Chapter 2.1

I made it to the terrace, clutching the hem of my dress tightly.

I swiveled my head left and right, frantically scanning the area, hoping to spot the Grand Duke. Driven by the anxious thought that I might have missed him, I hurried forward. But just then, my slightly loose ring betrayed me. It slipped from my finger and bounced, clattering across the floor before abruptly rolling off somewhere out of sight.

‘Oh no, my ring…!’

It rolled so fast I could barely keep up. Then, suddenly, it stopped, spinning in place before settling on the ground.

Relieved, I let out a sigh and quickly stepped toward it, bending down to pick it up. But just then, a polished shoe tip appeared right in front of it. Even though I only saw the tip of the shoe, my heart suddenly began to pound wildly. My radar—the one that detects hot guys—was going off.

‘No way…!’

Clutching my racing heart, I looked up with expectant eyes, and the moment I finally saw him, my eyes widened.

A face that could rewrite someone’s standards. Eyes dark as the endless night sky, a sharp jawline, and a chilling gaze that looked like it could kill if you spoke the wrong word. There, standing before me, was someone who matched my ideal type perfectly, down to the last detail.

In that instant, I realized he was the Grand Duke I had been searching for.

My mouth opened on its own, and the words tumbled out before I could stop myself.

“P-Please go out with me!”

Crazy.

“…Have you finally lost your mind, Lady?”

His deep, unbearably low voice brushed against my ears like a whisper. It was so pleasant to hear that it sent shivers down my spine. Even his voice was perfect. How could someone like this exist in real life? I couldn’t even remember the crushes from my past life that used to make my heart ache.

This was the moment a new favorite took the throne.

Maybe it was because I was smiling faintly while he looked completely unamused. The Grand Duke arched an eyebrow at me with obvious distaste, then let out a chilly, sarcastic laugh.

“…Did you mistake me for the Crown Prince or something? Judging by your current state, Lady, it seems your mind is… unwell. You don’t look all there. Let’s pretend I didn’t hear what you just said.”

Just as Axel said that and tried to walk past me, I snapped out of it and hurriedly fixed my dazed expression, grabbing hold of him. I couldn’t let my sincerity be dismissed like that.

“W-Wait! Your Highness the Grand Duke, I’m perfectly sane. I meant it!”

Axel stopped and turned to look at me.

“…You meant it? Meant what?”

“Well, obviously… that my feelings for Your Highness are sincere!”

Beaming, I closed one eye and threw him a wink. My body reacted before my brain could stop it.

Axel furrowed his brow sharply at the sight. Then, as if deeply offended by my response, he snarled his words at me like he was chewing them out.

“…Ha. You expect me to believe such nonsense? Do I look like a fool who can’t see through ridiculous lies, my lady?”

“A lie? This is sincere—!”

“A lady who chased the Crown Prince relentlessly just a few days ago now claims she has feelings for me? Even a stray dog wouldn’t buy that.”

With those words, he openly mocked my sincerity.

Before I could even argue back, Axel slowly stepped forward and leaned in close, bringing his face near mine. The sudden proximity made me gasp and hold my breath. As if his good looks weren’t enough, this handsome man moved in super close. My heart started pounding like crazy, and my face flushed bright red.

After silently studying me up close for a moment, he straightened up and stepped back to his original position. For some reason, I felt a little disappointed.

“You don’t smell like alcohol, but… Lady, did you perhaps take drugs?”

“…W-What?! Drugs?! Of course not!”

I jumped, my eyes widening in shock.

“You can’t know for sure without a test. Narcotics have been spreading through the capital lately.”

Besides, a high-ranking noble like you could probably obtain such things easily. He spat out those terrifying words without the slightest change in his expression.

‘I never touched drugs, even before I possessed this body! I just lived quietly, fangirling…’