By Zephyria 
As time passed, the empire had entered a period of stability, and the palace was experiencing days more peaceful than ever.
“Thank you for your hard work during this time. The lessons are now over. I have nothing more to teach you.”
Viscount Gerald, who had been in charge of Cecile’s private tutoring, closed the thick book and shared his thoughts.
“You’ve had a tough time as well. I feel sorry that my white beard has grown more due to having a disobedient student like you.”
“Ahem, that’s just a sign of aging, so you needn’t worry about it. More importantly, thank you for following my lessons so well. You possess excellent qualities, Cecile. I assure you, you will surely be a great asset to the empire. I will inform Her Majesty the Empress of this in detail.”
“She will be very pleased.”
Cecile replied lightly, maintaining his usual indifferent demeanor without showing much excitement at the sugary compliments.
Viscount Gerald went to report Cecile’s exceptional talents to the Empress. He mentioned that, unlike at the beginning of the lessons, Cecile’s skills had grown remarkably day by day.
No mother would be indifferent to her child’s brilliance. The Empress was immensely proud and could not hide her joy, thinking, “That’s my son.” She rewarded Viscount Gerald generously and immediately set off to meet the Emperor.
“Cecile Adrian will assist in the Emperor’s office from now on.”
At the dining table where everyone had gathered, the imperial decree was finally announced.
“Even though he is of royal blood, I cannot grant him a high position from the start. I have heard from the Empress that you are intelligent, but I must confirm it with my own eyes. Depending on your abilities, Cecile, if you do well, I may even appoint you as my advisor.”
“Thank you, Your Majesty.”
Cecile responded obediently. After all, assisting the Emperor was almost a matter of destiny.
Cecile had now become accustomed enough to his second life to distinguish between what he should avoid and what he should accept.
The Empress was overwhelmed with emotion, while the Crown Prince focused solely on his meal without showing any particular reaction.
After sharing some tea, they left the main palace. Cecile quickened his pace to closely follow Alexis. His long legs made it quite a challenge to keep up.
He finally managed to walk shoulder to shoulder with him. Alexis wore his usual cold expression, walking steadily with his gaze fixed ahead, but unbeknownst to him, he slowed his pace to match Cecile’s stride.
“You must be feeling good. I can’t say congratulations, though.”
“Yes. You should be nervous too, Your Highness. As you know, the Emperor is quite fond of me, isn’t he? It won’t be long before I rise to the position of advisor.”
“Very arrogant.”
Alexis replied with a smile. At first glance, their conversation seemed like a fierce exchange, but in reality, it was more like banter. The two continued to tease each other a few more times before parting ways at a crossroads.
That afternoon, Cecile secretly visited the Saint Palace.
Using a secret route known to only a few, he walked through the maze-like castle and encountered the Crown Prince’s attendant. The elderly attendant greeted Cecile warmly and opened the door for him.
As soon as he stepped inside, the strong scent of oil paint filled his nostrils. Cecile silently took in the scene before him.
Alexis was enduring the pouring sunlight while dressed in his uniform. Standing tall with his shoulders and back straight, holding a Long Sword in one hand, he looked almost reverent.
“You’ve come.”
Alexis did not scold the intruder who had entered without permission. Instead, he greeted him with a bright smile as if he had been waiting.
“…How far along is it?”
“Almost finished. No, it must be finished. There’s no more time left. Right, Enoch?”
“Yes… Your Highness. I will definitely finish it today.”
The court painter, holding a brush, concentrated with furrowed brows. He shifted his gaze between the Crown Prince’s face and the canvas.
Cecile slowly walked over to the painter’s side, bending slightly to glance at the painting on the canvas.
Although he had no eye for art, he could tell that the portrait of the Crown Prince was nearing completion.
The brush, dipped in paint, moved meticulously. With each stroke infused with concentration, life seemed to spring from Alexis’s hair. The platinum locks, bathed in sunlight, shone brilliantly even in the painting.
As Cecile observed the portrait with interest, Alexis, with a loose smile at the corners of his lips, asked, “What do you think?”
