Maximillian stepped out of the chamber.
The corridor outside was silent.
Standing nearby, a guard straightened instantly upon seeing him.
"Y-Your Highness!"
Maximillian glanced at him briefly.
"Close the door."
"Yes, Your Highness!"
As the guard hurried to obey, Maximillian turned to leave—but paused for a moment.
"…Thank you , Sir Gavin ."
The words slipped out naturally, almost absentmindedly, before he continued walking down the corridor.
Behind him, the guard—Galvin—froze.
'He… thanked me?'
His grip tightened slightly as his heart began to pound.
'Does that mean… I've caught His Highness's attention?'
A strange excitement rose within him.
'Is this… my chance to climb higher ?'
---
Maximillian had already moved on.
As he turned into another corridor, hurried footsteps echoed from ahead.
"Your Highness!"
A young maid rushed toward him, her breath uneven, eyes glistening with tears.
"Where have you been? I've been looking everywhere for you for over an hour!"
It was Mary.
Her voice trembled as she reached him, barely holding herself together.
"I… I thought something happened… Did I fail in my duty? Am I a bad maid…?"
Tears began to fall as she lowered her head.
After her coworker and his other maid Aria died a year ago , she had become like this .
Always crying over small things .
Maximillian blinked once, then let out a quiet sigh.
"Stop crying."
His voice was calm—gentle, almost casual.
"I'm fine, aren't I?"
Mary sniffed, trying to hold herself together, but the tears didn't stop immediately.
"…I'm sorry…"
Maximillian glanced down the corridor.
Faint metallic sounds—armor.
Guards approaching.
Without another word, he lightly took her wrist.
"Come quickly."
Before she could react, he led her away, his pace steady.
Moments later, they slipped into his room, the door closing behind them.
---
Inside, the atmosphere was quiet.
Mary wiped her tears, slowly calming down under the safety of the room.
Her breathing steadied, and the panic in her eyes faded, replaced by relief.
Maximillian said nothing. He simply took a seat at the sofa in his room , letting the silence settle.
Not long after—
*Knock. Knock.*
Maximillian's gaze shifted toward the door.
He rose and opened it.
Standing outside was a man of average height, slightly on the heavier side, with a thick mustache resting above his upper lip. He wore a neatly tailored black-and-white noble coat with a gentleman hat, one hand tucked calmly within it.
His expression was warm.
"Your Highness."
He gave a slight bow.
"I am Count Ivan Alekseevich Boyarov Medvedev. His Imperial Majesty has assigned me as your tutor."
Maximillian's eyes lit up slightly.
"Oh—you're the one Father said he would assign."
" Can I come in , your highness " he said politely removing his hat as a sign of respect
A small smile formed on his face.
"Please, come in."
Ivan nodded politely and stepped inside.
---
The two took their seats opposite each other—Maximillian on a cushioned chair, Ivan on the couch across from him. Mary stood quietly at Maximillian's side.
Ivan studied him briefly before speaking, a gentle smile still on his face.
"I must say, Your Highness… I have heard quite a bit about your brilliance."
His tone was light, almost conversational.
"To be honest, I fear I may not have much to teach you… but I will do my utmost nonetheless."
Maximillian simply smiled in response.
"Sir Count, you're too humble."
The exchange was smooth—familiar.
Flattery. Politeness. Nobility.
Ivan inclined his head slightly.
"Then, Your Highness… when would you like to begin?"
Maximillian leaned back slightly.
" Tommorow will be fine but before that… why don't you introduce yourself properly? My knowledge about the Empire's nobility is still quite shallow."
"Of course."
Ivan's expression remained composed.
"I am the Count of 'Apelsinogradsk'—a port city to the north east. I also serve as a senior member of the noble faction within the Imperial Parliament."
Maximillian listened quietly.
Then, after a brief pause, he spoke:
"Mary, you may leave."
She hesitated for a moment, then bowed.
"Yes, Your Highness."
The door closed behind her.
---
The room fell into a quieter silence.
Maximillian's gaze returned to Ivan.
"Tell me, Sir Count… are you familiar with circles and that spiritual thing ? "
Ivan gave a small, almost amused smile.
"Your Highness, such knowledge about Spiritual power is quite common among people of our class , There is no need to speak so cautiously."
He paused briefly.
"Though… I must admit, my own journey in that regard has been rather unfortunate."
Maximillian's eyes narrowed ever so slightly.
"Oh , sorry to hear that Sir Count ?"
Ivan continued calmly.
"My root circle was damaged at my birth. As a result, I was unable to properly develop my other awakened circles ."
His tone held no bitterness—only quiet acceptance.
"I suppose… not all are blessed equally."
Maximillian nodded slowly remembering his own misfortune of only awakening root circle .
"I see."
Their conversation continued—light, flowing.
Ivan spoke often, occasionally praising, occasionally explaining, always maintaining that same warm tone.
Maximillian responded politely, even calling him humble more than once.
Outwardly, nothing had changed.
But inwardly—
A man with no power…
Yet holding influence within the parliament , there must be more to him than eyes met .
The earlier excitement inside him had long faded
He now had his guard up against him and at the same time was analysing him .
---
After some time, Ivan rose from his seat.
"I believe that will be enough for today, Your Highness."
Maximillian nodded.
"Yes. Thank you for your time, Sir Count."
Ivan gave a polite bow before turning toward the door.
As he stepped out, he placed the gentleman's hat upon his head again , adjusting it slightly. A calm smile lingered on his face as he departed down the corridor.
---
Moments later, the door opened again.
Mary stepped inside.
She looked toward Maximillian with curiosity.
"Your Highness… how was your meeting?"
Maximillian leaned back in his seat.
"It was good."
A brief pause.
Then inside his mind—
"…but his character is deeper than it seems."
Maximillian said nothing more.
A faint smile rested on his lips
_________________________________________
I will add Lorrenz part in next chapter ....
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