By Zephyria 
Side Story 2
Cecile’s eyes narrowed further. He cast a brief glance at Alexis and spoke in a calm, measured tone.
“Your Majesty, you should have had that conversation where I wasn’t present. How can you badmouth someone when the person in question is standing right in front of you?”
“Is this also considered badmouthing?”
“If it is the truth, but hearing it doesn’t feel particularly pleasant, then yes, it is badmouthing.”
“I apologize.”
Tristan blinked, stunned. He couldn’t believe his own eyes, seeing Emperor Alexis completely wrapped around the Empress’s finger.
In the social clubs, there were many who claimed the relationship between the two was a political union or a marriage of convenience. Since same-sex marriage was uncommon, people suspected there was some ulterior motive.
However, Alexis’s gaze was filled with an unmistakable affection. If this wasn’t love, what was!
Eventually, Alexis tried to feed Cecile a piece of cake. Cecile snapped at him to exercise some restraint since they were in public. Both of them were engaged in an affectionate bicker, completely oblivious to Tristan’s presence.
Finally, having managed to feed Cecile a bite of cake as he desired, Alexis smiled with satisfaction and set down the empty fork.
“That aside.”
The smile on his lips faded, and the Emperor’s natural, indifferent tone returned.
“Why have you been staying cooped up at home all this time without doing anything?”
“…Pardon?”
“I am asking why you did not apply for a position in the internal affairs office.”
For a moment, Tristan’s mind went blank. Unable to delay his answer to the Emperor’s question, he hurriedly bowed his head and replied.
“I heard that it is very difficult to be appointed to the cabinet. My family submits applications every year, but….”
“The one submitting the applications is the eldest son of the Dyke family, not you.”
“…….”
“I understood you to be a quite enterprising individual; was I mistaken? Were you someone who could do nothing without the help of your family?”
It was a point that left him speechless. Above all, it was simply shocking that the Emperor was aware of such personal details. Tristan pressed his trembling lips together.
“Actually… I was planning to apply secretly around the end of this year.”
“Too late. You’ve already wasted several years. I cannot wait any longer.”
Alexis leaned back leisurely with his arms crossed.
“We are short-staffed, Tristan Dyke. Report to the Imperial Palace starting tomorrow.”
“…Pardon?”
“I shall appoint you as my Chief Aide. Once you enter the palace tomorrow, collect your formal appointment letter.”
Tristan’s jaw dropped. It was a dream-like proposal.
“Me? As the Emperor’s Chief Aide?”
“Until now, Cecile has been fulfilling the role of the aide. Because of that, we were so busy that we didn’t even have the leisure to enjoy the joys of newlyweds. Therefore, enter the palace promptly and share the workload with Cecile.”
While Tristan was half-out of his mind, Cecile tilted his teacup. This was entirely Alexis’s doing. Cecile shook his head slightly, wondering how much more bewildered the other man must be, since even he couldn’t understand the reasoning.
“Cecile will handle the handover for you. I hope the two of you will consult with each other and assist me in my work moving forward.”
“With the Empress….”
Cecile set his teacup down firmly and spoke.
“No ‘Empress’ allowed.”
“…….”
“I don’t care about anything else, but do not say that in front of me. Call me Lord Cecile instead. I have warned you clearly, so I hope you will be mindful of this in the future.”
Tristan felt a chill. One thing was certain: the Empress’s spirit was no ordinary thing. He had an intuition that, whatever the reason, he would clash frequently with Cecile while working together. However, it was true that he was drawn to the position of Chief Aide.
“I am deeply moved that you would grant me such a prestigious position. But… based on what part of me?”
“I am already aware of your outstanding abilities. There is no need for verification.”
Even after hearing the Emperor’s words, Tristan still looked bewildered. Alexis smiled and gave a light flick of his chin.
“Just consider that I have been keeping a close eye on you for a long time.”
On the way out after finishing the conversation, Cecile boarded the carriage first and locked his arms tightly. He was deeply dissatisfied that the leisure time he had enjoyed for the first time in a while had been wasted in such a manner. Cecile closed his eyes and muttered.
“If this was the plan, why didn’t Your Majesty just go alone?”
Alexis, sitting beside him, gently pressed and smoothed out the furrow in Cecile’s brow.
