Chapter 354

The atmosphere in the Imperial City was completely different from when I had left for the expedition.

In the past, an air of anxiety about the future had been prevalent.

But now, a glimmer of hope could be seen in the people’s faces.

The end of the devastating civil war must have given them the will to live again.

And as someone who had played a decisive role in ending the war, I was met with an enthusiastic welcome.

“Young Master Max is here!”

“Where? Where?”

“The famous undefeated Max is here?”

People flocked to see me.

The streets were packed in an instant.

“Oh, you’re alright!”

“Of course he is. Our hero is alive and well! Who spread those ridiculous rumors about him being on the verge of death?”

“That’s right, that’s right. The hero who ended the war could never be defeated. Look at him, so glorious and dignified.”

I heard those embarrassing compliments from the bustling crowd.

I had done something great, but I could never get used to such praise.

But that was just the beginning.

“Thank you for ending the war!”

“Our hero!”

“Please keep our world peaceful!”

“Long live Young Master Max!”

“Long live! Long live! Long live!”

The crowd cheered, their voices echoing through the streets.

The Turtle Unit looked stunned by the overwhelming popularity.

I was the only one who remained calm.

But,

…Even so, wasn’t it a bit much to chant “Long live” in front of the princess?

Even if they were trying to show off their power to the princess and my rivals, this was a bit too much.

It wasn’t good to make an enemy of the princess.

She was a terrifying person.

I didn’t want to clash with her head-on.

‘Force is a last resort.’

The best course of action was to suppress her power and prevent her from going on a rampage.

If that failed, then I would have no choice but to draw my sword.

But honestly, I hoped it wouldn’t come to that.

As I had confirmed in this war, the princess was one of the strongest warriors in the world.

The casualties on our side would be significant.

I didn’t want that.

The problem was,

‘She’s unpredictable.’

The princess was a monster with a volatile personality.

I couldn’t even predict whether she would accept the current situation or not.

And there was another important variable.

She was terminally ill.

It meant that she might make a reckless move out of desperation.

‘Well, I guess we’ll find out when we face each other.’

I raised my hand in response to the cheering crowd and headed towards the Imperial Palace.

* * *

“Did you hear?”

“Of course I did. That bastard Max received a ‘Long live’ chant from the people of the Imperial City.”

“How could such an outrageous thing happen in broad daylight, in the Imperial City, where the princess resides?”

“Well, those ignorant commoners don’t know any better…”

“That’s what I’m saying. How could they chant ‘Long live’ for that bastard? The Celtrine faction must have orchestrated it.”

“Those cunning bastards. They’re trying to show off their power. But to do it in front of the princess… They’ve gone too far.”

“But what can we do? The princess is so passive…”

“Exactly. Sigh, this is frustrating.”

The western lords gathered and complained about the situation.

They looked frustrated enough to start drinking if there was any alcohol available.

It was then that,

The door burst open and a lord rushed in.

“T-The princess is meeting with that bastard! Alone!”

“What? She’s meeting with him right away? And alone?”

“What are they going to talk about…?”

The room was filled with murmurs.

It was understandable.

A private meeting was no ordinary matter.

It meant that there was a special reason for the meeting.

They couldn’t help but wonder why the princess had decided to meet with Max alone, especially so soon after his return.

“C-Could it be that the princess has finally made up her mind? She wouldn’t have met with him alone if it was just a casual meeting.”

“Don’t be so optimistic. I find it even more suspicious that she’s meeting with him alone.”

“Let’s just wait and see. We’ll decide what to do based on the outcome.”

The western lords were focused on the upcoming private meeting.

* * *

“Are you sure you’ll be alright?”

“It’s a safe meeting. Nothing can happen.”

I replied nonchalantly to Regina’s question.

The princess’s sudden request for a private meeting had been unexpected.

But that’s why nothing could happen to me during the meeting.

If something did happen, it would be directly linked to the princess.

And she couldn’t afford to harm me.

If she had wanted to do that, she would have chosen a different time and place.

“I’m more curious about what she wants to talk about. I can’t predict it.”

If she had been a normal person, I would have assumed that she had summoned me to express her gratitude for saving her life.

But the princess wasn’t a normal person.

She wouldn’t feel any gratitude.

So I couldn’t figure out her intentions.

“I see. I’ll go with you anyway.”

“You really don’t have to.”

“I’ll wait outside. You never know what might happen.”

“Alright. Thank you.”

I nodded with a smile.

