Chapter 10
From across the table, Axel’s eyes darkened with unease. “Lady Melberine, what are you scheming now?”
“Scheming? Oh, it’s nothing big!” I said lightly, trailing off as I beckoned a passing waiter. As the waiter approached, I flashed Axel a bright smile. “I’m ordering the couple’s menu. We’ll have the Lara Sweet Couple B Set, please.”
“Understood, my lady,” the waiter replied.
I’d moved so quickly that Axel didn’t have a chance to protest. Smirking at his raised eyebrow, I added, “I figured you’d object if I mentioned the couple’s set outright.”
“And yet you went ahead and did it anyway,” he said, his tone dry. “You’ve got quite the nerve, Lady Melberine.”
“But, Your Grace, the couple’s set is more cost-effective, don’t you think? Why spend more for the same items?” I tilted my head, feigning innocence.
Axel let out a wry chuckle. “Since when did you care about such things?”
Leaning in as if sharing a secret, I whispered with mock seriousness : “You may not know this, Your Grace, but my dress budget comes from scrimping like this. You know the saying—penny by penny, you build a mountain.”
“I had no idea the Melberine estate was in such dire straits,” he quipped. “Your father, the Duke, would be shocked to hear it.”
Axel wasn’t one to be easily swayed. After a moment’s thought, I flashed him my brightest, most disarming smile.
After all, who could resist a beaming face? My plan was to charm my way through this. But when our eyes met, his expression screamed exasperation.
Undeterred, I seized the moment to change tactics, cupping my hands under my chin and blinking slowly at him, ready to pick up where I’d left off in the carriage.
“By the way, Your Grace, how do I look today? Don’t I seem pure and springlike, like a fairy? Almost… swoon-worthy, right?” I fluttered my fingers gracefully, mimicking wings, and winked with one eye.
Axel’s response was flat. “I wouldn’t know. And no, I’m not swooning. Sorry to disappoint, Lady Melberine.”
My movements froze mid-flutter. His face showed not a hint of deception. Really? Not even a little bit thrilled? I stared at him, crestfallen. “No way… you’re lying, right?”
“Why would I lie?” he said, unfazed. “I’ve thought this before, but you have an astonishing amount of self-confidence.”
People were naturally swayed by appearances—everyone knew that.
And objectively, subjectively, any way you looked at it, Judith was a flawless beauty.
A face that could charm a hundred out of a hundred! Yet here Axel was, standing his ground with such stubborn resolve.
At this point, I began to wonder if there was something wrong with his eyes.
After a moment’s pause, I narrowed my gaze and asked : “Your Grace, how many fingers am I holding up?”
“Two,” he answered without hesitation.
“Strange… your eyes seem fine,” I muttered.
His eyebrow arched at my comment, clearly catching my murmur.
Apparently, Axel was part of the rare 0.001% of people immune to physical beauty.
If only he’d been swayed by looks—it would’ve made this so much easier. What a shame.
No matter. If looks wouldn’t work, I’d have to appeal to his ideal type instead. I adjusted my plan slightly, scooting my chair closer and leaning in, my eyes sparkling with determination. “Alright then, Your Grace, what’s your ideal type?”
“Ideal type?” he repeated, sounding skeptical.
“Yes! Ideal type. Pure? Cute? Maybe sultry? Tell me anything, even the smallest detail. I’m confident I can match it.”
Meeting my bold gaze without flinching, Axel tapped the table thoughtfully, the steady rhythm heightening the tension.
I swallowed hard, waiting. Finally, his lips parted.
“I haven’t given it much thought…” Axel said, his gaze briefly flicking toward me. “But if I had to say, someone kind-hearted would be nice.”
I caught the meaning in his eyes immediately. In other words, he wanted someone the complete opposite of me.
I knew rationally that he was referring to the original Judith, not me, but I couldn’t help the twinge of irritation that flared up.
Forcing a stiff smile, I let out an awkward laugh. “Kind-hearted, huh? That’s not so hard. In fact, it sounds pretty easy. You might not know it, but I’m secretly quite kind and soft-hearted.”
Axel let out a faint chuckle as I emphasized each word with conviction.
His laugh only fueled my annoyance—it felt like he was mocking me.
I’m being serious here, and you’re laughing? You think I’m spouting nonsense, don’t you?
While I stewed, my face betraying my displeasure at his misinterpreted amusement, Axel surprised me by asking, “And you, Lady Melberine?”
“Hm?”
“What’s your ideal type?”
“Me?” I blinked, caught off guard by the question. He nodded, prompting me to furrow my brow in thought.
“Well…” It was a delightful dilemma.
Sure, I prioritized looks, but that wasn’t all I cared about.
A good face was a given, but I also wanted someone with a kind personality, a nice build, and a tall frame… Yes, I suppose I was drawn to men who were all-around exceptional.
After much deliberation, I finally answered, “Someone kind.”
“Kind?” Axel’s tone was laced with skepticism, his expression practically saying, You, of all people?
To be precise, I meant someone with a handsome face, but I didn’t bother clarifying.
Instead, I flashed a practiced idol-like smile, pretending to mull it over before tossing out another flirtatious line. “If I had to give an example… someone like you, Your Grace!”
At my playful remark, Axel’s face contorted as if he’d just received a death sentence. I was used to his reactions by now, so I just grinned brightly.
If anything, his dismay only stoked the mischievous urge in me to tease him more, though I fought to keep it in check.
“Why me?” he asked, his voice dry. “As you’re well aware, that description doesn’t exactly fit me.”
“Why would you say it’s far from you?” I countered.
“I assumed you’d know the rumors about me. Or was I mistaken?”
Just as Judith was saddled with titles like the Melberine family’s troublemaker, the villainess, and the Crown Prince’s stalker, Axel carried his own infamous labels. Despite leading countless wars to victory and bringing peace to the Mikella Empire, he’d paradoxically earned a dishonorable reputation.
The empire’s war demon. The bloodthirsty maniac.
Rather than celebrating the hero who secured their victories, the people of the empire wished to hide him away, fearing him more than revering him.
Even the nobility shared this sentiment.
Axel’s naturally reserved demeanor, combined with his fearsome image, had fueled rumors that spread like wildfire.
In the eyes of the public, he’d become a ruthless Grand Duke who’d draw his sword at the slightest provocation.
And Axel had never once bothered to deny those rumors.
That’s probably why people believed them so fervently.
