Chapter 31: Elizabeth Von Lionheart

As Max continued to immerse himself in the culinary world inside the kitchen, outside the hall, three men clad in armor, accompanied by a maid and a butler, scoured the hallways in search of a missing girl.

"Where on earth has her ladyship gone?" one of the armored men inquired, addressing his companions.

"How should I know? We'd better search every possible hiding place," the smaller man in armor responded, a hint of frustration in his voice.

The maid, casting a glance toward the butler, cautiously suggested, "Sir Charles, I suspect Miss has decided to play hide-and-seek again."

Sir Charles, though appearing unassuming, possessed a well-maintained physique, along with a distinguished white mustache, giving him the appearance of a man in his 60s.

To outsiders, he might appear to be a powerless elderly gentleman. Yet, those familiar with him knew the truth – he was a formidable 4th circle magician.

As the search for the missing girl continued, Sir Charles calmly considered the situation, prepared to employ his magical abilities if necessary.

"Haa," Charles sighed softly and turned to the maid, "Rosey, I've lost count of how many times she's done this at functions. Despite being next in line to the throne, her ladyship seems to have no interest in mingling with noble children."

The girl they were searching for was none other than Princess Elizabeth von Lionheart, the heir to the Lionheart Kingdom's throne. She was known for her peculiar habit of disappearing during events, which made her difficult to find.

"True, Butler Charles," Rosey replied, undeterred. "Lady Elizabeth is approaching her twentieth birthday, and it won't be long before she becomes the queen. Yet, she still detests engaging with noble children."

In the Lionheart Kingdom, when a young royal comes of age, typically at twenty years old, the throne is passed on to them. During this transition, the previous monarch, whether king or queen, assumed the role of an advisor to the newly crowned ruler. This long-standing tradition was established by their ancestors and has been upheld by the royal family for over three centuries. It ensures a smooth transition of power while benefiting from the experience and wisdom of the former monarch.

Charles nodded in agreement. "You're right. Let's put that matter aside for now and focus on finding Lady Elizabeth."

The group continued their search throughout the vast mansion, determined to locate the princess and bring her back to the ongoing event. Princess Elizabeth's free-spirited nature often led to such escapades, making her presence unpredictable, even during the most formal gatherings.

- - -

Inside the kitchen, Max was happily humming a tune as he went about washing various herbs and ingredients. He contemplated how he could prepare top-grade food for the event. With over 40 dishes to prepare, he anticipated earning a significant number of chef points, potentially leveling up twice. Max was on cloud nine.

However, his blissful reverie was suddenly interrupted by a loud noise.

*Baam!*

Max's furrowed brows and frustrated expression immediately turned towards the source of the loud disturbance. His expression shifted from annoyance to shock as he laid eyes on the unexpected intruder.

As Max's eyes fell upon the unexpected intruder, he was struck by her sheer beauty. Her long, flowing hair was a mesmerizing shade of deep blue, resembling the ripples of the deep sea, and it seemed to ruffle in the air as if carried by a gentle breeze. Her deep blue eyes sparkled with an alluring charm, capturing the essence of the vast ocean. They held a depth that seemed to mirror the fathomless depths of the sea.

Her perfectly sculpted eyebrows gracefully framed her eyes, adding to the allure of her features. Her alabaster-white skin resembled precious jade, radiating an otherworldly glow. Every inch of her skin seemed flawless, and it was as though she were untouched by any imperfection.

Her body was a work of art, featuring perfect curves that accentuated her femininity. Max found himself at a loss for words as he gazed upon her, for he had never seen such an exquisitely beautiful girl before.

She was like a celestial being as if the gods themselves had crafted her with meticulous care, using only the finest materials in existence. Her beauty was the very definition of perfection, a breathtaking sight that left Max in awe.

In comparison, even the most famous Hollywood actresses from his past life would pale in significance before her divine presence.

- - -

The uninvited guest who disrupted Max's culinary haven was none other than Elizabeth, the crown jewel of the Lionheart Kingdom's nobility.

She had slipped into the kitchen to evade her ever-watchful entourage of bodyguards and her loyal butler, Charles.

Elizabeth, who was known for her independence and refusal to conform to the typical expectations of a noblewoman, occasionally sought solace in solitude from the prying eyes of her guardians.

Elizabeth, the unassuming intruder of the kitchen, was no ordinary noblewoman. She possessed a rare combination of openness and straightforwardness that set her apart from the rest of the nobility.

Her personality was a stark contrast to those who often hid behind masks of deceit and politeness when in the presence of others.

Elizabeth loathed the pretentious gatherings held by the neighboring nobility, where everyone wore a facade, concealing their true selves. She was a breath of fresh air in the stuffy world of nobles, unafraid to be herself, and that was something she cherished deeply.

On this particular day, she had reluctantly agreed to attend the marriage party of the Count's son, accompanied by her mother, who currently reigned as the queen of the Lionheart Kingdom. Despite her usual straightforwardness, Elizabeth couldn't escape her mother's wishes for her to meet with some young nobleman.

Under the command of her mother, she was instructed to socialize and potentially form connections with nobles. However, she had no intentions of playing along.

She knew the type of people her mother was trying to introduce her to – insincere and scheming. This knowledge led to her attempts at evasion, a futile but temporary measure to escape her mother's wishes.

Even though she was aware of the inevitability of this meeting, Elizabeth relished the brief respite she found in hiding. It was her small rebellion against the rigid expectations of her station. In these moments of solitude, she found a hint of happiness, free from the constraints of her social status and the demands of her mother.

She knew the type of characters her mother wanted her to meet, and she was determined to avoid them for as long as possible.

- - -

As Max was lost in his thoughts, Elizabeth's voice brought him back to the present. She asked, "Hey, are you paying attention?"

Max, on the other hand, managed to maintain his composure, despite being momentarily taken aback by her sudden presence. His years of life experience, which included interacting with a diverse range of people, had equipped him with the ability to control his emotions effectively. Even though he was briefly stunned by the lady's striking beauty standing before him, Max quickly adjusted his demeanor and responded to her calmly.

"Um, I apologize, but I'm deeply engrossed in my work at the moment. Could you please refrain from interrupting me for now?" Max's outward appearance reflected the demeanor of someone who had spent three decades navigating complex human interactions, maintaining his professional composure despite the unexpected interruption from the captivating lady who had entered his space.

"That means you didn't hear me at all," Elizabeth's words hung in the air, casting a momentary silence in the room. It was true that Max hadn't fully registered what Elizabeth had said. Max felt a twinge of embarrassment and shyness.

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[Author here: How was the chapter guys here comes some fun part but I will make it clear, I don't make to make any crapy  heroin so don't except romance just now, it will take some time before romance. Happy areading :)  ]