SLDS 53

I reflexively scanned Alexis’s body. The firmly built muscles and smooth skin were truly like the incarnation of a god. And above all, his manhood…

Cecil corrected his irreverent gaze and looked up at Alexis’s face. He quickly swallowed the saliva that had pooled in his mouth and immediately added.

“You told me to visit Yuria often. It seems the Empress has also figured out that it is difficult for her to plant a spy on her. She asked me to take on that role instead. She told me to find out in detail and report back on what kind of stories Yuria mainly talks about with Your Highness, and what kind of plans she has.”

“It seems you’ll be very busy, Cecil. Having to play the spy for both sides.”

Alexis, who was now properly dressed, ignored the chair and sat casually on the long desk. There was always a desk for work in his bedchamber so that he could attend to his duties at any time.

As Alexis beckoned with his finger, the quick-witted Lord Chamberlain promptly prepared warm tea and freshly baked desserts.

The Crown Prince had lived his entire life without ever touching sweets, but because of the guest who had been visiting frequently these days, the Saint Palace kitchen often smelled of savory butter and sweetness.

“On the Empress’s side, let the stories flow just as they are, without embellishment. She’s not one to be trifled with, so if your lies are exposed, you’ll be the one in danger.”

“Will that be alright?”

“No problem. You’ll be telling me the news from the Empress’s side anyway. As long as I know in advance, there will be no difficulty in dealing with it. In fact, it might be easier to use it as an excuse to launch a counterattack.”

Alexis smiled with his characteristic confidence. He then picked up a bundle of parchment that was on the desk. His bright face contorted in annoyance the moment he unrolled the parchment.

“Ha, why are the nobles so interested in other people’s marriages? These damn petitions keep coming in every other day.”

Alexis threw the scroll he was holding far away. Cecil watched him silently before asking.

“Are they telling you to… get married?”

“Yes. They’re saying that since I’m of age, I should quickly take a Crown Princess and produce a legitimate heir. Produce. It’s as if I’m some kind of animal.”

“You can just ignore the nobles’ requests. Besides, Your Highness has… Yuria, doesn’t he?”

“His Majesty the Emperor is vehemently opposed to my marriage with Yuria.”

Cecil’s eyes widened. It was the first time he had heard this.

“Why is that?”

“His Majesty is someone who believes that a saintess’s power remains whole only if she is pure. Now that Yuria has become a saintess officially recognized by the imperial family, I cannot go against his will.”

Cecil sighed in disbelief. He then put a hand to his forehead and fell into thought.

He had always wondered. Why Alexis didn’t marry Yuria sooner. He cherished her more than anyone, yet he had wasted years. And it was a question that Cecil had not been able to solve until his death.

To think it was because of the Emperor’s opposition. Even the reason for the opposition was so pathetic that it was just disheartening. Did it even make sense that something as trivial as purity could diminish her abilities?

“What are you going to do?”

“For now, I’ll have to stay like this. Later, when I become emperor… I plan to take her as my official consort then. I can endure it for five years, or even ten.”

When Alexis becomes emperor… yes, no one will be able to bend his will. Who would dare to defy the will of the supreme ruler of the empire?

Cecil blew on the tea in front of him and drank it, reviewing the future that would unfold.

Alexis seemed to be thinking of a rather long time, but Emperor Arnold would pass away sooner than expected. And that time would be one week before Cecil’s own life ended.

‘I’ll be having a string of funerals, unexpectedly.’

Cecil smiled self-deprecatingly. The bitter taste in his mouth didn’t seem to be solely from the tea.

“Yuria must be very disappointed.”

“Yuria is a good child. She understands my situation better than anyone. In fact, she was the one who suggested it first.”

“In that case, you should at least lie and tell her you will take her in three years.”

“You always say such presumptuous things. Are you saying I will become emperor within three years?”

It was a conversation he could have because no one else was around. As if finding it absurd all over again, Alexis let out a small laugh and shook his head.

Cecil puffed out his chest and took a deep breath. He was trying his best to manage his expression.

Afterward, no one spoke, and the bedchamber became as quiet as a mouse.

Clink. As Cecil set down his teacup, a low voice was suddenly heard.

“And you.”

Cecil abruptly raised his head. Alexis, who was sitting leaning on the edge of the desk with both hands, was looking down at Cecil with a steady gaze.

“Cecil, what do you plan to do?”

“What are you referring to?”

“Didn’t you say you liked men? I asked what you plan to do about marriage.”

The question was so unexpected that Cecil couldn’t help but laugh weakly.

