By Zephyria 
Alexis rolled the bracelet in his hand back and forth. The top-grade emerald embedded in the piece sparkled with a mysterious light, but his vacant gaze remained fixed on the lid of the jewelry box.
He had expected to some extent that the gift would be returned. What truly unsettled his mind, however, was Cecile’s debutante partner.
The daughter of Duke Harold was beyond reproach as a potential addition to the Imperial family. He remembered her as a woman from an excellent household, beautiful in appearance and possessing great intelligence. Empress Elizabeth had Cornelia Harold in mind as a match for Cecile. It was clear that the Empress intended to publicly display the relationship between the two through the debutante ball and actively push for their marriage.
Why, he wondered, was the claim of liking men not coming out this time?
With a deep sigh, Alexis pressed his hand against his weary eyelids. The mere thought of Cecile attending the ball with her made his chest feel heavy. It was a jealousy unbecoming of an adult.
“What should I do. I’m such a wretched human that I cannot wish for your happiness.”
He admitted it. He was not generous enough to simply watch Cecile be happy with another woman.
Sighs of lamentation escaped him repeatedly. Alexis tossed the bracelet aside carelessly and sank deep into the sofa. His insides were burning, and his brooding could not last long. Simply meeting Cecile again was not enough. He had to reclaim his lover as soon as possible.
A few days later, the grand debutante ball was held. The protagonists of the day were entering through the wide-open doors.
“Yuria Beatrice!”
With the sound of the horn, Yuria appeared. As she entered alongside the Duchess, exclamations of admiration erupted from the crowd.
Alexis maintained a stoic expression. While it might be a stunning sight to others, it was a recurring moment for him, and he felt no particular emotion. He looked away as soon as he saw Yuria enter safely. When he heard a voice searching for Cecile not far away, his indifferent gaze sharpened once more.
From the start of the ball until now, his attention had been focused on only one person. Unconsciously, he chewed on the inside of his lip.
Why is he… so pretty?
As expected, Cecile was radiant. Perhaps because he had swept his bangs back today, his delicate features were even more visible, and Alexis found it difficult to tear his eyes away from Cecile’s face. There was no denying that the formal attire and jewelry Cecile had chosen added a touch of noble charm.
Under that fervent gaze, Cecile occasionally turned his head. Sure enough, his eyes met Alexis’s.
What are you looking at? Cecile’s lips moved silently.
You. Alexis replied with a silent message of his own.
At that, Cecile knitted his brows as if annoyed. Even that irritable look was lovely and beautiful. Alexis rested his chin on his hand and wore a faint smile.
Once all the guests had entered, the ball began in earnest. Amidst the romantic music, those dancing and those enjoying conversation mingled together.
Cecile finally rose from his seat. After lightly adjusting his attire, he scanned the surroundings. He spotted his partner not far away. He approached Cornelia, who was wearing a light purple dress, and spoke to her.
“Cornelia.”
“I greet the Little Star of the Empire.”
Cornelia grasped the folds of her voluminous dress and gave a slight curtsy. Since they had already been designated as partners, their meeting was natural.
“You look very beautiful today.”
“You look wonderful as well, Lord Cecile.”
“If you don’t mind, may I ask for a dance?”
Cornelia readily took Cecile’s hand. Their steps together were smooth. Before long, the two took their place in the center hall and continued to dance to the tune of a minuet.
As they glided across the floor, they occasionally came close to other couples. Cecile suddenly glanced at a pair of people in his line of sight.
Claude and Yuria were dancing affectionately beside them. Cecile was puzzled. The Saintess was mingling with the Knight Commander? Where on earth was Alexis?
His bewildered gaze wandered toward the dais. He locked eyes with Alexis, who remained alone in his seat. Those ice-cold blue eyes were fixed on Cecile, refusing to let go.
It was a look bordering on resentment. Why on earth…? His bewilderment deepened. He tried his best to look away, but his gaze ignored its master’s will and kept drifting back toward Alexis. As if drawn by a magnet, all his nerves were focused on Alexis.
Consequently, his steps faltered. Cecile stepped on the hem of Cornelia’s skirt, and as Cornelia’s steps were thrown off as well, the two staggered together.
“…Ah, I am sorry.”
“It is quite alright.”
Having made a mistake when he should have been making a good impression, the tips of Cecile’s ears turned red. Fortunately, the music ended just then. Cecile swallowed a sigh and performed the closing bow.
“Shall we step outside for a walk? It feels… a bit warm in here.”
“I would love to. The Imperial greenhouse is famous for its beauty; would you happen to show it to me?”
“Of course.”
Cecile skillfully escorted Cornelia. As they crossed the ballroom, he felt a prickling sensation on the back of his neck for some reason, but he stubbornly ignored the persistent gaze. He felt he had to.
