[+2 Talent and Skills. Upgraded Modeling. Current Grade: A]
[Fame Meter: 52%]
Nova was speechless. She wanted to approach Zeno, but couldn’t bring herself to do so in the end. She felt too ashamed for underestimating his modeling skills.
It was, in fact, one of the most satisfying photo shoots she had ever experienced in her entire career!
Maxie was back in Moby’s truck, already feasting on the dog food that the staff had graciously given. He had also received his lifetime card, allowing him to purchase any Mirae Axis products until his last breath.
He would never go hungry now.
Zeno changed back into his clothes and scanned the set for someone.
“Are you looking for me?” Mirae asked, a wide smile on her face.
Zeno turned to her and nodded, his expression serious.
It felt like her appendix had burst. Her breath caught in the back of her throat, leaving her unable to say anything for a moment until Zeno spoke again.
“I was wondering when this collaboration would come out?”
“Oh,” Mirae muttered, scratching the back of her neck. “Maybe by the end of the month? Don’t worry. It will be released before ‘The Forsaken Prince’ ends. This will yield better results for both parties.”
Zeno nodded to himself; it was perfect timing. Mirae’s cheeks were still pink, and it didn’t take a genius to recognize that she was truly fond of Zeno.
He was ready to use that.
With that, he bowed to her and flashed a sweet smile—one that made Mirae’s gallbladder feel like it had burst this time.
“Thank you very much for this opportunity,” he said. “You don’t know how much this means to me.”
Mirae tucked her hair behind her ears. “The pleasure is all mine, Zeno. If you need anything more from our brand, you can contact me,” she winked, pulling her calling card from her pocket and handing it to Zeno.
Zeno smiled once again and slipped the card into his pocket.
***
The eleventh episode of ‘The Forsaken Prince’ was going to air tonight, and again, it was already trending first before the actual premiere.
With only six episodes left, the series was at its climax. While some dramas reached a plateau with their ratings, ‘The Forsaken Prince’ appeared to only increase with every episode.
More and more people began to love it, but of course, as a fandom grows, the hate also follows. It was a direct relationship. A barrage of people were already calling it ‘overrated.’ However, even then, they couldn’t help but tune in. What an ironic claim.
– I think this series has a spell in it. I honestly can’t stop watching even though I hate it.
– Hey, I think you have some unresolved issues. You might want to go to therapy.
– But this is seriously so good. It’s not a perfect adaptation—nothing will ever be, but it’s very satisfying. The best thing about it is, honestly, Zeno’s acting.
– Yes. I thought he was going to be the series’ weakest link. Turns out, he’s the strongest.
– Nah, mid.
Among those waiting for the eleventh episode to air was Ari Bae, who was currently on the phone with her boss.
“No, Mr. Kim,” she sighed, massaging the bridge of her nose. “I don’t have a script just yet.”
Mr. Kim clicked his tongue. “Why is that? I thought you were working on something.”
“I am,” Ari insisted. Well, she was. But then, she scrapped it all together.
“What’s taking so long? Do you know how much we’re willing to pay you?”
Ari sighed, running her fingers through her hair. “You cannot rush a script, sir. That is what makes a mediocre film or drama.”
Mr. Kim clicked his tongue before hanging up, leaving Ari frustrated.
“Seriously, that man is so annoying,” she muttered before turning her attention back to the screen, where the opening credits of ‘The Forsaken Prince’ was already playing.
It was her recent obsession. Well, everything that Zeno Han had put out had become her obsession. Her manager/editor said she was just obsessed with Zeno himself, but she begged to differ.
There was just something… different about him. She couldn’t point it out, but she felt they were quite similar. Although she didn’t know in which aspects.
He was also the reason why she scrapped her last project. After watching ‘The Forsaken Prince,’ she couldn’t write anything else. How could someone write a masterpiece like that?
It made her think that her writing was mediocre, and it pushed her to become better. It has been a while since she felt such a passion for writing.
She snapped out of her thoughts when Zeno’s groan echoed in her luxury apartment.
The last episode ended on a cliffhanger, with Hajin being stabbed during his grandmother’s death anniversary. Now, a lot of viewers were on edge.
The room was dim. Hajin lay still on the bed, shirtless, his chest rising and falling with shallow breaths. A thick bandage was wrapped tightly around his torso, already tinged faintly with red.
His eyes were closed, jaw clenched—not from unconsciousness, but from the pain he refused to show. Every breath burned, every movement a quiet war against the screaming in his ribs. But his expression was calm, as always.
– I got distracted for a little bit.
– Abs, abs, abs.
– Zeno’s abs are already trending. You guys are insufferable.
– I want to eat out of his abs.
Ari’s cheeks warmed up, so she fanned herself while continuing to watch the scene.
The door slammed open.
Prince Seon stormed in, boots heavy against the polished floor. He stopped at the foot of the bed and stared at him—the perfect little martyr, pale against the sheets.
“You really went that far, huh?” Seon sneered. “A knife to the gut, Hajin. All that just to make them look at you like some kind of savior?”
Hajin’s lips curled. “You’re welcome, by the way. The king’s still breathing. Oh wait. I’m sorry. You wanted him to die, right? Then you’ll kill Father next.”
“Don’t twist it,” Seon snapped. “You’ve always been like this. You’re merely bleeding for applause. You knew what you were doing. You always know.”
Silence.
The pain was crawling up Hajin’s side like fire, but he didn’t even flinch. His eyes opened, murderous.
Ari’s breath got caught. This expression on Zeno was always impressive. How could someone contain so much disdain in a human body?
“I didn’t ask for applause,” he said quietly. “I didn’t ask for you to understand.”
Prince Seon stepped closer, fists clenched. “Then what? What was it, huh? Another trick? Another way to make me look like the heartless one?”
Hajin’s voice didn’t rise, but every word landed with weight.
“You want to know the difference between us?” He stared straight into Seon’s eyes. “You always need a reason.”
He sat up, wincing but refusing to break eye contact.
“Some people are simply good, Seon. Not everything needs a hidden motive.”
A pause.
Hajin leaned back against the pillows, exhausted but still, somehow, triumphant.
“You and I… we are not the same.”
– Zeno, please stop toying with my heart!
– I always imagined this scene to be epic, and it is!
– He did not disappoint.
– Watching the two of them act side by side, it becomes even more apparent. Zeno Han is better than Oska Baek.
– The upstairs commenter is loud and wrong. Oska Baek has been doing this for years! You’re glazing your oppa.
Ari, on the other hand, was still amazed. In the end, she couldn’t write once more. All she wanted was to continue watching this series until the end.
“Zeno, nothing could break your career, huh?” she muttered, a small smile appearing on her lips.
However, little did Ari know, she would swallow those words pretty soon.