"Just because," I replied abruptly before quickly changing the topic. "By the way, you're really fast. I was startled when you suddenly appeared in front of me."

Although I wanted to change the subject, I was truly surprised. He had appeared in front of my eyes in a flash.

He laughed. "Surprised by that? How pitiful." It seemed like arrogance was this man's default personality, seeing as he was mocking me.

"You must be a really good swordsman like the Imperial Palace knights," I said with a hint of sarcasm.

"I am much stronger than them," he replied with a frown. His personality clearly showed that he was my father's disciple, but even though my father could be cold and inconsiderate, he wasn't this arrogant. 'Why is he like this?' I silently lamented the man's personality when I saw him staring at me again.

"So why did you cry?"

His persistence was a little annoying, so I felt the urge to tell him the truth and get it over with. But before I could, I heard a knock on the door. "It's Derrick, Lady Floyen."

I sighed when I heard his voice. If it were a maid, I would have dismissed her, but I couldn't do that to Derrick. 'He wouldn't have come to see me for nothing,' I thought as I stood up. In this mansion, male servants only attended to my father while female servants only attended to me. Since Derrick personally came to my room, something must've happened.

"If you don't mind, can you go in there again?" I asked as I pointed at my closet.

Although he wore an unpleasant expression, he obediently complied with my request. 'At least he listens to me now.' When the man successfully hid inside my closet, I approached my bedroom door and opened it. "Hello, Derrick. Did you need something?"

"A messenger just arrived from Marquis Crocus's family. He wants to convey a message from Ronald, the eldest son of Marquis Crocus, to you, Lady Floyen."

The Crocus family was prestigious, so it was probably regarding an important matter. This situation called for me to go downstairs to meet the messenger himself, but I didn't want to leave my father's disciple alone in my room. 'What if one of my maids comes in and sees him while I'm downstairs? I can't let that happen.'

I deliberately coughed and replied, "Unfortunately, I am not feeling well, so it will be difficult for me to go downstairs. Can you receive the message for me instead?"

Derrick looked at me with a worried gaze and said, "Of course, my lady. Please rest."

When he left, I glanced at my closet and sighed in relief. 'Hopefully this man doesn't ask about my tears anymore.'

* * *

Max tried not to think about it, but the image of the woman's big eyes filling up with tears plagued his mind. 'Why did she cry?'

Unbeknownst to Jubelian, he was still worrying about this in her closet.

'What was so sad that she even had to cover her mouth with both hands…?' He suddenly remembered something that he had heard from his close entourage a while ago.

"I heard that Lady Floyen really liked Sir Mikhail. People say that she chased him around without caring about her reputation… In some ways, it's fortunate that they separated."

'Is it because she can't forget about him?' Max clenched his fists.

* * *

Not long after I sent him downstairs, I heard Derrick's voice again. "This is Derrick again, Lady Floyen."

When I opened the door, I saw him smiling. "Should I be expecting good news?" I asked.

He straightened his expression and said, "My lady, the esteemed son of Marquis Crocus sent a message about wanting to be your partner for Count Arlo's banquet."

I widened my eyes. 'No way, why is such an esteemed person…' Marquis Crocus's son was considered to be the most suitable successor of the foreign ministry. It felt surreal that such a person was asking to be my partner.

"What is your response, my lady?"

I pondered over this, but it was difficult to come up with a decision on the spot. At that moment, a strange sound came from my dressing room.

'No, it can't be.' I trembled slightly and felt the blood rush away from my face. Derrick looked at me with a serious expression. "Did you just hear something from the dressing room, my lady?"

"No, I didn't," I responded calmly. "What do you mean?"

Derrick gave me a wary look. "I clearly heard something… Maybe it's a rat?"

"Hahaha, that's impossible," I replied smoothly. "I'm still not feeling well, so could I rest for now? As for the reply… let the messenger know that I will send one by letter soon."

"Of course, Lady Floyen. Please rest well." Derrick slightly bowed his head and left without another word, as if he didn't want to irritate me.