"I was very impressed with your behavior just now."
I frowned at Marien's words.
'What? My behavior?'
I couldn't think of anything they could be impressed about.
I'm glad you don't think it's true, let alone impressive.
In answer to my question, Catherine opened her mouth as she placed the teacup down on the pedestal.
"It's not easy to reveal the secrets of such great quality tea, no matter how close you may be with someone."
'It's not a secret. It's no big deal, that's why I said it...'
I was embarrassed because I didn't know I would be overestimated.
"No, that's...."
Of course, I am grateful they interpreted it in a good way, but it's burdensome for them to praise me by interpreting it differently than what I had intended.
For that reason, I tried to confess frankly that I didn't mean it.
But the two women I mentioned earlier stopped me from speaking.
"Yes, I'm just grateful that you have trusted us and told us."
"It's the second time I've met you privately, but I was thrilled by your kindness."
I was embarrassed to see them twisting my intentions.
"Everyone, cut it out."
When everyone couldn't make a rational judgment, someone who could make a proper judgment appeared.
Lady Terrence opened her mouth, staring at me.
"Although the princess is kind enough to tell us the secrets of the tea, answers very well and is a better person than we thought, you still have to be calm about the tea."
Is it a mistake to think that it feels like a compliment?
Anyway, I don't want to go to tasting events and any other activities in the future.
Then I took her words with me.
"That's right. I like being fair, too."
Lady Terrence nodded at my answer.
"In that sense, I'll speak fairly. The tea she gave me is seemingly ordinarily dazzling."
Of course it is.
The leaves themselves are worth looking at by mixing flowers, but no one was able to see the tea leaves because they are put in filter paper and brewed anyway.
'Well, that was a failure on my part.'
As I was thinking that...
"But nonetheless, it was wonderful to process the tea this way using the special technique. The scent was very good. It felt like the rose scent itself was spreading in my mouth."
I was listening to Lady Terrence's praise with a blank face.
"Just remember that if you break the tea tasting rules in the future, you'll get kicked out."
Before I could even process her words, everyone started cheering.
"Congratulations!''
"Pleasure to be with you in the future!"
"Please take good care for me!"
I was filled with sighs at their congratulatory remarks.
'Lady Terrence... what did I do for you to pass me?'
_
"Oh, it's already time!"
"I will send a letter in advance for the next tasting event!"
All the tea tasting members were saying their goodbyes one by one.
"Next time, can I write a letter?"
The blushing Veronica made Juvellian turn her head slightly to the side.
"Of course."
Veronica's expression turned bright.
"I'll see you next time!''
As Veronica went out, only two people were left in the drawing room.
Max stared at Juvellian gently.
< I heard that the Empress Dowager was reluctant to accept the Prince. >
When he thought of those words, a bitter smile came to his lips.
< Don't come to my palace again, you won't know when I will try to poison you. >
Isabel knew she wasn't able to use force, but nonetheless she tried to destroy the spirit of the young Crown Prince.
'The Crown Prince is violent and has a cruel heart without any blood or tears.'
That method was used to spread rumors about the Crown Prince with malice.
At first, he was angry and falsely accused, but nothing changed.
So what he chose to do instead was to be insensitive towards the rumors directed at him.
It wouldn't get any better if he paid attention to them.
Moreover, he thought it wasn't good for him to turn into a cold-blooded monster with no blood or tears like the rumor said.
He thought risking his life would be better.
< I haven't seen him in person yet, so wouldn't it be too early to jump to conclusions? Maybe he's more generous than we think. >
But when Juvellian stood up for him, something filled his chest and shook him greatly.
It was a weird feeling.
'Why are you different from the others?'
Max stared at Juvellian with deep eyes.
Then Juvellian turned her eyes towards him.
He could have avoided them but the desire to look straight into her eyes overtook him.
At the moment of eye contact, his heart thundered and rang loudly.
'Do you feel the same way as me?'
That's what he hoped, but Juvellian's grumbling made him stop his thoughts.
"Haa, I'm going to be in a tight circle."
'What's wrong with social activities?'
Max closed his mouth before he tried to ask casually.
Come to think of it, her behavior has always been strange.
When she was alone at the ballroom, and at the tea party, she only answered other people's questions but never spoke to them first.
Suddenly, the gossip he had heard about her before came to his mind.
< Actually, the only reason I'm interested in this banquet is because of Princess Floyen. >
Only then could Max realize why he was so angry.
'Is it because you're just like me?'
Max silently responded to Juvellian's troubles.
"Don't worry, you'll be fine."
_
Freesia frowned as she read the report given to her by her subordinate.
