Chapter 32: Unexpected Friendship

**5 minutes before:**

Elizabeth was frantically trying to evade her overbearing maid and butler. In her haste to escape, she found herself disoriented in a labyrinthine hallway. Desperate to avoid their watchful eyes, she ducked into a narrow alcove with only one door.

With the sound of approaching footsteps growing louder behind her, Elizabeth hastily pushed open the door to her right. As she entered the room, it became clear that she had stumbled into the mansion's kitchen. The warm, savory aroma of cooking filled the air.

This was an unfamiliar and somewhat unsettling place for Elizabeth, who had never hidden in a kitchen before. The bustling activity and clattering of pots and pans contrasted sharply with the usual elegance of her sheltered life.

Yet, with no other options available to her, she resolved to remain hidden in the kitchen, hoping her pursuers would lose interest and leave her to her solitude.

Elizabeth's eyes landed on Max, and relief washed over her. She hurriedly approached Max, calling his name in a hushed tone twice, her voice filled with urgency. She explained that if anyone came looking for her, he should inform them that he had not seen anyone else. However, her request was met with an unexpectedly brusque response from Max.

"Um, I apologize, but I'm deeply engrossed in my work at the moment. Could you please refrain from interrupting me for now?" Elizabeth was taken aback by Max's response, but at the same time, she felt a glimmer of happiness. 

For the first time, someone was treating her as an individual rather than the crown princess. Everywhere she went, people tried to curry favor with her, and she was growing increasingly frustrated with the fake politeness and flattery.

Max's straightforward and honest approach was a refreshing change for her, even if his initial response seemed dismissive. 

She appreciated that he saw her as just another person and not a royal figure, making her feel a bit more at ease in this unfamiliar situation.

Max, seemingly unaware of the gravity of the situation, replied curtly, dismissing her plea without even listening to her explanation. His demeanor conveyed a sense of arrogance and self-importance as if he believed he ruled the world and the affairs of others were of little consequence.

Elizabeth couldn't hide her frustration and exasperation at Max's dismissive attitude. She desperately needed help, and the young man's indifference was far from what she had hoped for in her time of need.

**The present time:**

"That means you didn't hear me at all," A momentary silence enveloped the room, hanging in the air after Elizabeth's remark.

Max couldn't help but feel a slight twinge of embarrassment and shyness. Elizabeth's words had brought to his attention that he hadn't fully registered what she had said earlier. Their interaction was becoming increasingly awkward as he struggled to shift his attention from his work to their conversation.

"I apologize if I seemed rude. I genuinely didn't hear what you said," Max admitted, trying to make amends for his unintentional oversight.

Elizabeth let out a soft sigh, her frustration giving way to a sense of determination. She found the person she encountered quite charming, and she didn't want to waste any more time.

She decided to confide in him, "Here's what I need you to do. I'm going to hide in one corner, and if anyone asks you if you've seen me, just tell them you haven't. I'm begging you." Her eyes carried a pleading look.

Max, not entirely sure what was going on, chose not to dwell on it and nodded his agreement. He returned his focus to his work, while Elizabeth tucked herself away in a corner beside a long cupboard.

A few minutes passed, and Max was engrossed in his cooking, the sizzling sounds of the ingredients filling the room. Meanwhile, Elizabeth remained hidden, her gaze fixed on Max. She watched him intently, silently intrigued by his culinary skills.

'Baam!'

Another sudden loud noise disrupted Max's concentration, causing his frustration to rise. 'Why the heck doesn't anyone just open the door with a simple knock?' Max muttered under his breath, irritated by the unexpected disturbances.

One of the guards who had been searching for Elizabeth entered the kitchen. The individual glanced at Max, who appeared to him as if anyone had taken all of his money.

The guard's presence in the kitchen startled Max, who had been focusing intently on his culinary duties. He looked up at the guard, who, despite the tension in the situation, addressed him politely.

"Hey, boy," the guard began, maintaining a calm tone, "have you seen a young lady with blue hair come through here?"

Elizabeth, concealed in a corner, held her breath as she listened to the exchange. Max glanced over at the spot where Elizabeth was hiding, understanding the gravity of the situation, but he also realized that this was a crucial moment where he had to think on his feet.

Max's irritation dissipated somewhat when he noticed the guard's polite demeanor. He took a moment to think about the situation while Elizabeth, hidden from view, gazed at him with pleading eyes, hoping he would provide a response that would protect her.

With a warm smile, Max responded to the guard, "No, sir. I've been here for the past half-hour, and there hasn't been a lady who came in."

"Oh, then sorry," The guard nodded and apologized before leaving the kitchen. As the door closed, Elizabeth released a heavy sigh of relief.

After the guard had departed, she approached Max, who had resumed cooking and expressed her gratitude, saying, "I greatly appreciate your help. You truly rescued me in that situation."

Max cast a brief glance at her and responded, "It's no trouble at all. However, you should exercise caution. You never know who could be searching for you."

As for Elizabeth, she responded with a somewhat awkward chuckle. If Max were aware of the reason behind Elizabeth's need to hide, he might consider asking her to leave the room to disrupt his valuable time.

Elizabeth nodded, her blue hair shimmering in the light. "I will. I appreciate your help." She continued to watch Max work, her curiosity about him growing. Max, despite his initial irritation, felt a sense of warmth and kindness from Elizabeth, a welcome change from the sycophantic courtiers and attendants of the palace.

In the brief moments of silence that followed, they shared an unspoken understanding that, for the time being, they were each other's secret keepers. As Max resumed his cooking and Elizabeth observed, an unexpected friendship began to form in the humble surroundings of the kitchen, where two people from different worlds found a connection amid the clatter of pots and pans.