Chapter 7
He was with his younger sister, Aria Dolan. His face was bright, as if genuinely happy to have run into me by chance.
“…It’s been a while, Maxim.”
Whether he hadn’t seen me holding Axxion’s hand or was pretending not to, Maxim didn’t spare Axxion a single glance.
“Are you feeling better now? I was actually planning to visit today. What a coincidence to meet like this.”
“It’s been a while for you too, Lady Aria.”
“…You’re still as beautiful as ever, Regent.”
Aria Dolan was Maxim’s fraternal twin. With the same pink hair and blue eyes, just looking at them felt like tasting sweet cotton candy all the way down to the root of my tongue.
“Thank you. Then I’ll be on my way—”
“If the Duke doesn’t mind, would it be alright for me to join you? I’d like to offer whatever little help I can.”
Maxim reached out and began pulling out a chair on my side. Unfortunately, since Axxion and I were sitting side by side, the seat across from us was left empty.
His words might’ve sounded outrageous to someone else, but there was a reason Maxim dared speak so boldly to Grand Duke Dierik.
Maxim Dolan had a faint amount of holy power. He could heal small wounds on his own.
In many ways, he was the complete opposite of Dierik. The Grand Duke possessed formidable powers, but with great power came side effects. At times, scales as thin as obsidian would grow along his skin, injuring those around him.
That had happened more than once in the past, and it was the main reason Dierik’s heirs avoided social engagements.
Axxion hadn’t yet used that power, so most people had never witnessed it firsthand.
‘Of course, Axxion has never once failed to control his power.’
Maxim Dolan would whisper that the Duke was too dangerous to be by my side. Even Axxion never denied those words.
Even when Maxim tried to take his place beside me using such claims, Axxion never objected.
But now, I had no intention of keeping Maxim Dolan by my side.
“I was going to—”
“That won’t be necessary.”
We spoke at almost the same time.
It was the first time Axxion had outright refused Maxim. No—more accurately, it was the first time he had ever responded to him at all.
Maxim had always assumed Axxion wouldn’t answer his questions. He also thought Axxion wouldn’t stop him from sitting down. But against expectations, Axxion gave a firm and resolute answer, freezing Maxim mid-motion as he tried to sit.
Perhaps flustered, Maxim’s face turned the same shade as his hair.
I was just as surprised, but I tried to appear as natural as possible as I glanced between them.
“This place serves great drip coffee. Give it a try.”
“…Yes, Regent.”
Biting his lip in frustration, Maxim left before others could start whispering.
He went and sat at a table as far away from ours as possible.
“I’m sorry.”
Axxion apologized again. This time, I could guess why. It must’ve been because he refused Maxim’s offer without asking me first.
“No, you did well.”
Despite my words, his expression remained stiff.
‘Was that not what he wanted?’
His expression left me confused, and I began to think it over. Still, no clear answer came to mind.
‘Should I have refused him first?’
Maybe that’s why he was upset. After that thought, I cleared my throat and opened my mouth.
“I should’ve been the one to—”
“What illness did you have?”
Maxim Dolan believed I had been sick and that Axxion had taken care of me. Both were false, but Axxion didn’t know that.
“Oh, that.”
“Was it when I was away inspecting the territory? I had no idea you were ill…”
“No! I’m fine!”
As Axxion looked at me with genuine worry, as if he were the one who had been sick, I quickly cut him off.
“I made that up to refuse Maxim’s visit. I was never actually sick.”
“…Really?”
He looked at me skeptically after hearing my answer.
It was another reminder of how fragile the trust between us still was.
“I swear on the goddess Hecate.”
“You always say you don’t believe in gods.”
His reply made me slowly lower the hand I had raised awkwardly. I couldn’t even remember when I said that, but it definitely sounded like something I would say.
“…That’s how serious I am.”
“Then I’ll have to postpone territory inspections as much as possible.”
That couldn’t happen. Even now, the dukedom’s retainers must be resenting me for keeping their lord from returning to his territory.
And it was all because of me.
At times like this, it helped that I could be shameless. I replied without changing my expression.
“So, you’re going to spread rumors that I’m the reason you can’t go on inspections? What do you think the retainers will say? Don’t say things like that—”
“I’ll handle it myself.”
Wait a second. That wasn’t how this was supposed to go.
Normally, he would be flustered and withdraw his argument at my words.
That’s how our conversations usually went.
“Don’t worry about a thing, Jen.”
He gave a small smile and gently brushed his thumb over the back of my hand.
