By Zephyria 
As soon as Alexis returned to the Imperial Palace, he remembered how fiercely he had lived.
In the early days, it was particularly serious. Along with solidifying his position, he was also on high alert against Empress Elizabeth.
Expanding the knight order and establishing the Black Forest Guard Post were significant tasks for him. Having been entrusted with authority by the Emperor, he wanted to achieve the best results. Thus, he made every decision with great caution.
However, this time he would resolve it immediately. It was something everyone had already experienced, so there was no need for hesitation.
With the time he had gained, he invested all of it in Cecile. Lately, Alexis found himself frequently visiting Peridot Palace or lingering around wherever Cecile was.
“Good morning.”
Seeing the Crown Prince appear as usual, Cecile was taken aback.
He scanned the surroundings with eyes that seemed ready to spill over. He still couldn’t believe that Alexis was standing in his garden.
“Uh, how did you get in?”
“Over there.”
Alexis replied in a calm tone, pointing with a straightened finger to a corner of the garden. It looked like an ordinary area covered in vines, but if one felt around, there was a slight gap. In fact, a hidden passage leading outside was concealed there.
Cecile was even more astonished. The secret passage Alexis mentioned was a place only he knew. That’s why it was called ‘secret’!
“Still, you shouldn’t just come in like this!”
“It’s cumbersome to go through the proper procedures every time. Understood. I’ll make sure to enter through the main gate next time.”
“You must have come for some trivial matter again. I hope you won’t visit anymore. We’re not close enough to be seeing each other’s faces like this.”
Cecile’s tone was sharp. His eyes narrowed with a hint of annoyance. He had just sat down on a chair and quickly got up, striding across the garden.
Alexis caught up to Cecile in just a few steps. Standing closely beside him, he casually threw out a suggestion.
“Cecile, how about you learn swordsmanship from me?”
“No, thank you.”
“Why not?”
“I hate sweating. I especially dislike the possibility of getting hurt. And with all the guards around, why would I wield a sword?”
Cecile stopped his brisk steps. He turned his head sharply to meet Alexis’s gaze, which was fixed on him. He smirked, raising one corner of his mouth.
“Seems like you have some free time?”
Despite the sarcasm, Alexis only smiled pleasantly. It was as if he had anticipated Cecile’s sharp reaction.
However, perhaps he hadn’t expected the rejection, as he slowly licked the inside of his cheek with his tongue. A hint of discomfort showed on his face.
“I thought you’d be interested.”
“Not at all.”
Who likes swordsmanship? Cecile muttered under his breath, loud enough for Alexis to hear, and resumed walking.
Alexis watched Cecile’s retreating figure with a blank expression. He thought he understood Cecile well, but in reality, he only knew him superficially.
“Hmmm, this won’t be easy.”
A voice filled with a hint of sigh escaped him. Alexis followed behind Cecile, keeping his distance as if on a leisurely stroll.
During the afternoon class, Cecile kept rolling his eyes. Even Viscount Gerald’s enthusiastic lecture didn’t reach his ears.
His sharp gaze was directed at the Crown Prince Alexis, who was sitting on the opposite sofa. Of course, he didn’t disrupt Cecile’s class at all. He simply had a thick book open on his lap, calmly turning the pages.
The soft afternoon sunlight poured in through the large windows. The sunlight bathed Alexis’s head and face in a golden hue. From the outside, he looked relaxed and leisurely, as if reading a classic novel, but what he was currently reading was a densely packed military strategy book.
Alexis was deeply engrossed in the book. His blue eyes diligently followed the text, and his long fingers turned the pages slowly. A serene atmosphere surrounded him.
“……”
Cecile glared at him fiercely, then ruffled his bangs in frustration.
With Alexis so clearly in front of him, it was impossible to concentrate. This had to be a highly strategic move to disrupt his class.
Cecile’s gaze shifted to Viscount Gerald. He gestured animatedly, pointing at Alexis. Can’t you do something about that? Are you just going to let him be?
But Viscount Gerald merely shook his head in silent protest. What could he do? The other party was the Crown Prince of the Empire. Moreover, he wasn’t even disrupting the class.
“Now, we will have a quiz. If you don’t score over 90, you will have additional lessons, so keep that in mind.”
He discreetly handed out the exam papers he had prepared in advance. Cecile resignedly grabbed his pen. At least if he took the exam, he could end the class.
