Chapter 262 - Strengthening Ties

 

Watching his father glower, Max laughed. It was obvious why the emperor, who usually remained distant, had sent an invitation for a drink. ‘He must want something from me,’ Max thought. He didn’t know what it was, but he had no intention of giving it away. After all, his father was his enemy rather than family. No matter how kind he pretended to be, Max remembered how the heartless man had left the late empress to die—after his mother was poisoned, the emperor had made an excuse of not wanting to see her suffer and had left her to wither away in her room. If he could, Max wanted to behead his abominable father right away and dedicate him to his mother’s grave. Instead of showing hostility, however, Max wore a bright smile. “Regrettably, I must decline your invitation like this,” he consoled.

“Don’t worry about it,” the emperor spoke in a caring tone. “If you’re not feeling well, I will let the doctor know so that he can send you some medicine.”

“I do not mind you enjoying the drink, and I will stay and keep you company,” Max smiled.

“Good.” The emperor nodded. Once Max poured the liquor into the goblet, the emperor took the cup and downed it at once. “I’ve never tasted anything better. It’s a shame that you cannot drink with me,” he teased. Max remained silent, waiting for the emperor to throw his bait. As expected, his father soon noted, “Maximillian, aren’t you of marriageable age now?”

Max was flabbergasted; it was only a few days ago when the emperor told him he was too young to be married. ‘Has he finally found a powerless family to marry me off to?’ he wondered. In the past, Max would have played along with his father’s schemes, but he bore no such intentions now. The only lady he wanted to be with was Jubelian, and so he shrugged, “I’m still young—I have never thought of such a thing as marriage.”

He had only reiterated what was said before, but the emperor’s reaction was a sight to behold. “What do you mean?! You are 22 years old. I should be seeing my grandchildren by now.”

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“Not too long ago, you told me I was too young for marriage,” Max mocked.

The emperor guffawed. “I was only saying that because you are my son, who I hold dearest to my heart. In any case, I want you to settle down, and I’ve found a suitable partner for you.”

Realizing the emperor was trying his best to disregard his own previous words, Max raised the corners of his lips. ‘I see what you’re trying to do.’ He speculated what kind of useless family the emperor was trying to send him off to, then he decided he should hear what the man had to say first. Whatever it was, Max was prepared to argue.

“So, I was thinking—what do you think of Duke Floyen’s daughter?”

Max almost replied that she was a lovely woman. However, he realized something and widened his eyes. ‘Why is the emperor referring to her?’ Max had only danced with Jubelian once in the banquet hall, and they had never met in a public place. In his mind, there shouldn’t have been anything to catch the emperor’s eyes. Feeling the collar of his shirt suffocate him, he rummaged through his memories. ‘During Beatrice’s coronation ceremony when I interrupted Jubelian and Frederich’s conversation… Damn it! Did I put her in danger in the end?’ Max felt his blood boil. ‘It’s my mistake. I shouldn’t have acted rashly.’ Quickly collecting himself, Max replied calmly, “Well, I don’t even recall what she looks like.”

“Is that so?” If I remember correctly, you offered to dance with her during the banquet. Isn’t it because she caught your attention that day?”

Max smirked. “No, I was just looking for an excuse to irritate Duke Elios’ son as he was being an eyesore.”

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