By Zephyria 
The sudden visit of the Crown Prince sent the knights into a panic.
Without any specific orders, everyone stopped what they were doing and rushed over. As nearly a hundred knights gathered, a majestic scene unfolded. The air was thick with tension.
Alexis quickly scanned the assembled knights. A slight irritation flickered across his face as he rested his hands on his hips. This was because he could not find the face he was looking for.
“Where is Maxwell?”
Claude quickly asked the deputy commander. The deputy commander was also frantically searching for Rocco, who was nowhere to be seen.
“Well… he should be at the quarters. Why hasn’t he come out…?”
Even though His Highness the Crown Prince had arrived, Rocco’s absence was making the deputy commander anxious. He gestured to the knights standing nearby. The quick-witted knights broke formation and headed towards the quarters to fetch Rocco.
However, they returned shortly with bewildered expressions.
“He’s not inside.”
“What do you mean? Where did he go?”
They whispered among themselves, unable to report back. But Alexis, being sharp, was not oblivious to this.
His piercing gaze swept over the crowd and the training grounds. It was unacceptable for a situation to arise within the palace, especially within the knight order, that was not under control.
“Find him.”
A brief command was issued. The elite knights among the order moved in perfect unison.
They quickly formed teams and began their search. No matter how vast the palace was, elite knights could find even a rat hiding in the sewers.
About thirty minutes later, news came that Rocco had been found.
The problem was that he was discovered in a completely unexpected state. Deep within the palace, in an abandoned forest path where sunlight barely reached.
Alexis stared at the lifeless body hanging from a tree branch.
Having spent five years in the Black Forest, he had seen countless corpses. There were many sights more horrific than this.
But he had never seen a body so pitiful and wretched as this. Rocco Maxwell’s face, turned pale, was etched with the terror of someone on the brink of death, reflecting how much he had suffered and feared.
“I apologize, Your Highness. I should have been more vigilant… I will accept any punishment.”
“Bring the body down immediately.”
Alexis bit his lip. Although he had preserved the scene until his arrival, he could not tolerate leaving a suicide victim unattended for so long.
As soon as the order was given, the knights, without exception, lent a hand. They swiftly cut the thick rope and laid Rocco’s body on the ground, covering it with a white cloth.
During the cleanup, a somber expression spread across the knights’ faces. It was due to the guilt of having driven a comrade to death.
“It seems he left a note.”
Claude handed over a piece of paper. While Alexis checked the contents of the note, he surveyed the chaotic surroundings. Claude’s face was also filled with worry.
“What should we do with the body?”
“Call for the coroner. Seal off the area and confirm the cause of death once more.”
Although it seemed clear it was a suicide, Alexis ordered an autopsy. This was to investigate any possibility of foul play that might exist.
“Yes, Your Highness.”
Claude immediately complied. The knights who received his orders began to move busily again.
No matter how secluded the place was, it was still within the palace.
The unprecedented suicide incident spread like wildfire. As onlookers gathered, someone approached the knights trying to keep them at bay. It was Cecile, her face pale.
“…Is he really dead?”
“I’m sorry, Lady Cecile. You cannot enter.”
The deputy commander spoke politely, but his posture revealed a thorough wariness as he blocked her way with his arms.
“Step aside. I need to see for myself.”
“There’s nothing good to be gained from seeing the body.”
“I commanded you to move aside.”
A short command fell from Cecile’s lips. Her voice, devoid of excitement or agitation, carried a sharpness that could not be defied. The deputy commander hesitated and slowly lowered his arms.
Cecile walked straight in and stood before the crowd gathered around the body. The white cloth had been removed for the ongoing autopsy, revealing Rocco’s lifeless form.
“……”
The blue-tinted skin, the clear rope marks on his neck, and the long tongue hanging out of his mouth were more surreal than she could have imagined. Yet, Cecile steadfastly etched the sight into her memory.
Her tightly clenched fists trembled, but she did not avert her gaze. Once the autopsy was complete, Claude gently closed Rocco’s bloodshot eyes. After that, Cecile finally managed to turn her head away.
She locked eyes with the man standing under a wooden pillar, exuding his unique presence.
