By Zephyria 
Alexis burst out of the meeting room.
The atmosphere inside had been quite pleasant for about two hours, but the expression on the Crown Prince’s face as he walked out was far from bright.
The attendants hurried their steps to keep up with his quick pace.
“Your Highness, where are you going?”
“……”
Without responding, Alexis moved his long legs. He was headed to the training grounds.
“Your Highness!”
Claude rushed over, leaving his work behind as the Crown Prince personally arrived at the training grounds.
“Do you have time?”
“Pardon?”
“Draw your sword.”
Alexis abruptly requested a spar. His grim face looked as if it would explode if he didn’t release his anger immediately.
Clang, clang! The sound of blades clashing echoed continuously.
Though it wasn’t meant to be a fight to the death, the Crown Prince’s longsword was imbued with lethal intent. A careless mistake could result in losing a limb, so Claude had to give it his all.
Their skills were evenly matched, but unfortunately, Claude’s sword was the first to be knocked away. He swallowed a breath of defeat and raised both hands in surrender.
Only then did the worry fade from the Crown Prince’s face, replaced by a smile. When he extended his hand for a handshake, Claude chuckled in disbelief and squeezed the hand tightly in response.
“Is it necessary to trample on my dignity in front of the knights?”
“Should I have deliberately lost then?”
“That’s enough. How could I dare to defeat Your Highness?”
After that, the two began to walk together as if they had never engaged in a fierce battle. Alexis, who had maintained silence throughout, opened his mouth as they entered the back path of the Saint Palace.
“It seems we lack talent. There isn’t a single person who meets my expectations.”
“Was today’s meeting not satisfactory?”
“The older folks are incredibly stubborn.”
The young nobles lacked experience, while the more seasoned ones had different aspirations than Alexis.
The position of chief advisor couldn’t simply be filled by someone who was good at their job. They had to be trustworthy enough for Alexis to rely on, and above all, their disposition had to align with his.
The empire Alexis aimed to build had a clear goal: a place where everyone could equally showcase their abilities.
For the empire to prosper, it first needed to break down long-standing bad practices. The greedy nobles would never agree to that.
As Claude listened to the Crown Prince’s troubles, he hesitantly offered his opinion.
“Why not look for someone entirely new?”
“Do you know anyone?”
Claude scratched his forehead. Both he and Alexis had been away from the empire for so long that they were out of touch with current events. No one came to mind.
“I’ve heard that many young people are gathering at social clubs these days. They share political views and build friendships there… Should I go and check it out?”
“You, at a social club?”
The idea of socially inept Claude at a club seemed utterly mismatched. Alexis couldn’t help but chuckle.
“If that’s the case, I’m fine with it, but can you really go and make friends? A social club isn’t a place that can be dominated by force, is it?”
“Yes, I’m not very confident either… But since Your Highness can’t go yourself, someone has to take action, right?”
“Then I’ll leave it to you.”
Alexis readily agreed. If it were Claude, he would surely bring back someone to his liking.
“By the way, you haven’t asked about Yuria at all lately.”
“Oh, right.”
In the midst of his busyness, he hadn’t thought of Yuria. Only then did Alexis belatedly inquire about her.
“Is she doing well?”
“She’s not doing well at all. I’ve hired a tutor to teach her etiquette, and she’s struggling a lot. Just hearing the word ‘etiquette’ makes her panic.”
“She has to endure, no matter how hard it is. There’s no other way to avoid being looked down upon by others.”
“Are you planning to summon her to the palace later?”
“When the time comes, yes. But it’s still too early.”
Life in the palace was like a battlefield. It was hard to survive without a strong mental fortitude.
Alexis cherished Yuria greatly and hoped she wouldn’t get hurt. At least until he firmly established his position, he had no intention of placing her inside the palace.
“Until then, I’ll be counting on you.”
Alexis said, draping an arm over his long-time friend’s shoulder. Claude could only nod and force a smile.
* * *
Claude returned to the Saint Palace a week later. He barged in through the chamber door without greeting anyone and slammed his hand down on the table. The abrupt action made the teacups rattle.
“Do you know who I saw at the club?”
“I can’t imagine what could have you so worked up.”
As usual, Alexis kept his gaze fixed on the documents.
“No, you see, that guy…!”
Claude, realizing he had raised his voice without meaning to, stopped and glanced around. Confirming that no one was present, he whispered as if sharing a secret.
“I saw Cecile Adrian.”
Only then did Alexis’s blue eyes lift.
“You saw Cecile at a social club?”
“Yes! I saw her with my own eyes.”
“What was she doing there?”
“What do you think? She was surrounded by men, laughing and chatting. I’ve heard rumors that she’s been living a life of debauchery.”
“Cecile frequents social clubs….”
He momentarily set down the documents and took a sip from the still-warm teacup, his eyes clouding as he pondered.
