By Zephyria 
Cecile returned to the Peridot Palace and carefully washed her body.
She tried to calm her breathing several times, but the tension was unavoidable. At least, she told herself not to think negatively and steadied her mind.
When she finished her bath and came out, Leo was waiting, as if he had been on standby for the last service.
While he adjusted her clothing, there was no conversation between them. In the stillness, the sound of sniffles echoed repeatedly.
Unable to endure it any longer, Cecile spoke up.
“Stop crying. You’re making me feel weird too.”
Leo nodded while sniffling. His face was already a mess, soaked with tears. It was pitiful to see him biting his lip and struggling to hold back his sobs.
“Leo, you remember the things I asked you to do, right?”
“…Yes.”
“It’s going to be very hard for you. The more difficult it gets, the better you need to take care of him. The materials I left in the study… deliver them after the funeral. The key is hidden in the second drawer of the desk.”
Cecile conveyed her requests in a calm voice.
The hand fastening the button of her collar trembled slightly, and she could feel it on her own skin. She let out a long sigh, trying to turn away from Leo, who couldn’t stop crying. At this rate, she would end up crying too.
“Thank you for everything. Please send my regards to the other attendants as well.”
After tying the last ribbon, Leo finally bowed deeply. Thick tears that hadn’t brushed against his cheeks fell to the floor with a soft thud.
“It has been an honor to serve you until now.”
Leo knelt and desperately swallowed his sobs.
“May you live long and without pain in the next life.”
“…….”
“I hope I can serve you again then.”
Cecile forced a smile. Goodbyes were never easy. Swallowing the tears that caught in her throat, she replied.
“Yes, I hope so too.”
It was about an hour later that Alexis arrived at the chamber. It was a little earlier than the promised time. His expression was quite stiff, as if he too was nervous despite having rushed in. Cecile approached Alexis with a forced smile.
“You’ve come.”
Instead of answering, Alexis reached out his hand. He carefully brushed Cecile’s hair, which was slightly damp and darker in color.
“You’ve just washed.”
Cecile nodded. The scent of soap was also evident on Alexis, who was now close.
“And you as well.”
Alexis tilted his head slowly. A moist tongue slipped between his softly bitten lips, slowly brushing against Cecile’s mucous membranes.
Meanwhile, his hands wrapped around Cecile’s waist. She was only wearing a tunic that generously covered her thighs, and the thin fabric allowed the sensation of bare skin to be felt from the outside.
The hands that had been slowly trailing down her back stopped at her buttocks. Not wearing any underwear, the shape of her round backside was fully felt, causing Alexis to pull back slightly from their joined lips. He let out a deep sigh.
“This is unfair, Cecile.”
“I know.”
Cecile took his hand and stepped back. She naturally pulled Alexis onto the bed, lying down first.
With one knee on the plush bed, Alexis paused for a moment to scan the surroundings.
The canopy that was usually tied back was now spread out like a curtain. However, the thin fabric only served to block the sunlight, not obstructing the view.
The pale blue wallpaper, the large arched windows, the antique furniture, and the paintings—all were familiar sights. Seeing the space that had become as familiar as his own chamber, Alexis slowly rolled his tongue.
“It feels a bit strange.”
“Why?”
“I’ve never thought I would do something lewd here.”
Cecile propped herself up slightly. Supporting her weight on her elbows, she looked up at Alexis.
“Are you not inclined?”
“Why is the conversation so abrupt?”
“It seems you’re not quite ready yet… If you don’t want to, it’s fine to just sleep.”
“Do you think I could sleep with you beside me? I’m not that dull.”
Alexis laughed out loud. A brief kiss landed on Cecile’s lips.
“Don’t worry, Cecile. I’m more prepared than you think.”
Alexis stood up and began to undress himself. As he crossed his arms to lift the hem of his shirt, his abs flexed vividly with his movements.
Then, his pants fell down. From his sturdy hips to his thick thighs, and down to his waiting calves, muscles that had been hidden while clothed were now fully revealed.
The moonlight beautifully illuminated his naked form. His already hardened member stood proudly, but rather than being obscene, it appeared elegant, like a being from mythology.
Cecile sat there, staring blankly at him, suddenly snapping back to reality. Realizing she had been staring at Alexis’s groin, she hurriedly turned her gaze away.
Feeling a bit parched, she reached for the wine bottle on the table beside the bed, pouring it into a glass.
She gently stirred the wine with a silver muddler and cleaned the part that might touch her lips. It was a habit. Especially regarding wine, she was strict, even if it was prepared by her attendants.
