."

At her outburst, a calm voice called out to her. "Calm down, Mother."

The woman's expression softened slightly when she realized who the voice belonged to. Although the girl was still young, she possessed gorgeous beauty with a captivating aura. Looking at her tall, slender, and curvaceous body made the woman feel as if she was looking into a mirror. Nonetheless, it is said that lions raise their young by pushing them over a cliff. The empress opened her mouth while giving her daughter a stern look.

"Beatrice, I clearly told you what you should do before you enter this—"

"Yes. You told me to knock," the girl answered with a sweet smile.

The woman sighed at her daughter. "You've got a bad habit of interrupting your mother while she's speaking."

Beatrice gave her mother a slight smile, then opened her mouth. "I only want you to stay healthy and well, Mother."

"I can't be well now that the eyesore has returned."

Beatrice grinned at her mother's words. "I should go welcome my brother now that he has returned." Her relaxed eyes became sharp as she continued. "So that no one else can welcome him."

* * *

After the havoc that Max caused, the emperor maintained a submissive attitude.

'I won't have to care about the emperor for a while.' Regis left the office with a light heart, when a voice suddenly called out to him.

"Duke Floyen." His disciple, who was donning the iconic jet-black armor, had returned to being the crown prince and was speaking to him in a hostile tone. "It's been a long time. You still look well."

At his polite tone, the servants surrounding the prince froze in shock. However, Regis quickly saw through Max and lifted the corners of his mouth. 'He must have something to tell me, seeing how he's being so despicable right now.'

Regis silently stared at Max, then replied, "Long time no see. Have you been well, Your Highness?"

"Yes, thanks to you. I'd like to talk to you about matters regarding palace security for a moment. Will that be okay?"

Max, who was speaking in a strange way, had his face covered again with his helmet. But even if he couldn't see his face, Regis could tell what Max was thinking. He knew Max was only using palace security as an excuse to try to provoke him.

Despite that, Regis willingly complied to his prodding. "Of course, Your Highness."

* * *

When I arrived in the dining room, I saw that only my seat was prepared.

"Hello, Lady Floyen," a servant greeted me.

'I guess my father isn't here today.' Recently, it felt like he had been staying home more, but that had only lasted for a short time. 'Well, this is how it usually is,' I thought, then sat down at the table to eat. As I slowly looked over the table, I noticed that there was less salad dressing than usual. 'I should ask for more dressing.' I glanced at the servant next to the table and parted my lips to say something. But before I could get a single word out, the servant smiled and spoke in a gentle tone.

"Master is away because he had an important matter to attend to early in the morning."

'What? Why is he suddenly talking about my father?'

"Uh… Okay," I responded, feeling awkward by the slightly absurd situation. Forgetting what I was going to say, I kept my mouth shut for a moment, then opened it when I remembered. "Could you get me some more salad dressing please?"

The servant's eyes shook slightly at that moment. "Master promised to get back before dinner, so don't worry," he stated again.

'No, that's not what I asked for. I want some dressing.' I wanted to say these words out loud, but as soon as I saw the sorrowful look in the servant's eyes, I couldn't. Instead, I nodded in reply and forced a smile.

* * *

Max removed his helmet when it was only him and the duke left in the room. Regis, who was silently watching Max, stirred his tea with a teaspoon then broke the silence.

"What did you want to discuss, Your Highness?"

At a glance, it seemed as if he was lowering his guard, but the truth was that he didn't want Max to find fault with him.

Max recalled what his master had said in the past. "The imperial palace shall not know of our relationship as master and disciple."

'Even though it's just the two of us here, he's still not letting his guard down,' he sighed softly. Max quietly glared at his master, who was showing no weak points for him to attack. His strategy was to pressure him after finding a weakness, but seeing that it wouldn't work on his opponent, he decided to directly convey his thoughts.

"What did you discuss with my father?"

Without changing his expression, his master elegantly raised his teacup. "I'm pretty sure I said earlier that it was a confidential order." His master appeared somewhat villainous as he responded indifferently with an emotionless face.

'I guess he has no intention of telling me.' Max narrowed his eyes. 'I'll just have to find out for myself.'