Chapter 13

Judith decided to meet Axel at the dessert café where they had met last time.

Of course, knowing that Axel disliked sweets, Judith suggested meeting elsewhere, but Axel shook his head.

‘No, let’s meet there.’

Axel added,

‘You couldn’t eat dessert last time because I showed up unexpectedly.’

Hearing that, Judith suddenly wondered what Axel would be like when in love.

She couldn’t quite imagine it. Not because she didn’t want to, but because it was impossible. It was beyond her imagination.

He’s this kind even to someone he doesn’t love, so how much more to someone he does…

Judith didn’t refuse further and just nodded.

Ding-dong.

Judith entered the café at the appointed time.

It was a popular café known for its pretty interior and delicious desserts, so it was still crowded even in the evening.

Once again, Judith easily spotted Axel among the many people.

He was sitting at a round table.

He wore a cream-colored shirt and black pants, a neat outfit that reflected his personality, with not a single wrinkle on his clothes.

Though it was casual wear, it wasn’t much different from the academy uniform, maintaining a tidy appearance.

However, unlike usual, where the buttons were fastened up to his neck, a couple were undone, giving him a more relaxed look.

After observing Axel for a while, Judith turned her head and was startled.

It wasn’t just Axel at the table.

The striking silver hair she saw from afar was indeed who she thought it was.

Chase was also sitting there, in a very slouched posture.

Not knowing why Chase was there, Judith paused her steps.

“Judith.”

She hadn’t even approached Axel yet, but somehow he stood up and called her name with a melting smile.

For a moment, it felt like lights were shining around her, and Judith felt as if everything was brightened.

“Hello, Axel.”

Her throat felt tight, but Judith managed to speak.

It was her second time seeing Axel today, but only now did she greet him. Axel opened his eyes a bit wider and replied, “Hello, Judith.”

Even though it wasn’t the right situation, her heart was oblivious. It fluttered as if she were seasick, but she forced a calm face as she walked over and sat diagonally from Axel.

In other words, she sat next to Chase, not Axel.

Axel’s gaze wavered slightly, while Chase wore a triumphant smile.

Judith glanced at Chase and asked,

“Axel, did you invite Chase?”

“No. Of course not.”

Chase, catching the look in Judith’s eyes asking why he was there, opened his mouth.

“I can’t leave my fiancée alone with another man.”

Axel’s eyes widened. Foolish Judith thought Axel looked cute like an innocent rabbit.

Soon he tilted his head. Even under the lights, his black hair softly scattered over his white forehead.

“Feeling insecure?”

“…No!”

Chase got excited as if he had heard a great provocation, even though Axel hadn’t said anything significant. His red eyes were filled with heat.

“Why did you call my fiancée to such a shady place at night? It looked suspicious, so I had no choice but to follow.”

Chase spouted nonsense. There were so many wrong parts that Judith didn’t know where to start correcting him.

First of all, it wasn’t nighttime. Besides, it was summer, so the days were long. The sun was still up, so the sky wasn’t dark.

And this wasn’t a shady place. It was a fairy-tale-like café decorated with pastel-colored trinkets. There were also many people around.

Despite Chase’s absurd words, Axel just nodded.

“I see. So you don’t trust me after all.”

“Right. Axel Fedelian, how can I trust you?”

Their intense gazes clashed in the air.

“Hmm, I thought I had a pretty trustworthy image.”

Axel had been elected student council president with an overwhelming number of votes, chosen solely by the students.

Of course, his outstanding appearance and the influence of his prestigious family couldn’t be ignored, but it was possible because there was trust in the person “Axel Fedelian” himself.

His actions and speech put others at ease, and he had a reliable aura that made people believe he wouldn’t reveal their secrets or concerns.

But Chase snorted.

“Trustworthy, my foot. Get rid of those sinister eyes first.”

Sinister eyes?

It was an adjective that didn’t suit Axel at all. So Judith turned her gaze from Chase to Axel.

When their eyes met, Axel’s smile deepened. No matter how she looked, Axel still had eyes like an innocent rabbit.

Bang!

Suddenly, Chase slammed his fist on the table. The round table vibrated once.

“Like a fox.”

“Chase, why are you suddenly acting like this?”

Chase looked as if he was about to pounce on Axel any moment.

This wouldn’t do. Was he acting out because he skipped dinner?

Judith had read somewhere that people become impulsive and violent when they’re hungry.

Of course, Chase wasn’t a good person to begin with, but…

Judith called a server and got a menu.

Looking through the menu, Judith was taken aback.

Since it was summer, most of the desserts were cold, like ice cream, sherbet, parfait, and ice soufflé, all full of sugar.

Of course, that was to be expected.

“Everything’s sweet…”

Chase chuckled at Judith’s mumbling.

“I’m fine with whatever, so order what you want.”

Judith glanced at Axel. He nodded with a smile, indicating that the choice was hers.

Judith called the server and placed an order.

“Three strawberry ice creams, please. Make one without sugar.”

She kept it simple to avoid any mishaps by ordering differently.

Strawberry ice cream was recommended and seemed the safest choice, so she went with it.

After the order was placed, Chase rested his chin on his hand and stared at Judith. He let out a deep sigh.

“Ha… Judith.”

Did he not like strawberry ice cream? But he said I could order anything.

Judith, with a puzzled face, saw Chase shake his head and shrug his shoulders.

“You said you’d let me try liking sweets, right?”

“Yeah, why?”

“Really, you…”

His tone was somewhat reproachful. But contrary to his words, Chase’s lips twitched as if he was holding back laughter.

What’s with him?

Chase’s strange behavior wasn’t new, but now she couldn’t figure out the reason.

The dessert arrived quickly, and Judith placed the sugar-free strawberry ice cream in front of Axel. Chase’s mouth, which had been holding back laughter, stiffened.

“What?”

“What?”

Chase pointed disapprovingly at the strawberry ice cream in front of Axel.

“Why are you giving that to him?”

“Axel doesn’t like sweets. I know you don’t like them either, but you said you’d try liking them for me, right?”

Chase’s red eyes trembled violently as if an earthquake had hit them. He seemed shocked, so Judith cautiously asked,

“Should I order again?”

“…No.”

From that point on, Chase looked dejected. His shoulders slumped.

Judith wondered if she had made a mistake, but it didn’t seem like it.

Judith decided not to pay attention to Chase. After all, Chase was just an uninvited guest.

As she fiddled with the crystal glass adorned with cold droplets, she looked up.

But Axel also looked somewhat shocked. His blue-gray eyes were shaking.

“Judith. What did Chase mean earlier?”

“Huh?”

“When did you ask Chase to try liking sweets?”

Judith nodded. Seeing this, Axel silently lowered his eyes.

His long eyelashes gently concealed his cool eyes. His skin under his black hair looked paler than usual.

“…You’ve never asked me for such a thing.”

His face was pale as if he had been betrayed. His long eyelashes trembled pitifully.

Judith blinked at Axel’s unfamiliar reaction.

Meanwhile, the innocent ice cream continued to melt away.

Judith hurriedly took a spoonful of the melted surface and spoke.

“Why would I ask you for something strange like that?”

“But you asked Chase, didn’t you?”

Axel’s voice trailed off slightly.

“I could do something like that for you too…”

Judith was at a loss for words. She hid her surprised gaze by lowering her head, but her awkward gestures couldn’t be concealed.