Chapter Five
.Chapter Five.
Jed's sudden interest in Bernard was annoying.
However, Bernard, who was usually tough and stubborn, came under unexpected criticism.
It caught Jed's attention that he was shaken enough to be able to overpower him with a sword.
It was easy for Jed to tell Bernard's family where Rena was and what abnormal things Bernard had done for her.
Bernard's marriage to Carmilla is an important alliance between families, not only for Bernard himself, but also important to them as a royal family.
“Bernard not marrying is a loss for everyone.”
He was anticipating with a little malicious curiosity how Bernard would react to this news.
“Of course, I don't think the rice bowl would react much to such a thing.”
However, when news came of the attempt on Reyna's life, Bernard reacted with surprise.
His face turned white.
“Raina!”
As if he had lost his mind, Bernard forgot to ask his master for permission and tried to walk out of training.
It was such a violent reaction that even Jed, who thought he was so relieved by Rena, was surprised.
“Calm down now. Bernard. Borrow the royal carriage. You will be able to move faster.”
Only then did Bernard seem to come to his senses, he said, his blood boiling.
“…But this is Your Highness’s carriage…I can’t borrow it…..”
Max cut off the dismissive words as if to bring him back to his senses.
“Then I can go with you.”
“This…..”
Bernard hesitated for a moment, but Jed encouraged him:.
“It's urgent now, don't ignore His Highness's feelings towards you. And did you say your lover, Rena? Wouldn't it be honest to introduce her to us?”
Bernard's hesitation was short. He lowered his head and said.
“Thank you, Your Highness Amir.”
When he arrived, the scene he saw was amazing.
With Bernard's feeling, he managed to get such a beautiful, pearl-like palace like a picture from a Grimm's fairy tale.
The silver-barred gate fell and remained forlorn with trampled roses.
The thick walnut front door was bent in half, exposing the inside of the house.
“Reina! Reina, where are you!”
Bernard screamed desperately, stepping over the torn curtains and shards of broken glass.
Finally, in response to his screams, Rena, who had turned white, appeared limping. Beside her, a stocky man was supporting her.
“Sorry. Mr. Bernard. I couldn’t protect Miss Rena properly because I was untrustworthy.”
Bernard hurriedly ran to Rena and checked her. Fortunately for him, Rena only twisted her leg as she ran away in fear.
At that time, he spotted Camille, the man Bernard had attached to protect Rena, and his eyes widened to see the Crown Prince.
In this urgent situation, when Bernard's servant, who was in awe of seeing the Crown Prince, tried to say hello, Max shook his head and indicated that it was okay not to greet him.
Camille, who understood this, responded with a slight bow.
Only then was he certain that Rena was safe and informed his close friend Bernard, who was barely sane.
In short, the best thing to do was hide Rena from a surprise group of men.
He said that there seemed to be a lot of people around him, but added that he was more interested in finding Rena than in stealing.
“…There was something strange. So I did it because I thought it would be better to protect Rena than to find out who was behind it for Bernard.”
Bernard shook his head at him, lowering his head and keeping his mouth shut, as if he would gladly accept the punishment imposed on him for doing what he had to say.
“No. It was the best decision. It’s terrifying to think what would have happened if he hadn’t taken it to the secret passage right then and avoided it. You kept it for me. Thanks.”
Then he hugged Reina. It was the kind of embrace that made me feel comfortable just looking at him, like someone arriving at the Amiens River after floating in the open sea.
Seeing this, Jed felt sorry for him.
She was definitely a woman who Bernard had lovingly nurtured, so even if he tried to hurt her with his own hand, it would fail. But he didn't think something like this would last.
Besides, it's a secret passage… Since when did this guy evolve into a rabbit type that digs two holes? Is it that his intelligence only works when it comes to protecting the things he loves?.
No, he might have become insanely careful because she's so precious.
She was already a nuisance.
It would have been more convenient for everyone if I killed her now instead of having to try to kill her multiple times.
Jed said with a laughing voice.
“...Bernard, yes, I know it's precious, but you'll still embrace it without introducing us? Seriously, seeing as lovers, shall we back away now? It's hot.”
At that moment, Rena looked up and saw them, then stood up limping.
While she frowned slightly in pain, she smiled and said brightly.
“Hello. Are you friends, Bern? It may seem strange under the circumstances, but I’m glad I took this opportunity to meet you.”
It was too bright and inappropriate for the situation, and it was also too casual.
Bernard, Jed and Camille's eyes - who were momentarily taken aback - turned to Max. There was a moment of silence, and Max laughed feignedly as if he was having fun.
The tense atmosphere eased in an instant. Max laughed briefly and spoke to Rena in a casual tone.
