[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-reincarnated-as-a-princess-s-pet-with-trash-stat":3,"chapter-reincarnated-as-a-princess-s-pet-with-trash-stat-reincarnated-as-a-princess-s-pet-with-trash-stat-chapter-36":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"english","Reincarnated as a Princess's Pet: With Trash Stats, but SSS-Rank Skill",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},896749,1177,"Chapter 36: My Last Supper?","reincarnated-as-a-princess-s-pet-with-trash-stat-chapter-36",36,"\u003Cp>The steam from the bath still lingered in the air when Max stepped out of the bathroom.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He dried his hair with a towel as he walked barefoot to the bed, leaving small damp footprints across the stone floor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It had been a good decision to bathe. It cleared his head. The duel was still there. The mission too. But at least now his body felt lighter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was adjusting his clean shirt when someone knocked at the door.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Three soft knocks.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Come in.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The door opened slightly and Don’s face appeared through the gap.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Am I interrupting anything indecent, or may I enter with dignity?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Max rolled his eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Come in.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The faun stepped inside, closing the door behind him. He carried a small box wrapped in brown cloth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He set it carefully on the table.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Your fairground toy.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Max set the towel aside and walked over.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He opened the box.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Inside was the illusory echo collar.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A simple chain of dull metal, with a small translucent crystal at its center. Nothing flashy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>An object any merchant would sell for a few coins to excited children.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Max smiled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Perfect. Thank you very much, Don.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Don watched him silently for a few seconds.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I don’t understand that gleam in your eyes.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Max looked up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What gleam?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That one,\" the faun replied, crossing his arms. \"The same one you had before getting into trouble last time.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Max picked up the collar and held it up to the light.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The crystal reflected faintly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Don’t worry.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Don frowned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That’s exactly what people say before something explodes in their face.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Max let out a small laugh.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Trust me.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Don sighed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You also said that before the fire.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Max paused.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Technical details.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The faun shook his head, though a faint curve touched his lips.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Just try not to destroy half the castle while you ’have fun.’\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Max placed the collar carefully on the bed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Thank you, Don.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The faun turned toward the door.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I’m a butler. It’s my job.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Max glanced at him sideways.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"And a very good one.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Don stopped for a second.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He didn’t respond immediately.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I don’t understand what you’re plotting,\" he finally muttered. \"But I hope it works.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that moment, the door opened again without warning.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Abby poked her head in.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Dinner is served. Miss Elanor is waiting.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Max raised a hand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I’m coming. Just finishing getting dressed.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Abby nodded and disappeared down the hallway.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Don opened the door fully.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Don’t take too long.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The room fell silent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Max looked at the collar again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The crystal seemed completely harmless.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He smiled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Let’s see what you’re really worth.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>***\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Max finished adjusting his shirt, put on his boots, and left the room.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The dining hall was quieter than usual. No loud suitors. No advisors. Just a long table... and four people.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Elanor was already seated to the king’s right. Moonlight swung her legs in her chair, too small for the royal table. And at the head, holding a glass in his hand, sat the king.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Max gave a slight bow as he entered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Your Majesty.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The king looked him up and down.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Royal pet.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Max took a seat without arguing the title and began serving himself naturally.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Roasted meat. Freshly baked bread. Sautéed vegetables.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For a moment, it seemed like a normal dinner.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The king set his glass down on the table.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Elanor has already explained that you plan to formally present yourself as a suitor.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Max looked up abruptly, swallowing his food, nearly choking.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It’s a strategic option.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The king let out a low chuckle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I find the situation quite amusing.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Elanor lifted her glass to her lips, trying to hide the faint color on her cheeks.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Father...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You’ve already proven you’re more than just a simple pet,\" the king continued, ignoring her. \"That much I must grant you.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Max inclined his head slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I appreciate the acknowledgment.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The king’s eyes sparkled with a playful yet firm glint.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"But I want you to understand something.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The atmosphere shifted slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"If you so much as touch a single hair on my daughter before marriage... I will make you wish someone else had killed you first.