Chapter 12
The manager looked flustered but maintained a polite expression as he asked me again.
“Um… do you mean a camera?”
The manager, who had been grinning ear to ear at the thought of making a fortune, now wore a puzzled look at my request. And understandably so—cameras were a niche product in this world.
They sold video orbs and cameras together as a formality, but in the store, the number of people who actually bought cameras could be counted on one hand. Photos could easily be replaced by video orbs, and above all, the mass-produced video orbs were cheaper.
“Roughly, I need a camera that prints photos about the size of a business card instantly. And it has to be the highest quality image possible.”
“A photo the size of a business card, with the highest quality…?”
It seemed like he’d never heard such a request before; the manager’s pupils darted back and forth in confusion.
“Wh-why would you need it that small…?”
“Is it impossible?”
The fidgeting manager soon showed a troubled expression.
“W-well, the thing is, all the video orbs and cameras distributed to our headquarters are manufactured by the Magic Tower. For the existing video orbs and cameras, we have pre-established contracts that allow distribution, but… as you know, my lady, the people at the Magic Tower are quite arrogant, so whether they’ll accommodate that request… I’m not sure.”
If the most important photocards couldn’t be completed, this just wouldn’t do.
His words hit like a bolt from the blue, and my mouth clamped shut involuntarily as my expression hardened. Seeing my face grow gravely serious, the manager spoke up hastily, as if facing a ticking time bomb.
“W-well…! I think we could at least try sending a request to the Magic Tower… Shall we do that, my lady?”
“…Sigh. Fine, go ahead and try that for now.”
For the moment, I’d have to settle for the video orb.
“Yes, understood! As soon as we hear back from the Magic Tower, I’ll contact you right away, my lady!”
“I’ll be waiting, then.”
The manager followed us all the way to the front door of the store to see us off. He bowed deeply at a ninety-degree angle and called out loudly.
“I’ll be in touch! Please take care on your way! Thank you!”
With that, we climbed back into the carriage. As my endless date course continued, Axel spoke up, sounding weary.
“…Where are we going now? Wasn’t today supposed to be over?”
“As if. Your Highness, this is the highlight of the day!”
I pulled out the tickets I’d bought in advance and showed them to Axel.
“Ta-da! Tickets to the musical performance happening in the capital right now! It’s going to be so much fun.”
“A musical performance?”
“Yes! It features famous actors and is really popular. This is your first time at something like this, right, Your Highness? Isn’t it?”
A workaholic like him wouldn’t go to places like that.
At my excited tone, thrilled to have found something he hadn’t experienced, Axel raised one eyebrow slightly.
“…I’ve been too busy to have time for such things.”
Not that I’d ever thought about going. As he turned his head away with that oddly defensive demeanor, the corners of my eyes crinkled uncontrollably.
‘What? Is he making excuses to me right now?’
So cute!!
Caught off guard by this unexpected charming moment from my bias, I covered my mouth. Then, I quickly started teasing him again.
“So, this means Your Highness’s first time will be with me! And you know, working all the time isn’t good for you. It’s definitely necessary to take breaks like this sometimes! And I’m the one who can take care of that better than anyone, right by your side. What do you think of a wife like me, with such beautiful looks to boot!”
I was really confident I could do it well. In the end, my words always circled back to appealing how much I could help him.
Meeting my sparkling eyes, Axel lifted the corner of his mouth and let out a soft chuckle.
“…You’re quite the talker. Sometimes I really can’t tell what you’re thinking.”
I’m not thinking much… Just looking at your face and thinking how handsome you are… And maybe swallowing a bit.
But I couldn’t say that straight out, so I just smiled brightly.
The carriage stopped in front of the musical theater, and we headed inside the building. Along the way, I could feel people recognizing us and whispering.
To act like a happy couple, I smiled even more warmly, exuding a lovey-dovey atmosphere.
Spread the rumors quickly! That the Grand Duke and I are meeting all sweetly and intimately!
As we passed through the long corridor of the theater and were about to enter,
I distinctly heard it.
The words of a passerby.
“Hey, instead of <Sing For You>, let’s just watch <Cassrian’s Tragic Love>.”
“Why? You said you wanted to see Sing For You.”
“I did, but my friend who saw both said the male lead playing Cassrian is so handsome! Apparently, he’s the type who charms women in real life too.”
“What? Really?! You should’ve said that earlier. Let’s switch quick.”
At the single word “handsome,” I stopped in my tracks as if someone had glued my feet to the floor.
‘What…? The male lead is handsome…?’
The musical we were planning to see today was <Sing For You>, not <Cassrian’s Tragic Love>. But after hearing that, there was no way I’d meekly watch <Sing For You>.
I have to see Cassrian, no matter what!
Axel turned back to look at me as I suddenly halted. His gaze was full of bewilderment. I slowly lifted my head and called out to him with a serious expression.
“…Your Highness.”
“…What’s wrong? Did something—”
“Let’s go see that one instead!”
I pointed at the poster for <Cassrian’s Tragic Love> with one hand, my eyes sparkling. Axel, who had been wearing a slightly stiff expression, burst into a incredulous laugh at my absurd suggestion and tilted his head.
“Do as you like.”
“Awesome!”
On the way out after the musical performance ended.
I walked out with a satisfied expression. Just as the passersby had said, the male lead was incredibly handsome.
And not just him—most of the actors in the musical were beauties and hunks, so it was a feast for the eyes.
I had no idea what the plot was about; time flew by as I just stared at the faces.
Of course, none as much as Axel!
It had been a while, and nothing was as fun as seeing new beauties and hunks.
Axel glanced at my relaxed, softened face and asked me.
“…You were watching so intently. Do you usually like musicals?”
“Oh, no, it’s just that the actors were so…!”
And then I hesitated.
Is it okay to say they were handsome? He won’t think I’m too much of a face fanatic, will he? Well, I am, but…
In that brief moment, all sorts of thoughts raced through my mind, and I decided not to say it, quickly changing direction.
“So…?”
“So…! They looked so kind-hearted. Their faces had really good physiognomy.”
Even as I said it, I wondered what nonsense I was spouting, but Axel seemed to accept it without suspicion. I met his gaze and laughed awkwardly, ha ha.
Having successfully completed the date, I started clocking back in at the Grand Duke’s office as usual.
Today, as always, I naturally opened the door to the office and stepped inside.
But the Grand Duke, who should have been handling paperwork at this hour, was nowhere to be seen.
Instead, only Xenon was sitting there. He noticed me and greeted me familiarly.
“Oh! My lady. You’re here!”
“Yes, but I don’t see His Highness the Grand Duke?”
“Where did he go? Oh, and this is nothing special, but I brought it for you to eat.”
I handed him a dessert I’d bought from a famous nearby bakery.
“Ah, thank you!”
Xenon, who had been staring at the cake box with sparkling eyes, suddenly snapped to attention, lifted his head, and replied.
“His Highness has gone to attend a meeting with Lord Shuian for a bit, so it’s just me right now!”
“Oh, is that so?”
“You can sit comfortably on the sofa until His Highness returns!”
As I sat on the sofa, I stared blankly at the office, which seemed unusually spacious today, and sank into thought.
