SLDS 7

I was on my way back from the central archives.

I had heard the news that Yuria would be entering the palace today. I had no intention of seeking her out to say hello, but the moment I spotted her standing alone, the words left my mouth on their own.

“What are you doing here? You couldn’t have come alone, could you?”

There was no sign of a servant, let alone Alexis, anywhere nearby. As Cecil looked around, Yuria’s eyes trembled greatly.

“Uh… well, I.”

It was only natural. She didn’t know Cecil at all. When a stranger questioned her as if interrogating her, the innocent woman became thoroughly frightened.

“Are you perhaps lost?”

Yuria’s cheeks flushed so red it seemed impossible for a person’s face to get any redder. Fearing that he might think she was a suspicious person, she confessed honestly.

“I, I was looking for the… toilet.”

Now that she had said it out loud, she couldn’t bear the embarrassment.

Cecil, realizing her situation, let out a short, belated exclamation of, “Ah.” Then, without hesitation, he turned his body.

“Follow me.”

With that, Cecil volunteered to be her guide. Yuria, looking quite flustered, followed after him. As she kept up with his long strides, finding her destination within the maze-like imperial palace was a matter of moments.

As Yuria scurried inside and disappeared from view, Cecil stood in front of the door as if to guard it.

Just then, he saw a servant, who had come looking for Yuria, looking around the front of the corridor. When their eyes met, the startled servant hurriedly bowed. Seeing this, Cecil’s eyes instantly sharpened.

“You there. Come here for a moment.”

“Yes, Mr. Cecil. Is there something you need?”

The servant approached Cecil with scurrying steps. A disdainful gaze was fixed on the crown of the servant’s head.

“You came looking for Yuria, didn’t you?”

“…Yeees.”

“This is her first time at the imperial palace. Isn’t it only natural for someone to get lost if they are wandering this vast place alone without a guide? Why did you leave a guest unattended? Are you in your right mind?”

“Pardon? No, that’s not it. I was going to guide her, but… Ms. Beatrice left first, so…”

“And you expect me to believe that right now?”

His cold face was reminiscent of Empress Elizabeth. Knowing his prickly personality well, the servant didn’t know what to do and just kept bowing his head repeatedly.

He had only wanted to tease the country-bumpkin-like girl a little. He had planned to poke fun at her for a bit and then bring her along, but he hadn’t expected to get caught red-handed by Cecil of all people.

“I-I’m, I’m sorry.”

“Be careful. From now on, escort her properly.”

“Yes, yes! I will do so.”

Cecil waved his palm dismissively, telling him to leave. The servant, not wanting to miss the chance, fled as if running away. At the opportune moment, the toilet door opened, and Yuria revealed her shy face through the gap. She had been unintentionally eavesdropping on the conversation from inside.

“Um… thank you for your help.”

“Don’t mention it.”

Cecil smiled as he turned to her, as if he had never been angry.

It was truly a strange thing. In his previous life, he had been bent on tormenting Yuria, but now, he felt like he wanted to take care of her and give her one more thing.

“Use this.”

Seeing her w** hands, Cecil took a handkerchief from his pocket and handed it to her. Yuria accepted it gratefully and wiped the moisture from her hands. The handkerchief was very soft and even had a pleasant fragrance. She cautiously looked up at Cecil.

The man she was now seeing up close was, she realized with a fresh gasp, a breathtakingly beautiful person.

Despite being a man, his features were delicate and beautiful. His skin had an ivory hue, and he overflowed with a noble air, as if he had never done a day of hard work in his life. From the clothes he wore to his lofty posture, it was clear at a glance that he was of no ordinary status.

“If it is not too rude, may I ask for your esteemed name?”

“I am Cecil Adrian.”

“…Ah!”

“That’s right, I’m that Cecil Adrian.”

At Yuria’s reaction, Cecil smiled, his eyes curving gracefully. She must have heard about him from those around her, including Alexis. Of course, it wouldn’t have been a good impression.

“I am Yuria Beatrice. I greet the little star of the empire.”

Yuria belatedly tried to show her respects. Cecil waved his hand, stopping her greeting.

“It’s all right. What little star? I’m already a setting star.”

“I am very ignorant of etiquette. I failed to recognize a person of your high stature and committed a discourtesy.”

“I told you it’s all right. If anything, the person of high stature is you, Ms. Yuria. Follow me. I will guide you to the castle gate instead.”

Since he was also on his way out, he walked with Yuria, killing two birds with one stone.

As Cecil spoke to her without pause, the nervous Yuria also answered, albeit slowly. At some point, they were having a comfortable conversation, unlike two people who had just met for the first time.

“It’s strange. Mr. Cecil, you feel like someone I knew a long time ago.”

“Perhaps we met in a past life.”

Cecil replied with a light laugh.

Looking back, it was the first time he had ever had such a normal conversation with Yuria. He had always been on edge and only ever spewed malicious words at her.

He still remembered the last prayer she had offered for him. Perhaps it was thanks to that prayer that he had been able to meet the goddess Gaia.

