Chapter 40

"Where have you been?" Amora saw Prince Maxwell and Doran just arriving.

Without answering, Prince Maxwell walked away, with Doran following him from behind. Amora's question went unanswered, which only made her more frustrated.

"They didn’t answer my question!"

Amora frowned, irritated by Prince Maxwell and Doran's indifferent attitude. She approached them and spoke in a high-pitched voice.

"Didn't you hear my question? I just want to know where you came from."

Prince Maxwell stopped for a moment and looked at Amora coldly. Doran, who was behind Prince Maxwell, could only shake his head.

"We've just finished an important matter," Prince Maxwell said, his voice cold and unwilling to offer further explanation to Amora.

Doran sighed deeply. Amora stared at Prince Maxwell with a sharp look.

"What important matter?" Amora asked again.

Prince Maxwell felt his patience wearing thin with Amora’s trivial questions. His face showed frustration. Amora immediately took a few steps back, anticipating a possible attack.

"If you dare to ask again, I won’t hesitate to attack you, Amora," Prince Maxwell said before leaving with Doran.

Amora decided not to follow Prince Maxwell anymore. She knew it wasn't the right time to confront him. Instead, she went to her room.

***

Suddenly, Amora arrived at Prince Maxwell’s room with a basket of fruit. Prince Maxwell was surprised by her visit.

"Why are you coming to my room?" Prince Maxwell asked with a sharp look at Amora.

"I just wanted to bring you these fruits." Amora handed the basket to Prince Maxwell.

With a suspicious gaze, Prince Maxwell asked, "Have you poisoned these fruits?"

Amora put her hands on her hips and was offended by Prince Maxwell's accusation. As she reached to take the basket back, Prince Maxwell quickly hid it behind his back.

"I have no other intention, Prince. I just want to show my respect and hope to assist you in any way," Amora said.

"Is that so?"

Amora nodded, and Prince Maxwell immediately took an apple from the basket. He ate the apple in front of Amora.

"Well, Prince? Is there poison in the apple?" Amora deliberately teased Prince Maxwell.

Prince Maxwell stopped chewing the apple immediately. His gaze turned towards Amora. He then pulled Amora into an embrace. Amora was shocked by how the prince treated her.

"Prince Maxwell, what are you doing?" She asked with a trembling voice, though her heart was racing.

Prince Maxwell looked at Amora with a gentle gaze. Amora felt warmth in his embrace, though she still felt awkward.

"Can you let me go now?" Amora asked Prince Maxwell to release her.

"No. I want you by my side." Prince Maxwell tightened his embrace around Amora.

"But why? Why are you suddenly like this with me?" Amora was puzzled by Prince Maxwell’s sudden change of behavior.

"What's the matter? Do you wish that it was Sandy embracing you?" Prince Maxwell asked, slowly loosening his hold.

Amora immediately thought of Sandy. Prince Maxwell's expression turned irritated as she realized her mistake. Amora apologized to Prince Maxwell, kneeling.

"Forgive me, Prince." Amora kneeled and apologized.

"Stand up. You don’t need to kneel," Prince Maxwell told Amora to rise.

Prince Maxwell’s mood suddenly soured. Perhaps she had disrupted his own mood.

"Leave my room now," Prince Maxwell ordered Amora to leave.

"Alright."

Amora left Prince Maxwell’s room and walked through the palace corridors. Suddenly, she saw Doran and called him.

"Doran, come here."

"What’s wrong, Amora?" Doran asked, curious.

"I just came out of Prince Maxwell’s room. It seems his mood isn’t good because of me," Amora said, looking at Doran with a slightly worried expression. "Please, take care of Prince Maxwell."

"Is something wrong with Prince Maxwell? Is he alright?" Doran frowned.

"He’s fine. It’s just…"

Amora didn’t continue her sentence and chose to leave. Doran, feeling puzzled, went to check on Prince Maxwell in his room, knocking on the door before entering. Doran immediately knelt upon entering.

"What brings you to my room, Doran?" Prince Maxwell asked while chewing an apple.

"I’m just concerned about you, Prince."

"Is something wrong with me, Doran?" Prince Maxwell raised his eyebrows.

"Amora seemed worried and said that your mood isn’t good. I felt something might be happening, so I came to ensure you’re okay."

"So, Amora is worried about me?" Prince Maxwell looked at Doran, then placed the apple on the table.

"Yes, Prince. I’m here to help you with anything you need." Doran remained kneeling before Prince Maxwell.

Suddenly, Prince Maxwell smiled widely. He picked up the apple from the table and took a bite.

"Doran, I have started to like Amora. Is that wrong?" Prince Maxwell asked.

"There’s nothing wrong with liking someone, Prince." Doran smiled widely at Prince Maxwell.

"Are you mocking me?"

Prince Maxwell chewed the apple thoughtfully. Could he gain Amora’s attention? She still had Sandy in her heart, and such feelings don’t disappear easily.

"But Amora really likes Sandy, Doran. Can I win her heart?"

"Nothing is impossible in this world, Prince. As long as you show kindness to her, she will slowly start to like you," Doran gave Prince Maxwell some good advice.

"You’re right, Doran. Thank you."

These feelings came so suddenly. Since Amora’s arrival at his palace, he had begun to like her, despite knowing her past misdeeds.

"Doran, can you promise me something?"

"What is it, Prince? I will carry out your orders well," Doran replied dutifully.

"Please keep my feelings a secret from everyone, including Amora. Only you should know about them."

Doran paused for a moment and looked at Prince Maxwell. "Alright, Prince. If that’s what you want, I will keep it a secret."

"Thank you, Doran. You’ve done so much for me. Whatever I want, you always fulfill. I am very proud to have a friend like you." Prince Maxwell patted Doran on the shoulder with a sweet smile.
 
Doran still couldn’t believe Prince Maxwell’s current demeanor. Usually Prince Maxwell had a fiery expression and was easily angered. But now it was different.