Beatrice was a powerful wizard and the heroine of this novel. I met her gaze in silence despite being burdened by her unclouded crimson eyes. For some reason, I began to think her eyes were similar to Max's then quickly shook these thoughts off.

In any case, I couldn't understand what had happened. As if it wasn't enough for her to enter the banquet hall with the crown prince—her mortal enemy—she had refused the male lead of this novel and came after me—the villainess she was supposed to despise. Was this the aftermath of my actions? Feeling a headache emerge, I sighed.

Beatrice scanned the group accompanying me and ordered, "All, you may raise your heads."

Once they were given permission, my acquaintances began introducing themselves to Bea. "Your Royal Highness, it is an honor to meet you. My name is—"

However, she cut them off. "You don't have to introduce yourselves to me. In fact, I would like to spend some time alone with Jubelian, so you all may leave."

I glanced at my party. They stared at me and Bea in astonishment then turned around in a hurry. "Pardon us, Your Royal Ladyship," they apologized. Bittersweet, I watched my party leave.

Grabbing my hand, Bea said, "Jubelian, come have tea with me. My tea room has the finest ones in the empire."

I wondered how she came to like me. The only thing I had done for her was say a few words… It was nothing compared to what Mikhail had done in the original writing. Confused, I began. "Yes, Your—"

Bea gave me a death stare, stopping me. "You don't have to be so formal when it's just us," she commanded. It seemed I didn't even have a choice.

* * *

'Where in the world did she run off to?' Max cursed his stepsister as he frantically searched the palace. Realizing the delinquent she was, he gritted his teeth. 'I told her over and over to stay in the banquet hall… Why the hell did she leave?'

He was then reminded of someone. 'Was she following Jubelian?' His heart began racing once the lady was on his mind. His master usually watched over her, but what if he decided not to this time? Or worse, what if he was in a situation where he couldn't stay near her? Ominous feelings enveloped Max and exacerbated his worries. He regretted leaving the hall in the first place.

At first, Max thought of ignoring his subordinate's call as Jubelian was already in the banquet hall. However, he realized that Beatrice was not approaching the lady anytime soon and decided he had some time to spare. He would only be gone for about 30 minutes and intervene once his stepsister was by the lady's side, but his plan had gone astray. If he had known that his brief absence would cause this, he wouldn't have left.

'Please, where are you?' he agonized.

* * *

Despite taking a shortcut, the two ladies had been walking for a while from the main hall of the palace to the annex where Beatrice's room was located. Glancing at Jubelian, the princess pondered. 'What kind of tea does she like? According to rumors, she also participates in a tea-tasting party…' She was the first friend Beatrice had made, as well as a savior who had rescued her from the depths of her misery. Therefore, Beatrice was curious about what Jubelian liked and wanted to know more about her.

'She doesn't look so pleased. Is it because I made all of her friends leave?' the royal lady recognized belatedly. Still, Beatrice couldn't have done it any other way, for she had been upset about how the lady had left her behind at the banquet hall.

'Was I being too harsh…?' Regret began to overcome her, prompting her to sigh in frustration. Once the familiar building appeared before her, Beatrice decided, 'I will apologize first while we have tea.'