By Zephyria 
When Alexis returned, only Yuria remained in the spacious dining hall.
“Where did you go?”
“They said they had something to discuss among the men over drinks. I was left out.”
Yuria pouted, taking her frustration out on the innocent dessert. The bouncy fruit pudding danced with every tap of her tiny teaspoon.
“Oh dear, it seems you were upset about not being included?”
Alexis sat down, gently patting Yuria on the back of her head. Although they were seated diagonally close to each other, it seemed insufficient, as he turned his body towards her.
With his arms crossed on the table, the Crown Prince tilted his head slightly and spoke.
“Am I not enough?”
“If Your Highness would engage in conversation with me, what greater honor could there be?”
“You’ve certainly picked up the language of the Crown Court Physician quite well.”
Alexis chuckled, clearly pleased. Beneath his dazzling platinum hair, his eyes held a warm affection as he looked at Yuria.
Soon, a dessert plate was placed in front of Alexis. However, showing no interest in sweets, he ignored it and instead reached for his wine glass, lazily leaning his upper body against the chair’s backrest.
“It’s been a while since we met, so there must be a lot to catch up on. This dinner is a gathering made for you, so feel free to monopolize my time as much as you like.”
Yuria brushed away all her disappointment and smiled brightly. The Crown Prince had been so busy that they hardly had time to talk. Seizing this rare opportunity, she began to chatter like a baby bird.
“Hmm.”
Alexis’s responses were mostly smiles or low hums of agreement. Even when Yuria occasionally used language that was not fitting for her status, he never scolded her.
“It may be burdensome, but for now, there’s no choice but to endure it. After all, you intended to live in the palace, didn’t you? The timing has just been moved up a bit; nothing has changed.”
“Your Highness, will you… accept me as the Crown Princess?”
“You promised, Yuria.”
With a faint smile lingering at the corners of his lips, Alexis took a sip of his wine.
Every action of his exuded a measured elegance. Even in his relaxed posture, Alexis Winter Graham radiated an undeniable majesty befitting the Crown Prince of the Empire. His handsome features and overflowing charisma made him seem like a prince straight out of a fairy tale.
Though he had a somewhat cold and indifferent personality, he was sincere only towards Yuria. Moreover, he was a man who had not forgotten the promise made five years ago in the Black Forest.
Yuria’s cheeks flushed a rosy hue. Fidgeting with her two hands hidden beneath the table, she cautiously opened her mouth.
“Your Highness, if I may… could I ask for a favor?”
“Anything.”
“Please kiss me.”
At her bold request, Alexis’s eyes narrowed slightly. He set down his wine glass and rubbed his lips for a moment.
Yuria, sitting before him, had grown into adulthood. The girl he had first met in the Black Forest now stood before him as a proper young lady.
Alexis had never once touched her until she reached adulthood. Even though he had promised a future together to repay the debt of saving her life, he had never shared even the most common kiss.
The only time their lips had touched was that one moment when Yuria had first experienced her maturity.
In retrospect, it was no different from artificial respiration. It was an act done solely to save someone, devoid of affection. But now that Yuria had become a proper adult, and with the promise of a future together, there was no need to postpone such a matter.
Slowly, he reached out and cupped Yuria’s cheek in his hand. Her small, smooth face filled his palm, and Yuria closed her eyes. She was so nervous that her eyelashes trembled visibly.
Alexis leaned in and, as always, pressed his lips to her cheek. As his dry lips brushed against her skin and fell away, Yuria let out a sigh, clearly wishing for something more intimate.
Alexis smiled and rubbed her cheek.
“A kiss is still too early. How can a man and woman who are not yet married mix their lips?”
“But….”
“If you’re anxious, I’ll give you a token. Would wearing a ring fill your heart a bit more?”
For Yuria, he could generously offer expensive jewels. In fact, he could provide even greater wealth. That was the maximum he could offer Yuria at this moment.
