By Zephyria 
There was always someone by his side. Judging by her luxurious and extravagant attire, she seemed to be one of the noblewomen who had come to watch the opera.
“Oh my!”
As soon as the woman caught sight of the faces beyond the curtain, she gasped in shock, hurriedly greeted them, and fled.
Even though the woman who was supposed to enjoy a secret meeting with him had run away, Kilian merely shrugged his shoulders without a hint of disappointment.
He boldly stepped into the balcony. In fact, the scene unfolding before his eyes was far more interesting than a brief moment of amusement.
“What a rather peculiar composition, isn’t it?”
Kilian pointed alternately at both sides with his index finger. He surveyed the three people sitting in opposition and wore a strange smile.
“Shouldn’t we switch seats? Somehow, this side looks more like a couple, doesn’t it?”
As if in agreement with his words, Larissa stared intently at Alexis and Cecile. She seemed to hope that Kilian’s suggestion would be followed.
Despite Kilian’s sudden appearance, Alexis remained calm, staring straight ahead. He took a sip of wine and spoke.
“It seems you have no regard for the princess’s dignity at all.”
“Oh, come on, that’s not right. Our Lara is so interested in His Highness the Crown Prince.”
Kilian strolled leisurely with his hands behind his back. He inspected the divided sofa and then approached the side where Cecile was sitting.
He bent down to meet Cecile’s gaze. Facing the cold, icy green eyes, Kilian flashed a mischievous smile.
“Let’s not do that. Let’s move aside so you two can have a cozy chat. I’ll entertain you better.”
“I have no intention of….”
“Come on.”
Kilian suddenly pulled on Cecile’s wrist. In an instant, Cecile was lifted off his seat.
At that moment, Alexis grabbed Cecile by the waist. His tightly wrapped arm pressed Cecile back into his seat. Until now, Alexis had feigned calmness, but now he glared at Kilian with a chilling gaze.
“You’re being overly intrusive. You cannot take him without permission.”
“Permission? Is this something that requires permission?”
“Let’s keep it reasonable. This isn’t Kazarsan; it’s the Berka Empire. If you’re a guest, you should act like one and maintain decorum.”
“Oh… are you telling me to know my place?”
Kilian muttered, rolling his tongue against the inside of his cheek. Although a smile still lingered, a hint of coldness flashed in his narrowed eyes.
Cecile felt a cold sweat break out from the strange atmosphere. Judging by Kilian’s reaction, he seemed to be quite upset.
“His Highness Alexis didn’t mean it that way. I’ll just move seats….”
Cecile tried to stand up first, but as soon as he lifted his backside, he found himself sitting back down again. Even when he attempted to rise again, it was the same. He was held down by a force so strong that he couldn’t budge.
A large, smooth hand was gripping Cecile’s left hip tightly. The pressure was so intense that the knuckles of Alexis’s fingers turned white.
“…….”
Why is this happening? Cecile looked at Alexis in confusion. But Alexis, instead of explaining, was fixated solely on Kilian.
It seemed as if he was trying to prevent Kilian from taking what was his. Kilian’s lips curled into a wide grin, knowing this all too well.
“Could it be that the rumored saint is Cecile Adrian?”
“…….”
“I’ve heard that the Crown Prince holds the saint in special regard, but I wonder if the rumors have been distorted.”
“Kilian Ortega, watch your words and actions.”
Despite Alexis’s warning, Kilian didn’t flinch. Instead, he stood there with a slouched posture, beginning to mock.
“I didn’t think you were the affectionate type… but judging by your current demeanor, it’s hard to tell who is truly favored by the Crown Prince.”
“I believe I’ve warned you enough.”
Alexis stood up abruptly. Just by standing face to face with Kilian without any grand gestures, he exuded enough intimidation. Alexis looked down at Kilian with a blank expression.
“Do you want to test my patience?”
“Is this also considered rude? I’m not well-versed in the Empire’s etiquette.”
“It seems that the etiquette of Kazarsan is always so lowly. If that’s the case, then Princess Larissa must be of the same caliber.”
“Don’t speak carelessly about my sister.”
“You’re the one crossing the line first. I’m merely returning the favor.”
“You’re being excessively provocative. Is it permissible for you to act this way towards me?”
“It seems you’re mistaken; Kazarsan is merely friendly with the Empire, not someone to be revered.”
Alexis laughed coldly, and Kilian sneered back at him. The palpable tension between the two made those watching feel anxious.
Cecile found the situation utterly confusing. He knew that Alexis would eventually clash with Kilian, but the reason for that fight should have been Yuria. He couldn’t understand why he was taking on that role.
For now, it was imperative to prevent a larger conflict from escalating. He quickly stood up and squeezed between the two men who were facing off.
“Let’s stop here. It seems both of you are overly agitated.”
Cecile calmly took on the role of mediator. At this moment, he tried his best to put aside his negative feelings towards Kilian and act as friendly as possible.
“I tend to be a bit unruly. His Highness was merely trying to prevent me from offending a guest, and comparing that to the saint you cherish must have upset you. Who would welcome such a misunderstanding?”
“Is that so?”
Kilian replied in a noticeably softened tone. While he didn’t seem to fully believe Cecile’s explanation, he appeared to find the sight of Cecile being polite quite agreeable.
Cecile noticed this and became even more compliant. He smiled at Kilian, trying to lighten the mood.
“Emotions ran high, and His Highness Alexis may have spoken a bit too harshly. But I assure you, it wasn’t meant sincerely. I hope there are no misunderstandings.”
Cecile felt the body behind him stiffen. He could sense that Alexis was suppressing his anger. Although he was increasingly aware of Alexis, he forced himself to focus more on Kilian.
