Chapter 5
Axel had thought his words would be enough to make her understand. He’d seen the way Lady Melberine’s softened expression hardened visibly at his final remark. When their eyes met, her lips pressed into a tight line, and at last, the Judith Melberine he knew resurfaced.
She’s probably come to her senses by now, he thought.
But the idea of Judith Melberine confessing her love to him? Even thinking about it again brought a wry chuckle. It was so absurd it felt unreal. If he, himself, could barely believe it, others would surely scoff at the ridiculousness of it.
He wondered, briefly, if Judith was regretting her actions now that she’d snapped out of it. I just hope she doesn’t come back later, demanding I take responsibility or causing some other nuisance.
A sudden, ominous feeling made Axel grimace. With anyone else, he might not worry, but the Judith he knew was exactly the type to turn the tables and act as if he were the one at fault. Let’s hope nothing comes of this.
With that, Axel had left that day, hoping to avoid any further trouble.
Or so he thought.
Somehow, it seemed an even bigger headache had found him.
Axel was now at his wit’s end, staring down at the small figure before him, who was indignantly protesting her innocence. What in the world was that bizarre expression and those gestures just now?
At first, he’d been certain Judith had turned to drugs. But strangely, her name was nowhere to be found on the investigation reports he’d received. Unable to believe it, Axel had gone so far as to conduct a separate investigation himself, searching for even the slightest evidence of drug use—but he’d found nothing.
So, she hasn’t touched drugs…
If she wasn’t under the influence, it meant that both on that first day and now, she was completely lucid. Axel stared at Judith, his brow furrowing.
…Did she hit her head or something?
There was no other way to explain her behavior.
What kind of scheme is this?
Ever since their first encounter, Judith had persistently confessed her love to him, but her efforts were in vain—Axel didn’t believe a word of it. The possibility of Judith genuinely loving him didn’t even exist in his mind.
And why would it? The one making these claims was none other than Judith Melberine—the woman who’d always eyed the Crown Princess’s seat with venomous ambition, recklessly throwing herself at the Crown Prince without regard for anything else. For her to suddenly claim she loved him, abandoning her obsession with the Crown Prince and his title without a proper reason? It was unthinkable.
Axel swallowed a bitter laugh and dismissed the notion outright. Utter nonsense. Whatever her reasons, she was surely hiding some ulterior motive. Their relationship wasn’t just distant—it was practically adversarial. For reasons he still didn’t understand, every time Judith crossed paths with him, she’d bare her claws like an ill-tempered cat, picking fights over the pettiest things.
The fact that she hadn’t touched drugs was surprising, but that was all. He still didn’t trust a single word she said.
Finally, Axel broke the silence. “You said everything you’ve told me is true…”
“Yes!” Judith replied, her fists clenched tightly, her voice brimming with conviction.
He studied her for a moment, her resolute expression unwavering. How long will this last? he wondered. “Fine. Do as you please. I’m curious to see just how far your persistence will take you.”
With that, he left the challenge hanging in the air, his tone daring her to prove herself.
A sharp glint flickered in Axel’s eyes, but only for a moment before he gave his casual permission. Whatever scheme Lady Melberine is hiding, it surely won’t last long. He was certain her impulsive nature would get the better of her, and she’d give up soon enough. After all, aside from her obsession with the Crown Prince, Judith Melberine had never seen anything through to the end.
His words hadn’t been spoken with much thought. A week? No, four days would be a miracle.
Not that it was his concern.
But Axel didn’t know. He didn’t know that the Judith Melberine standing before him wasn’t the same woman he’d known. Nor did he realize the regret his flippant words would bring in the future.
The moment Axel gave his reluctant approval, Judith began appearing before him the very next day, as if she’d been waiting for the chance, popping up at every turn with relentless enthusiasm.
“Oh, Your Grace! Fancy running into you here. Since fate’s brought us together, how about lunch?”
A coincidence, she called it, but Axel had already received a report that Lady Melberine had been lingering around him for some time. So, this is her plan? Lunch together?
Naturally, he had no intention of indulging her. “I’ll pass. I’ve already eaten.”
“Oh, then how about dinner—”
“I’m busy. I’ll be going now,” Axel cut her off, striding away before she could say more.
Didn’t expect her to show up so soon, he thought, mildly surprised by her boldness. But it wasn’t worth dwelling on. In a few days, she’d surely stop appearing before him.
Yet, once again, Axel’s predictions were spectacularly wrong.
Squinting as if staring into the sun, Judith called out to him as he passed by. “Wow… Your Grace’s features are brighter than my future!”
“What… are you doing here? And what was that bizarre comment?” Axel asked, his voice laced with exasperation.
“Bizarre? No, Your Grace, that’s not it at all! I was just saying how striking your appearance is. Or does that not fully convey my feelings?”
“If that’s the case, I’ll have to try harder—Oh, Your Grace? Where are you going?”
And it didn’t stop there.
“Your Grace, could I ask for directions?”
“What now? You’re asking me for directions?” he replied, incredulous.
“Yes! The way to your heart!”
“Aha, I see! So the direction you’re walking in is the answer to my question, right? That’s it, isn’t it? If I go this way, I’ll reach your heart—Oh, Your Grace, slow down! Let’s walk together!”
“Your Grace, if you’ve got some time, would you marry me? Though I’d settle for an engagement, too.”
“Hey, where are you going? You have to answer first! Your Grace! Your Grace!”
“Your Grace, did you know? They say looking at a handsome person makes you lose your memory. Crazy, right? But did you know? Looking at a handsome person makes you lose your memory. Crazy, right? But did you know? Looking at a handsome—”
“Enough.”
“Yes, sir.”
Axel swallowed a sigh at the absurdity of the situation. At first, he’d assumed her declarations were just a matter of pride, a stubborn reaction to her own words. But as one day turned to two, and then a full week passed—far beyond his expectations—he realized something was seriously amiss.
Judith continued to appear before him every single day without fail, each time with some new, bewildering comment that left him flustered. What in the world is going on?
Today was no different. Axel looked at the small figure standing before him once again. “Hey, handsome Grand Duke. Care to grab a tea with me?”
She winked.
At that, Axel covered his eyes with his hand, as if to block out the sight of her.