Watching her, Alexis silently smiled. He had already taken up the center of the bed, comfortably leaning against the headboard. With his head tilted slightly, he observed Cecile’s actions. So focused was she that she didn’t blink once.
“Did someone die from poison around here? You’re always so thorough.”
“It doesn’t hurt to be careful.”
Cecile replied nonchalantly before gulping down the wine. The cool, sweet drink moistened her dry mouth, finally calming her trembling heart. A long sigh escaped her.
Pouring another glass, she glanced at the wall clock, which indicated it was eleven forty. There was still some time before midnight.
She offered Alexis a glass of wine. She intended to buy some time while drinking together. Fortunately, Alexis accepted the wine she offered, seemingly considering it a prelude to their night.
As he slowly savored the wine, Cecile stealthily climbed onto the bed. Sitting on Alexis’s thighs made the corners of his mouth curve gently. His large hand securely supported her waist from behind.
Cecile admired Alexis’s toned body up close.
Having spent a long time on the battlefield, his body bore small scars. They had faded to the point where they were barely noticeable unless looked at closely, but they were marks contrasting with his smooth skin.
Cecile cautiously traced her fingertips around Alexis’s solar plexus.
“When did you get hurt here?”
“About seven years ago. It’s the mark from my first injury in the Black Forest.”
“It must have been quite a big wound.”
“Yeah. I barely survived.”
The 17-year-old crown prince had been sent to the Black Forest against his will. There, he endured a harsh growth period and emerged as the gallant figure he was now.
There must have been many life-and-death moments that Cecile was unaware of. She recalled her own 17 years, filled only with peaceful memories.
“I can’t even imagine how hard it must have been…”
“It wasn’t too bad. I learned a lot because of it.”
“Didn’t it hurt?”
“Well, it’s been too long.”
“…I hope you never get hurt again.”
Cecile gently caressed various parts of Alexis’s body, as if imprinting his form in her mind.
With each touch, Alexis’s muscles twitched, and goosebumps rose on his skin. His member throbbed, poking at the hem of Cecile’s clothing.
“If you keep touching me like that, it’ll be hard to handle.”
Alexis spoke calmly, but he couldn’t hide the rising desire. His blue eyes seemed to devour Cecile’s face.
His slightly lowered gaze was framed by thick eyelashes. With a small but prominent nose and rosy lips, she would appear beautiful to anyone.
As her eyelids slowly lifted, jewel-like eyes revealed themselves.
“I told you, today I will serve you. I can handle everything.”
Alexis let out a sigh mixed with laughter. She was boldly provoking him. He had been struggling to suppress his excitement due to the position of her sitting on his thighs.
Alexis downed the remaining wine in one go and lifted his upper body. He pulled Cecile’s neck towards him and kissed her. The wine in their mouths mingled and flowed into each other.
Cecile barely managed to swallow the wine that came to her. Half went down, half spilled. The wine that dribbled out left a deep purple stain, soaking her neck and collar.
Swallowing the wine made her mouth feel tighter. Her tongue, flavored with fruit, made a slurping sound as it tangled with his. Her lips felt sweet. Each time she sucked and licked, sweetness oozed out.
The empty glass tipped over onto the bed. Alexis tightened his grip around Cecile’s waist with his empty hands, and she wrapped her arms around his shoulders. They were glued together, ready to inhale each other’s breath and saliva. They poured all their attention into indulging one another.
As the intensity of their kisses deepened, their bodies pressed together grew hotter. Cecile, dizzy with excitement, began to sway her waist without realizing it, while Alexis narrowed his eyes and gazed at her.
As the arms that had been wrapped around her waist loosened, Alexis’s hand moved downward. His cold hand invaded the hem of her clothing, which generously covered her lower body.
Smooth skin stuck to his palm. Alexis licked the wine off Cecile’s neck, caressing her slender body. The hem of her clothing had already risen to her solar plexus.
“I, ah, wait a moment, not yet, please.”
Cecile gasped for breath. Even in the midst of the chaos, she felt an empty sensation. She hurriedly tried to stop Alexis, who was attempting to undress her.
Alexis found it hard to understand. She had stripped down to her underwear and was waiting for him, yet she was adamant about keeping her collar intact.
“Is it okay to expose the lower half so openly but not the upper? Are you trying to kill me?”
“I, uh, I will take it off….”
Cecile was the most anxious. Why was time passing so slowly? Waiting for midnight was too difficult.