Outside of the Vovovich Carousel Cafe, Maxim stood in awe as he gazed upon Polina's chest.
The sheer size and perfect shape of it, in harmony with her body proportion, was nothing short of a masterpiece.
It was as if she were a living work of art, a human female masterpiece.
Maxim couldn't help but feel a pang of regret for not having arrived earlier and indulged himself in admiring her twin peaks in front of him.
Now, he could feel blood was running and rushing through his nose, fortunately, he controlled it, avoiding himself being put in an embarrassing situation.
"This is because I have never seen humans before, and finding a fine specimen made me excited…"
Maxim consoled himself by trying to make a perfect excuse.
However, soon, he himself felt guilty with the fact that she was now looking at him, her captivating gaze fixed upon him, and he found solace in that.
As Maxim basked in the beauty before him, he silently thanked his lucky stars that he hadn't made any advances towards Svetlana earlier.
If he had, he would undoubtedly be burdened with guilt now, for his attention was solely devoted to Polina and her mesmerizing presence.
Meanwhile, Polina was taken aback by Maxim's words.
"Impressive?"
She thought to herself, her usual modesty preventing her from readily accepting praise.
Yet, there was an undeniable flattery that coursed through her, causing her cheeks to flush with a rosy hue.
The reason behind her sudden blush remained a mystery to her, but she couldn't deny the effect Maxim's compliment had on her.
Maxim Polina's face reddened, looking very bashful, and soon a trickle of blood escaped nose.
"Oh, haha she got me…?"
He inwardly cursed, swiftly moving his hand to wipe it away, ensuring that Polina wouldn't notice his momentary lapse.
"I nearly made a fool of myself," he silently admitted, realizing the danger of making an inappropriate spectacle.
But who could blame him?
It had been an eternity since he had encountered such an alluring woman.
Although Svetlana is beautiful, this Polina is outrageous, truly one of the peaks, with the best twin peaks.
Plus, the alien lady humanoids he had encountered in the past often resemble creatures from Lovecraftian nightmares—octopuses, hammerheads, insects, thousand eyes, and other grotesque forms.
Polina was a breath of fresh air, a sight for sore eyes, and Maxim couldn't help but be captivated and indulge himself by her radiant peak beauty.
"This is the relaxation I've been looking for…"
Now, composed once more, Maxim turned his attention to Polina's reaction.
He observed her closely, his keen perception allowing him to glean a glimpse into her thoughts.
With a clearing of his throat, he sought to find the right words to say, to express his admiration without overwhelming her. And then, like a bolt of inspiration, an idea struck him.
"Yes, you are truly impressive, young miss," Maxim spoke with a polite and measured tone, his words carefully chosen.
"Yes, you are right, I am Comrade Maxim," he added, his words laced with a certain charm, "and I need you to do me a favor."
The weight of his request hung in the air, leaving Polina intrigued and curious about what he could possibly seek.
"What favor?"
She inquired, her voice filled with a mix of anticipation and uncertainty.
As the words escaped her lips, Maxim lifted his head, a gentle smile playing on his lips.
His eyes met hers, filled with a warmth that both captivated and surprised her.
"I want to participate in a Dance of Liquor," he declared, his voice steady and determined.
The unexpected request elicited a shocked reaction from Polina, her hands instinctively flying to cover her mouth.
Thoughts raced through her mind, questioning the significance of his words.
"Dance of Liquor?"
She repeated, her voice barely a whisper.
Her mind whirled with a cascade of thoughts, memories of moments shared between them flooding her consciousness.
Could it be that when Maxim had shouted those words, "Comrades, Comrades," during Ecatarina's winning fights in the UFA, he was sending a message meant for her?
And now, he wished to discuss this matter, to inquire about the Dance of Liquor?
And then she repeated it in her head.
"He wanted to participate in the Dance of Liquor?"
The realization washed over her, causing her cheeks to flush a deep shade of crimson.
The Dance of Liquor held great importance within the aristocratic families of Bursia.
It marked the coming of age of a young woman, and during this tradition, chosen suitors would present themselves, seeking to prove their worth to both the family and the woman herself.
The ultimate goal was to win her hand in marriage, to become the one who would marry Polina.