Alexis had been watching Cecile the entire time, so their eyes meeting was inevitable. Cecile did not shy away and stared directly at Alexis.
It was Alexis who moved first. He walked over to Cecile and handed her the note.
“I thought you should read this.”
“……”
Cecile silently accepted the note and began to read. The shabby piece of paper contained Rocco’s final words he wished to leave behind. It expressed his pain and included an apology to Cecile.
[An insignificant person has dared to wound your precious self. Though you have tolerated this, I have struggled day by day under the unbearable weight of guilt. I hope to repay it with my death.]
Cecile squeezed her eyes shut and then opened them again. After reading it all, she returned the note to Alexis.
“…So it has come to this.”
Alexis took the note back and scrutinized Cecile closely. Her face was pale and devoid of color, but there was no expression on her face, making it difficult to read her feelings.
“Were you close to him?”
“No.”
“Then why were you so concerned?”
When Alexis pressed again, Cecile let out a hollow laugh.
Discussing this matter was tiresome. More than anything, the timing was far too late. What significance did it hold now that Rocco was dead?
“You wouldn’t understand.”
Claude, unable to contain himself, stood up in anger. No matter how royal he was, there was a clear hierarchy between the Crown Prince and Cecile. He was about to say something when a straight palm stopped him.
Alexis, holding Claude back, continued speaking.
“Rocco Maxwell has not yet been officially appointed, but he will receive a funeral befitting a knight. I promise to provide appropriate compensation to his family as well.”
“……”
Cecile looked up at the face before her. Soon after, she let out a hollow sigh.
“Do as you please. It no longer concerns me.”
As she turned to leave, her legs gave way, and she stumbled. Alexis instinctively grabbed her wrist. The warmth was starkly felt. Cecile slowly shook off his hand and turned her back without hesitation.
Alexis opened his left hand. It was only natural that Cecile had been avoiding him since the incident.
In fact, he had even wanted this, yet an unsettling feeling settled within him.
* * *
After the incident of Rocco Maxwell’s suicide, Cecile’s behavior changed noticeably.
She no longer approached Alexis, and the people she met were limited. Most were close aides of the Empress.
This was not strange. Rather, it was normal, and it was the way Cecile Adrian had previously behaved.
Empress Elizabeth was delighted, believing that Cecile had finally regained her senses. How frustrating it had been for her to merely follow Alexis around, playing the role of an unsuitable subordinate.
“I heard that the Minister of Protocol has made a significant profit from the gold mine business recently.”
Tristan cautiously reported the information he had heard to the Crown Prince.
One of the primary duties of the chief aide was to sift through rumors circulating in social clubs that might be beneficial to the Crown Prince.
Upon hearing this, Alexis dismissed it with a casual smile.
“That’s quite a talent.”
“Surprisingly, it was Lady Cecile who encouraged the investment.”
The story, which had not piqued his interest much, suddenly struck him like a blow to the head. Alexis wiped the smile off his face and asked.
“What does she know?”
“Apparently, everyone had a similar reaction at first. But interestingly, every suggestion she made turned out to be a good opportunity. The Minister of Protocol seems to have tried investing as a test, and it was a huge success, making waves among the nobility.”
“……”
“They’re seeking Lady Cecile more than the successful financial accountants. Every casual remark she makes turns into money rolling in.”
“Is that even possible?”
“Rumor has it that she must have received some divine revelation or something…”
Alexis scoffed in disbelief. It was nonsensical. It must have been a coincidence or perhaps she had received information from the Empress in advance.
The Cecile he had seen all along was not foolish at all. Rather, when she set her mind to it, she was eloquent enough to captivate people and seemed adept at handling others, far beyond her years. Alexis was convinced that this was Cecile’s true nature.
“It seems she has finally decided to stop pretending.”
He was extremely curious about how she would come out now.
“Dig deeper. From now on, make sure to report all news related to Cecile to me.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
Afterward, Tristan began to mention other matters as well. Although they were important topics, Alexis’s interest remained fixated on the earlier conversation.
His gaze was stuck on the empty desk, unmoving. It would have been easier to watch it right in front of him.
The absence of a presence began to gnaw at him like a hangnail.