It would have been rude to refuse her offer, especially since she was concerned about my safety.

And even though I didn’t think anything would happen, it was reassuring to know that she would be waiting outside.

“Then let’s go.”

We headed towards the princess’s chambers.

* * *

*Nod*

I exchanged a glance with Regina and then stepped inside.

I reached the door.

There were no guards.

It was truly a private meeting.

I paused for a moment and then knocked on the door.

“Max Celtrine, reporting as summoned.”

“Come in.”

*Creak*

I slowly opened the door and stepped inside.

And then I froze.

I was stunned by the sight of the princess.

She was wearing a pure white dress.

The same dress she had worn to the ball.

And she was wearing it to a private meeting with me.

‘What is she doing?’

I was confused.

The location and her attire didn’t match.

This wasn’t a banquet hall or a ballroom.

And yet, she was dressed to the nines?

…How was I supposed to interpret this?

While I was lost in thought, she gestured for me to come closer.

“Come and sit here.”

She was gesturing towards a simple table.

A table with no designated seat of honor.

It was an unconventional setting that would have outraged the opposing lords.

‘What are you up to?’

My heart skipped a beat.

I smelled something.

Something suspicious.

I had to be on my guard.

I tried to decline her offer.

“I couldn’t possibly…”

“Hehe, don’t be so formal.”

Formal?

I was curious about what kind of relationship she thought we had.

I hesitated.

She pulled me towards the table.

*Thud*

“Come on, don’t be shy.”

I was dragged to the table against my will.

I didn’t like being led like this.

I sat down across from her.

“It’s been a while since we’ve had a drink together, hasn’t it?”

She said as she poured wine into two glasses.

“Yes, it has.”

“Hehe, it feels different from when we were at the academy.”

“I agree.”

“Maybe it’s because this is our first time alone together?”

*Thump*

I barely managed to suppress a chuckle at her blunt statement.

It was obvious that she was flirting with me.

Young love?

If that was the case, why would I be chuckling?

She was the psychopathic princess.

She was probably thinking about how to devour me.

I couldn’t relax when she was acting like this.

I became even more cautious.

‘So you’re trying to manipulate me emotionally?’

It was her specialty.

To control people with her outward appearance.

She must have set up this entire situation, including her dress, for that purpose.

But too bad.

I already knew her true nature.

“I don’t know.”

I gave a short reply.

It was a rude response, but I did it on purpose.

To see her reaction.

We were alone.

It meant that I could be blunt without worrying about what others might think.

I wasn’t going to let her attack me unilaterally.

“Hehe, I see.”

She smiled as usual.

It was hard to read her thoughts.

She was a tough opponent.

*Pour*

She filled our glasses with wine and pushed one towards me.

“I chose a simple wine because it didn’t seem appropriate to drink expensive alcohol when the empire is in such a state.”

Wow, she sounded like a saint who only cared about the empire and its people.

“You’re so thoughtful and considerate.”

…But I had to say something like that.

“Hehe, I’m still lacking in many ways. Please continue to guide and advise me.”

Her words were sweet.

Very sweet.

“Shall we have a drink?”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

*Clink*

Our glasses clinked.

The drinking began.

“How are you feeling?”

“I’m fine now.”

“I’m sorry. It’s my fault.”

“No, it’s not. It was my duty…”

“Why did you save me?”

Huh?

“I want to know why you saved me, even though your life was in danger.”

“Countless lives depended on Your Highness’s life…”

*Tap, tap, tap*

She interrupted me, tapping her fingers on the table.

“Not that.”

“…”

“Tell me the real reason.”

Her smile vanished.

She was serious.

The problem was that she never lost her smile, even when she was serious.

The fact that she had lost her smile meant…

I sensed danger and thought carefully.

‘She’s curious about that?’

It was strange.

The princess I knew would have just thanked me perfunctorily and moved on.

There was no need to dwell on something she wasn’t even grateful for.

And yet, she was being so persistent?

“Why can’t you tell me?”

She pressed me for an answer.

It was time for me to respond.

I hesitated, choosing my words carefully.

And then I thought,

‘Do I really need to make up a plausible excuse?’

I could come up with several reasons if I had to.

But based on my previous answers and her reactions, it didn’t seem like a good idea.

Then why not just tell her the truth?

There was no harm in it.

I made up my mind and said, “Because you’re the princess.”

“Huh?”

“I saw you in danger, and I just reacted instinctively.”

“Y-You did?”

Huh?

W-Wait a minute.

Why is your face turning red?