To be her beloved and would continue the bloodline.
Polina's voice quivered as she attempted to speak, her words stumbling out in a hesitant manner.
"A-," she began, trying her utmost to regain her composure, "A-Are you sure?"
Her eyes searched Maxim's face, hoping to find affirmation amidst her internal chaos.
That's a big thing, that's a really big thing! Even if she hadn't thought of that much or didn't care, this moment made her feel suffocated but not in a bad way.
Maxim simply nodded, a resolute expression adorning his features.
"Yes, I want to join the Dance of Liquor," he confirmed, his voice carrying a sense of conviction.
The confirmation only deepened Polina's blush, her cheeks now resembling a ripe tomato.
She struggled to gather her thoughts, her mind racing to make sense of Maxim's actions and intentions.
"He-
"Those things…
"He did all those things…
"Those things…
"To make me notice him?"
She wondered in disbelief, her gaze fixed upon him.
The gravity of the situation settled upon her, her heart pounding within her chest.
The audacity of his boldness stirred emotions within her that she had yet to fully comprehend.
The realization that Maxim had gone to such lengths to capture her attention overwhelmed her, and she couldn't help but feel a mixture of surprise, joy, and a hint of trepidation.
First, he made a comment to Ecatarina so, She, Polina could notice him.
Then, with unbelievable feat, this man effortlessly defeated everyone in the UFA, knowing that she likes the sport.
Now, he made an announcement…
For what?
For her?
Are those things he said in the game true?
About the apocalypse?
Polina was confused and felt her head dizzy.
Meanwhile, as the proclamation of Maxim's desire to join the Dance of Liquor in the coming of age of Polina reached the ears of the lady guards, a flicker of vigilance sparked within their eyes.
They instinctively moved to shield her from him, their duty as protectors of her honor compelling them to act.
"You-"
However, before they could intervene, Polina, the lady herself, raised her delicate hand, halting their protective advance.
Calming the tumultuous beats of her heart, Polina gazed at Maxim with a mix of curiosity and caution.
Her voice quivered slightly as she posed the question that had unexpectedly materialized in her mind.
"Are you truly certain that you wish to partake in this Liqour dance?"
It was a peculiar situation, for it was not customary for a man, let alone a suitor, to extend an invitation to a lady who was on the brink of womanhood to participate in the sacred ritual known as the Dance of Liquor.
Yet, there existed no explicit prohibition against such an act, no rule that explicitly forbade suitors from making such requests.
The intricacies of tradition danced a delicate waltz with the fluidity of personal choice.
Yet, Polina wanted to make sure if this man really was into her by asking him that question.
Maxim, sensing the undercurrents of strangeness in Polina's demeanor, momentarily felt a pang of unease.
"What's going on?"
Something about her seemed transformed, or doesn't seem right, as if she had shed her previous self and donned a new and unfamiliar guise.
Nevertheless, he chose to dismiss these lingering doubts, opting for a calm and composed response.
"Yes," he replied, his voice steady and resolute, betraying none of the disquiet that simmered beneath the surface of his thoughts.
Polina blushed anew, her cheeks blossoming with a rosy hue.
His determination had not gone unnoticed, and she found herself captivated by the unwavering conviction that radiated from him.
Yet, a nagging need to ascertain his understanding of the consequences of his decision compelled her to pose a final inquiry.
"If you are well-acquainted with the intricacies of the Dance of Liquor, then you must be aware of the profound implications it carries," she cautioned, her voice tinged with a hint of apprehension.
"Your background, your assets, and every other significant aspect of your being will be subjected to meticulous scrutiny by both my family and myself.
"If you are a stalker, we will eliminate you, understand?"
Maxim nodded in response, his affirmation a testament to his preparedness for the trials that lay ahead.
He had long anticipated the weight of these consequences, fully cognizant of the sacrifices he would be required to make and the exposure his life would undergo under the intense scrutiny of Polina's discerning gaze.
Maxim's background record was clean, and he had nothing to hide.
He lives with his aunt in this period of time but he is also confident that his bloodline is pureblood Bursian and he didn't have criminal records as long as he could remember, so he didn't need to feel a pressure from someone digging all the information about him.