Having reached that conclusion, Fresia let out another sigh in frustration. 'What do I do? It's the first time His Highness is interested in someone this much…'

On the battlefield, he was a cold-blooded leader. The only person who could change him was Jubelian. Fresia decided that she would have to help her lord given this condition. Her mind made up, she pleaded, "Your Highness, please allow me to help you choose a present for the lady."

Such was how she had gotten Max to follow her to the workshop. Nevertheless, Fresia was on the verge of running out of patience in only a few moments. Her lord didn't seem interested in anything.

"How about this bracelet?" she would ask.

He would then reply, "I don't like the size of the jewels."

"What about this hairpin?"

"No."

After a while, she wrinkled her face and threatened, "Should I just leave?"

Max scowled but soon realized he couldn't be alone to pick Jubelian's gift as he didn't know anything about women's accessories. Thinking about his dear lady, he revealed his honest thoughts. "It's a gift… I want to get something better and more expensive."

Fresia's expression softened at the hesitant yet candid words. Until now, she thought Max was refusing because he was not interested in giving a present to the lady. But hearing his words, such was not the case.

Gifts didn't have to be expensive. The important thing was to give something the recipient would like. Fresia decided to advise Max to think about the lady and pick a present based on what she liked. "Your Highness—I mean—my lord, I think you're not quite understanding the meaning behind—"

"Jubelian?" Max interrupted, his eyes wide at the sight of the silver-haired lady. Just when he was about to approach her, he noticed there was another man next to her.

'Who the hell is that?' he narrowed his eyes in anger.

* * *

'Is that really him?'

I blinked my eyes multiple times. Still, the person in the Fyodor workshop was Max. He was choosing women's accessories with another lady.

'I thought he said he liked me…'

It had been less than a week since he had confessed, and yet he was already spending time with another woman. Realizing I had been played, I berated myself. I shouldn't have expected anything in the first place, but I couldn't help it as he was the first person I had shown my genuine self to. Moreover, he had confessed to me—it was true I was left speechless at first as I did not expect to be involved romantically with anyone after Mikhail. Nevertheless, I had mulled over what he had said over the past few days and had a feeling that maybe I could start a new relationship. After all, I couldn't deny that I was waiting day after day for him to visit—offended that he hadn't shown himself in so long. If I had no interest in him, I wouldn't be bothered by these things. That was why I was seriously considering dating him once the death flag was taken off of me.

But if I had known that he would go shopping with another woman, I would have never reflected on these things. Until now, I thought he was a naive guy. I had no idea he was a womanizer. Feeling betrayed, I bit my lower lip. That was when his eyes met mine.

"Jubelian?" he called.

I almost stepped backward reflexively but stood still with my fists clenched. I hadn't done anything wrong. There was no reason to run away from him. If there was anyone who needed to run away, it was him—not me.

Overwhelmed with vengeance, I ignored Max and turned to Ian. "Thank you so much for today."

Ian smiled. "Don't mention it. How about we have dinner together next time?"

Unlike the playboy over there, Ian's voice was plain and sweet—like how a business partner should sound.

'Come to think of it, I had never spent that much time with him despite us being coworkers.'

I was about to nod in response to his offer when someone intercepted, "Who do you think you are?"