'Secret contact with Lennox Chang Jung-baek was successful, but the problem is the Empress.'
The rumors spread by the Empress were malicious.
The Crown Prince, who turned away from his mother, returned as a tyrant who could slaughter the enemy like a butcher.
< Will the Crown Prince be able to make good choices? >
Freesia, who was reading the report, spat out curses.
"Snake-like bitch!"
If the public opinion in the Empire continues to go this way, the Prince's enemy synthesis may be questioned unless he makes a great contribution.
'In the worst case scenario, he could be deprived of his Crown Prince status.'
Although, it is true that you can't say he has a good personality, Max has never crossed the line.
'I told him to keep the weak alive. Those who are not able to fight in the war.'
Most of the rumors written about the Crown Prince were unjust.
But every time Max heard a rumor, he only answered with an empty expression.
< Don't report to me all the rumors about me since it doesn't matter. >
But knowing that Empress' work was a wound to Max, Freesia could not dare to report to him truthfully.
'We need to crack down on this so that it doesn't reach My Lord's ear.'
Freesia tore up the rumor report and threw it in the fireplace.
Staring at the blazing report, she started to think of ways to calm the rumor down.
'Even if the Empress makes a fuss, she needs a decent shot...'
A voice interrupted her thoughts.
"What are you doing?"
Surprised by Max's sudden appearance, she pretended to be calm.
"Oh, you're here?"
She turned her head to face him.
He had a slightly subdued look.
The atmosphere also seemed calm.
"What happened with Lennox Chang Jung-baek?"
"We got in touch and were asked to support with about 20,000 of our soldiers."
If we lose 20,000 soldiers, it's not a big loss.
However, the number of soldiers trained by Lennox Chang Jung-baek was only 60,000 and even if the support forces participated in the war, the number could not be guaranteed.
'Maybe you want My Lord to be involved in case you fail.'
If we send reinforcements as requested by Chang Jung-baek, they'll only be put in danger.
For that reason, Freesia was rather hoping Max would refuse.
But, the Crown Prince coldly uttered the words she did not want to hear.
"Send our reinforcements."
"Pardon? But we'll be wiped out."
Freesia tried to dissuade him, but Max was adamant.
"It's a good thing if you can take a big one at a loss."
She was sure they could pull the Southern forces together, including Lennox Chang Jung-baek, if they support the South.
But Fresia still wasn't happy.
'Did you forget that few of them are your soldiers?'
A cold-blooded man who throws away his men for the purpose.
She denied it as a false rumor, but maybe it was true.
'After all, it's my fault that I didn't do a good job.'
As Freesia was having an internal crisis, Max decided to speak up.
"But send 50,000 soldiers."
50,000 was enough to guarantee a victory.
However, it is a big burden to send the troops to support them as they account for a large portion of the troops.
Knowing that her Lord had nothing to lose, Freesia stared at Max with astonishment.
"Are you serious?"
In fact, it would have been better for Max to send 20,000.
Even if they were wiped out, it would be a bearable loss.
But there was a reason Max was doing this.
'You won't think I'm evil when if I do this, right?'
Max laughed as he recalled Juvellian's face.
Freesia was shocked to see him smiling.
'Yes, I'm sure you'll realize this is a mistake.'
But Max did not take back what he said.
"If only 20,000 people are sent as support, won't my soldiers just get killed? In that case, it would be better to send a larger number with the certain chance of winning."
Feeling thrilled, Freesia got down on one knee.
"You've really grown wonderfully."
While staring at the misunderstood Freesia, Max made a strange expression and frowned.
'You hear all the stars while I'm just trying to make Juvellian see me in a different light.'
[ note : meaning he's just trying to get himself a good image for juvel but freesia misunderstood him thinking that max was being considerate towards his soldiers ]
Suddenly, Max, feeling strange, turned away.
"And there's something else you need to do."
"Yes, tell me! I will do it at the risk of my life!"
Before long, Fresia heard Max's words.
"Don't let any bad rumors about Princess Floyen be spread."
"Okay."
'Why is he concerned over other people's rumors when he should worry about his own?'
It was embarrassing, but when she thought about it, it was only after meeting the princess that Max had suddenly changed.
'Princess Floyen, was it really you? The reason for my Lords sudden change...'
Freesia's eyes brightened before she shook her head.
"I shall take your order."
After Freesia left, Max frowned as he remembered the terms of the contract.
'Should I say goodbye before I leave?'
_
[ note : max is such a cutie, i also love how juvel is helping him as a person even though he hasn't realized it. sorry for the late update btw, been super busy these past few days. i'll try to update the next chapter as soon as i can <333 ]