“Nice to meet you too, Lady Raina, no. Should I just call you lady?”
Finally, as they watched her leave to make tea, they were able to sit around the remaining table and look at Max, and to his surprise, a smile appeared on his lips.
“You chose an interesting woman. Bernard. I'm really surprised.”
“It's kind of weird.”
Bernard's ears turned red as he spoke frankly.
Max cast his gaze into the ruined kitchen.
More than that, there was no need to prepare tea. “She injured her ankle, but even if he asked her to rest, she was very stubborn.”
A small smile spread on Bernard's lips.
“Yes. Maybe, since you were the first to be introduced as my friends, she seems stubborn because she wants to be nice to you even a little bit. Thank you for understanding her rudeness.”
Max replied lightly.
“I can tolerate rudeness from someone who knows nothing. But please keep quiet about our identities from her. Useless information can complicate matters.”
Max said, looking at Bernard with cold eyes.
“Because we won't see her again unless something very special happens.”
He has no reason to see her again. He added looking around.
Max, who Bernard had told him had built a decent mansion at best, but unfortunately it had been completely destroyed, seemed a bit cold and quiet in some ways.
However, Max's attitude towards Rayna is clearly revealed in this line.
I have nothing to say to him in this situation, and of course I have no intention of helping him.
I'll just wait and see what Bernard thinks.
It was not known whether Bernard read the exact intentions or not. Bernard simply nodded.
However, they very clearly understood Max's basic language.
If so, without limitation. With that in mind, propose boldly.
Jed said, looking around.
“Anyway, it seems like it will be difficult for your sweetheart to stay here when the house is like this. What are you going to do? Bern. What can I do? Are you going to rent my villa? I like it very much too.”
One of the culprits who openly destroyed this house came out like this, so even Max, who took a step back, looked at Jed as if he was stunned.
Then, after squinting her eyes and looking at him accusingly, she spoke to Bernard.
“…Is there another place where you can guess who the culprit is? If you know this far, the culprit is probably someone close to you. It’s better to be careful.”
Dropping hints that were vaguely helpful came close to putting a weight on Bernard because Jed was so biased in his favor.
He added in a suspicious tone, not looking at anything in particular.
"The person who hates you may not be the perpetrator. Your parents, or close friends...could he have done it because he was worried about you?"
Jed shrugged gently at these words and stepped back.
“If there is such a person, he must not have been trustworthy Bernard. If you are someone who knows what to do and does it diligently, I don’t think you would interfere like this.”
It was still a kind word with a smile on his face.
Max looked at Bernard with pitiful eyes at Jed's excuse, who never said yes calmly.
It was a gesture that demanded an answer. However, Bernard did not see Max's signal.
It was because the Crown Prince lowered his head, thinking about what he should do.
At that moment, Bernard's voice came saying with emphasis.
“Your Majesty.”
The words were barely heard.
Bernard raised his head. Compared to the cold tone, his blue eyes were burning.
His molars were crushed, and his veins were protruding from his clenched jaw.
“After listening to Your Highness, something came to my mind. Can I leave first?”
After a brief, meaningless period, he was granted permission by Max.
Bernard hurriedly left his seat. His steps were wide.
Silence passed between Jed and Max, who were left alone.
Max muttered, lowering his eyes naturally and sipping his tea.
“He will have an accident....”
“Yes. He will hit someone hard.”
Jed took the floor calmly.
There was a serious crack in Max's forehead. He looked at him, gritting his teeth.
I don't know anything else, but he's a knife-wielding person when it comes to not understanding things.
Normally, Bernard would not have thought so simple and stupid.
Or, even if he got it wrong, he would have come to a different conclusion by looking at Max's face and following his directions one by one.
Their Highness was generous to those who followed him, had room to develop, and had the will to think.
But now Bernard was doing what Max hated most. He was stupid.
Max's eyes immediately felt cold, Jed didn't know what was happening, and saw Rena preparing refreshments.
“It's complicated, but we caused you trouble. And since the owner has also left, so the guests must leave as well.”
They stood with a firm expression.
Leaving a bewildered Rena behind, Jed notices Max's coldness and heartily proposes.
“Should I follow her and catch her?”
At these words, Max suddenly looked at Jed. His eyes lit up on his worried face. Jed was happy with his suggestion.
Max said sarcastically.
“Stop rushing around, for now, Bernard’s mistress must be evacuated to a safe place. I will let you continue.”
He left the seat resolutely and said:.
“You are under surveillance for the time being. You know the guilt yourself. And remember I said it is definitely a safe place. I will not forgive you if you act your way. Don’t add any more troublesome things to me.”