By Zephyria 
In the waiting room, Leo was busy examining Cecile’s swollen left cheek. The one who had been hit remained calm, while Leo’s gaze, filled with concern, flitted across Cecile’s face.
As the cloth pressed against the wound, Cecile, who had been holding up well until then, flinched and shuddered.
“Ah!”
“Ugh! I-I’m so sorry! That must sting, right?”
Leo jumped back, pulling the cloth away. A fine line of a scratch marred the white cheek, a mark from a sharp gemstone ring.
Leo set the cloth down for a moment and gently applied ointment to Cecile’s cheek.
“Goodness… where is it acceptable to hit someone? If you’re going to hit me, at least do it without leaving a mark… Such a precious face has been marred. I’m really upset about this.”
Leo muttered his impudent thoughts without realizing it. Cecile, with his eyes closed, let out a small laugh.
“Leo, you need to fix your habit of talking to yourself. One day, you’re going to get in big trouble.”
“What on earth were you thinking? You know the Empress’s temperament all too well.”
After the tea party, Cecile was summoned by the Empress and received a severe scolding. It was only natural. He had made a shocking declaration in front of the Senate about his preference for men. This was something even the Empress found difficult to manage.
The Empress’s attendants had closed the doors and windows tightly, but her shrill voice echoed all the way outside. The attendants waiting outside the Peridot Palace could only stamp their feet in worry for their master.
‘He must be crazy! How could he say such nonsense in that place!’
‘I’m not crazy, and my preference for men is an unchanging fact. Does hiding it mean it will be hidden?’
‘Don’t you understand yet? Cecile, you will become a disgrace to the royal family!’
‘What’s there to worry about when I’m just a figurehead of royalty anyway? What should I do about this disgraceful son? Should I just leave the palace? If that’s what you want, I can do that.’
Cecile didn’t flinch at all. Instead, he firmly established his stance and countered the Empress’s words point by point.
‘Be a little more reasonable. I have no interest in the throne. This is my life, and I will live it as I wish. I refuse to be swayed by you any longer.’
The Empress, who was used to having her son bow down and obey her every word, was on the verge of fainting when he met her gaze directly. Not only did she strike Cecile, but in her fury, she even fainted.
It had only been an hour since the Empress’s palace was turned upside down.
Cecile emerged with a red mark on his face, and the attendants hurriedly brought him to the Peridot Palace.
Cecile tilted his head slightly and looked up at Leo.
“You’re not as surprised as I thought? You’re not disgusted that I like men?”
Leo closed the ointment container made of wood, straightened his back, and pouted his lower lip.
“Well, that’s a personal preference, isn’t it? Does gender really matter when it comes to liking someone?”
“Hm. Surprisingly, you have no prejudice.”
“We are always on your side, so don’t worry!”
The attendants, including Leo, clenched their fists and nodded. Their gazes were so resolute that it felt like they would willingly stand in front of anyone who insulted their master as a shield.
Cecile let out a sigh filled with laughter. Having allies like this unexpectedly gave him a sense of security, even if they were just powerless attendants.
“Thank you for at least saying that.”
“Shall I bring out some fruit to lift your spirits? We just received some perfectly ripe peaches this morning. They smelled wonderful, and the juice was dripping from the flesh; they looked incredibly delicious.”
“Sounds good. I’d like to eat them in the garden if possible.”
“Not a problem! I’ll prepare it right away!”
Just as the Peridot Palace was regaining its liveliness, there was a knock at the reception room door, and the Emperor’s attendant appeared with his usual dignified expression.
“Cecile, His Majesty has summoned you to the audience chamber.”
“Of course… it wouldn’t be easy to let this go.”
Cecile stretched out his limbs and squeezed his eyes shut before opening them again. He then pressed down on the armrest of the sofa and stood up.
“I’ll go now.”
* * *
In the audience chamber, Crown Prince Alexis and the Minister of Foreign Affairs were already present, engaged in a close conversation that couldn’t be brought up at the tea party.
“The empire needs to increase its military strength beyond what we have now. Although we have eradicated the monsters, there’s no guarantee they won’t reappear, and we will need ongoing security.”
Alexis pointed to a spot on the map spread out on the table. Beyond a long line lay a dense forest—the very black forest he had just finished subduing.
“We need to repair the existing barriers and establish guard posts, sending elite knights to protect them. I believe around fifty men would be appropriate.”
“That means we need to increase the number of personnel that are already lacking. Recruiting and training knights is quite labor-intensive. How about replacing them with mercenaries instead?”
Creating a single knight required a significant amount of time, effort, and investment. Reading the Emperor’s concerns, Alexis smoothly responded.
“Mercenaries are not easy to command compared to knights. They often desert, and they prioritize their own lives over loyalty, making them unsuitable for forming a cohesive unit.”
“What does the Minister of Foreign Affairs think?”
