'Maybe I should ask someone for advice… Oh!' Rose suddenly came to mind as I had noted previously that she had a particularly favorable relationship with her father. I decided to be open about my problem and write her a letter to ask for help. It was something I wouldn't have done in the past, but I felt differently about it now—perhaps because I trusted her. My original plan was to become independent—even isolated from others perhaps, and so I found it amusing that my life had taken such a turn.

'I guess it's true that no one can tell the future.'

* * *

I jumped into bed after I finished writing the letter to Rose. Allowing my heavy eyelids to close, I recalled everything that had happened until now. I had begun a contractual relationship with Max to avoid being married off to the crown prince. Little did I know, I was dating the crown prince himself. I could finally understand why my father had told me the little things regarding the prince. It was likely that he thought I knew I was dating the heir to the throne.

Still, there were some things that I could not understand. My father had made a list of prospective marriage partners for me and had even circled the crown prince's name. Then why did he oppose our relationship? I thought of the two who barely conversed with each other these days and hoped they would get along again. I had been secretly envious of their relationship in the past—I didn't know what had happened to ruin their bond.

'Could it be because of me?' I thought nonsensically for a moment, then I snickered. 'There's no way I'm important enough to ruin their relationship.'

* * *

Sprawled out on the ground in an unsightly manner, Max glared up at his master. He muttered vulgar words under his breath as he felt his body ache all over. His clothes were now tattered, and his hair was disheveled from being thrown against the earth repeatedly. On the other hand, his master remained unscathed—he appeared just like he had initially.

Max gritted his teeth as he recalled the malicious rumors about him. 'I'm not the monster. It's him right there…' He had been aware of the difference in skill but never realized it would be this significant. Having been born a genius, Max had seldom felt inferior to others. What was happening now was engraving a scar on his pride.

"As expected from someone from the royal bloodline, I can feel the mana pulsing through your veins. If you train diligently, it will only take you a decade to surpass me."

His heart had swelled with his master's words, and Max had trained nonstop since he was a child. Many years had passed since then, and even after a decade, his master remained as an unconquerable goal.

Sneering, Regis looked down at his fallen disciple. "How dare you try to sneak into my daughter's room with such shabby skills." Piqued, Max got up to grab his sword lying next to him. Before he could, however, his master snatched it away. Pointing the blade at his disciple's neck, Regis alerted, "This is a warning. Don't you dare set foot near my mansion at night."

Max's face crumpled. The only time he could spend with Jubelian was at night as he was busy with his duties during the day. His master continued nonetheless, "Besides, my daughter's ideal type is a man stronger than me."

Max widened his eyes at the unexpected comment.