By Zephyria 
Similarly, the attendant who had been closely attached to Alexis bowed his waist. A whispering voice was conveyed.
“His name is Felix Montero. He has been serving as an attendant since Cecile entered the Imperial Palace, and he is one of the closest aides to the Empress. I believe he is a distant relative of the Empress.”
“…….”
“Do not pay him any mind. He is cunning to the core.”
“If you judge him that way, there’s no need for further assessment.”
Alexis’s eyes sharpened. He had been keeping an eye on Cecile’s attendant, who had been a constant source of irritation.
Felix was of an age where he could retire without issue. The old man, with his white hair, whispered sly words next to the much younger Cecile.
Most of it was likely the Empress’s orders. Whatever the content, it was clear that it aimed to lead Cecile down a bad path.
He could not just stand by and watch. Felix needed to be removed from Cecile’s side so that he could no longer wield his malicious tricks.
“Ian, there is something you must do.”
Alexis gestured to his mouth, giving a secret directive. The attendant’s face momentarily stiffened upon hearing this. Yet, as always, he nodded calmly.
Just then, Felix was spotted momentarily leaving Cecile’s side. Alexis immediately rose from his seat and headed toward the gathering of Peridot Palace attendants like flowing water.
In the meantime, Felix was busy glaring at the attendants and giving them orders.
“Everyone, pay special attention. Especially you, do not cling to Cecile. Who gave you permission to bring him Sheriju without my consent!”
“Cecile said he wanted to have it….”
“Who doesn’t know that? How foolish! Didn’t I say that anything that goes into his mouth must have my permission? No need for long explanations. You’re fired as of today. Pack your things immediately.”
“Attendant! Please forgive me just this once! I will never go against your wishes again!”
Despite the pleas, Felix was merciless. Just as he was shaking off the hand that clutched at his clothes, his swinging arm accidentally struck someone’s shoulder.
“Y-Your Highness!”
Felix turned around in surprise, his eyes widening. He had struck none other than Crown Prince Alexis. No matter how much of a mistake it was, it was a clear wrongdoing.
Yet, the Crown Prince staggered backward. Despite the light impact, Alexis retreated as if he had been struck hard.
In the end, he stumbled and bumped into a table. The tower of glass cups stacked like decorations wobbled in an instant. A foreboding crash followed.
Gasp!! Felix screamed internally. It was bad enough that things were in disarray, but the Crown Prince had been injured. His knees trembled from the overwhelming shock.
“Your Highness!”
“Are you alright?”
Nearby nobles rushed over to support the Crown Prince. Seeing the large shard of glass embedded in his left palm, everyone gasped. The flowing red blood looked ominous.
Alexis pressed a napkin firmly against his wounded palm. His furrowed brow did not ease during the process of staunching the bleeding.
“What kind of behavior is this from the Peridot Palace attendant?”
“I-I am so sorry, Your Highness!”
“I think so too. To dare injure a member of the royal family, this must be repaid with death.”
There was no hint of a smile on Alexis’s face as he looked down at Felix. This indicated that he would not let this matter pass easily.
Cecile, unable to stand by any longer, stepped forward. He was scared, but there was no one else to take a stand.
“It was an accident. Please forgive him just this once.”
“What if I cannot?”
“…….”
“Who will take responsibility for my injury?”
The cold gaze froze Cecile’s spine. The image of him smiling brightly while circling around Cecile felt like an act. Was this truly Alexis’s true nature?
Cecile clenched his trembling hands. He squeezed out the voice that wouldn’t come.
“I will take responsibility in his place. Please punish me instead.”
He had expected this response. No matter how many lives he lived, Cecile would never abandon his people. The sheer sense of responsibility and spirit of sacrifice welled up in him, almost bringing him to tears. Alexis suppressed his bitter feelings and threw the blood-soaked napkin aside.
“Even when your master goes this far, none of you are willing to step forward because you’re too busy saving your own skins. Can you still call yourselves attendants of the royal family?”
“Your Highness!”
“Expel all the attendants of Peridot Palace from the Imperial Palace! Ensure they never appear before me again.”
As soon as the command was given, Felix and the other attendants were seized by their arms. They were dragged out like criminals.
“Your Highness, please forgive me! Cecile! Cecile! Please!”
Felix’s cries were particularly desperate. Cecile watched in shock as they were taken further away. He couldn’t believe that all his people had been fired in an instant.
