SLDS 6

“Did you prepare today’s banquet?”

“Pardon?”

“It was quite excellent. The decorations were top-notch, and it was surprising that the banquet food and drinks were all traditional. I imagine it was in consideration of the knights who had been away from the empire for a long time.”

Cecil’s eyes widened. Just as he said, a considerable amount of effort had been put into this banquet, whether it was noticeable or not.

Cecil had focused on authenticity rather than splendor, thoroughly preparing everything from the order of the courses, the musical pieces, to the objets d’art and even each individual flower decorating the banquet, all strictly according to imperial etiquette.

Since this banquet was not just a simple celebration but signified the crown prince’s return, he wanted everyone to properly reflect on its meaning.

Not only that, but he also instructed that the banquet food, like stew or braised beef, be prepared according to classic recipes of the empire’s traditional dishes.

Although it might have looked ordinary on the surface, the ingredients used inside were all precious, high-quality goods. The imperial chef had asked for confirmation several times if this was correct. He was extremely concerned that it would look unimpressive, but Cecil pushed forward with his own stubbornness to the very end.

He thought that perhaps it might be misunderstood, with home-style dishes being served at the main palace banquet while they were luxuriously enjoying sweets and tea at the Peridot Palace.

But the quick-witted Alexis pinpointed the very aspects Cecil had paid attention to. He was so grateful that his effort had been recognized that for a moment, he felt his eyes might grow hot with tears.

“I’m relieved to hear you were pleased with it.”

Cecil could not hide his joy and broke into a broad smile. But the joy did not last long. Without any warning, Alexis lowered his head and brought his lips to Cecil’s ear.

In that moment, as Cecil froze, he whispered in a soft voice.

“The one who was pleased was His Majesty the Emperor. He praised you so much that even the people present there followed His Majesty in extolling you. Did you know that the main character who should have been receiving the congratulations had changed?”

“……”

“Cecil. Just how well were you educated while I was away? Honestly, even I was surprised. I’m afraid I might lose the position of crown prince to you soon.”

Cecil could not even move his lips. He had made an unforeseen mistake.

He was absolutely not supposed to stand out, but in his excessive eagerness, he had ended up revealing the knowledge he inherently possessed.

“No, Alex, no, Your Highness. That’s not it.”

The way he belatedly spewed out excuses was no different from Count Kilt. Alexis gripped Cecil’s shoulder joint tightly and pressed down as he spoke.

“I’ll look forward to more in the future. I’m sorry for ruining the tea party. Please continue to enjoy it.”

And with that, he left abruptly without another glance. A small number of knights followed behind the retreating Alexis. Their furtive glances were just as fierce as Alexis’s.

“Hah.”

As soon as he disappeared from the garden, Cecil collapsed onto the grass. His legs began to tremble belatedly.

Leo and the servants rushed over and hastily tended to Cecil. All the hard work he had put into preparing the banquet was for naught; the Peridot Palace, swept through by the crown prince, had been left in shambles.

That evening, Cecil was lost in thought for hours in the bathtub.

What did I miss? What should I do from now on?

For one thing, he was now certain that Alexis was not very favorable toward him. It was possible that today’s events had deepened his wariness even further.

“I was trying to do a little better in this life… It’s a total mess.”

Water dripped from his hair, which was tilted back loosely. Cecil, who had his arms draped over the hard rim of the bathtub, let out a weary laugh.

“In any case, he’s as cold as ever. It feels like he was even worse in the past.”

Although he had always had a cold personality, the Alexis that Cecil knew was a person whose reason preceded his emotions. He did not act rashly like he did now and always moved with the consequences in mind.

“Did I like him so much that my memory of him was beautified?”

Cecil muttered to himself. Just then. Knock, knock, there was a sound of someone knocking on the wooden partition.

“Come in.”

When Cecil answered in a languid voice, Head Chamberlain Leo carefully showed his face, holding a silver tray with both hands.

“Mr. Cecil. May I wash your hair for you?”

“Yes. Please.”

Honestly, he was so exhausted he could hardly lift a finger. Cecil readily gave his permission.

Leo placed a cup of warm milk tea in an easy-to-reach spot and knelt down on the floor. He didn’t mind his trousers getting w**.

Leo poured a generous amount of liquid soap infused with flower petals into his hands and spread it evenly over the fine, dark brown hair. Then, spreading his ten fingers wide, he rubbed the hair and soap together.

Foam with a floral scent formed with each friction. The fingertips, with just the right amount of pressure, lightly scratched his scalp. Scratch, scratch. It felt so good to have someone touch his hair that Cecil’s eyes closed on their own.

“Leo, you can go and rest early. You nearly fainted when you saw the severed ear.”

“I’m fine. Weren’t you the one who was very surprised, Mr. Cecil? No matter how I think about it, His Highness the Crown Prince went too far today.”

“You’ve just said something treasonous. What if someone hears you?”

“Eek! No, I wasn’t speaking ill of him!”

As if reminded of what happened earlier, Leo covered his own mouth with his soapy hands. He was certainly a huge coward.

Cecil tilted his head back and let out a soft, deflated laugh. Pfft.

