Frightened… Goosebumps… Max couldn't believe that she hated him to this extent. Feeling all energy leave his body, he forfeited. "I'm sorry," he apologized in a desperate attempt to convince her that he had no ill intentions, but he didn't know how she would react. He could already feel his reality returning to hopeless days—she was probably going to ask him to never show himself in front of her again. The mere thought of parting with her forever charred his insides black. Still, there was no use for explanations if she had already made a decision.

'Is this the end for us?' Max lowered his head in despair.

"Well, I'm relieved at least. I was going to get angry if you had done that in malice… but you wanted to make me feel better, then I guess it is understandable."

Max looked up in disbelief only to realize Jubelian was wearing a warm smile. Her lovely appearance made it impossible for him to take his eyes off of her. After a moment, he finally broke the silence. "Are you… planning to forgive me?"

Puzzled, Jubelian answered, "'Forgive you?' Why would I have to do that? You haven't done anything in spite." She looked unstirred even after finding out that he was the crown prince. Grateful for her mercy, Max smiled.

The lady returned the gesture and said, "Honestly, I did feel a little uncomfortable that you tried to act like the crown prince. But I think it's fine after speaking to you on why you did so."

"Act like the crown prince?" Max asked, flabbergasted.

Jubelian nodded confidently. "I know it was a private letter, but it is a crime to impersonate the crown prince, you know. What if the word somehow got into the maniac's ears?! You wouldn't be alive right now."

Max lost his patience at last.

***

He stared at me with a frown for a moment before dropping his head. I regretted my decision for a moment—perhaps I had spoken too harshly, but I had only said these things so that he would be safe. Impersonating the crown prince was a very big deal, and I had made sure he knew not to do it again. After all, I didn't want someone who saved me from trouble today to be put in an unfavorable position in society.

In any case, I decided I needed to change the topic after seeing his unpleasant expression. "By the way, I realized the bag that the lady threw… it changed its course a little bit while heading toward me. Was that you?" Max nodded in silence. "Oh, as expected! Honestly, after reading your letter that said you wouldn't come to see me until I realized your value, I thought that you might be watching from somewhere."

He flinched at my speculations then raised his head. "That's not it—I've only followed you because I thought you would have realized how important I am by today."

I was worried that I had annoyed him, but his way of speaking remained as usual. "You're right. I was about to tell you that today…" I joked. Then looking at him, I told him the things I wanted to until now. "I just want to thank you again for today. If it weren't for you… I might not be here right now."

Turning to the window, Max replied, "Don't think about going places by yourself for a while. It's dangerous."

"I understand. From now on—"

"I'll accompany you," he interrupted. I was planning to tell him that I would stay vigilant and take more escorts with me whenever I decided to leave the house. I looked up in surprise to see that he was looking me in the eyes.

"There's no need. You've helped me so many times until now, you don't have to do such a thing…" I trailed off. There was no way he meant it romantically, but I had almost mistaken his words again.

Max gazed at me for a moment. He then finally opened his mouth. "It doesn't matter. I like you, Jubelian."

His determined tone made the smile on my face turn upside-down in an instant.