SLDS 73

However, Cecil could not rest easy. It was all the more so because he clearly knew what was going to happen, and he knew well how strict a person Alexis was.

No matter how thorough a plan he laid out, no one could know how the future would change.

“Promise me. That you won’t get angry at Princess Larissa even if your feelings are hurt.”

“What is the problem? Are you this anxious just because the princess’s pride might be hurt?”

“What I’m worried about is our diplomacy with the Kazalujan Kingdom. I do not want a conflict to arise because of this.”

“Your worries are quite specific.”

Alexis lowered his gaze. Cecil’s face filled the entirety of his lake-like blue eyes.

“Are you just imaginative? Or…”

Ever since he had first harbored suspicion, Cecil’s every word was being interpreted strangely. It was getting worse and worse. The assumption that Cecil could predict the future was gaining more and more weight.

Just as the silence was about to lengthen, Alexis flicked a curled finger against the top of Cecil’s nose. Thwack.

“Impudent brat. Who do you think you’re giving orders to right now.”

It was a rather forceful blow, and Cecil clutched the stinging tip of his nose. Even so, he pressed Alexis.

“Won’t you promise me?”

“I don’t like your attitude. I’m not even sure I’d grant your request if you asked politely.”

“…”

Cecil clamped his mouth shut and glared at Alexis. Who did he think he was doing this for? He clenched his jaw, trying to hold back the words he wanted to say, and a walnut-like wrinkle formed under his chin.

Watching this, Alexis’s eyes narrowed into thin crescents.

“Now, now, relax your eyes.”

“Forget it. Do as you please, Your Highness.”

“You’re so difficult. I can’t even joke around with you. Then again, there’s no way a joke would work on Cecil Adrian.”

Then, a smile spread across his relaxed lips. Alexis looked at Cecil with a much gentler expression.

“Do not worry. The things you are concerned about will never happen.”

“You promise.”

“I promise.”

Only then could Cecil feel at ease. With this, he had finished all he had to do. He slowly backed away, exiting Alexis’s personal space.

He grasped the office doorknob and offered his final farewell.

“It is getting late. Please get some sleep now.”

“Alright, you have a good night as well.”

Soon, Cecil left the office. As the surroundings grew quiet, Alexis, now alone, did not leave his desk and enjoyed the silence for a while.

He traced his mouth with his hand. The corners of his lips, which had been tensed, had been turned up for a while now. Alexis belatedly realized that he had been smiling the entire time he was with Cecil.

“…This is a problem.”

He muttered as he stroked his smooth lips. He was inwardly flustered by the expression he himself had not even been aware of.

✽ ✽ ✽

The Emperor’s birthday festival was now just two days away.

There were a total of three palaces prepared for guests. One of them was provided exclusively for the distinguished guests from Kazalujan. This was a clear example of just how special the treatment for Kazalujan was.

Cecil finished his preparations in the morning and visited the palace where Princess Larissa was staying.

She happened to be in the garden, spending a leisurely time. White muslin fabric fluttered under the bountiful morning sunlight, and Princess Larissa was lying beneath it, eating fruit.

“Good morning.”

Cecil sat on a wooden chair across from her and offered his greeting. Larissa, who was using the long sofa like a bed, simply nodded without even glancing in Cecil’s direction.

“The sunlight in the Empire is so bland. Sunlight is supposed to be hot enough to make your skin sizzle and burn, you know.”

“No place can compare to Kazalujan.”

“Still, I quite like the lavish treatment. I was a little annoyed when I heard you would be in charge of hospitality instead of Alexis… but well, I’m satisfied now.”

Larissa leisurely crossed her legs. The dress she wore had a plunging neckline and was made of a very thin material, revealing her voluptuous figure completely.

While it might be normal attire in the hot weather of Kazalujan, it was a bit embarrassing for the people of the Empire to see.

The palace servants fidgeted, not knowing where to look, while the servants from Kazalujan attended to the princess with matter-of-fact faces. He wondered if this was why they were brought along.

Even though the weather wasn’t hot, the princess’s servants fanned her constantly. The scent of thick perfume wafted over on the gentle breeze.

Cecil sat with his chin in his hand, gazing blankly at Princess Larissa. Her posture was somewhat revealing, but since he had little interest in women, there was not a single speck of lewdness in his gaze.

