SLD 104

“At the Council of Elders.”

Alexis’s voice echoed in Cecile’s ears.

Cecile lifted his heavy eyelids. A handsome face was right in front of him.

They were taking a moment of rest after their intense affair, their bodies still sticky from the aftermath. He had spent the entire day lounging in bed. When hunger struck, he filled his stomach with dry bread and fruit, and when he was thirsty, he drank wine. He had even changed the damp sheets twice.

The dark sky had brightened and dimmed again, yet there was no sign of fatigue on Alexis’s face. He smiled faintly and gently wiped the wet corners of Cecile’s eyes.

“They say you should be stripped of your imperial status. Since Empress Elizabeth has been deposed, they argue that her bloodline should not remain in the Imperial Palace.”

Cecile blinked slowly. It was clearly a discussion about him, yet it felt as if it were about someone else.

In truth, whether he was stripped of his status or not, it didn’t matter to him. He was simply focused on what Alexis was saying.

“What do you wish to do, Your Highness?”

“Well, it’s a dilemma.”

Alexis lay on his side, leisurely resting his head on his hand. Despite his relaxed posture, his face showed deep contemplation.

“Being stripped of my status due to the principle of collective punishment seems reasonable, but thinking about what you would go through makes it unpleasant. It feels like I would be insulted as well.”

With his remaining hand, he gently pushed back Cecile’s disheveled hair. As the sweat-drenched bangs were swept aside, his round forehead was revealed. He caressed it gently with his thumb, as if handling something precious.

“But if you are demoted to a commoner, we would no longer be connected as family. In that case, I would declare you my partner. We would hold a grand wedding.”

Cecile let out a weak laugh. It sounded absurd to his ears.

“That’s impossible. How could I, a man, have a wedding with you, Your Highness?”

“What’s the problem? The former Empress was of commoner origin. The late Emperor had already permitted same-sex unions. If I become Emperor, I plan to officially change the marriage system.”

“Nobles would surely rebel against that.”

“Then you would become the first man to overcome that opposition and become Empress.”

Cecile imagined the future Alexis was painting. Swearing love before the gods and living together for a lifetime.

It felt like a dream.

As his eyes grew warm, he hurriedly closed them. The painful feelings within him had to be kept to himself.

“Just think about it after you become Emperor.”

“The coronation is not far off. You should prepare your heart in advance.”

Cecile nodded silently. He reached out and pulled Alexis closer by the shoulder. He wanted to stay as close to him as possible, spreading his legs to wrap around Alexis’s thighs.

Their bare skin rubbed together, sticky with sweat, creating a sensation that was both tantalizing and overwhelming. Alexis slightly furrowed his brow as he tried to endure it, while his lower body, unable to contain its desires, instinctively lifted.

“Cecile, stop.”

“Please, put it in.”

“My lower half is quite swollen.”

After repeated insertions, Cecile’s rear was sore and raw. He could tell the state of it without even touching. It was a miracle there were no injuries. They had done it that much.

Yet, Cecile held onto Alexis even tighter and repeatedly thrust his hips. Their bodies pressed together, creating a humid heat. Alexis’s member was now fully erect, poking at Cecile’s lower abdomen.

“Ah, hurry, put it in. Okay? Please.”

“…Why are you being so demanding?”

“Alexis, hurry.”

At Cecile’s pleading voice, Alexis let out a long sigh. He could never win against Cecile. Ultimately, he brought his swollen tip to the reddened entrance.

“If it hurts, you must tell me at any time.”

“Yes, ugh.”

Cecile let out a sound that was indistinguishable between a response and a moan as he tightly embraced Alexis’s neck. The pain felt like his flesh was being torn apart, but the heart-wrenching agony was even greater, causing tears to well up.

The member that entered without resistance filled Cecile’s insides completely. The hot presence was vividly felt. Their bodies swayed up and down.

“Ah, huff, ugh! I love you.”

Alexis pressed his lips repeatedly against Cecile’s temple. With his hot breath, he whispered that he loved him more. The soft voice flowed into Cecile’s ears, melting his eardrums.

Cecile buried his forehead against Alexis’s solid shoulder, swallowing his cries until the end. There was no time to dwell in sadness. He had to remember every moment, enough that he would have no regrets even if he were to die soon.