The words “thank you” only swirled on his tongue. Since he couldn’t say it directly, he wanted to repay her kindness in another way. In Cecil’s way, in a way he was good at.

“I’ll help you a lot this time.”

“Pardon?”

“The imperial palace is a more arduous place than you think. You’ll be coming here often in the future, and it’s good to have at least one more person you know, isn’t it?”

As if his sincere goodwill was conveyed, Yuria’s lips formed a round curve. Just as she was nodding her chin, it happened.

“Yuria!”

Turning around at the loud call, she saw Alexis running quickly toward where they were. His expression was quite serious.

“Your Highness.”

“I told you to wait in front.”

“Ah, well.”

He immediately took care of Yuria first. Cecil, who was with her, was practically invisible.

“…I will be on my way now.”

Cecil hugged the book in his arms tightly and bowed his head toward Alexis and Yuria. He did not bother to ask after the well-being of the man who paid him no mind. He turned away without leaving even a small trace of lingering attachment.

Alexis did not let his guard down until the very end. Only after Cecil had disappeared outside the palace did he ask about the situation.

“Did anything happen? Did that brat do anything to harm you?”

“Harm me? On the contrary, he helped me.”

“Cecil helped you?”

“Yes. He even guided me here. He was so kind to me.”

Yuria, who had developed a great liking for Cecil in that short time, looked at the empty space with a completely dreamy face.

“He was a good person. And pretty.”

“What?”

“I’ve never seen such a pretty man in my life.”

It seemed Cecil’s appearance had played a part in swaying Yuria’s heart. Yuria had always liked pretty and beautiful things. For several years, she had been surrounded by nothing but burly men, so it might have been natural for Cecil’s face to be imprinted on her mind.

“Don’t be fooled by that face. You’ll be easily bewitched if you’re not careful.”

“Your Highness, why do you dislike Mr. Cecil so much?”

“Are you asking because you don’t know?”

“Just try to be a little kinder! Even if you don’t share blood, he’s still your younger brother.”

At her bold words, Alexis let out a hollow laugh as if dumbfounded. He soon pressed his forehead and looked out the window. The sight of Cecil’s confidently walking back entered his eyes.

You’ve really done it now, Cecil Adrian.

After sending Yuria off in a carriage, Alexis returned to his own palace.

The Saint Palace, which he had returned to after five years, had not changed one bit from before. Today, too, his servants greeted their master warmly. Moreover, a precious guest was also waiting for Alexis.

Duchess Vandel grabbed the hem of her voluminous dress and politely paid her respects.

“Olycke Vandel. I greet the great star of the empire.”

“Duchess Vandel, it has been a long time.”

“Please speak comfortably. This old woman is disappointed.”

“It’s been a long time, Nanny.”

When Alexis spread his arms, Duchess Vandel approached with a bright smile, as if she had been waiting. The two embraced and shared a happy reunion.

“My goodness! What happened in five years for you to have grown so much? The last time I saw you, you still seemed like a boy… you’ve become a proper man.”

The duchess clicked her tongue at Alexis’s build, which she could not fully encircle with her two arms. Not only had he grown much taller in five years, but his frame had also broadened, making it difficult to even recall the cute crown prince of his childhood.

“You’ve gotten a bit older, Nanny.”

“Of course, I have! My wrinkles have only increased every year with worry for Your Highness and my son.”

“But you’re still beautiful, so don’t worry.”

Alexis personally led the duchess. It had been a long time since he had met someone like family, so there was much to talk about.

While they were having tea. Duchess Vandel looked at the handkerchief in Alexis’s hand with a quizzical expression. The crown prince had been glaring at the handkerchief with a serious look for some time.

“Is there a problem with that handkerchief?”

“I was wondering how I should return it.”

He had just taken the handkerchief that Yuria had borrowed. He had no intention of letting them meet again using the handkerchief as an excuse.

Alexis stared at the handkerchief and asked.

“In your opinion, Nanny, is Cecil on the pretty side?”

“All of a sudden?”

“I was a little surprised. As I remember, that kid… was a really small and scrawny little boy. But when I came back after five years, he had grown up so much.”

“He has grown a lot as well. As for his looks, he was pretty since he was a child. Wasn’t he like a doll?”

“He was. But now, it’s like…”

The duchess, as if she had read Alexis’s thoughts, took a sip of tea and then smiled sweetly.

“He is the spitting image of Her Majesty the Empress.”

“Ha, right. That’s the biggest problem.”

Alexis rubbed his eyes with his empty hand. Only then did he find the reason for the uneasy feeling he got whenever he saw Cecil.

He had heard later that a great deal of effort had gone into the banquet. He also learned later that separating the guests had been Cecil’s arbitrary action.

It probably hadn’t been with impure intentions. It must have been an action taken simply to not get on his nerves.

Alexis tossed the handkerchief onto the table and sighed.

“It’s a pity. As long as he has inherited that face, he won’t hear anything good from me.”

He knew Cecil was trying hard to gain his favor, but Alexis had no desire to keep Cecil close.

What could be done? He had no choice but to blame his mother.