Chapter 81 - Father’s Anger

“Jubelian, what did you just say?” My father’s expression hardened in response. I had never seen his eyes look so ferocious before. He almost looked barbaric, which was unlike someone who was usually indifferent about everything. 

‘Wow, a person who was indifferent even when I caused so much trouble before can become upset like that,’ I thought to myself. A small urge to rebel rose inside me. ‘He’s probably upset that I refuse to become his puppet and comply with the arranged marriage, tempting his disciple instead.’

I proudly locked my arm around Max’s and said, “As I just said, we’re officially starting a relationship.” 

My father glared at me in response and quietly said, “First come inside, then we’ll talk.” The lies I told Geraldine and the knights worked because they were rather naive. However, I was bound to get caught by my father if I told him the same lies. For this reason, I decided to mix some truth in my story. 

‘Will I be able to pull it off?’ I would be lying if I said I wasn’t nervous, but I didn’t want to have doubts at this moment. ‘It’ll be okay. I can do it,’ I silently encouraged myself. At that moment, the arm that was locked around mine loosened. Max had unfastened his hold from me. ‘Didn’t I ask for cooperation?’ I gave him a look, trying to convey this, but became surprised upon realizing that he had removed his arm so he could hold my hand. 

“Let’s go… my lady,” he said. Although his words sounded awkward, I didn’t mind because he had addressed me formally. ‘And is it because he’s with me?’ For some reason, I wasn’t frightened at the thought of being scolded today. 

* * *

‘How did it end up like this?’ Regis clenched his fists, realizing that he should’ve been more vigilant in order to keep his sly disciple away from his daughter. ‘What on earth are you scheming, Maximilian?’ Regis was certain that Max had planned this situation with wicked intentions, as he knew best about his disciple’s inhumane and evil personality. The reason he wanted to get close to Jubelian was probably… ‘Does he want to get me involved in the rebellion by using Jubell?’ As his uncertain guesses became more clear, a smug smile appeared on Regis’ face.

“Master, you need to let go of your pawns at the right time. It’s common sense to make some sacrifices during a revolution,” his disciple had once said. Max was clearly someone who saw people as pieces on a chessboard, so it was possible he harbored even more wicked intentions than he had predicted. ‘How dare he consider my daughter a pawn.’ Although his speculations weren’t confirmed, he couldn’t help but feel enraged. His disciple had already made a move on his daughter, after all. ‘You scoundrel. How could you pay me back by becoming my enemy?’ Although their relationship hadn’t started with pure intentions, Regis never hesitated to give his disciple advice because he valued him at heart. He had even protected his disciple from the assassins sent by the empress when he was young, but it seems like all his efforts and support had gone to waste. 

‘I can’t let a monster like you take my daughter away from me.’ Regis clenched his teeth in disgust. Although he really wanted to punish his ungrateful disciple, he knew that Jubelian would be unhappy if he did so, considering her nature to cherish the people and things she liked. ‘How irritating,’ Regis thought. He felt as if his head was going to burst, but he carefully tried to hide his feelings and offered his daughter and disciple a seat.

“Sit down,” he said. When Jubelian was about to sit, Max pulled a chair out for her.

“Here.”

She smiled. “Thank you.”

If it was the disciple that Regis knew, he wouldn’t have been affected by her words at all. Nonetheless, the despicable man in front of him meekly replied, “Sure.” 

‘That spiteful rascal. He tricked my daughter by putting on an act.’ Regis clenched his fists. Having observed Max for a long time, he knew that he was rarely affected by things. He had even once said, “You want me to show compassion to the weak? That will only get me beheaded.” Regis had tried to fix his disciple’s personality multiple times, but he only became more perverse. ‘There’s no way a guy like him would suddenly change,’ he thought to himself. 

“How did you two meet?” Regis asked coldy as if interrogating them. There was an aura of aggression emanating from his eyes. 

“During the few days you were gone, he came to visit you. Since you weren’t here and there was no place for him to go, I let him stay in my room for a while,” Jubelian said. 

Unable to suppress his anger, Regis twisted his expression. ‘So this is why that vile snake lured me to the imperial palace!’ 

Although she was mostly expressionless, his daughter had a soft heart from a young age. 

“I don’t want these birds anymore, so don’t catch them, okay?” she once said to Derrick when her pet bird died. She had only been seven years old. 

‘What’s more, she’s someone who couldn’t ignore the abandoned dogs and cats she saw in the streets.’ Regis knew that his daughter was lenient towards weak and pitiable existences, so he couldn’t help but become even more infuriated at his disciple. ‘I will never forgive you for taking advantage of my daughter’s kindness.’