“Why are you grumpy again? Haven’t we been cooped up in the palace every single day? Take this opportunity to get some fresh air.”
“…Perhaps I am irritable due to a lack of sleep.”
“That’s why I keep telling you to reduce your workload. No other Empress lives like you do. I want to see you happy, not see you grinding down your stamina to help me.”
Cecile’s frown softened. Alexis always worried about him, but Alexis himself had been even worse, neglecting sleep to manage state affairs. He didn’t want to spend a brief vacation fighting like this.
As the tight lock of Cecile’s arms loosened, Alexis didn’t miss the chance and took his hand. A warmth enveloped him, enough to make his fatigue-laden body feel languid.
Alexis continued in a calm voice.
“Tristan Dyke is an excellent talent.”
“If he is someone Your Majesty chose, he must be outstanding.”
“Your eye for people is no slouch either. You will undoubtedly like him. Of course… there may be some parts that don’t quite mesh.”
“I have no complaints about working with him. Instead, do not tell me to suppress my temper or to be patient. Even if he is someone Your Majesty chose, I won’t go easy on him.”
“Go easy on him. It’s obvious you’ll win anyway.”
As if envisioning the future, Alexis chuckled softly.
Before they knew it, the carriage reached a fork in the road. Turning right would lead them to the central district.
Alexis looked at the scenery reflected through the window and tapped on the glass. The carriage stopped at the small signal, and the chief valet quickly approached.
“Turn right.”
“Your Majesty, that way is….”
“I know. There is a place I wish to visit, so head toward the plaza.”
The plaza was vibrant, as expected of the capital’s bustling district. The streets were crowded with people, and shops were wide open, eager to attract customers.
The imperial carriage entered that space. Although hundreds of carriages passed through daily, the moment a carriage of such extraordinary majesty appeared, flanked by royal guards, all movement in the plaza stopped as if time had frozen.
The carriage slowly decelerated and arrived in front of a shop. The attendants quickly lined up. As the door opened, a glimpse of the velvet-lined interior was revealed. Alexis stepped out first. His platinum blonde hair, a color more brilliant than sunlight, sparkled dazzlingly.
“Your Imperial Majesty!”
“I greet the Sun of the Empire!”
Thunderous cheers erupted. The citizens of the empire bowed their waists and poured out greetings mixed with admiration. The Emperor’s sudden visit was bewildering, surprising, and awe-inspiring.
“Cecile.”
As Alexis, who had stepped out first, reached out his hand, a white hand emerged from the carriage to meet his. Then, Cecile also revealed himself.
“Your Empress!”
“Your Empress!”
Cecile’s shoulders trembled at the titles pouring out from everywhere. Judging by his reluctant expression, it seemed he felt an itch, as if he were breaking out in hives. Alexis smiled and led Cecile the rest of the way.
The place they headed for was a fruit shop in a corner of the plaza. The shop, topped with a light green awning like a roof, was filled with seasonal fruits. The fresh, sweet scent characteristic of a fruit shop wafted through the air.
As they stopped in front of the display stand, the shop owner rushed over. He bowed his waist so low it seemed he might prostrate himself on the ground.
“Your Majesty! It is an honor that you have visited us.”
“May I look around for a moment?”
“Of course! Absolutely!”
More than just looking, the fruit shop owner was so excited he felt as if he wanted to hand over the entire shop right then and there.
Alexis scanned the display stand with his hands behind his back. Not knowing the reason, Cecile simply stared at Alexis’s profile.
“…Why the fruit?”
“Hmm, what would be good?”
Fruit was abundant in the Imperial Palace. In terms of quality, the palace’s offerings were far superior to those of a street shop. Since they received only the highest grade of fruit as tribute, there was no value in comparison.
“Do you want some fruit?”
“I wonder how the taste is. Cecile, is there anything that catches your eye? How about those plums?”
Cecile also examined the fruits. Some were bruised, and the sizes and colors varied, but perhaps because they were in season, they looked quite delicious.
“The figs look decent.”
“Figs? Ah… the ones next to the plums?”
“Or how about the flat peaches?”
“Isn’t it a bit early for peaches? I’m not sure if they’ll be as tasty as the plums.”
Cecile’s gaze shifted upward again. Alexis flicked an eyebrow with a mischievous look on his face. A silent sigh escaped Cecile’s lips.
“…Just buy the plums.”