SLD 51

“Cecile Adrian makes such mistakes too. He really is human after all.”

Alexis threw a playful jab and helped Cecile to his feet. By now, Yuria and Claude had also approached closely. Yuria gently brushed the grass off Cecile’s clothes and cautiously asked,

“Are you hurt anywhere?”

“…No, I’m fine.”

It was at that moment that Cecile, rubbing his warm cheeks, took a deep breath. Alexis, who had been watching him intently, crossed his arms and adopted a sulky posture.

“Cecile, walk.”

“What?”

“I said walk.”

Caught off guard by the vague command, Cecile hesitated for a moment but then took a few steps as instructed. However, the moment he took a couple of steps, he froze.

“…Ah.”

A dazed sound escaped Cecile’s lips. He had just now felt a twinge in his left ankle. Embarrassed, he hadn’t even realized the pain in his ankle until now.

“I’ll take a look.”

Claude quickly knelt down and touched Cecile’s left ankle.

He felt a slight warmth around the malleolus, and there were subtle signs of swelling. Claude pressed gently around the ligaments.

“Does it hurt?”

“…A little.”

Cecile, who was leaning on Claude’s shoulder, frowned slightly. It did hurt when pressed, but it wasn’t to the point where he couldn’t walk; it was just a bit uncomfortable.

“It seems you twisted it when you fell. It’s not a serious injury, but it would be best to call the Court Physician to check it out.”

“Yes. As soon as we return to Peridot Palace, we should…”

“Get on my back.”

Alexis’s stern voice abruptly cut off the conversation. At the same time, three faces turned towards him. A stunned Claude, a worried Yuria, and a pale-faced Cecile. All of them clearly showed their surprise at the Crown Prince’s words.

“Your Highness, I will carry him to the palace.”

Claude actively protested, insisting that he could not allow the Crown Prince to perform such an undignified act.

There were plenty of sturdy guards around, so carrying Cecile was not an issue at all.

“Are you planning to spread the news that Cecile is injured throughout the palace? If the Empress finds out, she won’t just sit quietly. I’ll be using the path through Rias, so keep that in mind.”

The path through Rias was a secret walkway accessible only to the royal family. While it had the advantage of connecting to the seven main palaces through various forks, it was rarely used because it required a long detour.

Today’s dinner was also conducted in secrecy. Given the already tense situation with the Empress, adding any unpleasant news would only provide her with more ammunition. Alexis pointed this out, and Claude had no choice but to agree.

“I will ensure Yuria gets home safely.”

“That sounds good.”

As the situation progressed without regard for his own wishes, Cecile’s complexion grew increasingly pale. Eventually, he saw Alexis kneeling in front of him, offering his broad back, and he sighed, pressing his forehead against his hand.

“There’s no need for this. I’m perfectly fine. I can walk.”

“The longer you resist, the longer you’ll be bending over in front of the guards.”

“……”

Alexis’s broad back showed no signs of moving aside. Cecile absentmindedly glanced around.

The guards lined up along the forest path were desperately looking down at the ground, trying not to meet Alexis’s gaze. However, the reality that the Crown Prince was kneeling and bending down could not be hidden.

“…Sigh.”

Cecile realized that the dreadful standoff would only end if he gave in. He wrapped his arms around Alexis’s squared shoulders and leaned his upper body against him. Meanwhile, his heart was racing uncontrollably, making him feel utterly frustrated.

“Let’s go.”

As the weight on his back increased, Alexis immediately stood up. He adjusted Cecile slightly and began to walk. His steps were steady, as if he were carrying a full-grown man with ease.

The path through Rias was devoid of even the shadow of an ant.

On either side, thick vines grew tall enough to surpass an adult’s height, serving as a natural fence, while clusters of light purple wisteria flowers hung down like grapes above their heads. It was a night where moonlight gently seeped through the branches and stems.

If they had been lovers walking together, it would have been an incredibly romantic path, but unfortunately, the two remained silent. In the stillness, only the sound of Alexis’s footsteps echoed softly.

Cecile, unable to bear the awkwardness, twisted his waist. With only his arms draped over Alexis’s shoulders, his posture became increasingly uncomfortable.

“Hold on properly; if you fall off here, your head will be smashed.”

Immediately, a sharp voice shot back. It was as if Alexis had eyes on the back of his head; he quickly noticed Cecile’s discomfort.

“……”

Cecile tightened his grip around Alexis’s shoulders and pressed his chest against his back. He was afraid that his pounding heart would be transmitted to Alexis, so he squeezed his eyes shut and tried to reassure himself.

“Come to think of it, I met you here once.”

Alexis, who had been walking with his eyes straight ahead, suddenly spoke.

“Here? I don’t remember.”

“It was a long time ago. It was probably when you had just entered the palace. I was quite surprised to see a child younger than me for the first time.”

If it was right after entering the palace, Cecile would have been only five years old, so it was no wonder he didn’t remember.

“I think you wandered in here all alone. Do you know what you said to me when you saw me, crying in fear?”

“…What did I say?”

“Prince.”

Cecile was taken aback. His face immediately flushed with embarrassment. No matter how childish his actions were back then, the shame was something his future self had to bear entirely.

Alexis chuckled softly and continued.

“It seems even that little child thought my status was high. You asked me if I was the prince who had come to save you, right? With snot running down your face.”

“…And what did you do, Your Highness?”

“I scolded you, telling you I was the Crown Prince, not just a prince.”

“How cruel of you.”

“Well, I was annoyed with you. You and Empress Elizabeth suddenly appeared, and I found it quite irritating. I was a child too, and I was immature. I took it out on you, who was even younger.”

“It couldn’t be helped.”

“But you, for some reason, smiled through your tear-streaked face. You reached out your little hand and ran towards me. I think you asked me to hold you because you were scared. You fell after just a few steps, though.”

As if recalling that moment, Alexis chuckled softly.

Cecile, who was being carried on Alexis’s back, looked at the solid nape of his neck and the short hair at the back of his head, biting his lips tightly.

“You were cute. The fact that I still remember it means it must have been an unforgettable memory for me too.”

“Please forget it now. I beg you.”

“Who would have thought that such a cute child would grow up to be so cold? Of course, you still fall just as easily.”

Alexis adjusted Cecile once more. His slender body lifted off the ground and settled lightly on Alexis’s back. It suddenly struck him that he had grown up. So much time had passed, and both of them had become adults.

“I wish we could have spent our childhood like this. It feels a bit regrettable that time has passed.”

“It must have been difficult. Everything that has happened only served to diminish any fondness I had.”

Since the death of the late Empress, Crown Prince Alexis had grown up amidst countless constraints and an unfathomable sense of unease. It had been over ten years since his position as Crown Prince had been threatened.

Not to mention, he must have heard news of Empress Elizabeth from the Black Forest as well. While he fought for his life, the Empress was gradually encroaching on his position, making each day feel like he was on the edge of a cliff.

Cecile was also one of those who had pushed Alexis to the brink. Although it was an act born from misguided affection, he would have to atone and reflect for the rest of his life.

“After all, it’s all in the past. Look at us now. Haven’t we grown closer?”

“…I will do my best.”

“Of course. You like me, don’t you?”

As the teasing remark filled his ears, Cecile tightened his grip around Alexis’s solid shoulders. For some reason, his eyes felt warm, and he had to bury his face in his arm.

This was enough. What more could he wish for? Just the fact that Alexis embraced him was more than enough for Cecile to live the rest of his life.

Feeling Alexis’s warm body and the rhythm of his breathing, he struggled to squeeze out his answer.

“Yes, I like you.”