“What kind of crazy young lady would marry me?”

“You’re firm. It sounds like you won’t do it even if you’re forced.”

“Yes. I won’t. I’m going to just date to my heart’s content and live alone.”

He said it with deliberate confidence. At that, Alexis’s lips curved into a round arc.

He got down from the desk and came up to Cecil. From the untouched tart, he picked up a ripened red raspberry and pushed it into Cecil’s mouth.

“Yes, you shouldn’t get married. You have to stay by my side forever.”

The raspberry, drenched in syrup, was so sweet it made his tongue tingle. Cecil couldn’t even chew the fruit rolling around on his tongue and had to hold it in his mouth.

Alexis’s eyes held a warm glow, just like when he looked at Yuria.

There was a time when he had desperately wished for him to look at him with those same eyes. He had thought it was a wish that could never come true. But now that he was actually facing those eyes, Cecil wanted to cry.

His kindness was like poison to him.

✽ ✽ ✽

It was the day the delegation from Temion was to arrive.

The Kingdom of Temion was far from the Verca Empire, but it was a brother nation that had maintained a long-standing alliance.

It had been almost two years since a delegation had visited the empire. The Imperial Palace had been diligently preparing for weeks to welcome the esteemed guests.

In particular, the task of hosting this delegation was to be handled by Cecil Adrian. It was a job he had actively volunteered for.

“There they come.”

The Minister of Foreign Affairs made a visor with his hand over his eyebrows and recognized the procession of carriages in the distance. Not only was the red flag, the symbol of the Kingdom of Temion, fluttering, but the ornate carriage decorations were also eye-catching at a glance.

Cecil, standing next to him, waited with a smile for the guests who would soon arrive. Perhaps because he knew who was coming, he couldn’t hide his excited heart.

Then, the luxurious large carriage came to a stop, and behind it, a line of carriages and horses also stopped. The door of the foremost carriage opened, and a young man stepped out from inside.

“My goodness! Cecil Adrian! To think you would come out to greet me, what a happy occasion this is!”

“Johannes.”

Cecil and Johannes embraced each other, sharing their joy. Then, Johannes realized an important fact and quickly corrected his posture. While showing off a rather dignified figure, he spoke in a serious voice.

“The representative of Temion’s delegation, Johannes Albrecht IV, greets you. We thank you for the noble hospitality of the Verca Empire, and we pray for the infinite prosperity and peace of the empire.”

In response, Cecil also assumed a formal posture and offered his greetings.

“Cecil Adrian of the Verca Empire gladly welcomes the delegation from Temion. Thank you for your hard work coming all this way. We will serve you with utmost sincerity so that you will have no discomfort during your stay in the empire.”

“Oh, you’re quite like a member of the imperial family now, aren’t you?”

“You too.”

The two embraced once more in reunion. Perhaps because it had been a long time since they had met, the joy was deeper than usual.

Johannes was the first friend of the same age Cecil had made after entering the Imperial Palace.

The fact that the very first friend he made was from the distant Kingdom of Temion showed how challenging his circumstances were, but the two had forged a deep friendship despite the geographical constraints.

They had only been exchanging news through letters because they had been busy, but now they were seeing each other face to face after several years. How could he not be happy?

After having an audience with the Emperor, Johannes met with Cecil right away. There was a mountain of old stories to tell. While strolling along the palace’s walking path together, they were busy chattering nonstop.

“I kept it a secret on purpose to surprise you! How on earth did you know? Was it a coincidence?”

“I just, for some reason, had a feeling you would come.”

“You have good intuition, don’t you? Still, I’m glad you’re in charge of my reception! I’ll get to see you to my heart’s content while I’m staying at the palace.”

“You can look forward to it. I’ll give you the proper reception.”

Cecil smiled subtly. Since he knew in advance that Johannes was coming, he had prepared everything filled only with things he liked. When he saw the banquet that would be held soon, he might faint from joy.

A separate lodging was prepared for the delegation, and Johannes was to stay specially at the Peridot Palace. With the prince’s attendants joining in, the Peridot Palace was more bustling and full of life than ever before.

“There’s something I’m curious about, Cecil.”

“What is it?”

“The saintess. Is she really in the Imperial Palace?”

“Um…”

“The rumors have spread all the way to our kingdom. They say a very beautiful and noble saintess has appeared in the Verca Empire. That the sight of her praying is incredibly holy! Is it true? Have you received the grace of God too? Is the saintess really here?”

Cecil pressed his forehead. Unlike the prince, who was excited, Cecil’s face was not just calm but colored with a troubled expression.