As if that wasn’t enough, he lifted my hand and pressed a soft kiss on the back of it. The warm, tender touch spread across my skin like a ripple of paint. It was a sensation I had never felt before.
“Please answer me.”
“Mm-hm.”
I had no real intention of agreeing, but my lips moved on their own. Did I just fall victim to charm?
Flustered again, I sipped my coffee. And just then, the door of the coffeehouse opened once more. I sighed internally.
“Lady Jeneia!! How could you leave without telling me!!”
Mileta came charging toward us, visibly upset. That was the end of our date.
Even though no one else was paying attention anymore, Maxim looked around with a resentful face.
“That damn glorified bodyguard… How dare he humiliate me like that?”
“…Keep your voice down, Maxim.”
“Aria, be honest. Do you think that dark, unreadable guy is more handsome than me?”
“No one said that.”
Aria Dolan responded indifferently as she sipped her coffee. Yet her gaze remained fixed on the two of them.
“Why are they suddenly getting along? What the hell did he do?!”
Maxim anxiously chewed on his nails.
It shouldn’t have mattered if the Regent returned to her fiancé, but to Maxim, it was a serious problem.
He had to become the Regent’s lover.
“Why are you so calm? If this goes wrong, both of us will lose everything. Do you want to go back to the way things were?”
“…Just be quiet. I’m thinking.”
“I can’t just sit by anymore.”
Maxim then began listing all the upcoming social gatherings one by one.
Aria continued watching the two across the room, unmoved. As Maxim had said, they did look much closer now.
Aria bit her lip hard.
“I have an idea.”
“What is it? Tell me!”
Maxim leaned in eagerly. As Aria explained, Maxim’s face gradually began to brighten.
The Crown Prince’s palace had always been located on the outskirts of the main palace grounds. It was designed that way to allow a quick escape in emergencies.
Rexin, feeling like there was nowhere in the vast palace he belonged, had been feeling like his old self again in recent days.
Back when his mother and father were still alive, when he had no worries.
Spotting a distant silhouette, Rexin rushed down the stairs from the windowsill where he’d been sitting. His footsteps echoed thunderously throughout the palace.
“Ericsen!!”
Panting, Rexin flung himself into the man’s arms. The man didn’t budge and held his young master firmly in his arms.
“You’ve grown taller, Your Majesty.”
“Hrk, really? Sniff…”
Unable to contain his longing, Rexin burst into tears. Three long years had passed. Jeneia had exiled Ericsen even before she became the regent. The official reason was for him to meet minor nobles in the provinces who could be useful for Rexin’s future.
But she quickly revealed her true intentions. Contrary to her promise not to touch Rexin’s throne, she named herself Regent.
Naturally, there was no talk of bringing Ericsen back. He tried to return to the capital, but wasn’t even allowed through the gates. She even threatened to charge him with treason if he caused a scene.
Ericsen had no choice but to leave his young lord behind and wait for the right time.
He told Rexin he’d grown taller, but in truth, the boy was thinner than he remembered. Ericsen smiled but clenched his jaw internally.
There was no way they had fed and clothed him well after separating them.
“Don’t cry. Are you upset I came back?”
“O-of course not! I’m just so happy you’re back, that’s all…”
His tearful face made Ericsen’s heart ache. He put Rexin down and walked with him into the palace.
Once inside, he encountered a familiar face.
“Deborah? You’re still here?”
Ericsen’s surprised face broke into a smile as he hugged her. She was Rexin’s former nanny. Her face had aged with a few more wrinkles, but her warm smile remained unchanged.
She patted Ericsen’s back like he was her own son.
Ericsen had assumed she too had been exiled.
“Of course not. I’ve only been back for three days.”
“Has the Regent finally lost her mind?”
Ericsen narrowed his eyes sharply. Just a while ago she’d scattered everyone who cared about the boy—so why was she suddenly gathering them again?
“Don’t talk badly about Auntie, Ericsen.”
He should’ve said worse, but Ericsen couldn’t hide his shock at Rexin’s words.
“Auntie?”
Rexin nodded with a smile. Ericsen looked baffled, as if he were seeing a ghost. He glanced at Deborah, who slowly shook her head. Don’t say anything.
It had only been a few days since Rexin had started calling Jeneia “Auntie” again, after the funeral.
Jeneia had once strictly forbidden such familiar terms. She had worked hard to dominate Rexin completely.
And now, suddenly, she allowed him to call her “Auntie.”
“Yes, she said I could call her that again.”
Rexin blushed as he spoke, as if genuinely happy.