The condition of scoring 90 was quite harsh, but he didn’t care. Cecile straightened his posture and began solving the problems. His writing flowed smoothly and confidently.
Afterward, he crossed his arms and waited. Before long, Alexis also closed his book and watched Viscount Gerald grade the papers. As expected, he scored full marks.
When Viscount Gerald exclaimed in admiration, Cecile’s lips curled up slightly. With a proud expression, his gaze shifted slightly to the side.
Alexis showed no sign of surprise. Perhaps he had expected it, as his expression remained calm and unchanged.
“Thank you for your hard work today. You’re growing day by day.”
“You too, well done. See you tomorrow.”
The sound of chairs scraping against the floor followed in succession. With the class over, he was now thinking of returning to Peridot Palace.
“Cecile, wait a moment.”
It was Alexis who stopped him as he was about to leave. He grabbed Cecile’s wrist and led him to the terrace attached to the study.
“It must have been tough studying, so take a moment to cool your head.”
Cecile was speechless at the sight before him. The table, covered with a white tablecloth, was filled with cute and beautiful dishes.
Starting with a cream cake topped with ripe cherries, there were neatly arranged chocolate cookies around. Especially, freshly baked madeleines were piled in a basket, wafting the scent of butter and sweet vanilla.
Not only that, but the chilled sherry was bursting with its characteristic yellow bubbles, revealing its refreshing quality. Knowing the taste, his mouth watered instantly.
No wonder he had been smelling something delicious earlier. Cecile swallowed the saliva pooling in his mouth and let out a hollow laugh.
“What is all this?”
“I hurriedly prepared it, so it’s a bit lacking. But considering my sincerity, I hope you’ll sit for a moment…”
Cecile coldly shook off the hand gripping his wrist.
“No, thank you.”
“Don’t like it? Should I bring something else?”
Alexis carefully observed Cecile’s mood. It didn’t seem like simple whining. That made it even more problematic.
Cecile twisted his upper body slightly and glared at Alexis.
“What exactly do you want from me? There must be a reason for this.”
“……”
“I can’t even guess what you’re thinking, Your Highness.”
Alexis fell silent for a moment. The refusal was clearly evident in Cecile’s eyes. His fingers itched to caress the distorted face.
“There’s no reason. I just want to spend time with you.”
“……”
“So, Cecile, I hope you’ll accept my goodwill without suspicion.”
Cecile scoffed loudly. Is that even possible? Between us?
“I have no intention of doing that at all. It’s really uncomfortable having you hovering around me. Please stop before I mention it to Her Majesty the Empress.”
Cecile pushed past him with a shove to his shoulder. Alexis couldn’t bring himself to stop him, clenching his fists tightly.
A hollow laugh escaped his lips. Alexis was not accustomed to being rejected. Especially being shunned by Cecile, whom he cherished more than his own life, made his heart feel several times heavier.
Cecile’s defenses were more solid than he had expected. He hadn’t realized how difficult it would be to avoid misunderstandings and get closer.
“This is quite disheartening. Cecile, you must have felt the same way.”
He recalled the countless cold treatments and harsh words he had directed at Cecile. Why had he acted so desperately? Why had he occasionally worn a sorrowful expression? He finally understood.
Compared to what Cecile had endured, he was still just at the beginning.
Alexis wiped away his bitter smile and steadied his heart. In the end, time would resolve it. Although he hadn’t realized it yet, there was surely affection for him in Cecile’s heart. He planned to bump into him as many times as it took until he realized it.
From that day on, Cecile completely ignored Alexis. He exchanged basic greetings, but he didn’t care if Alexis lingered around, treating him as if he were invisible.
There was no way he would be hurt by such things. Alexis leisurely sipped tea while observing Cecile’s every move.
Currently, an official tea party hosted by the royal family was taking place. The wide, lush garden was filled with high-ranking nobles.
Among them was Marquis Valerie. The Marquis, who was puffing himself up, had a perfectly normal nose, mouth, and eyes. The fact that he had returned to the past was deeply felt.
Alexis covered his smile with his teacup. His blue eyes once again gravitated toward Cecile like a magnet. Suddenly, an unsatisfactory figure caught his eye. It was the old man who was sticking too close to Cecile.
“Ian, do you know anything about the steward of Peridot Palace?”