Chapter 06
“This is a date. You and me. We’re on a date right now.”
“……”
Axion looked shocked, like he couldn’t believe it, then quickly shut his mouth. People around us began whispering louder.
It’s not like I said anything strange.
“Don’t like it? If you don’t, we can just go back—”
“No!”
He quickly cut me off. But I wasn’t satisfied yet. I pushed him further like a devil demanding an answer.
He lowered his head. Honestly, I was acting quite boldly, but I was still afraid he might say he didn’t like it.
“So?”
“It’s just… too…”
“Too what?”
He swallowed hard, his throat bobbing.
Then, like pouring red wine into a clear glass, his neck and face turned red.
“…I like it.”
He should’ve said that earlier.
Satisfied by his answer, I was about to ease up—until he asked:
“Then… Can I hold your hand?”
I hadn’t thought that far, so my brain froze for a moment. But I didn’t want to look hesitant, so I gave a tiny nod. It was so small I wasn’t even sure I did—but Axion took that as a yes and gently laced his fingers through mine.
He looked genuinely happy, like he’d been waiting for this. It reminded me of Rexin from before, so I cleared my throat and started walking first.
When we entered the coffee house, a bell above the door chimed cheerfully.
****
People who had been watching us started murmuring in surprise.
“Looks like all those rumors about Lord Maksim Dolan were false.”
“Right? They look so close… But more importantly…”
One noble lady tilted her head curiously, then leaned in to whisper behind her fan, giggling.
“Did you see Duke Dierik smile? I almost rubbed my eyes—I thought I was seeing things!”
“You saw it too? Oh my gosh…”
Just remembering that smile made both ladies blush.
The Dierik family wasn’t exactly closed off, but they weren’t social either.
The only time Axion had ever attended a social event was when he was fifteen—and that was the first and last time.
No one remembered whose party it was anymore, but everyone still remembered Axion’s appearance.
Just showing up had been enough to cause a frenzy over his looks.
So when he reappeared as the crown princess’s fiancé, many noble girls were heartbroken.
And it wasn’t just the girls—nobles with daughters had also sighed in disappointment.
Why would a duke’s family agree to an engagement with a powerless princess?
After the late emperor died, Princess Jeneia had no political backing. It felt like the royal family might collapse any day now.
If anything, it was the princess who needed Axion—not the other way around.
That sad expression should’ve been hers, not his. Yet rumors still swirled about why he agreed to it.
Meanwhile, the noble ladies began gossiping about the unfamiliar coffee house we’d entered.
****
The café was quiet, with only a few customers scattered around. We were guided to a sunny window seat. I was about to sit down when Axion still didn’t let go of my hand.
So we ended up sitting side by side.
It felt less awkward than sitting across from each other, so I didn’t complain.
“How long are you going to hold my hand?”
“…Can’t I keep holding it?”
The innocence in his question left me speechless for a second.
There was no ulterior motive—just pure affection. It touched me.
I cleared my throat and tried to act normal.
“Well… You need both hands to drink coffee, right?”
It was a weak excuse, and I knew it.
Still, Axion nodded understandingly.
“Then… Can I hold it again later?”
I had a feeling he wouldn’t let go until I answered, so I quickly nodded.
His released hand was warm to the touch.
Two cups of freshly brewed drip coffee were placed in front of us. I took a sip and let the aroma calm me.
Paired with a sweet strawberry cream cake, my mood lifted.
“Feed your partner a bite!”
With determination, I scooped a piece of cake with my fork. My face was tense as I brought it up to Axion’s mouth.
“Eat.”
Obediently, he parted his lips slightly.
The fork headed straight for his mouth like a train on a mission.
Thud.
But the cake didn’t make it. It fell on his lap.
We both stared at the fallen cake.
“I’ll do it.”
“No. I want to.”
Lady Shubelta said loving couples feed each other, remember?
I wiped the cake off his leg with a napkin, then tried again. This time, Axion leaned forward and bit the fork himself—maybe worried I’d drop it again.
A bit of cream stuck to his lips, but I’d succeeded.
“Is it good?”
“…Yes.”
And I didn’t even make him cry this time—everything’s going smoothly.
I was thinking just that when—
“I’m sorry.”
“…For what?”
Now what? I dreaded whatever he was going to say.
“I’ve… never been on a date before. I must be terrible at it.”
Honestly, I wasn’t much better.
Take my past date with Maksim Dolan, for example.
I didn’t have to do anything—he told me what to do, what to bring, and rambled on while I half-listened. That was enough for him to call it a “great date.”
“I’ve never really been on a proper date either.”
“……”
He gave me a look full of doubt.
I understood. I probably wasn’t very convincing.
“What’s with that face?”
“…Nothing.”
I looked around the café. Diagonally across from us was a couple, sitting closely together, totally focused on each other.
“If that’s what dating is, then I’ve never done it.”
And that was the truth.
Instead of doubting me again, Axion looked at me intently.
“What about Maksim Dolan?”
I was startled to hear that name from his lips.
He’d never mentioned Maksim before—not even once. He’d acted like he didn’t exist.
Like he wanted me to forget him completely.
“I never dated him.”
“……”
Axion nodded, his neck turning red.
Seeing that, I felt like teasing him a little. I had completely forgotten how nervous I’d been earlier.
“If that’s how dates work, should we try it too?”
“……”
He didn’t answer, just sipped his coffee faster and faster. Soon his cup was almost empty.
“Done already? Should we hold hands again?”
Even as his face flushed red, he firmly nodded.
He grabbed my hand again, tightly.
I scooted closer, until our shoulders touched. I could feel a small tremble through the thin fabric of his shirt.
“Are we too close?”
I asked playfully. He just cleared his throat, saying nothing.
That only made me want to tease him more, so I leaned in until our faces were almost touching.
“If I go this close…”
Suddenly, Axion covered his face with one hand.
“What’s wrong? Are you sick?”
Worried, I reached out and touched his neck. It was hot.
He really was feverish.
“We should head back to the palace—”
“Jen.”
Just as I was about to stand up, he gently pulled me back down.
He placed his hand on my shoulder and looked straight into my eyes.
“Please… don’t tease me. I can’t take it.”
His voice was serious.
Embarrassed, I nodded. I hadn’t realized he was struggling that much.
I quietly took another sip of coffee.
Then—ding—the bell above the door rang again.
Naturally, I turned toward the sound.
Damn it.
I cursed under my breath as I locked eyes with a man who looked like a puff of white cotton candy.
He smiled brightly when he saw me and walked over.
“Your Grace!”
It was Maksim Dolan.
