CH 282

“Oh, I see.” Fresia smiled awkwardly, realizing she had asked an unimportant question.

“What is that?”

“Ah, these are the pieces of information that I just decided to discard. Among them, there was something about a direwolf being auctioned in the underground network, but apparently, the beast was already sold. If you are interested, Your Highness, I am willing to inquire about the owner of the magical beast,” she suggested.

However, Max shook his head with an uninterested look. “No, it’s fine. Such dangerous beasts are difficult to control. They are a headache.”

Fresia smiled. ‘Yes. There is no need to be greedy for something that cannot be achieved.’

“By the way, how is the other task going?” Max asked.

“Alas, the emperor often summons Sir Mikhail to the royal study. No suspicious movements have been detected from either of them, however.”

Max thought of the faces of the two men he despised for a moment. He then clenched his fists. ‘It’s no problem. Even if they try to do something, they won’t be suitable opponents for me or Master.’ Recalling his master’s words that he would be by Jubelian’s side throughout the hunting contest, Max opened his mouth. “What about the other intel I’ve asked you to look into?”

“I was informed that Lord Elios is hiding his swordsmanship skills. Apparently, he is a quite outstanding swordsman, and a mana user at that…” Fresia trailed off once she realized the murderous expression on her lord’s face. She quickly detoured. “Of course, he would be no match for Your Highness, and I believe that the victory of the hunting competition to be held in four days will be yours.”

“It better be.” As if his mood had improved, Max was now nodding.

Fresia sighed. ‘It is so difficult to curry favor with him. How does Lady Floyen get along so well with His Majesty…?’

As Fresia was admiring Jubelian’s mysterious power, Max said, “And there is one more thing you need to do.” His tone was serious, and so she swallowed nervously before lowering her head.

“Whatever it is, I will endeavor to serve you to the best of my abilities.”

After a moment, Max opened his mouth. “Jubelian will have her coming-of-age ceremony soon. I am unsure what to give her as a present.”

“I’m sorry?” Fresia asked, taken aback. She then realized what her lord meant and answered, “Ah, I see. I will look into her likes and dislikes and come up with the best gift for the lady.”

A smile finally replaced Max’s disgruntled expression. “She liked the gift you chose last time, so I am trusting you again.”

Fresia let out a small sigh. ‘I don’t know how I came to be in charge of her gifts.’

* * *

A puff of smoke escaped from Radian’s lips as he smirked. “A magical beast? How would I know how to control something like that?”

Mikhail’s face crumpled. ‘I shouldn’t have had any expectations for this guy. He is pathetic.’ He was about to get up and leave when Radian held him back.

“I can’t tell you anything about the beast, but I have heard rumors about Lady Floyen.”

Mikhail sat back down. Glaring at his cousin, he demanded, “What rumors?”

Flicking the ashes of his cigarette on his ashtray, Radian met Mikhail’s eyes. “Fredrich Lionel Elios, the socialite, has his eyes on the lady!”

Upon hearing those words, Mikhail recalled Frederich’s true face and frowned.

“I don’t understand. It is pitiful that someone so accomplished like you cannot shake off a stupid woman just because of her status.”

Always smiling, the man pretended to be a gentleman on the outside. On the inside, however, he was a cold one, and blue blood ran through his veins. Frederich had once looked down on Jubelian for devaluing the Floyen household. “It can’t be,” Mikhail decided.