SLDS 76

As always, there was someone by his side. Judging by her luxurious and glamorous attire, she seemed to be one of the noble ladies who had come to see the opera.

“Oh my!”

The moment she saw the faces beyond the curtain, the woman became frightened, bowed hastily, and fled.

Even though the woman he was enjoying a secret rendezvous with had run away, Killian just shrugged his shoulders without a hint of disappointment.

He now strode openly into the balcony. In fact, the scene unfolding before his eyes was far more interesting than a brief amusement.

“This is quite a peculiar arrangement, isn’t it?”

Killian pointed to each side with his index finger. He looked around at the three people sitting as if in confrontation and a strange smile graced his lips.

“Shouldn’t you switch seats? It looks like this side is more of a couple, doesn’t it?”

As if agreeing with his words, Larisa stared intently at Alexis and Cecil. Her expression showed that she was inwardly hoping they would follow Killian’s suggestion.

Despite Killian’s sudden appearance, Alexis remained composed, simply looking straight ahead. He took a sip of wine and spoke.

“It seems you have no consideration for the Princess’s dignity.”

“Ah, but this won’t do. You know how interested our Lala is in His Highness the Crown Prince.”

Killian clasped his hands behind his back and sauntered over. After surveying the sofas on both sides, he suddenly approached the side where Cecil was sitting.

He leaned down to meet Cecil’s gaze. Facing those exceedingly cold green eyes, Killian gave a sly, beaming smile.

“Why don’t we get out of the way so those two can have a nice, private conversation. I’ll entertain you in a much more fun way.”

“I have no intention of…”

“Come on.”

Killian suddenly grabbed Cecil’s wrist and pulled. With that strong force, Cecil was on his feet in an instant.

At that moment, Alexis grabbed Cecil by the waist. His arm, wrapped firmly around him, forced Cecil back down into his seat. Alexis, who had been feigning composure until now, glared at Killian with eyes that had grown chillingly cold.

“You are being too meddlesome. You cannot take him without permission.”

“Permission? Is this a matter that requires permission?”

“That’s enough. This is the Berka Empire, not Khazarjan. If you are a guest, shouldn’t you act like one and observe proper etiquette?”

“Ah… so you’re telling me to know my place?”

Killian muttered, sweeping the inside of his cheek with his tongue. A smile was still visible, but a fleeting, cold light glinted in his thinly narrowed eyes.

Cecil broke out in a cold sweat at the strange turn of the atmosphere. Judging by Killian’s reaction, he must be quite displeased right now.

“I’m sure His Highness Alexis did not mean it that way. First, I will move my seat…”

Cecil tried to stand up first, but he was forced back down the instant his bottom left the seat. It was the same when he tried again. Held by a force so strong he couldn’t budge an inch, Cecil lowered his head.

A large hand with smooth skin was gripping Cecil’s left hip tightly. Alexis was squeezing so hard that the white of his knuckles was clearly visible.

“……”

Why on earth is he doing this? Unable to understand, Cecil looked at Alexis. But far from offering an explanation, he was only staring intently at Killian.

He looked just like someone trying to keep his own possession from being taken away. Killian, who could not have missed this, grinned from ear to ear.

“Could it be that the rumored Saintess was Cecil Adrian?”

“……”

“The rumors were rife that the Crown Prince holds the Saintess in special regard, but I wonder if they were distorted.”

“Killian Ortega, watch what you say.”

Killian didn’t even bat an eye at Alexis’s warning. Instead, he stood in a defiant posture and began to mock him.

“I know that you are not usually of such a kind disposition… but looking at you now, I can’t tell who is receiving the Crown Prince’s favor.”

“I believe I have given you sufficient warning.”

Alexis shot up from his seat. Simply standing and facing Killian without any grand movements was enough to create an intimidating presence. Alexis looked down at Killian with a blank expression.

“Do you wish to test my patience?”

“Do you find this rude as well? I am not well-versed in the etiquette of the Empire.”

