SLDS 43

Cecil was changing his clothes when he found himself staring blankly at his reflection in the mirror.

“…When did I change like this?”

He traced over the scar with his index finger. The number at the front had already changed to a 7.

There was no way to stop the dwindling time. All he could do was strengthen his resolve.

“Mr. Cecil, are you ready?”

“Just a moment.”

He hurriedly straightened his clothes and fastened the buttons. As long as the scar was hidden, Cecil was perfect. No one would be able to notice his secret.

After that, Alexis continued to summon Cecil frequently.

It was because he was extremely busy with the investigation of the attempted assassination and didn’t have the time to carefully attend to state affairs. Of course, while he was actually busy, a large part of the reason was also that he deliberately wanted to keep Cecil close and observe him.

Whenever he appeared hesitantly in the office, an important task was always placed in his hands.

“He gave this to me again?”

“Yes, he said it was an urgent matter and asked for it to be dealt with by the end of today.”

The crown prince who had passed the work onto him had disappeared without a trace, and only the chief adjutant, Tristan Dyke, and a few attendants were ever present in the office. They too were merely relaying the crown prince’s instructions.

When he saw the documents piled high on the desk, Cecil wondered what was going on. He sat at his desk as told, but the uncertain expression on his face simply would not fade.

His relationship with Alexis seemed to have changed slightly since the hunting competition… It was certainly a good sign for him, but he was at a loss, having no way of knowing Alexis’s true intentions.

Cecil first reached out and picked up a rolled-up document. His hesitation was only for a moment. The instant he looked at the urgent task that needed to be resolved, his mind began to clear of idle thoughts and enter a state of concentration. He examined the contents seriously and soon picked up his ink pen as well.

It was when three or four hours had passed like this. Alexis, who had finished investigating the attempted assassination, returned.

Having been stuck in the musty underground prison since the morning, Alexis paused for a moment when he saw the argument taking place inside his office.

The chief adjutant and Cecil were facing off as if they were ready to tear each other apart.

“Haa, how many times do I have to tell you? This is the right way to do it!”

“That’s an old-fashioned method. It’s not efficient in terms of time or cost. Just stop talking and proceed with the method I’ve suggested.”

“It’s no use being stubborn. This is a matter of trade, not something else. Do you have any idea how great the losses will be if things go wrong?”

“Tristan, that’s your problem. You’re always like that. Why do you only try to work within a mold? Can’t you get rid of those stuffy, old-fashioned ideas?”

“You think I’m rigid? Well, Mr. Cecil, you are too reckless!”

“What do you mean, reckless! Are you deaf? I explained everything earlier!”

“I’m saying that explanation is ridiculous! It’s too risky an attempt!”

A fierce clash of opinions went back and forth over the documents spread on the desk. They were both busy asserting their own arguments without yielding an inch.

Tristan Dyke was unusually agitated, and Cecil, with his arms crossed, countered Tristan’s claims one by one.

It was as if their good relationship had all been a lie. Faced with work, the two were at odds with each other, just as they had been in their past life.

Alexis watched this scene with interest. He remained still the whole time, watching their argument, standing at the ambiguous boundary between the inside and outside of the office, taking on the role of an observer.

Claude, who had been entering with him, also had to stop and watch this scene.

“What in the world… are they doing right now?”

“Can’t you tell by looking? They’re in the middle of a heated argument.”

“I know that much. What I mean is, why is Cecil overstepping his bounds here?”

Alexis didn’t answer the question and just smiled quietly. Claude looked bewildered by the sight of Cecil and the chief adjutant arguing with veins popping in their necks, but Alexis, who had entrusted them with the state affairs, was pleased with their passionate conflict.

He soon started walking toward his own seat. As he took his place at the most ornate and grand desk in the office, attendants gathered as if they had been waiting. They quickly prepared new paper, ink, and the quill pen the crown prince favored.

“Bring the investigation report. I have something to discuss in detail with the knight commander.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

Although they noticed the crown prince had entered, Cecil and Tristan only lowered their voices slightly and did not stop their clash of opinions. Tristan put his hands on his hips and vehemently expressed his opposition, while Cecil, with a composed demeanor, refuted his words point by point.

“I really… didn’t know they would disagree so much.”

