Max smirked at his master’s question. “Why do you think I am? It’s obviously because…” He trailed off, finding that he couldn’t come up with a reason as to why he was doing so.
Max clenched his fists tightly. ‘Shoot! Why am I even…’ He had always wondered about the reason himself, but had never arrived at an answer because the question would give him headaches. He had a vague idea why, but couldn’t bring himself to say such words.
“I see that you’re at least unable to lie and say that you love her,” his master’s icy voice pierced his ears.
An ugly feeling rose inside of Max at his master’s words. He glared at his master, his eyes burning like a fire fueled with wood. Overwhelmed by the raging heat inside of him, Max studied his master’s graceful appearance, then came back to his senses when he noticed the similarities he shared with Jubelian.
‘Yeah, I’m…’ Normally he would’ve immediately refuted his master’s remarks, but now, no matter what he said, Max couldn’t get angry because this was Jubelian’s father.
When Max didn’t answer, Regis bellowed out in a frigid voice, “From now on, don’t show up in front of my daughter ever again.”
‘Even so, he’s being so disrespectful to me… How annoying,’ Max thought in irritation, then wore a rebellious expression on his face and said, “No, I don’t want to.”
Regis’ eyes darkened at his disciple’s refusal. “She’s already been through a lot. She’s not someone you can just toy with.”
Max’s eyes became fierce. ‘He thinks that I’ve just been toying with her?’
It was true that he had ulterior motives when he had first encountered Jubelian.
“Oh, you’re my father’s disciple,” Jubelian had said at their first meeting.
But ever since then, he had gone out of his way to search for her because…
“It gets cold at night because we’re in-between seasons.”
He had never felt cold before, but was able to experience warmth for the first time because of her.
“Good night.”
Max had never slept well at night because of anxiety about getting ambushed at any moment. However, he realized that he could sleep peacefully in Jubelian’s presence.
“It’s okay to be honest with me.”
He had always had to show off his strength because he feared that others would look down on him. But when he was by her side, he didn’t have to do so.
“I was worried because I have strange preferences for food, but I’m glad you like it as well.”
When he was with her, he could put up with the things he disliked.
“I’m still in a situation where I’m being ignored by people in high society. How much of a joke will they think I am if you disrespect me as well?”
He hated lowering himself for someone else, but if it was for her, he didn’t mind, no matter how many times it was.
“If you’re that against it, then I guess it can’t be helped. Let’s end our contract here.”
He was afraid that she’d leave if he didn’t agree.
“Max?”
Max’s world had always been achromatic. Everything was either white, black, or gray. The only color he knew was red, which carried the stench of blood. But one day, his desolate world had become filled with blue, purple, and a dazzlingly beautiful silver. Although the vague answer he was looking for almost came to mind, he couldn’t be sure about it. Nonetheless, Max was positive that he had no choice but to admit that he could no longer imagine a world without Jubelian.
Max looked straight into his master’s eyes and opened his mouth. “Don’t assume my feelings without my permission.” He then stood up, walked past his master, and said, “I have no intention of breaking up with her.” Max walked away slowly, then paused. “That’s all I have to say,” he stated as if making a declaration.
Max soon thought of Jubelian’s face when she had left the drawing room. She was definitely smiling, but it was strangely different from her usual smile. ‘It wasn’t as bright,’ he recalled. Wanting to see Jubelian as soon as possible, Max quickened his pace and left the room.
Regis gazed at the door his disciple had left from with confusion. ‘There’s… no way.’ Although he denied his thoughts, he had definitely seen the unfamiliar expression on his disciple’s face. ‘Yes, it was a warm expression I thought I would never see him make.’ The moment he admitted this fact, he felt greatly fatigued. Regis covered his face with his hands without realizing it, then tightly shut his eyes.
* * *
‘The two of them must have made up by now, right?’ I thought as I opened up a book. Strangely, I couldn’t focus on reading today. ‘Oh, what’s wrong with me?’ I silently moaned. Suddenly, I heard a knocking sound at my window and flinched. ‘Is it Max? But there’s no reason for him to come through this way.’ Just to be sure, I approached my window and got surprised by the black shadow on the balcony.
‘Gosh, why does this guy have to come this way when there’s a perfectly fine working door to my room?’ I sighed as I undid the latch. When I opened the windows, the chilly wind from outside fluttered the curtains lightly. As the wind flowed in, I locked eyes with Max’s gaze that looked deeper than usual.
“Why did you come this way? You could’ve used the stairs.”
“What took you so long? It’s cold,” he made an irrelevant remark instead of answering my question.
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