“It’s well done.”
“Is that all you have to say?”
Only then did Cecile straighten his bent back. Looking at the real, living Alexis outside the painting, he asked in return, “What more should I say?”
“Yuria was moved to tears at the sight of it, and Claude was left speechless. Even the attendant praised it as the best portrait ever.”
“I’m not that impressed.”
Of course, it was a portrait that anyone seeing it for the first time would praise. The problem was that this was not Cecile’s first time seeing this portrait.
Having seen it enough to engrave it in his memory, there was no room for emotion.
As Cecile continued to show his lackluster attitude, Alexis tilted his head and stifled a laugh. He then stepped out of his designated spot and approached him.
“Whoa, Your Highness! You mustn’t move yet! Just five more minutes, please!”
“I’ve already given enough time. Just finish it on your own. A chief court painter should be able to paint without the subject being present.”
Before long, Alexis stood next to Cecile, gazing at his own portrait. His expression was more like an inspection than appreciation, causing the court painter’s shoulders to shrink further.
Seeing the painter struggle to make a proper stroke, Cecile leaned in slightly and said, “Could you cooperate a bit to finish it?”
“You said it was lacking.”
“I didn’t say that. I said it was well done.”
“That was a compliment for Enoch.”
“Then why not just say the portrait is well done? What more do you want….”
Cecile suddenly had a thought and turned his head, wondering, “Could it be… do you want to hear that you’re handsome?”
“What do you think?”
“…….”
Cecile gaped like a goldfish, and Alexis burst into laughter. With a mutter that he hadn’t expected anything anyway, he bumped shoulders with him.
“Let me give you one piece of information: Enoch is meticulous and skilled, but he works very slowly. He puts all his effort into it. You should prepare yourself mentally.”
Alexis whispered, closing the distance between them so that their breaths mingled. He lowered his voice slightly, mixed with a hint of mischief so that the painter could not hear.
Cecile, feeling tense, replied, “…It took about half a year, right?”
“That’s right. Soon it will be your turn.”
Cecile nodded. Royalty typically has their portrait made in the year they come of age. In Alexis’s case, he had come of age in the Black Forest, so it was only now that he was having his portrait painted.
Standing in front of the painter for two hours a day, in the same place and the same outfit, was no ordinary labor. Moreover, he had to maintain this during the bright sunlight, which meant he had to carve out time even amidst his busy schedule.
That period lasted a full half year. Now that the Crown Prince’s portrait was nearing completion, it was finally Cecile’s turn.
Having experienced how tedious and grueling it was to have a portrait painted, Cecile was already feeling overwhelmed. He resolved to find a way to avoid it. With less than 400 days remaining, he hoped that his portrait would remain unfinished.
Alexis straightened his posture again and lightly tapped Cecile’s arm. He turned his back and began to walk away.
Following the unspoken command, Cecile walked in the direction Alexis was heading.
In the room filled with the smell of oil paint, there was another side door, and they exited through it, passing through several rooms and reception areas before finally entering the Crown Prince’s chamber.
As soon as Alexis entered his private space, he pulled the Seolleong rope. With a soft knock, the attendant appeared. In a place where intimate conversations took place, only the attendant who had served Alexis for a long time could be present.
“Recently, the Empress’s palace has been quiet. What do you think, Cecile?”
“The Empress knows that I have become close with Yuria. She hinted at it during dinner last night. I confirmed that we are indeed friends.”
Meanwhile, the attendant was helping the Crown Prince with his clothing. He carefully removed the blue silk sash and heavy jeweled accessories, diligently working to take off the Crown Prince’s uniform.
By the time Alexis had removed his shirt, he revealed his bare body, gently tousling his neatly combed platinum hair.
“So, what did she say?”
He showed no hesitation in exposing his skin in front of Cecile. It was only natural to undress since he needed to change clothes.
Cecile, however, was flustered, unable to find a place to look. He had seen countless bare male bodies through the knights. Yet, he had never felt so dizzy as he did now.