I Supported The Tyrant's Love

Max’s dismissal of Anais’s plea made her feel a mix of frustration and urgency.

“No, please, Your Highness. I understand that you’re frustrated,” Anais continued, trying to keep her composure. “But the dinner party isn’t over yet. I’ve heard Lady Bastien is still expected, even if she’s late.”

Max raised an eyebrow, unimpressed. “Understand? How is it that you understand me? Lady Bastien’s chances of arriving now are slim.”

“But if you just wait a little longer, you might—”

“Wait? I have no intention of waiting for a ghost. This party is as good as over for me,” Max said, clearly irritated.

Before Anais could counter his argument, Pierre, who had been growing increasingly bored with the argument, suddenly perked up. His eyes fixed on something in the pond, and he leapt to his feet.

“Hey! Look!” he shouted, trying to get their attention. “Something’s happening!”

Max and Anais were momentarily distracted by Pierre’s excitement. He pointed at the edge of the pond, where a small splash was drawing attention.

“What is it?” Anais asked, moving closer to see.

Pierre’s eyes sparkled with a rare sense of wonder. “I think there’s something in the water!”

Max, still skeptical, sighed. “If you’re trying to distract me, it’s not going to work.”

But Pierre was insistent, his small face flushed with excitement. “No, really! Look!”

As the two adults reluctantly followed Pierre’s gaze, the tension between them eased slightly. It was a rare moment where the childish wonder of Pierre could bridge the gap between their conflicting interests.

Anais tried once more to make her case. “Please, Your Highness. Even if Lady Bastien doesn’t arrive tonight, you might still find it worth your while to stay a little longer.”

Max, still not entirely convinced, kept an eye on the pond. “Fine, I’ll stay a bit longer. But only because of this… curiosity.”

Anais gave a relieved smile, grateful for the small victory. “Thank you, Your Highness. I promise it will be worth it.”

With that, she, Max, and Pierre watched the pond, each lost in their own thoughts as they waited for whatever might come next.

Panic surged through Anais as she struggled to keep herself and Pierre above water. The cold, dark water pressed against her, making every movement feel like a monumental effort. Pierre’s desperate splashing was growing weaker, and Anais’s own strength was waning fast.

She managed to get a better grip on Pierre and tried to use her remaining strength to push him towards the edge of the pond. The realization hit her with stark clarity: she might not be able to save them both if something didn’t change soon.

Max, who had been watching the scene unfold, moved swiftly into action. Without hesitation, he yanked off his outer jacket and jumped into the pond. The water, which had been icy and alien to Anais, now felt like a battleground.

Max reached Anais and Pierre with a few strong strokes. He grabbed Anais by the arm and started pulling both her and Pierre towards the edge.

“Hang on! I’ve got you!” Max shouted over the splashing water.

Anais, her strength nearly spent, clung to Max’s arm as he maneuvered them towards the shore. Every inch seemed like an eternity, but Max’s determination and strength were palpable. He pulled them with every ounce of his energy until they reached the shallower part of the pond.

When they finally reached the shore, Max hauled Anais and Pierre out of the water with a swift, determined effort. Anais collapsed on the grass, gasping for air as she clutched Pierre, who was coughing and sputtering.

“Is everyone alright?” Max’s voice was firm, but there was a noticeable edge of concern.

Pierre, though shivering and dazed, managed to mumble, “Th-thank you…”

Anais, still catching her breath, looked up at Max with a mix of gratitude and disbelief. “I—I didn’t think…”

Max’s expression softened slightly, though he still looked serious. “You were reckless. But you saved him. That’s what matters.”

As the three of them sat on the grass, catching their breath and trying to warm up, the gravity of the situation began to settle in. Anais was relieved that they were safe, but the incident had been a stark reminder of how quickly things could go wrong.

Pierre’s eyes were wide with a mix of fear and awe. “I didn’t mean to fall in… I was just trying to see what was in the water…”

Anais patted him gently. “It’s alright, Pierre. You’re safe now. That’s what matters.”

Max glanced around, his expression thoughtful. “We should get you both to dry clothes and check if you’re okay. I’ll help you back to the party.”

Anais, still shivering but immensely relieved, nodded. “Thank you, Your Highness. I’m truly grateful.”

With Max’s help, they made their way back to the party, the night’s events a sobering reminder of the unpredictable nature of their evening.

***

Anais proudly looked at the daffodil embroidery she had completed. Just then, the nanny’s voice announcing meal time made Anais smile and get up quickly.