“It seems the etiquette of Khazarjan is always so lacking in class. If so, that must mean Princess Larisa is of the same level.”

“Do not speak carelessly about my sister.”

“You were the one who crossed the line first. I am merely paying back what I received.”

“You’re awfully defiant. Are you sure you can act this way toward me?”

“I think you’re mistaken about something. Khazarjan is merely on friendly terms with the Empire; we are not a party that must serve and defer to you.”

Alexis smiled coldly, and Killian also looked at Alexis with a scornful smirk. The tense strain between the two made even the onlookers anxious.

Cecil was simply bewildered by this situation. He knew Alexis and Killian would clash at some point, but the reason for that fight should have been Yuria. He had no idea why he was playing that role instead.

For now, the priority was to stop them before the fight escalated. He immediately stood up and squeezed between the two men, who were standing close as if in a standoff.

“Please, stop here. It seems both of you are more agitated than necessary right now.”

Cecil calmly took on the role of mediator. Also, for this moment, he let go of his ill feelings toward Killian and tried his best to act as affably as possible.

“I tend to be ill-mannered by nature. His Highness was merely disciplining me in advance, concerned that I might commit a rudeness to our guest, but you compared it to his most cherished Saintess, so of course he is displeased. Who would welcome such a misunderstanding?”

“Is that so.”

Killian replied in a much softer voice. He didn’t seem to believe Cecil’s excuse, but he appeared quite pleased by the polite demeanor displayed before him.

Realizing this, Cecil acted even more submissively. He tried to diffuse the atmosphere by smiling at Killian.

“His Highness Alexis said some harsh things because emotions were running high. But I assure you, he did not mean it. I hope there is no misunderstanding.”

Cecil felt the body touching his back grow rigid. He could feel through his skin that Alexis was suppressing his anger. He kept becoming conscious of him, but Cecil forced himself to ignore it and focused more on Killian.

“I admit I was rude as well. I understand why the Crown Prince looks after you. How could one’s heart not melt when you act so amiably?”

Cecil ground his molars and swallowed the nausea that was rising. But he maintained a bright expression on his face. He thought even to himself that his ability to stomach this was impressive.

Killian straightened his head, which had been tilted at a defiant angle.

Cecil Adrian, smiling gently the entire time, and Crown Prince Alexis, with an expression as cold as a sculpture carved from ice, made for a truly contrasting picture. It was the complete opposite of what he had seen until now, which piqued his interest quite a bit.

“For Cecil’s effort’s sake, let us both agree to erase today’s events from our memories. Let’s go, Lala.”

Killian gave a slight nod toward Larisa.

Perhaps because she knew the good atmosphere was already gone, Larisa obediently followed his words. But she couldn’t help her disappointment. Even as she left the balcony, she looked at Alexis with a gaze dripping with lingering attachment.

Once the Khazarjan royals disappeared beyond the curtain, Cecil finally let out a long-held sigh. He had been so tense that his palms were all tingly and he felt nauseous. He pressed the back of his hand to his mouth and turned around. Cecil still had a problem to solve.

“Couldn’t you have been a little more patient?”

“Are you saying it’s my fault?”

“I am not saying Your Highness was in the wrong. But he is a person who will be leaving soon anyway. In the future, when Your Highness rules the Empire, Killian will be ruling Khazarjan. Nothing good will come from having a bad relationship with him.”

Cecil replied softly in a listless voice.

He was truly exhausted. Wanting to lie down right away, he rubbed his weary face, but Alexis snatched his wrist and pulled him close.

Alexis looked down at Cecil with a face as hard as stone. As his eyes met Cecil’s, his straight eyebrows furrowed slightly.

“Do you know what pisses me off the most?”

“……”

“The fact that you groveled before that man, Killian.”

“You know very well that I didn’t mean it, Your Highness.”

“Yes, I know it was just lip service. I know you were cleverly trying to smooth over the situation. But you shouldn’t have done that in front of me.”

Cecil blinked slowly. He couldn’t believe it. This made it seem as if Alexis were jealous.

