SLDS 47

From the first day she set foot in the imperial palace, Yuria Beatrice had to endure a storm of attention with her entire being.

The emperor summoned her every morning to receive a prayer, and after that, high-ranking nobles flocked to her like moths to a flame.

Most of them were those who had witnessed Yuria’s power at the knighting ceremony. Normally, they would have dismissed it as an absurd rumor, but having seen it with their own eyes, they were all eager to taste the Saintess’s grace.

Yuria’s surroundings bustled with people wanting to receive a prayer. Of course, because the emperor had told her not to waste her sacred power recklessly without his permission, she had to refuse all the requests from those who came to see her.

Just as the interest was great, so too was the burden of dealing with the aftermath of refusal. She was sometimes hurt by the harsh words thrown by some nobles, but Yuria felt that as long as she lived in the imperial palace, she had to endure this level of hardship.

This hectic life had been going on for about a week. Cecil, watching for an opportunity, came to visit Yuria.

Knock, knock. As he lightly tapped on the already open door, Yuria flinched noticeably and turned around. Her eyes widened in surprise, and then, upon seeing the suddenly appeared Cecil, her face lit up with a broad smile.

“Mr. Cecil!”

“Yuria, are you busy?”

“It’s alright, please come in!”

Yuria bustled about, not knowing how to welcome her esteemed guest. It wasn’t their first meeting, yet she was like this every time.

Having received permission, Cecil smiled lightly and stepped into the house. He scanned the small, cozy residence with a glance, then gestured with his eyes to the servants who had followed him.

“I thought you might be getting hungry around this time. I took the liberty of bringing some snacks.”

“Oh my, every time like this! I’m so touched!”

Yuria was moved as she looked at the desserts that Cecil, or more accurately, his servants, had brought, their arms full.

Around the time the midday sun began to fade, Cecil Adrian would invariably visit Yuria, bringing desserts and black tea.

On the table covered with a bright yellow tablecloth, luxurious plates, silver cutlery, a whole cake that made one’s mouth water just by looking at it, and lovely teacups were placed.

The mistress of the house could only stand and watch as Cecil’s servants took charge of setting everything up.

“How was your day? Were you harassed a lot again?”

Cecil personally lifted the teapot and poured black tea for Yuria. The aroma was so rich that the air filled with the scent of tea.

In the meantime, Cecil’s head servant cut a large slice of chocolate cake topped with candied cherries and dried figs, transferred it to a plate, and carefully placed it in front of Cecil and Yuria.

Yuria unknowingly swallowed. Only after the saliva that had pooled in her mouth was gone could she finally move her tongue.

“Yes, a little… Still, it’s gotten much better than at first. The number of people visiting me has decreased, too. I’m still not used to having an audience with His Majesty the Emperor, but I’m trying to adapt.”

“That’s a relief. Ah, don’t be shy, please eat.”

Cecil let out a soft laugh and gestured with his chin. It was because Yuria’s gaze had been fixed on the cake since a moment ago, unwilling to leave it.

Once permission was given, Yuria carefully picked up her fork. Her heart pounded with anticipation at the thought of tasting the cake. Her excitement was clearly visible on her face.

When she lived at the Vandel Duchy, the meals were as splendid as anyone could wish for, but due to the Duchess’s health-conscious nature, such a delectable dessert was a rare sight.

Perhaps that was why. She found herself looking forward to the visits of Cecil, who always brought pretty and sweet things every time he came.

“The cake looks really delicious.”

“Eat a lot. If it’s too sweet, have some black tea with it. They will go well together.”

With his recommendation, Cecil lifted the teacup in front of him to his lips.

Yuria, after taking a bite of the cake, followed Cecil’s lead and slowly sipped the black tea, which had cooled to a perfect temperature. She savored the sweet and slightly bitter taste left in her mouth before speaking carefully.

“Um… but Mr. Cecil. It’s alright for you to speak comfortably to me.”

“Well, this is more comfortable for me for now.”

The reply was sharp as a knife. Yuria had nothing more to say. Instead, she diligently moved her fork, concentrating on devouring the cake.

Amidst the silence, she would occasionally lift her eyes to watch Cecil. The noble person sitting across from her was still passing the time, only sipping his black tea.

He was a truly beautiful person.

She had felt it from the first time she saw him, but it was incredibly fascinating that a person could sparkle and shine.

His doll-like features, neatly arranged in his small face, were like that, and his clean, flawless pearly skin was also beautiful. His posture, relaxed and leaning back comfortably, was imbued with leisure and grace. Even at a glance, one could feel a superiority that was higher than that of a noble.

