Chapter 11
Of course, if I hadn’t read the original story, I might have thought the same as everyone else. People can lose their grip on reason when swayed by the crowd’s opinions, especially in a place like this where accurate information is hard to come by.
But that was only a hypothetical—if I hadn’t read the original story.
Having read it, I knew better.
I knew Axel wasn’t the cold-blooded monster people made him out to be.
In the story, he quietly supported the heroine from the shadows, unnoticed.
He even recognized her love for the Crown Prince and stepped back, helping them find happiness together.
When she struggled, he stood by her side in silent support.
Sure, his looks were what first drew me in, but his steadfast character was a huge bonus.
Based on the original story and my own experiences with him, Axel was far from the ruthless figure of the rumors.
If anything, he was warm to those within his inner circle and uncompromising with everyone else.
He seemed like the type who could act cool and detached toward a lover but secretly be a little obsessive.
Even when tempted, he’d probably furrow his brow and hold back with that stoic, disciplined face of his…!
Lost in my runaway daydreams, I gazed at Axel with slightly dazed eyes, scanning him up and down.
Right now, I was struggling because I wasn’t yet part of his inner circle, but all I had to do was make him fall for me.
Realizing that my fantasies—once confined to my imagination—were now just a few steps from reality sent a rush of dopamine surging through me.
I want to break this impossibly perfect man… I want to make him mine…! The thrill of seeing that face cling to me…!
“Lady Melberine?” Axel’s suspicious voice snapped me out of my reverie.
Blinking rapidly to regain my composure, I flashed a wide grin, answering as if I were perfectly normal. “Your Grace, why do rumors matter so much? From what I see, you’re clearly a kind person. Isn’t that enough? And I don’t believe all that talk about you being a murderer or whatever.”
“You don’t believe it?” Axel said, his tone skeptical. “You really think it’s just rumors? Do you have any idea how many enemies I’ve cut down? What makes you say that? What would you do if I drew a sword right here?”
Is he… worried about me? My heart warmed at the thought. “I have my reasons. If you were truly as the rumors say, I’d already be dead for daring to approach you with my brazen proposal. Yet here I am, alive and well. And no matter how often I push the boundaries, you always let it slide, don’t you?”
“Also, you’re not even carrying a sword right now,” I added with a playful smirk, my eyes crinkling as if I’d caught out a mischievous boy. I know your heart, you know.
Axel’s eyebrow twitched, his irritation palpable.
But to me, his grumbling only made him look like an adorable, puffed-up Pomeranian.
All bark and no bite—so cute…
Meeting my unflinching, sparkling eyes, Axel let out a resigned sigh and said, “I’ve noticed this for a while, but you’re not the least bit afraid of me. Sometimes it’s almost uncanny.”
“Oh, come on. If I were scared, I’d have run off ages ago. Would I still be here like this? Besides, who could be afraid of someone they like?”
I leaned in close, covering my mouth as if sharing a vital secret, and whispered, “And, Your Grace, truly kind people don’t go around saying they’re kind. It’s usually the opposite. Like how someone obsessed with money pretends they don’t care about it.”
Axel let out a soft chuckle. “But, Your Grace, I’m actually pretty kind myself.”
“Hah,” Axel scoffed. “Didn’t you just say kind people don’t claim they’re kind? Your words don’t add up.”
“I left out a little detail, Your Grace,” I replied, grinning shamelessly. “That applies to everyone except me.”
Axel stared at me, incredulous, as I beamed cheekily. The atmosphere lightened, and we exchanged a few more words in the relaxed moment. Just then, our food arrived.
A perfectly cooked steak, pasta, a fresh salad, and, as the pièce de résistance, a lemonade served with a red heart-shaped couple’s straw. Even the steak was artfully shaped like a heart. The plating was vibrant and unmistakably romantic.
As I reached for my utensils, I suddenly stopped Axel. “Wait, Your Grace! Hold on a second!”
“What now?” he asked, his tone wary.
Rummaging through my bag, I realized with a jolt that this world didn’t have my fandom essentials—like photo cards. In my frenzy to chase Axel, I’d completely forgotten something so basic. The realization hit me like a thunderbolt, and my expression froze.
No way. No photo cards? Not even one?
The sacred pre-meal ritual… the obligatory snapshot…! Guilt and despair washed over me as I realized I’d been running around oblivious to this absence. This was a big deal. How could I have overlooked something so crucial?
I don’t even deserve to call myself a fan!
Axel, observing my rapidly shifting expressions, spoke up. “Lady Melberine, is something wrong? You look… unsettled.”
His words snapped me out of it, and a glint of determination—or perhaps madness—flashed in my eyes as I met his gaze. If they don’t exist, I’ll just make them.
I had status, money, and time. Nothing was impossible. And most importantly, my perfect favorite was right here beside me. Clenching my fists, I declared with resolve, “Your Grace, we need to make a stop somewhere…!”
“I thought you were dragging me to some urgent destination,” Axel said, exasperated. “Not a jeweler, but a shop selling image orbs? You’re impossible to predict, Lady Melberine.”
Exactly. Oblivious to whether the food went into my mouth or nose, I’d rushed us through the meal to arrive at none other than the capital’s most renowned image orb shop.
The store’s manager, a middle-aged man, must have been alerted to our arrival, as he hurried toward us in a fluster. The moment I saw him, I made my demand. “The finest image orbs you have.”
“P-Pardon, my lady? What brings you to a place like this…?”
“Bring out every top-grade image orb in this shop.”
This was a fantasy world with magic, where videos we’d record on phones were captured by image orbs instead. My plan? To film Axel 24/7. Axel glanced down at me, his expression questioning. “Top-grade image orbs?”
He was clearly wondering what I needed them for. To film you, obviously.
Of course, I hadn’t asked his permission. He’d surely say no, so I’d just push forward with some excuse later. He had a soft side, after all. Flashing my best professional smile, I gestured toward the lounge area. “It’s for… personal use. By the way, Your Grace, this might take a while. Why don’t you sit over there? I’ll be as quick as I can!”
“…Fine,” he said, relenting.
As Axel stepped away, the manager, finally processing my request, widened his eyes and urgently signaled to the staff. “E-Everything, my lady?! Understood! You there, fetch all the image orbs from the basement storage, now!”
“Yes, sir!” the clerks replied, scrambling.
Satisfied, I surveyed the bustling staff before adding one more request to the manager. “And I’d like to see a camera as well.”