‘I need to show them!’

Excited to share her work, she hurried into the dining room. Her parents were already seated at the table.

“Look at this. It’s my embroidery!”

“It’s come a long way since the last time.”

“It’s beautiful. Really beautiful.”

Thrilled by the praise, Anais sat down in the remaining seat, neatly folded her handkerchief, and turned her attention to the table.

“Is there only one dish today?”

Looking at the solitary dome plate on the wide table, Anais tilted her head in curiosity.

What could it be? Perhaps a well-seasoned lamb with sauce? Or a perfectly roasted turkey? With eager eyes, she lifted the lid to reveal a white plate with a large, imposing…

A stag beetle and a rhinoceros beetle. And they were standing on two legs.

‘Huh? Standing? On two legs?’

Rubbing her eyes furiously, she saw only a stag beetle and a rhinoceros beetle. The rhinoceros beetle, looking rather disdainful, was standing with its legs crossed on its waist.

And it spoke:

“Wake up.”

The beetle is talking!

She really needed to wake up. Insects are talking. Had the embroidery been left too long and affected her head?

“…Anais!”

In the midst of it all, the rhinoceros beetle kept calling Anais’s name. How does it know my name? Anais, suddenly scared, tried to close the lid again.

“Waaah!”

The once-still stag beetle began to cry out loudly. The weeping sound was so sorrowful that even Anais felt like crying. Okay, okay. I won’t close it. Don’t cry.

While she was sobbing, the rhinoceros beetle suddenly flew up and hovered right in front of Anais’s face. With its adorable front legs, it wrapped around her cheek and shouted loudly.

“Anais Brienne—!”

Gasp!

Anais gasped for air and widened her eyes. Coughing uncontrollably, water surged back from her lungs.

“Brienne! Are you okay?”

“Waaah!”

Max and Pierre were looking down at her, their faces filled with concern.

“Gasp. Huff…”

That’s right. I fell into the pond.

Her mind was still hazy.

She had grabbed the young master, and then what happened? After the ground gave way and she sank…

Anais looked at Pierre, who was still sobbing. His face was swollen from tears and snot.

“I’m glad you’re safe.”

At her words, Pierre’s face crumpled up again. Soon, tiny tears fell from his eyes.

“You idiot! You almost got into serious trouble! You’re really stupid!”

“…Be quiet, young master. No one died, so stop crying.”

Max, unable to tolerate it any longer, calmed Pierre down and helped Anais sit up.

“Lady Brienne, what were you thinking? Why did you jump in when you can’t even swim?”

“…”

“You looked so confident, I thought it would be easy to pull you out. It was quite funny to see you sink like that.”

“…Did the prince save me?”

“Is there anyone else here besides me?”

In fact, there was no need to ask. Water was dripping from him all over.

“I know you’re fearless, but be careful when you’re with me. If something happens to you, it would be very awkward for me in front of the lady.”

“Th-thank you… thank you, ugh!”

As her dazed mind cleared, the reality of nearly dying hit her, and the fear set in late. Her wet body shivered from the cold, and tears started flowing uncontrollably.

Thud.

Max’s coat fell nonchalantly over Anais’s head.

“Let’s go. It’s not good to face Lady Bastien looking like a drowned rat.”

****

Fortunately, the first person to notice the three arriving at the villa in such a state was the butler.

As someone who had served the Armand family for many years, he discreetly moved them to the guest rooms. Anais insisted on explaining the day’s events to the lady and duke before leaving.

Not wanting to ruin the party that was about to reach its peak, Anais hoped the situation would be relayed to the lady as subtly as possible. It wasn’t long before the lady and duke arrived, their faces pale with worry.

“Pierre!”

“Oh my, our son!”

Pierre ran crying into Sandrine’s arms.

“Sophia, Pierre is freezing. Quickly, take him to a warm room and call a doctor.”

Sandrine’s command led the duchess to carry Pierre away. The duke’s anger flared immediately afterward.

“What is the meaning of this! Why was Pierre brought to the pond?”

“Calm down, Edward.”

After giving the duke a stern look, the lady turned to Max.

“Please explain. What happened?”

Anais stepped forward. She had to explain. If only she hadn’t taken Pierre to the garden, none of this would have happened.

This is clearly my responsibility. So, I…

“He fell into the water, was rescued, and everyone is safe. That’s all. What more explanation is needed?”