“It’s a shame you didn’t know.”

Claude watched this scene with his mouth agape. He was simply amazed that Tristan Dyke, who was famous for being quite an eloquent speaker, was losing the argument.

“I don’t understand.”

“What?”

“I don’t understand Your Highness’s intentions. I’m worried Cecil might ruin things acting like that.”

“There is no need to worry. Cecil is better at his job than you can imagine.”

As if their dispute was finally over, the two moved far apart. Just then, Cecil turned and his eyes met Alexis’s, who was sitting at his desk.

When Alexis beckoned with a curl of his finger, Cecil let out a long sigh and approached.

Alexis pushed a small plate of chocolates toward him. At some point, sweet things that could be easily picked up and eaten were always kept ready around his desk. Of course, they were things he never touched himself.

“What were you two fighting so heatedly about?”

“…We weren’t fighting. We were just discussing our opinions a little.”

Cecil said, calming his excitement.

Just a moment ago he had been verbally trampling Tristan under his heel, but now he was as docile as a puppy with its tail down.

Cecil popped a chocolate into his mouth and gently pushed the plate away. At that, Alexis flicked his gaze up to look at Cecil.

“Finish them all here before you go. Dyke will probably need some time to cool his head alone anyway.”

Tristan Dyke’s desk was located close to Cecil’s. When he turned around, he could see Tristan’s face, clutching his bangs and trying to suppress his anger. It seemed he was inwardly resentful that he had been swayed by Cecil and his opinion had been overruled.

“…Yes.”

Cecil answered obediently and pushed another chocolate into his mouth. In the meantime, an attendant brought a chair so Cecil could sit comfortably, and also presented a teacup before him. A tea time setting had been arranged in an instant.

During that time, Alexis continued his discussion with Claude. The smile that had spread across his handsome face had vanished without a trace, and only a serious conversation passed between the two men. The investigation of the attempted assassination was still facing difficulties due to the lack of clear evidence.

“How are things going with Baron Rowen?”

“We’ve sent a summons as you instructed.”

“And the reply?”

“Not yet. He’s been putting it off, I don’t know what he’s preparing.”

“Don’t give him too much time. Bring him before me, even if it means dragging him here by force.”

“But we don’t have proper grounds. We can’t just single out the baron and treat him like a major criminal solely for attending the hunting competition.”

The conversation flowed into the ears of Cecil, who had been drinking his tea in silence.

“Are you planning to summon and investigate Baron Rowen soon?”

When Cecil interjected into the conversation, Claude turned to look at him with a displeased expression. But Alexis’s expression barely changed. He turned his gaze, his chin propped in his hand. His blue eyes stared intently at Cecil, as if to say, if you have something more to say, then say it.

“Yes.”

“The baron has considerable knowledge of poisons. Please collect and examine all the arrows that were used at the hunting competition. It’s possible that Baron Rowen’s might have been coated with a deadly poison.”

“How do you know that?”

A question laced with suspicion came back. It was only natural.

The fact that Baron Rowen’s archery skills were outstanding was widely known, but his deep knowledge of poisons was a well-kept secret. The only ones who knew this were Baron Rowen, the empress, and Cecil.

“I was lucky enough to overhear it. I don’t think the baron actually did such a thing, but it wouldn’t hurt to check.”

Alexis’s gaze was still strange.

“What do you think about him collapsing after drinking the wine? According to what we’ve found out, you were the one who handed him the wine.”

“Well, there was nothing special about the wine I gave him. I also didn’t know the baron was such a lightweight when it came to alcohol. If necessary, you can investigate me as well.”

“You’ll submit to an investigation?”

“If there is suspicion, I believe even the royal family should be thoroughly investigated.”

Cecil replied calmly and drank the rest of his tea. Although he had readily offered himself up for investigation, his words held another meaning. It was a suggestion to start with him and then investigate the empress as well.

Alexis pondered in silence. He felt honestly grateful that Cecil had stepped forward to set the stage.

If the baron had planned something at the hunting competition, it was not a matter to be taken lightly. This might be the last chance to prove that the empress was involved.

“Cecil, are you still taking sleeping pills?”

“It’s been a while since I stopped. Thanks to your advice.”

Alexis smiled quietly. He very much liked Cecil’s audacious side.