Alexis sighed as he looked at Cecile’s dazed face. He stepped closer and grasped Cecile’s trembling shoulder.
“I will replace your attendants with better people. Trust me and wait.”
Cecile slowly raised his gaze. The look in his eyes as he stared at Alexis was sharp.
“Is it not enough that you’ve cut off my hands and feet? Now you wish to keep me under your watch?”
“…I know it’s hard to understand. But.”
“Do as you please.”
Cecile forcefully shook off the hand that touched his shoulder. Then he left without looking back.
He wished he could have just exploded in anger. The contemptuous gaze lingered in his mind.
Alexis clenched his hands. Somehow, it felt like the palm that had been cast aside by Cecile hurt more than the one that was cut.
* * *
The next day, the empty Peridot Palace was filled with new faces.
Cecile scanned the attendants who had come in to greet him. Only six. And they were all inexperienced rookies.
“Your name is… Leo?”
“I will serve you with all my heart from now on.”
The new attendant bowed politely. Fortunately, their impressions were quite kind and gentle. There was a strange charm in their untainted innocence.
The only flaw was that they were chosen by Alexis, but at this point, there was no need to be picky. He needed someone to serve him immediately. Cecile ultimately decided to accept them.
“Cecile, isn’t the sky particularly clear today?”
“Indeed. It’s beautiful with not a single cloud in sight.”
“On a day like this, scones and clotted cream are perfect. I happened to bring some freshly baked ones.”
Attendant Leo skillfully set the table. The soft scent of butter soon wafted through the quiet garden.
“Well… I’m not particularly drawn to it, but considering the effort you put in, I’ll give it a try.”
Cecile wrinkled his nose slightly. He was trying to hide his good mood. He liked all the new attendants. Especially Leo, who surprisingly read his inner thoughts well. He was diligent, thoughtful, and quick-witted.
“Cecile! The new formal attire has arrived! Please take a look!”
Just then, other attendants brought in a pile of formal wear. They had been commissioned in advance for the upcoming Debutante.
Cecile sipped his tea while admiring the four or five pieces of formal wear. Each one was so splendidly designed that it was hard to choose. The attendants each offered their opinions.
“For a Debutante, white is definitely the way to go.”
“Your green eyes would look great with a gray outfit. It would also be nice to add plenty of accessories.”
“Gray isn’t bad. It doesn’t look too dull.”
Cecile nodded in agreement. The light gray outfit, adorned with a gold trim, exuded a calm and luxurious feel. It matched Cecile’s desire to appear more mature.
Felix would have never asked for his opinion. The former attendant always dressed Cecile as if he were a doll, without considering his preferences at all.
Why did he feel a sense of liberation? Cecile suddenly tried to erase the thought. Just then, one of the attendants approached with a jewelry box, providing a perfect distraction.
“Cecile, this is a gift from Crown Prince Alexis. He requested that you wear it at the Debutante ball.”
Inside the wide-open jewelry box were expensive accessories packed tightly. The light emitted by the gems was extraordinary, proving their value.
Wow! Even the attendants gasped in admiration. Cecile was left speechless.
At the bottom of the jewelry box lay a small envelope. Cecile, not even glancing at the jewels, pulled out the envelope first. He was more curious about the letter from Alexis than the gems that were everywhere.
–
To my dear Cecile.
The Debutante is coming soon.
Since it is a once-in-a-lifetime special moment, I hope you are well-prepared.
You will surely shine the brightest that day.
I do not know who will be by your side, but if you have trouble finding a partner, feel free to ask me anytime. I happen to be free that day.
I will be waiting for your response.
From Alexis.
_
Cecile crumpled the letter in his hand. A scoff escaped him.
“Ha! Do I look like someone so incompetent that I can’t even find a partner? I wouldn’t ask for your help even if I died and came back to life!”
Not knowing the content of the letter, Leo cautiously asked, glancing around.
“…Cecile, will you be sending a reply? Should I prepare a pen and paper?”
“A reply? Just return that cursed jewelry box!”
“Then, what should we do with the letter? Should I handle it for you?”
Cecile unfolded the crumpled letter again. He took in the elegant handwriting once more. His chest felt strangely ticklish.
“…….”
Just a piece of paper. Cecile had to tear the letter apart to hide his bewilderment.