A few hours later, Cecile awoke from a light sleep. With his eyes open, he stared blankly at the ceiling for a moment before turning his gaze to the side.

Even in his shallow sleep, he had kept the sound of the alarm clock in his ears. His eyes checked the grandfather clock, and he felt a sense of urgency. He could no longer afford to linger. It was time to prepare to get up.

Cecile slowly sat up, a sharp pain shooting through his body, but he gritted his teeth and endured it. He carefully untangled the hand that was wrapped around his waist. Fortunately, Alexis was deeply asleep and did not notice his movements.

After leaving a kiss on his peacefully sleeping face, he gently stroked his cheek. He had given him a slight dose of sleeping pills, but it seemed he was sleeping deeper than expected. Alexis must have been tired as well.

He cautiously slipped out of bed. With each step, semen dripped between his legs. Cecile entered the bathroom to wash himself clean and then changed into the clothes Leo had prepared in advance. After that, he headed to the study without hesitation.

Even though it was close to midnight, the study was brightly lit. Cecile took in the familiar space and walked slowly.

He sat down in a chair to catch his breath. After glancing over the neatly organized desk, he pulled out a few sheets of stationery from the drawer.

“……”

He grasped the pen, but for a while, he couldn’t do anything. He had already organized in his mind what he wanted to write. It was just the beginning that was difficult.

Staring blankly at the blank paper, he finally managed to write the first sentence. After that, his hand moved without pause.

In the quiet study, the only sound that echoed was the scratching of the pen tip against the paper.

Alexis woke up around dawn. Even in his dazed state, he felt an emptiness somewhere. When he reached out, the space beside him was empty.

He got up and checked the bed with bleary eyes. Where had Cecile gone in the night? Despite his absence, he didn’t feel particularly anxious. He first put on his pants and then leisurely began to search for Cecile.

The bathroom he entered first had a wet floor. There was a hint of humidity and the fragrant smell of liquid soap in the air. It indicated that the bathroom had not been used long ago.

Alexis closed the bathroom door and continued on his way. It was obvious where Cecile would go in Peridot Palace. He headed straight for the study.

He opened the study door without knocking. A heavy scent of wax wafted out. Most of the candles had burned down to their wicks, indicating they had been lit for a long time. Only one or two candles remained to illuminate the study.

Alexis looked around the dimly lit study. He found Cecile sleeping amidst the profound silence. A soft smile curved Alexis’s lips at the sight of the one he had finally found.

He slowly approached and sat at one corner of the sofa. He couldn’t wake him up carelessly, knowing he had likely escaped for a moment from the torment he faced all day.

Still, having him right in front of him brought a sense of comfort. Alexis observed Cecile’s sleeping face, leaning his head against the backrest.

Cecile’s face shone particularly pale in the moonlight streaming through the window. His long eyelashes cast shadows, deepening their color, and his softly closed lips appeared redder than usual.

From his tousled hair to his neatly arranged fingertips, there was not a single flaw. He already knew Cecile was beautiful, but today he looked even more poignant and lovely.

He was sleeping so soundly that his chest didn’t even rise and fall. In that moment, it seemed as if time had stopped, and Alexis couldn’t help but smile softly.

“How can you sleep so soundly? If we share a bed from now on, I might not even know you’re there.”

He brushed aside the hair that had fallen to the side. As he gently caressed Cecile’s cheek, Alexis felt something strange. His hand froze, and he quickly checked Cecile’s neck.

There was no pulse. No breath escaped his lips.

“Cecile!”

Alexis shook Cecile awake. Even when he tried to force him up, he only swayed like a doll without strength.

Cecile’s head tilted side to side before it fell back limply. In that moment, it seemed as if he had lost his life, and Alexis’s eyes lost their focus, becoming vacant.

It was unbelievable. He hurriedly gathered Cecile into his arms. No response came even when he rubbed his face against him, and he could hear no breath. There was no heartbeat against his chest.

“No! Cecile! Please, please….”

Alexis leaned Cecile’s limp head against his shoulder, wrapping his arms around the back of his head, and cried out desperately.

“Is there no one outside?!”