The emperor sat in his armchair in the royal study, stroking his chin and thinking about his son. 'Maximillian sure is quiet these days.' The crown prince had been roaming about aimlessly until Beatrice's coronation ceremony. It was a surprise that he was staying put in his room recently. In any case, the emperor was relieved. 'Perhaps he is trying to stay out of my sight after what he did during the ball.'

At that moment, the grand chamberlain called from outside the door, "Your Majesty, Mikhail from the Hessen family has arrived." The emperor's eyes glistened. He had taken a liking to Mikhail as he was a cunning one like his father. The only difference between the two was that the marquis was a selfish geezer while Mikhail was a young man faithful to the royal family. The emperor decided this was enough reason to satisfy the empress when it came to marrying Beatrice to the man.

'Everything's perfect.' Grinning ear to ear, the emperor answered, "Let him in."

At the command, the door opened. Entering the study, Mikhail bowed, "I greet the Great Sun of our empire."

The emperor wore a broad smile in response to the salutation. "Welcome, eldest son of Marquis Hessen. You seem in good health as always."

"Thank you—as do you, Your Majesty."

The emperor felt his mood improve. 'He sure knows how to please me.' Gazing warmly at Mikhail, the emperor began, "I have called you here because I want to arrange a meeting for you with my daughter. What do you think of it?"

Smiling, Mikhail answered, "It would be a great honor to meet Her Royal Ladyship, who I adore very much."

As expected, he was unlike the other indolent young man. He was someone with the proper attitude. 'I wouldn't mind having him as my son-in-law,' the emperor hastily made up his mind.

"There is one thing that bothers me, Your Majesty," Mikhail noted hesitantly.

"What is it? Let your worries be heard."

Recognizing the man's tone had grown friendlier than before, Mikhail answered candidly, "I was previously engaged to a woman before, and I am concerned that this might undermine Her Royal Ladyship's reputation."

The emperor furrowed his brows. He gritted his teeth once he remembered Mikhail's ex-fiancée. 'Out of all the women in the empire, it had to be that girl, Jubelian Eloy Floyen.' This news was truly disappointing as the emperor was planning to use the girl to manipulate both Regis and Maximillian. If he was not careful, the two former lovers might end up becoming family. However, the emperor soon realized something and smirked. 'No, no. There is no need for the two to get married if I simply want her as a hostage…'

As the emperor scrambled for an idea, Mikhail lowered his head. "Duke Floyen will likely protest if I ever have an affair with Her Highness. You must be aware of this, Your Majesty."

The emperor burst into laughter. "Don't worry. The duke will not dare to protest against me."

* * *

"Drink."

Instead of listening to his master, Max glared at him. "I am aware that you deliberately interfered just now."

Ignoring the criticism, Regis sipped his tea elegantly. He appeared unbothered, and Max had to resist the urge to knock over the tea table. Soon, his master placed his cup down on the saucer. "Jubell is still a minor. I cannot accept unnecessary physical contact."

Crumpling his face, Max objected, "A kiss is nothing once one makes their debut into the social world. Besides, I'm not thinking of doing anything out of line."

Brutality in his eyes, his master threatened, "If you do so before she reaches adulthood, you won't leave this place alive."

Max flinched at the harsh warning but soon gathered himself. "Is that all you wanted to say?"

"Jubell will come of age in two months."

Max nodded, "I know that." It was a day he was looking forward to; there was no reason he wouldn't know. 'Once she comes of age, I will propose to her…' he began to fantasize.

"Surely you must not be thinking of proposing to her as soon as she comes of age? After all, you are in a situation where you do not know when you will be brought down by the emperor."