“Who was she with?”
“Mostly new nobles. The problem is that some of them are precisely the talents I’ve been keeping an eye on.”
Claude exhaled deeply, trying to calm his excited breath.
“There’s a guy named Tristan who has an excellent reputation. I went to a gathering to get introduced to him, but who would have thought Cecile would be there? As a result, I didn’t even get a chance to introduce myself.”
The more Claude thought about it, the more absurd it seemed, and he rubbed his face in frustration. He had been slacking off in his sword training lately, thinking he was finally free, but instead, he was working on something entirely unrelated.
“Can I go to that club too?”
“Pardon? You, Your Highness?”
Caught off guard by the sudden request, Claude hesitated. His eyebrows furrowed in a distressed manner.
“It’s not a place suitable for you to visit. There are security issues… and above all, there will be gossip.”
“If a member of the royal family visits, that social gathering will likely thrive. Security can be managed if you accompany me. I’ve never cared much for what others say.”
Alexis was genuinely curious about Cecile’s intentions.
Was she truly looking to indulge in a life of debauchery, or did she have some other ulterior motive?
“I need to see for myself.”
The corners of the Crown Prince’s mouth tightened, hidden behind the teacup.
* * *
On a particularly bright moonlit night, a black carriage came to a stop in front of a mansion.
The exterior of the large, imposing carriage was strikingly dark. Most notably, the emblem of the Vandell family engraved on the door shone like a jewel.
The door swung open, and Claude stepped out first. As he extended his hand politely to escort the man following him, the man brushed it aside with the back of his hand and stepped onto the ground.
Alexis’s hair was a brown similar to Claude’s. The golden hair was a symbol of the royal family and was so bright that it could be seen from afar, making a wig essential for his safety.
Clearly displeased with the wig he had forced on, Alexis frowned throughout the carriage ride.
“Try to lighten your expression. We’re here to socialize, not to take anyone’s head.”
“After such a lowly disguise, how can you say that?”
“Brown hair suits you quite well, you know?”
Claude chuckled. Even with the golden color hidden, his dignified demeanor couldn’t be concealed.
Fortunately, since the Crown Prince’s portrait had not yet been completed, very few people would recognize his face. Claude hoped that today would pass without incident as he took the lead.
He walked to the entrance of the mansion and handed the invitation to the butler. The butler, who had already known that the heir of the Vandell family had arrived, bowed his head in respect.
“Welcome, Lord Vandell. But who is this person accompanying you?”
“A distant relative. He’s just recently come to the capital after living in the countryside for a long time, so he doesn’t know much about the world. I thought I’d bring him along to experience a social gathering.”
Beside him, a fierce gaze flashed. Claude maintained his ignorance and brazenly held his head high.
“Guests of Lord Vandell are always welcome. Please, come in. The night air is chilly. I’ll escort you inside.”
The vast interior of the mansion was undeniably extravagant. Following the butler through a long corridor, they entered a spacious hall. This was the very heart of the social club.
At this peak hour, the nobles who had arrived earlier were indulging in their pleasures. Some were playing billiards, while others were busy gambling in groups. Servants hurried back and forth, filling empty glasses with drinks.
Alexis settled into a quiet corner where the light didn’t reach and leaned against the wall, slowly surveying the interior. Just then, Claude approached with a glass of champagne.
“What are you planning to do?”
“You’re too impatient. We’ve just arrived. It’s only natural to explore a new place.”
“I’m worried someone might recognize me.”
Alexis silently laughed. Sipping champagne, he scanned the surroundings with keen eyes. Even in the dim light, his blue eyes gleamed like a hawk searching for prey.
“It seems the person we’re looking for isn’t here today.”
“That can’t be. I heard she was definitely on the guest list.”
“Oh! Is that you, Lord Vandell? I didn’t expect to see you here. It’s a pleasure!”
Those who recognized Claude approached him warmly. As he unintentionally drew attention, Claude took the gentlemen aside and deliberately left the area. Left alone, Alexis completed his long search and began to wander freely around the hall.
Red silk drapes hung throughout the spacious hall. Although it was a gathering of men, there were indeed women present. The elegantly adorned courtesans showcased their charms, adding a rich hue to the revelry.
They nestled against the men while casting glances at Alexis. From his tall stature to his appearance that seemed to have stepped out of a masterpiece, the unfamiliar man stood out even in the hall.
Responding to the courtesans’ allure with a false smile, Alexis moved slowly.
Despite his leisurely pace, his eyes meticulously scanned the interior. Suddenly, his long legs came to a halt. His elongated eyes narrowed in concentration.
Deep inside, a group of five or six nobles had gathered. Among them, a particularly striking white face caught his attention.
Hiding behind the red drapery, Alexis muttered to himself.
“Hah, living a life of debauchery, are we?”
What could possibly be seen in that?