“I will get dressed…a-and be down in a minute.”
Princess Agnes lingered as though she wished to say something else, but she pressed her lips together and left the room. Though the princess’s behavior was perplexing, knowing that the Duke of Croyso was waiting downstairs sent Maxi into a rush of preparations in order to appear presentable.
Light spilled from the drawing room door into the corridor. Maxi’s stomach twisted into a knot as she approached.Standing just a few steps away, she hesitated for a moment before squeezing her eyes shut and entering the lavish room.
“My lady.”
Standing by the door, Sir Elliot respectfully offered her his hand. Maxi awkwardly took it and strode across the room. Ursuline was also present, and his eyes held a hostile gaze aimed at her father.
The Duke of Croyso stood with his hands clasped behind his back.
Maxi’s heart turned to ice. One glance at his cold eyes was all it took for her to know that he was furious.
“What a long time it has been, daughter.”
Her father’s voice was ominously gentle. When Maxi merely stood frozen, his lips curled into a smile.
“Will you not greet your father?”
Hearing the veiled threat, Maxi hastily opened her mouth. “A-A long time…indeed, Father. I-I am glad to see—”
“I’ve heard everything,” he said, cutting her off. “How extremely difficult it must have been for you.”
Lowering himself into a chair with thick silk upholstery, the Duke of Croyso fiddled with a button on his garment as he narrowed his eyes at Maxi. His tone was cryptic when he spoke.
“Everyone in the capital is talking about you. I felt terrible when I heard the news.”
“Your Grace!”
It was Elliot, who had been quietly standing behind Maxi. Anger rose on the duke’s face at the knight’s impertinence.
“Can you not see that I am talking to my daughter?” he snapped. “It is not a conversation you should dare to intrudeon.”
Elliot did not back down. “We have orders from Sir Riftan to protect her ladyship.”
The duke glared at him. “Are you implying that I am a danger to my own daughter?”
“But her ladyship does not—”
Elliot abruptly stopped himself and darted a glance at Maxi. Unable to grasp what they were talking about, Maxi looked from one person to the other in confusion.
The Duke of Croyso let out a sigh. “I’ve already told you of my intentions, have I not? My daughter deserves to know the truth. I hope you are not suggesting that you are more concerned for her welfare than I am.”
The color drained from Maxi’s face. How could this man utter such barefaced lies with a straight face?
Ignoring her stunned gaze, the duke haughtily raised his chin. “I would like for you to leave us now. I wish to speak with my daughter alone.”
The two knights exchanged glances before turning to Maxi. She reluctantly nodded.
“P-Please give us a moment. I will be…j-just fine.”
Elliot gazed at her for a moment, then gave a reluctant nod. “Then we will be in the room right across the hall. Please call us if you need anything, my lady.”
The knights turned around and left the room. When she heard the door close behind them, Maxi anxiously clutched her dress. Her father’s gaze was like a knife hacking into her. The venom in his eyes made all her muscles grow tense.
However, instead of immediately throwing threats at her as she had expected, the duke remained ominously silent. Unable to bear the torturous stillness any longer, Maxi spokefirst.
“M-May I ask…why you came—”
