Max smirked once he witnessed Beatrice's disgruntled appearance. Seeing her have trouble managing her facial expression, he realized she was still immature. He turned to the emperor and empress—by their looks, both were anticipating their plans to be fulfilled. Having no intention to aid their selfish schemes, Max gently let go of Beatrice's hand and said, "It is up to one to make his or her acquaintances. The same goes for Beatrice—she has made her debut in high society. It would be the right thing to let her choose her friends."

Both his father and stepmother seemed aggrieved at those words. On the other hand, Beatrice turned to Max in disbelief. 'What's wrong with him today? Being kind and all… It's not like him.'

Her suspicions were, however, cut short by Max. "Let's go," he said in a rather friendly manner. Beatrice finally realized something—she had heard him speak in a similar tone previously.

"Let's get out of here first."

He played the courteous gentleman only when he was in front of Jubelian, most likely to hide his true nature. Having found out why she had been so disgusted by this aspect of him, Beatrice gave a dirty look. 'Is he… following me because he knows I'm looking for Jubelian?' The princess turned her gaze to her friend in the distance. Dressed in light blue, she looked like a small, fragile lark. Deciding she couldn't let her demonic stepbrother approach her precious friend, Beatrice glared at Max again. 'Just you wait. I'm going to lead you somewhere else and meet Jubelian by myself.' She then smiled to hide her thoughts and answered Max, "Of course, Your Highness." This is pаrt оf а sеriеs frоm Мy Virtuаl Librаry Еmpirе (М|V|L1ЕМРYR).

The two wandered around the banquet hall, receiving greetings from the nobles from throughout the empire. Much time had passed, and Beatrice was slowly getting tired. She had always wondered why her stepbrother never attended banquets, but now she understood. They were not entertaining at all.

Just then, Max suddenly let go of her hand. Puzzled, Beatrice turned to him. "I need to be somewhere at this moment," he was back to his usual self—speaking in a stern tone. "Be patient and wait here until I return."

Beatrice stifled a laugh at those unexpected words. She couldn't believe he was going to leave her like this so soon. Suppressing her excitement to avoid any suspicions, she replied calmly, "I understand, Your Highness."

Once her stepbrother disappeared into the crowd, Beatrice raised the corners of her lips. It was now time to fulfill the promise she had made. The princess began approaching Jubelian but was soon stopped by someone.

"I, Mikhail Albert Hessen, greet Her Royal Ladyship."

Beatrice's face hardened at the man's sudden appearance.

* * *

Tensed up, I watched as the crown prince and princess made their rounds throughout the banquet hall.

"I came to interrogate the sinner who harmed my sister. Get out of my way."

The crown prince's voice I remembered from my past was all I could think about. After all, I didn't want to be involved with someone who would come to torture me in the future. In any case, I was feeling down as I could not say hello to Bea. If it weren't for the crown prince, I would have done so already. I then realized she was smiling as she greeted the nobles and became relieved—she seemed to have brightened up from back then.

I still remembered the dark expression she had shown on the day of the victory banquet. I had naturally sympathized with her as we both suffered from similar problems. It was indeed ironic that the villain—me—and the main character of this novel both shared the scar of being neglected by their respective parents.

Still, there was something different about her. The princess would be loved by Mikhail. The knight would go as far as to stand still despite her deliberately stepping on his foot. He would listen to her insults in silence, for that was how much he cherished the royal ladyship.

"How foolish of you," Beatrice would insult his blind love in the beginning.