Yuria, forgetting even to eat her cake, was momentarily lost in a daze.

She had spent a long time with Crown Prince Alexis and had recently even had an audience with the Emperor, so she thought she had developed some tolerance to the presence of royalty, but when she looked at Cecil, her gaze was captivated to the point of feeling helpless.

Suddenly, her eyes met his. The eyes holding warm green pupils curved into a smile, and Yuria, unable to hide her embarrassment, blushed red. She put the fork, stained with chocolate cream, into her mouth and sucked on it.

“Honestly, I’m glad that you visit me often, Mr. Cecil. The imperial palace is still difficult and unfamiliar to me… The members of the knight order are also looking out for me a lot, but they aren’t people I can have a comfortable conversation with.”

“It seems you’ve come to think of me quite comfortably now, Yuria.”

“Ah, I didn’t mean it in a bad way! I meant that you’re like a friend… Haah, I feel like this is also a rude thing to say.”

“What does it matter? Friends are good. Think of me comfortably. I want that as well.”

Cecil smiled brightly. Whatever his true feelings were, on the outside, he appeared to cherish Yuria quite a bit.

He was currently faithfully carrying out Alexis’s request. Cecil had the mission to look after Yuria, take care of her, and help her adapt to what would be a difficult life in the imperial palace.

“Yuria, remember my words well. You must not trust anyone inside the imperial palace except for His Highness Alexis. This goes for the nobles, of course, and the same applies to the servants and maids.”

“I… heard that I should be especially careful of the people on Her Majesty the Empress’s side.”

Yuria said, hesitating.

Although she knew Cecil was on the Crown Prince’s side, he was still the empress’s blood, so she felt uneasy badmouthing the empress in front of him.

However, Cecil showed no particular reaction. On the contrary, he settled into a more comfortable posture and propped his chin on his hand at an angle. In that state, he stared at Yuria and threw a question.

“Can you distinguish Her Majesty the Empress’s people?”

“His Highness told me to some extent…”

“People who could be a threat to you can appear from anywhere. Simply because they’re part of the empress’s faction? No. There are people who do things for money, and there are also people who are forced to do bad things because they are being blackmailed.”

“……”

“Even someone who smiled and helped you can stab you in the back at any moment. I’m sorry if it sounds like I’m scaring you… but this is the reality, so I hope you will keep it in mind.”

Yuria nodded, accepting Cecil’s advice. But her expression grew increasingly stiff. It was because she was reminded that the place she was in was, once again, a place fraught with as much danger as the Black Forest.

“Does that mean… I shouldn’t trust you either, Mr. Cecil?”

“Hmm… It would be best if you did. Yuria, you are unskilled at hiding your expressions or dealing with people of high status, so it would be good to practice through me. Pretend to trust, pretend to rely on me, but be on your guard inside.”

“But I want to get close enough to you to share my innermost thoughts, Mr. Cecil.”

“……”

“The imperial palace is so lonely and desolate.”

Yuria’s large eyes gazed intently at Cecil’s face. When their eyes met, Cecil smiled and brought the teacup to his lips again.

“That’s why I’m visiting you often. I’ll stay a little longer today.”

Not only did he serve as her conversation partner, but Cecil would also bring his own servants to look after Yuria’s residence.

Since she hadn’t been assigned her own maids, the residence was always in a slightly disheveled state. Saying it wouldn’t do for the place where the Saintess stayed to be like this, Cecil’s servants thoroughly tidied up the residence and meticulously checked if anything was lacking for her daily life.

While the tea time continued, the servants moved swiftly. Yuria, who had been watching their busy movements for a moment, opened her mouth, saying, “Um…”

“Mr. Cecil, if you don’t mind, may I invite you to dinner?”

“Dinner?”

“His Highness Alexis asked me to have a meal with him this evening. I would like it if you could come too, Mr. Cecil.”

Cecil looked into her clear and innocent face. The other person held not a single shred of malice, only pure goodwill. She wasn’t showing off that Alexis cared for her deeply, but was simply extending an invitation because she genuinely wanted to enjoy dinner together.

The fact that his heart ached at those words was simply because lingering attachment and jealousy still remained, thick and muddy, in his heart. Cecil forced the corners of his lips to rise. It was a smile that anyone would find beautiful.

“The honor would be mine.”

If it was a feeling he couldn’t shake off, he had to hide it until the day he died.