Daddy, I Don’t Want to Marry!

I guess its just the two of us now, Veronica noted quietly at that moment.

Ah, it is.

She showed a faint smile and mumbled, I heard Sir Mikhail didnt attend the banquet today. I wasnt aware of this as he was no longer any concern of mine. Nonetheless, Veronica continued with a slightly darkened face. I heard that hes not feeling well Still, I hope hes not down with an illness.

Perhaps it was because of her broken heart, but she sometimes gave gloomy looks like this from time to time ever since the incident that had occured between her and Mikhail.Hm, should I ask her to go for a walk with me?I knew I had to pass through the garden to get to the lounge. Furthermore, I thought taking a break from becoming tired on the walk would be a good excuse. Um, Veronica, I began, when a young man suddenly approached us.

Hello, how are you ladies? Im Dylan, one of the Imperial Palace knights.

Ah, yes. Nice to meet you, I greeted.

Nice to meet you, Veronica answered as well.

The man looked at me with a reddened face. Lady Floyen, if you dont mind

Was he going to ask me for a dance? I became nervous at the thought as it had been a while since someone had asked me to be their dance partner.

Id like to talk to your friend Lady Veronica for a moment. Will that be okay? he asked at that moment with a determined voice.

I was dumbfounded by his words.Ugh, why did he address me then, making me misunderstand?I resented what he did for a moment, then nodded as there was no reason for me to be offended by such a thing. Yes, of course, I replied.

At that moment, Veronica interrupted with a frown. Wait a minute, Sir Dylan. Shouldnt you have asked me first if Im the one you want to talk to?

Ah, I saw the two ladies alone and asked Lady Floyen because it might put her in an awkward situation if she were to be left alone.

Well, I dont feel like having a chat with you. Sorry, Veronica refused. Even so, I could see slight regret in her eyes.

At last, I could tell her true feelings.She probably refused because she was afraid Id be alone.I was thankful that she was thinking about me, but on the other hand, felt sorry because I felt like I had become a burden.Itll be more comfortable for me to escape the banquet hall alone anyway so I should just think of this as an opportunity.With this thought, I parted my lips, I think Im going to have to take a break If you dont mind, why dont you talk with him?

Veronica looked at me with surprised eyes and asked, Are you okay?

Oh, Im just tired, so Im going to take a break.

She looked relieved at my lighthearted words, then glanced at the knight named Dylan. She soon blushed and uttered, Okay, Ill see you in a little while.

I grinned at her words and stepped out of the banquet hall.Alright. I should take a walk around the garden.

* * *

Max, who had been watching Jubelian all this time, smirked.Thats truly amazing.There were quite a few young men who tried to approach Jubelian, but all of them were stopped by Duke Floyens fierce eyes.Was this why she didnt have anyone ask her to dance back then?It was pitiful to think about how Jubelian might be upset from not having the chance to dance even once, but on the other hand, Max felt relieved that his master decided to step up and get rid of those insects.

At this rate, Ill be able to relaxAt that moment, Max spotted a pest that had escaped his masters siege.Dylan, how dare you!He had no idea that his immediate subordinate out of all people was going to make a move on Jubelian. Dylan was bowing his head, which made it seem like he was about to ask her for a dance. Max got up from his seat, unable to hold back the seething anger boiling in his stomach.

Whats wrong? Are you going to ask someone for a dance? the emperors voice sounded in an instant. However, Max couldnt even hear him, for there was only one person who he was pouring all his attention to.

You think Ill sit here and watch you dance with someone other than me?Max lost his sense of reason and decided to approach Jubelian. At that moment, he saw Dylan hold the hand of the noblewoman next to Jubelian and paused.What? He wasnt after Jubelian?He was taken aback for a moment, then unconsciously turned towards his master.What?he scrunched his face. When he looked closely, he could tell his master was laughing at him with a smirk on his face.Good God! He set this up to make fun of me!Max silently resented his teacher. Then, he noticed Jubelian turn around and leave the banquet hall.I see my opportunity has arisen,he thought as his eyes became sharp.

Max, who regained his composure, spoke to the emperor in a relaxed voice. Im tired, so Im going to take a break. Even if the emperor attempted to stop him, Max was adamant on going, but the emperor simply nodded without opposition, perhaps because he had spoken to him politely.

Sure. The banquet will last for a long time anyway. Just dont stay away for too long.

Okay.

It was finally time to play hide-and-seek with Jubelian, but there was no hurry as he already knew where she was going to hide.Wait there and be patient.The corners of Maxs mouth hidden behind his mask lifted. He deliberately walked slowly to give Jubelian time to hide.

* * *

The sun had just set and the sky had turned dim. I could see the stars emerging in the night sky one by one. I leisurely strolled through the garden and headed for the lounge. The garden was quiet, and I could barely sense the presence of others. At that moment, I suddenly heard whimpers.

As if I were possessed, I walked in the direction of the sound, then heard someone mutter, I did my best, but no one knew

I stared at the very person, feeling that I had heard this voice somewhere before. The woman with reddish blonde hair was definitely familiar. Where had I seen her? It was then when the woman made eye contact with me. She widened her red eyes immediately.