“He’s not normally that violent.”

“Could it be because it hasn’t been long since he finished the subjugation?”

“…That might be it.”

Or it might be because of my mistake.

The laugh turned into a sigh. Cecil pressed the inner corners of his naturally furrowing eyebrows with his fingertips to smooth them out.

From now on, I will never step forward trying to act smart.

He was done with being suspected of coveting the crown prince’s position. In the time he had, which was not even enough to get on Alexis’s side, he could not become his political enemy again.

Leo, gauging his master’s mood, carefully poured clean water over him. The splashing sound was utterly peaceful. So much so that it seemed to soothe Cecil’s weary mind and body in his stead.

✽ ✽ ✽

Alexis knelt on one knee before the emperor. His right arm, crossed over his chest, rested on his left shoulder in a disciplined manner.

The formal audience had already ended yesterday. The reason he was paying his respects like this again was because the person who had come with him was meeting the emperor for the first time.

“Alexis Winter Graham. I greet the sun of the empire.”

As he finished speaking, Yuria, who was standing beside him, grabbed the hem of her dress and knelt just like Alexis. In contrast to her plain and modest attire, her hair shone white as if woven from silver thread.

“Yuria Beatrice, I greet the sun of the empire.”

She was so nervous that even her voice trembled. Alexis glanced at Yuria’s tense profile and smiled. She had done so well when practicing with him, but it seemed she had frozen up in front of the emperor.

“Hmm, so you are the saintess I have only heard of in rumors.”

The emperor smiled with interest. The Verca Empire had traditionally worshipped the goddess Gaia. As much as they believed the authority of the imperial family was bestowed by a god, the sudden appearance of a being called a saintess was enough to pique the emperor’s interest.

“Is it true that you can bestow God’s protection through prayer? How can one believe that?”

Alexis answered the emperor’s question in her stead.

“There is a mark engraved on Ms. Beatrice’s shoulder blade. It emits light whenever she prays, and this is a fact that has been personally verified by the Grand Temple.”

“You mean to say she was living outside the capital without even knowing she possessed such a power?”

The districts outside the capital were mainly inhabited by the lowly and the poor. They would sometimes risk entering the Black Forest to make a living.

Yuria had also been searching for food in the forest swarming with demonic beasts. It was then that she encountered the Imperial Knights, and the ability she never knew she had was awakened.

“I swear that it was thanks to Ms. Beatrice’s sacred power that we were able to miraculously survive. Of course, the concept of divine grace is intangible. But have we not returned like this, without a single person dying? I am the proof, and the one hundred Imperial Knights are the witnesses.”

There was not a hint of hesitation in Alexis’s firm voice.

“I believe it is only right that Ms. Beatrice, who contributed greatly to this victory, be rewarded.”

“I think so too. Is there something you desire? Speak.”

Yuria was so overwhelmed with gratitude that she could not raise her head. She bowed her head even deeper and spoke.

“How could I possibly dare to make a request of Your Majesty the Emperor?”

“Then is it all right if the crown prince and I decide as we see fit?”

“I will follow your will.”

The emperor’s smile deepened. He seemed quite pleased with Yuria’s obedient attitude.

“Very well, I will discuss it with the crown prince. You may be dismissed. Ah, and from now on, you are also permitted to enter and leave the imperial palace freely.”

Yuria barely managed to put strength into her trembling knees. After showing her respects to the emperor again, she cautiously exited the audience chamber without making a sound.

When a servant said he would escort her to the castle gate, Yuria nodded and let out a shaky sigh. Her stomach was still churning. Perhaps because she had been too nervous, she suddenly felt the urge to urinate.

Yuria’s round eyes darted about busily.

“Um, excuse me, but may I use the toilet?”

“The… toilet?”

Thinking she must have made some kind of mistake, Yuria’s face turned bright red. Her knees twisted on their own. It was embarrassing, but once she became conscious of it, she could no longer hold the urge to urinate.

The servant found Yuria a little pathetic.

My goodness! Just listen to that vulgar way of speaking. To ask for the toilet so openly like this!

Having only ever served refined and high-ranking people, the girl, who was far from graceful, just seemed boorish to him.

The servant deliberately told her the location of a faraway one. And at a rapid pace, too.

“If you walk straight down the right hallway, you will find a statue. At the fork in the road in front of it, walk down the west-facing corridor, and it’s the third room you come across. That is the toilet.”

“Ah… okay.”

Yuria just stared blankly at the right hallway in front of her. She had just heard it but couldn’t memorize it.

Even asking him to take her there felt like it would be an imposition. Yuria hesitated for a moment, then clutched the hem of her dress and quickened her pace.

And not long after, she regretted it. She should have just asked him to guide her.

It was because she had greatly underestimated the scale of the imperial palace. It was the first time in her life she had ever been to such a large castle, so Yuria quickly got lost.

She was sure she had entered the forked path next to the statue, but instead of seeing any rooms, only an endless gallery continued on.

“Is something the matter?”

Just then, a strange voice came from somewhere. Yuria’s head whipped around. A sense of relief washed over her at the fact that she had finally met someone she could ask for help.

Cecil clutched the book in his arms and approached her.