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Silence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Moon stopped swinging her legs.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Elanor turned completely red.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Max swallowed calmly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You may rest assured, Your Majesty. I have no ill intentions.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The king arched a brow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Oh? You don’t?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Max set down his fork.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"For now, I’m focused on surviving in this world.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There was a second of silence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then the king burst into laughter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That’s exactly why I like you!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Elanor let out the breath she hadn’t realized she was holding.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Moon, meanwhile, slammed both hands on the table.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"But Mommy and Daddy are perfect together! There’s no other option!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Absolute silence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Elanor nearly choked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Moon!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Heat rushed to Max’s face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Don’t call me that at the royal table...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The king looked at them with an expression of pure delight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Mommy and Daddy?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Moon nodded with absolute conviction.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yes! She’s going to choose him, then they’ll get married and we’ll all live together!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Elanor covered her face with both hands.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Max cleared his throat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"First, we survive the duel.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The king laughed again, shaking his head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"We still have to reach the point where my daughter chooses among all the suitors.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His gaze sharpened slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"And that includes defeating Taniel.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The name hung in the air.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Max held the king’s gaze without hesitation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I know.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The king picked up his glass again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Moon resumed swinging her legs as if nothing had happened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Elanor avoided looking directly at Max.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And Max returned to his meal with a bit more calm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The king slowly rotated the glass between his fingers before speaking again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I must warn you of something else.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Max looked up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Taniel is not a child playing at being a knight.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Elanor’s shoulders tensed slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"He is very skilled with a sword,\" the king continued casually. \"And his enhancement magic is no carnival trick. It strengthens his body, his speed, his agility... when he chooses to, he’s a nuisance.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Max chewed slowly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I’ll keep that in mind.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The king smiled with a faintly mocking edge.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Besides... I already suspected he would want to challenge anyone my daughter showed interest in choosing.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He leaned forward slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"He arrived accompanied by two peculiar escorts. He doesn’t bring decoration unless he intends to use it.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Max raised an eyebrow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Peculiar how?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Too attentive. Too quiet. And too close to him.\" The king took a sip. \"When a noble brings swords with eyes of their own, it’s not for a stroll in the garden.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Elanor lowered her gaze to her plate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Moon, meanwhile, kept eating with her hands, completely oblivious to the weight of the conversation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Max rested his elbows on the table for a second... then pulled them back, remembering where he was.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I have a plan.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He said it firmly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though beneath the table, his legs trembled slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The king noticed. Of course he did. A slow smile spread across his face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Oh?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Max held his gaze.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Don’t worry.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The trembling increased just a bit.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I know what I’m doing.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The king let out a loud laugh.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Boy... if you knew how many times I’ve heard that phrase before someone ended up with their head flying through the air.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Elanor covered her face with both hands.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Father, please...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Moon looked up, fingers covered in sauce.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Is it going to fly, Daddy?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Silence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Max closed his eyes for a second.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The king laughed again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"No, little one. Let’s hope not.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Max swallowed, regaining composure.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Taniel relies on direct strength. On physical enhancement. On winning by crushing.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His fingers brushed lightly against the collar of his shirt, where he knew the necklace would soon rest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I don’t.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The king’s eyes gleamed with genuine interest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I like that.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Elanor slowly lowered her hands from her face, still red.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Just... don’t do anything stupid.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Max looked at her with a small, calm smile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I’ll try to keep the stupidity to a minimum.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The king shook his head, amused.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Moon raised a thumbs-up, still chewing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I knew Daddy was smart!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Elanor covered her face again.\u003C\u002Fp>",1356,"2026-06-03T06:02:48.851Z",1,"novelbin.me","0ec5fec7f26789735375e2e75a28c320cd06101c1dc829d4c78211c3407869bb","reincarnated-as-a-princess-s-pet-with-trash-stat-chapter-37","reincarnated-as-a-princess-s-pet-with-trash-stat-chapter-35",189,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Freincarnated-as-a-princess-s-pet-with-trash-stat-cover.jpg"]