“I… I dislike Killian. No, it’s closer to loathing. What I did just now… was just an act for Your Highness’s sake.”

“Are you sure?”

“Of course. Who would like that trash, the scum of the earth…”

As he openly badmouthed him, the grip on his wrist loosened. Alexis let go of Cecil’s hand and took a step back.

“You truly have an outstanding talent for swaying people.”

The words that followed could be taken as either a compliment or a criticism. Cecil stared intently at Alexis’s face to discern his thoughts.

What was certain was that Alexis’s fierce eyes were now curved into a charming arc.

Cecil knew. Alexis never showed such a smiling gaze to anyone. Whether he intended it or not, he was deeply unsettling the person who had a one-sided crush on him right now.

✽ ✽ ✽

That night, Yuria came to visit the Saint Palace.

Alexis set aside what he was doing and spent time with her for a change, and they had a serious conversation.

What started as a discussion about life in the Imperial Palace naturally shifted to their relationship. It seemed the reason Yuria had come was to have this conversation.

“Your Highness… have you ever truly loved someone?”

Yuria, who had asked the difficult question, drove the point home once more.

“Do you love me?”

Alexis could not give any answer to this. There was only one answer Yuria wanted. All he had to do was say he loved her, even if it was a lie, but for some reason, his lips wouldn’t open readily.

He himself knew why. He cared for Yuria a great deal, but he knew that it was different in nature from romantic love.

But Alexis had a responsibility. He had promised to make her his Crown Princess without fail. Marriage was the surest way to protect Yuria. His own love was not something that needed to be discussed in that regard.

“Yuria, I promised to protect you for my entire life. Is that vow not enough?”

“I thought that was enough, too. But after coming to the Imperial Palace, I realized. That my heart and Your Highness’s heart are different.”

Yuria began to pour out the words she had been holding in without reservation.

“I know you care for me very much. Even if it may not be love, I could just pretend not to know and move on. Because you are someone who will keep his promise no matter what.”

“……”

“But I hate myself for constantly getting greedy. I can never be happy like this.”

Then she spoke with a resolute voice.

“I would like you to withdraw your promise to make me the Crown Princess.”

“Yuria.”

“I am no longer a child. I have become strong enough that I do not need Your Highness’s protection. I am telling you that you no longer have to be my guardian.”

Yuria conveyed her intentions firmly. These were not words spoken lightly. She emphasized once more that it was a decision made after long and deep consideration.

At that, a deep worry shadowed Alexis’s face. He could imagine how much Yuria must have agonized before bringing this up herself. It was entirely his fault.

“Won’t you regret it?”

“Not at all. I am already receiving more than I deserve.”

The child who used to risk her life gathering food in the Black Forest was now the revered Saintess of the Empire. She lived in the Imperial Palace and was treated on par with the nobility. Many people now stood by the side of the girl who had been an orphan.

She had already been repaid enough by Alexis. From now on, she had to step out of the Crown Prince’s shadow and move forward on her own.

“I want to continue staying in the Imperial Palace. I wish to be of help to the Empire, even with my humble abilities.”

Yuria forced a smile and wiped away the tears welling in her eyes.

“Don’t worry. I will be even happier than I am now.”

“…Is there anything I can do to help?”

“Could you keep this conversation a secret between just the two of us? It is more advantageous for my life in the Imperial Palace to remain as the person you favor.”

“You will always be my person. That will never change.”

“Of course. I know that.”

As Yuria smiled brightly, Alexis followed her with a faint smile of his own.

Still, he could not hide his feelings of sorrow. He was not unaware of how difficult it must have been for her to say this.

“I’m sorry.”

“I’m alright.”

“Nothing will change. I will always care for you.”

Yuria nodded as if in response. At the same time, she prayed silently in her heart.

She hoped that Alexis, too, could now lay down his burden and feel as unburdened as she did. She hoped that he would find someone to truly love, whoever that may be.

She prayed and prayed that a one and only person would surely appear for the Crown Prince, who always seemed lonely because he stood on higher ground than others.