'They're so beautiful.'

After spending way too much time staring at the gifted accessories, I put them in the drawer and sighed. Once tomorrow ended, all the struggles would finally be over as well.

I would be able to say goodbye to my death flag if I managed to get through the banquet without trouble. I would also be able to tell Max my feelings.

Although Father objected to our relationship and Max's identity was mostly shrouded in mystery, it didn't matter to me. So what if he was a commoner? I could be the breadwinner for the family!

Fantasizing about my glorious future, I smiled. That was when I heard a knocking sound. Startled, I turned to where the sound was coming from—the window. Amidst the darkness, I could make out his silhouette. Speaking of the devil…

A slightly eerie feeling enveloped me. It was as if he knew what I was thinking. I was laughing at myself for coming up with such nonsense when he yelled from outside.

"What are you doing?" his voice was muffled. "Come on, open it already."

There was always something I had wondered… Why did he always have to come in through the window? Opening the entrance to the balcony, I grumbled, "Can't you just come in through the door like a normal person?"

"Why would I do that?" He raised an eyebrow. "It's faster this way."

I decided to not argue—he just processed things differently from ordinary people. Indeed, he was a handsome man, but he was also a strange one. Realizing I had fallen in love with someone so peculiar, I felt ashamed for a moment.

"What is that on your neck?" he asked, puzzled.

Smiling, I explained, "Oh, this is called a whistle."

"A whistle?"

The day I had visited the Fyodor Workshop—when I also had the embarrassing misunderstanding with Max—I had picked this item up. It was the very thing I had asked Ian to make for me for my safety.

After what had happened with Mikhail, I had been thinking about a defense measure. I didn't even know how to wield a sword, so that was a no. Besides, there was a risk of the other party snatching it away from me. Wishing I could let others know that I was in danger, I had decided on a whistle. It was easy to carry, and it made a loud noise whenever I blew it. It was perfect for grabbing people's attention.

I had already informed the knights about its function—instructing them to gather toward the direction of the sound as it meant I was in danger.

"Do you want to try it?" I handed over the whistle, to which he frowned slightly. Pointing to the right place, I explained, "Put this part in your mouth and blow it. Don't do it too hard, or it might—"

It was before I even finished speaking that a shrill noise penetrated my eardrums. The sound echoed throughout my room and probably to the outside as well. I automatically raised my hands to cover my ears.

Seeming surprised, he stared blankly into space with the whistle in his mouth. He then slowly pulled the object away from his lips. "What in the world…" he muttered.

That was when loud noises were heard from outside the door to my bedroom. "Lady Jubelian! Is there something wrong?" It was the maids and servants. I hid my face in my hands. This was why I was trying to tell him not to blow so hard! In haste, I began to think of an excuse.

That was when Max handed me the whistle. "Thanks. Now I know," he said.

Huh? What was he talking about? I stared in a daze as he turned his back toward me.

"I'll be back." With this, he jumped off the balcony.

I frowned. What was that just now? Did he just flee after having caused a ruckus? I was lost in confusion when Merilyn called again, "Lady Jubelian! What's wrong?"