“I also acknowledge my rudeness. I understand why the Crown Prince is looking out for you. With such warmth, how could one not melt?”
Cecile bit his lip, swallowing the rising anger. Yet, he maintained a cheerful expression. Even he thought it was quite a feat to keep his composure.
Kilian straightened his head, which had been tilted askew.
The consistently warm smile of Cecile Adrian contrasted sharply with the cold, icy expression of Crown Prince Alexis, creating a striking image. It was quite intriguing, being the complete opposite of what he had seen before.
“For Cecile’s sake, let’s agree to forget about today’s events. Let’s go, Lara.”
Kilian nodded towards Larissa.
Perhaps realizing that the good atmosphere had already dissipated, Larissa obediently followed his words. However, the lingering disappointment was unavoidable. As she left the balcony, she cast a longing glance at Alexis.
Once the Kazarsan royals disappeared beyond the curtain, Cecile finally let out a long-held sigh. His palms were tingling from the tension, and his stomach churned. He pressed his hand against his mouth and turned away. Cecile still had unresolved issues to address.
“Couldn’t you have held on just a little longer?”
“Is this my fault?”
“I don’t mean to say you were wrong, Your Highness. But since you’re leaving soon anyway, it won’t help to worsen your relationship with Kilian. He will likely govern Kazarsan when you rule the Empire in the future.”
Cecile replied in a weary voice, speaking softly.
He was truly exhausted. With a desire to lie down immediately, he rubbed his tired face, but Alexis suddenly grabbed his wrist and pulled him close.
Alexis looked down at Cecile with a stiff expression. As their eyes met, his straight eyebrows slightly furrowed.
“Do you know what annoys me the most?”
“…….”
“It’s that you lowered yourself to Kilian.”
“Your Highness knows that wasn’t sincere.”
“Yeah, I know it was just for show. I also understand that you cleverly tried to smooth over the situation. But you shouldn’t have done that in front of me.”
Cecile blinked slowly in disbelief. Wasn’t Alexis sounding a bit jealous?
“I… I dislike Kilian. No, it’s closer to hatred. What I just did… was merely an act for you.”
“Are you sure?”
“Of course. Who would care for such a trashy human being….”
As he openly spoke ill of Kilian, the grip on his wrist loosened. Alexis released Cecile’s hand and took a step back.
“You truly have a remarkable talent for manipulating people.”
It was unclear whether it was a compliment or a criticism. Cecile scrutinized Alexis’s face, trying to gauge his feelings.
One thing was certain: Alexis’s previously fierce gaze had softened into a gentle smile.
Cecile knew that Alexis never showed such a smile to anyone. Whether intentional or not, he was making the person he had feelings for quite troubled.
* * *
That night, Yuria visited the Saint Palace.
Alexis set aside his work and dedicated time to her, engaging in a serious conversation.
As they discussed life in the palace, the topic naturally shifted to their relationship. It seemed that Yuria had come to have this conversation.
“Your Highness… have you ever truly loved someone?”
After hesitating, Yuria pressed on with her question.
“Do you love me?”
Alexis found himself unable to respond. There was only one answer Yuria wanted to hear. Even if it was a lie, all he had to do was say he loved her, yet for some reason, he couldn’t bring himself to speak.
He understood the reason. He cared for Yuria deeply, but that feeling was different from romantic love.
However, Alexis had a responsibility. He had promised to make her his Crown Princess. Marriage was the most certain means of protecting Yuria. There was no need to discuss his own feelings in that matter.
“Yuria, I promised to protect you for a lifetime. Is that vow not enough?”
“I thought that would be sufficient. However, after entering the palace, I realized that my feelings and your feelings are different.”
Yuria began to pour out the words she had kept to herself for so long.
“I know you care for me a lot. Even if it’s not love, I could just ignore it. You are someone who will keep your promises no matter what.”
“…….”
“But I hate seeing myself becoming greedy. I can never be happy like this.”
She spoke with a resolute voice.
“I would like you to withdraw your promise to welcome me as your Crown Princess.”
“Yuria.”
“I’m no longer a child. I’ve grown strong enough not to need your protection. I’m telling you that you don’t have to be my guardian anymore.”
Yuria firmly conveyed her intentions. This wasn’t just a casual remark; it was a decision she had deeply contemplated for a long time.
Seeing this, a deep worry settled on Alexis’s face. He could only imagine how much pain Yuria had endured to say such words. It was entirely his fault.
“Are you sure you won’t regret it?”
“Not at all. I’m still receiving more than I deserve.”The child who once risked her life to gather food in the black forest has now become the revered saint of the empire. She resides in the imperial palace, receiving treatment akin to that of the nobility. Many people now surround her, who was once an orphan.
Alexis has already received enough in return. From now on, she must step out from the shadow of the crown prince and forge her own path.
“I want to stay in the palace. I wish to contribute to the empire, even with my small abilities.”
Yuria forced a smile, wiping away the tears that had gathered at the corners of her eyes.
“Don’t worry. I will be happier than I am now.”
“…Is there anything I can help with?”
“Can we keep this conversation a secret between us? It would be more beneficial for me to remain as someone favored by His Highness while living in the palace.”
“You will always be mine. That will never change.”
“Of course. Absolutely.”
As Yuria beamed brightly, Alexis followed suit with a faint smile.
Yet, she couldn’t hide her feelings of regret. She knew how difficult it must have been to bring this up.
“I’m sorry.”
“I’m okay.”
“Nothing will change. I will always cherish you.”
Yuria nodded in response. At the same time, she secretly prayed in her heart.
She hoped that Alexis would also be able to let go of her burdens and feel as light as she did. No matter who it was, she wished for him to find someone he truly loved.
She prayed and prayed that a unique presence would appear for the crown prince, who always seemed lonely from his high position.