“I share the Crown Prince’s sentiments. Although the recent diplomatic situation has stabilized considerably, the Kingdom of Kazarsan to the south remains a target we must keep an eye on. It wouldn’t be a bad idea to significantly increase the size of the knight order at this time, especially since we have just finished the subjugation. The reputation of the knight order within the empire is at its peak. If we recruit knights now, many talented individuals will likely flock to us. I believe this is the right time.”
“Hm. I see.”
As both sides aligned their thoughts, Emperor Arnold’s opinion began to lean in one direction. He tapped his fingers on the table, pondering, before speaking.
“Alexis, I’ve already assigned you quite a bit of administrative work. Can you also take responsibility for the knight order?”
“Everything is for the sake of the empire; how could I hold back? If you grant me your command, I will gladly lead it.”
“Very well. I will leave that matter entirely to you. Be sure to report on the progress without fail.”
“I will obey your command.”
Having received full authority to govern the knight order and significant administrative duties from the Emperor, Alexis merely bowed his head without showing any signs of joy.
‘It seems the Crown Prince is finally going to interfere in internal affairs.’
The Minister of Foreign Affairs clicked his tongue inwardly at this sight.
Given the long absence, the Crown Prince’s standing within the empire was still quite minimal. The only way to elevate it significantly in a short time was to seize military power.
The Emperor was likely not unaware of this fact; it seemed clear he wanted to empower the only legitimate heir of the royal family.
At this moment, the Minister of Foreign Affairs pondered which political line he should take. Would it not be right for him to also pledge loyalty to Alexis, who would one day become the Emperor of the Berka Empire?
“Your Majesty, how do you plan to handle the incident that occurred at the tea party earlier?”
Seizing the opportunity, he brought up Cecile’s matter.
It was a well-known fact that the Emperor held great affection for Cecile. It was also essential to confirm whether Emperor Arnold’s affection remained unchanged.
To this, the Emperor unexpectedly burst into a hearty laugh. His previously serious expression was instantly replaced with a smile.
“That boy, how audacious! Perhaps he takes after his mother; his spirit is anything but ordinary.”
It seemed the favoritism was still intact. The Minister of Foreign Affairs nodded, deciding that for now, he would straddle both the Empress and the Crown Prince.
“Alexis, what do you think? Do you consider Cecile’s unique disposition a threat to the dignity of the royal family?”
“I don’t see it as a problem as long as his conduct is proper.”
“Exactly.”
The Emperor nodded in agreement. He then turned his gaze to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, as if asking, what do you think? The Minister of Foreign Affairs forced a smile in response.
The Emperor leaned back against the plush sofa, idly fiddling with the beautifully crafted armrest.
“I’m considering allowing same-sex relationships. I’ll need to discuss the details with the Senate, but for now, that’s my intention.”
“If that is your will, then…”
“There will likely be an uproar. I would appreciate it if the Minister of Foreign Affairs could convey my intentions to the noble families in advance.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
Just then, a shout from an attendant echoed from outside the audience chamber. The person in question had arrived at the perfect moment.
As Cecile entered the audience chamber, he was slightly surprised to see Alexis and the Minister of Foreign Affairs already present. However, he quickly composed himself and lowered his posture respectfully.
“I, Cecile Adrian, greet the sun of the empire.”
“There’s no need for such formality. Come closer.”
At the Emperor’s call, Cecile slowly walked over. The Emperor, facing him closely, clicked his tongue.
“The Empress has done this to you.”
“I apologize, Your Majesty.”
“Have you applied the ointment? I won’t let you suffer any scars.”
The Emperor’s wrinkled hand grasped Cecile’s chin, turning his face this way and that. His brows furrowed slightly, clearly displeased at the sight of a wound on such a pretty face.
“I’ve heard the story. You fought well, didn’t you?”
“…I’m sure I’ve made you very uncomfortable.”
Cecile replied obediently, lowering his eyelashes.
“I’ll persuade the Empress for you. She’s someone who usually listens to me, so her stubbornness should break quickly. By the way, what made you say such things?”
“…I could no longer lie. I must always speak the truth in front of Your Majesty, right?”
“You audacious little thing. Do you think I wouldn’t know you deliberately revealed it in front of the nobles? You intended to make it impossible to take back.”
Cecile nodded, acknowledging that this was indeed true. He knew the Emperor wouldn’t be fooled by his flimsy excuses.
Then, feeling a bit shy, he widened his eyes. When the Emperor smiled at him, he couldn’t help but laugh, and sure enough, Arnold chuckled as he gently ruffled Cecile’s hair.
“There’s nothing to worry about. You have me as your father, the Emperor. I’ll make sure you don’t get blamed, so just relax.”
“Your Majesty.”
“If it comes to it, I can also make a move. Surely, there won’t be anyone who would dare to say anything against the Emperor engaging in same-sex relationships.”