The greenhouse visited at night had a different charm than during the day. The sight of the quiet moonlight filtering softly through the glass ceiling looked quite lyrical. Cecile walked slowly, looking up at the ceiling.
“I once visited the Duke of Harold’s estate upon invitation. It was quite a while ago, but I remember Cornelia playing the piano in front of the guests. Do you still play these days?”
“It is my only hobby. My skill isn’t something to brag about… but I have continued to play steadily.”
“You should feel proud. It was the best piano performance I have ever heard in my life.”
“I am happy to hear you say that. I hope the day comes soon when I can play just for you, Lord Cecile.”
The conversation with Cornelia was reasonably comfortable. Though it was a dialogue steeped in etiquette, there were no awkward pauses. However, Cecile unconsciously let out a long breath. Cornelia, who had been walking with him, suddenly stopped.
“You seem to sigh often. Do you have something on your mind?”
“…Did I sigh again?”
“You didn’t seem to realize it, so I thought about pretending not to notice, but it’s been bothering me.”
Feeling awkward for having committed a breach of etiquette, Cecile lightly scratched his chin, though it wasn’t itchy.
“It’s not because of you, Miss Cornelia. It’s just….”
But he had no excuse to offer. Since he couldn’t even find the cause of his own restlessness, Cecile ended up sighing once more.
“I don’t know. My heart hasn’t been at peace lately.”
“Whether it is Lord Cecile or I, we are both moving according to the will of adults. Since we are in the same position, I understand.”
“Cornelia, you are more mature than I thought.”
“I think you are far more delicate than I imagined, Lord Cecile.”
Both let out a light laugh. As the atmosphere became more relaxed, Cornelia resumed her walk.
“When I was young, I boasted that I would never marry unless it was someone I loved, but as I grew, I realized what a vain dream that was. Do you know how many times my candidate for a husband has changed in the last few years?”
“…I wouldn’t know. I wouldn’t dare guess.”
“There were even marriage proposals from abroad last month. And now, as you can see, I have become partners with Lord Cecile.”
Cecile laughed aloud.
“Then it seems I have defeated some formidable competitors. Should I be honored?”
“I didn’t mean to take credit. I simply… wanted to tell you that I understand your confusion, Lord Cecile.”
“Then, am I a decent groom for Cornelia? It seems I can still hold onto the dream of marrying someone I love.”
“I gave up on love long ago. It is more important to find a companion who will be helpful to one another for a lifetime.”
“If that’s the case, we might actually be a good match.”
“I think so too… Oh!”
With a short gasp, Cornelia hurriedly performed her greetings. A deeply respectful salutation followed.
“I greet the Great Star of the Empire.”
She had no idea she would encounter the Crown Prince here. Cecile was equally surprised by the sudden meeting.
“Miss Cornelia Harold, I am sorry, but would you mind stepping away for a moment?”
Alexis spoke with his eyes cast down. His voice, though making a request, was full of dignity.
“I came for a brief rest, and it is inconvenient that there is someone else in the greenhouse. I know you arrived first, but I ask for your understanding.”
“My apologies. I shall take my leave.”
Cornelia bowed politely and turned around. Due to her hurried movements, her long hair, reaching down to her waist, waved heavily. Her departure from the greenhouse looked almost like an escape.
“You all leave as well.”
Upon Alexis’s instruction, even the attendants who had been hiding like shadows moved busily. ‘You all’ naturally included him. Cecile also intended to vacate the area.
However, his wrist was suddenly grabbed. As the grip tightened as if to crush the bone, Cecile frowned. He asked, twisting his waist halfway.
“…Why are you doing this?”
“Why are you trying to leave?”
Alexis gritted his teeth. He was currently forcing himself to swallow the jealousy that was rising up to his throat.
“Miss Cornelia is my partner. I must escort her until the end….”
“Do you like the Duke’s daughter?”
“Why must I tell Your Highness that? What does it matter to you?”
“Why wouldn’t it matter. You are….”
Mine. The words he couldn’t bring himself to utter remained lodged in his throat. Unable to even breathe properly, Alexis covered the lower half of his face with his palm and glared persistently at Cecile.
“I don’t wish to speak with you any longer. I will move out of your way, so please rest alone.”
“Don’t go.”
“Let go.”
But the hand gripping his wrist did not release, no matter what Cecile did. As the stark difference in strength became apparent, Cecile’s expression grew more fiercely distorted.
“I told you to let go!”
Cecile used all his strength to shake off Alexis’s hand. And it was the moment he whipped around. No sooner had he taken a step than his waist was seized. In an instant, his legs, which had been touching the ground, were left dangling.