Only then did Larissa slightly turn her head. Seeing Cecil looking down at her, she gave a sweet smile and turned on her side. The way she loosely rested her head on her hand was as alluring as a sun goddess.

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

“Please, speak.”

“What is the Crown Prince’s type? What kind of woman does he like?”

Cecil let out a weary laugh. Larissa’s interest was remarkably consistent. He then straightened his back and leaned back as if burying himself in the back of the chair.

“You’ve picked the wrong person to ask. I’m not on very close terms with Crown Prince Alexis.”

“Hmm, a rival… something like that?”

“Let’s just say it’s similar.”

“What do you think about Crown Prince Alexis marrying me and leaving for Kazalujan? If that were to happen, a powerful successor to the throne would disappear… Are you willing to cooperate?”

“Give it up. It is an impossibility.”

“You won’t know until you try. I can persuade Killian.”

Cecil crossed his arms and smiled. It was a beautiful smile, but it seemed chilly for a moment.

“The next emperor of the Empire will be Alexis. That is a fact that will not change, no matter what anyone does.”

Larissa blinked her large eyes. Cecil’s firm attitude seemed to have caught her slightly off guard. She pushed herself up on the sofa and slowly sat up.

“I thought for sure you would agree with me… How unexpected.”

“It was an unfeasible proposal from the start. And above all, the Crown Prince has a woman he has promised to marry.”

“I know, was her name Yuria? A saintess, is she?”

“No matter how hard you try, Your Highness, you will not be able to steal his heart. It may take some time, but Yuria will become the Crown Princess. Why waste your time and emotions on something worthless? You are so young and beautiful, Larissa. There are more than enough men who will like you.”

“But there is no man I like as much as Alexis.”

Cecil pressed his fingers firmly against his brow. As expected, the princess’s stubbornness would not be easily broken. He swept back his bangs and let out a frustrated sigh.

“There is something I am curious about as well.”

“What is it?”

“Why do you like His Highness? You’ve never even properly gotten to know him.”

At that, Princess Larissa burst out laughing. Pfft.

“Why ask something so obvious? He is the perfect ideal type. He has the noblest bloodline of all, and he’s also the best swordsman in the Empire. And most of all, he’s handsome.”

“Are you aware that there are many handsome men in the Empire?”

“I have heard the rumors. Even you are quite high-level. Unfortunately, you’re not my type.”

Because I don’t really like men who are prettier than me, Larissa added in a coy tone.

Cecil gazed silently at the princess of Kazalujan. His firmly closed lips drew a captivating curve.

“Then it seems I have prepared something proper for you, Lady Larissa.”

“What is it?”

When Cecil gestured with his chin, the head servant Leo, who was waiting in the distance, understood the signal and moved.

Soon, people flocked into the garden. They were all tall men with handsome features. These were all young servants whom Cecil had selected after careful consideration.

Just last night, Cecil had summoned them to the Peridot Palace and instructed them to be conversation partners for the princess of Kazalujan, Larissa Ortega.

Just as he had expected, Larissa’s face visibly brightened. She seemed quite pleased with the handsome men of the Empire.

“We greet the Princess of Kazalujan.”

“It is a pleasure to meet you.”

When Larissa extended her right hand, the tall and handsome servants, as taught by Cecil, knelt on one knee and respectfully kissed the back of her hand.

At their formal etiquette, Larissa could not hide her satisfied expression. Their gentlemanly demeanor perfectly matched the ideal type the princess desired.

In Kazalujan, there was a custom where the higher a woman’s status, the more male lovers she kept. The number of lovers signified her capability.

The servants, thinking this was a golden opportunity as they could, with luck, become Princess Larissa’s concubines, resolved to approach this with sincerity.

They soon sat down, surrounding her. The servants of the Peridot Palace busily served tea and fruit, and in an instant, a tea party was underway.

Cecil also joined the conversation. No matter how good the atmosphere was, it was still their first meeting, so things were bound to get awkward. Whenever that happened, Cecil skillfully guided the conversation and made sure the focus was always directed toward Larissa.

Everything was going according to Cecil’s plan.

Fortunately, the princess was simply enjoying the moment without any suspicion. The topic of Alexis, which she had been asking about incessantly, had long since vanished from the conversation.

“Well, well, Larissa. Quite the harem you have here in the morning, huh?”

Just then, a languid voice abruptly cut in.