Though he spoke in a deliberately sweeter tone, Yuria couldn’t hide her disappointment, merely twitching her lips.
“Huh? Yuria, why do you look so upset?”
“…I know that Your Highness cares for me. Still, I feel a bit anxious.”
“What is there to be anxious about? You know I care for you.”
Alexis tried to soothe Yuria. It felt just like dealing with a younger sister, and Yuria’s heart twisted further.
If only the Crown Prince would see her as a woman; he might understand the affection he held for her, but she was already a grown adult.
Unable to bring herself to ask for a kiss, she continued to suffer in silence. After a while, Yuria finally blurted out the question she had been holding back.
“You haven’t kissed anyone else, have you?”
“…….”
Alexis almost instinctively replied that of course he hadn’t, but he fell silent. A recent memory suddenly flashed in his mind.
He had kissed Cecile, who was slumped over with a high fever. More than once.
Could that be called a kiss? It was merely an act to administer medicine, devoid of any passion or affection.
Yet, the more he recalled that moment, the more the heat of that experience overwhelmed him.
The soft flesh that had crumbled in his mouth, the breath filled with warmth. As those memories vividly resurfaced, Alexis bit his tongue slightly, frowning.
“…It’s best not to discuss this any further.”
He seemed quite tired. Alexis found it bothersome that unnecessary thoughts were clouding his mind. He pushed the memory away and dismissed the conversation with Yuria.
He had not realized the shock his response would bring to her.
Not long after leaving the dining hall, they arrived at the balcony. The outdoor balcony, as spacious and splendid as the dining hall, was adorned not with a ceiling mural but with a starry night sky, and a cool breeze blew through.
Cecile leaned against the railing, swirling the glass he held in his hand. The rich wine swirled in the narrow glass like waves in a stormy sea.
“It’s quite unfortunate that I have to drink with you in front of such a splendid view.”
“I didn’t ask you to drink.”
Claude snorted. Then, with a sulky expression, he filled his glass with more wine.
This was already his third glass. Despite his usual principle of maintaining a clear mind, Claude drank without care today.
Cecile glanced sideways at the man standing next to him. He couldn’t help but chuckle. Claude, who was fuming with anger, had a robust physique and a face flushed with excitement, resembling an agitated bull.
He was hardly a pleasant drinking companion. Cecile took a sip of wine and spoke lightly.
“Lord Van Del, I believe I advised you last time. Is it stubbornness or foolishness that you possess?”
“What?”
“I can see your feelings clearly.”
Claude’s mouth dropped open in shock. He nearly spilled the wine he had been holding in his mouth. He hurriedly swallowed and asked.
“W-what feelings?”
“You like Yuria.”
“Absolutely not!”
His loud outburst was so thunderous that Cecile grimaced and poked his finger into his right ear.
“Why shout if it’s not true?”
“N-no one likes her! Absolutely not!”
“From the way you’re stammering, it seems you have no talent for lying.”
“I told you it’s not true!”
“Fine. Let’s say it’s not. Still, you should manage your expression a bit better. It would be troublesome if someone else misunderstood, like me.”
Cecile tilted his head, looking annoyed. He had brought Claude along just to avoid the situation, not to engage in pointless arguments with him.
In the quiet, the sound of insects chirping occasionally broke the silence. The Sequoia trees surrounding the Saint Palace rustled their leaves together, creating a lovely ambiance whenever the wind blew.
As Cecile sipped his wine while gazing at the scenery before him, Claude was lost in deep thought, still holding his glass. After a moment, he finally spoke.
“Do I… really stand out that much?”
“Well, it depends on how others perceive it. After all, the difference between caring for a younger sister and looking after a woman you like is just a thin line, isn’t it?”
“I have never harbored any ill intentions towards Yuria.”
“Who asked? I’m not curious at all.”
Cecile’s bluntness made Claude turn his head sharply. His bulging eyes glared at Cecile’s shameless profile.
“You were the one who proveke first, weren’t you?”