By Zephyria 
Dreams tend to evaporate from memory once one wakes up.
This time was no different; I couldn’t recall what the dream was about. Only the painful emotions remained.
Alexis instinctively sought out Cecile, who was lying next to him. For some reason, it felt imperative to check on him first.
Without warning, he pulled Cecile into an embrace. The warmth of his body, the steady rhythm of his breath, and the regularity of his heartbeat. Only after feeling these signs of life did a sense of relief begin to settle in.
Alexis buried his face in the nape of Cecile’s neck and took a deep breath. It felt as if the lingering stench of blood still clung to his nostrils.
He erased that scent with Cecile’s body fragrance. Like cream added to black tea, the soft and cozy smell of his skin diluted Alexis’s bad memories.
Cecile also woke up. He felt stifled, nearly pinned down by the much larger Alexis.
Still unable to open his eyes, he mumbled sleepily, “…What’s wrong?”
“I don’t know, I had a bad dream.”
“Is it because of me that you’re uncomfortable sleeping?”
Cecile tried to get up, as if to change his position. But the more he attempted to move, the tighter Alexis’s arms held him, leaving him unable to budge.
“Just stay like this. It’s comfortable right now.”
“If you have another nightmare, I won’t know about it.”
Cecile let out a deep sigh. Despite his grumpy tone, his arms wrapped around Alexis.
What kind of dream could have caused such anxiety? He hoped that all those bad thoughts would flow away to him. A gentle hand patted Alexis’s broad back.
Fortunately, the rain stopped not long after. As soon as morning broke, Cecile began to prepare to leave as planned.
“What a heartless guy, anyone would think you’re chasing me away.”
“I’m just as busy as you are, Your Highness. Do you have any idea how much work is piling up?”
“Not even time for breakfast?”
Alexis narrowed his long eyes slightly and threw a retort. He seemed displeased that Cecile was leaving without eating, but he didn’t insist on keeping him. Instead, he personally walked him to the front of the guardhouse to see him off.
For someone who had suffered from nightmares the previous night, Alexis appeared to be in good spirits. Cecile was satisfied with that and tried to quell his disappointment.
“I’ll be going now. Thank you for the invitation.”
With a bow, Cecile swiftly mounted his horse. He gently held the reins while soothing the restless animal, just as he was about to change direction.
“Cecile.”
Alexis called him in a low voice.
“I will return in a week. By then… let’s do the things you wanted to try together.”
“Pardon?”
“Make sure to clear your schedule. You shouldn’t have any excuses to run away like you do now.”
Alexis smiled as he delivered words that could be seen as a request or a command. The morning sunlight glinted off his face, making him look so splendid that Cecile momentarily lost his focus.
“Take care to get to the palace safely.”
“Yes, Your Highness!”
The group accompanying them responded loudly. With that voice snapping him back to reality, Cecile quickly composed his expression and slightly bowed his head toward Alexis.
Though it was a brief encounter, it was fulfilling. Cecile began a new day with a face full of relief and anticipation.
* * *
Contrary to the promise, Alexis did not return to the palace even after a week. Monsters had appeared in the Black Forest.
The creatures, thought to be completely eradicated, reemerged, sending the citizens of the empire into a panic. The areas near the Black Forest were engulfed in anxiety, and rumors quickly spread to the capital.
However, Crown Prince Alexis remained calm. He acted as if he had anticipated such a day, issuing commands swiftly.
The Black Forest Guard immediately began to respond. They stood guard in shifts around the clock atop the high walls, and whenever a dangerous situation arose, they promptly fired cannons and arrows to easily dispatch the monsters. It was a moment where their training shone.
The guards and walls that always protected the front of the Black Forest provided reassurance to the citizens of the empire. This naturally transformed into trust toward the Crown Prince.
“I am deeply moved to live in the same era as Alexis Winter Graham. He is a valiant knight and the most progressive royal in history. I can only be grateful that the Crown Prince’s brilliant achievements continue to accumulate day by day.”
Cecile read the text carefully. His posture, leaning back on the sofa, looked exceedingly lazy and comfortable. Meanwhile, Leo, the chamberlain standing before him, could not hide his anxious gaze.
What he was reading was a commentary from a private newspaper that had recently gained popularity in the capital. It was said to be known for its strict evaluations, regardless of social status.
Cecile turned the page. Upon reading the next line, he let out a chuckle. His head tilted slightly to the side, and his emerald eyes continued to follow the text.
“In contrast, Cecile Adrian can be deemed a worthless scion. He is indulgent and wasteful, and his judgment in choosing business ventures has reached a deplorable level. Of course, it cannot be denied that his outward appearance is splendid and attractive. However, one must remember that getting lost in his looks could lead to losing all one’s fortune and ending up on the streets.”
Cecile asked, genuinely curious, “Who on earth wrote this? They’re treating me like some kind of heinous villain.”
“Please, Cecile, don’t read such pointless articles. It will only ruin your mood.”
“What does it matter? It’s not completely nonsense.”
Cecile stretched his lips into a long smile and continued reading the scathing commentary.
“How fortunate it is that not a single strand of golden hair taints Cecile Adrian. Had he been the heir to the throne, the future of the empire would have been bleak. I sincerely hope that the legitimate Crown Prince becomes the next emperor as soon as possible and becomes the new hope of the Verka Empire.”
After thoroughly scanning the commentary, Cecile neatly folded the newspaper and set it aside.
“Every word from start to finish is correct. What do you think, Leo?”
“What do you mean by what I think! Everything related to you, Cecile, is nonsense!”
As Leo clenched his fist in indignation, Cecile laughed, his eyes rounding in amusement.
“I’m just joking. In any case, there are only a few who will recognize my true self.”
Cecile smiled contentedly.
If things had gone as they should have, Alexis’s reputation would have plummeted and voices of condemnation would have pierced the heavens.
He was simply grateful that public opinion flowed in his favor. Even though all the blame was solely on Cecile, that was what he had wanted.
“Shall I go ruin the country again today?”
He stood up with a light gesture.
* * *
Empress Elizabeth anxiously bit her nails. Recently, she had been acutely aware of her diminishing position.
Even the Emperor’s health was not good. As he aged, it was becoming increasingly difficult to shake off his ailments.
Emperor Arnold had now completely withdrawn from the front lines and needed to recuperate. Consequently, Alexis’s power had grown even stronger. He was almost like an emperor, having not yet ascended to the throne.
The Empress bit her nails harder.
“I can’t just sit back and watch. If that guy becomes emperor, my life is over.”
“Everything is unfolding in direct contrast to what we expected. I thought that if diplomatic issues arose with Kazarzan, it would surely have a negative impact on the empire’s economy… but it’s holding up better than anticipated. Moreover, the Crown Prince has perfectly controlled the Black Forest. The public sentiment is now completely leaning toward the Crown Prince.”
The Empress’s closest aide, Count Lawrence, who had recently taken the position of Minister of Finance, chimed in.
At his words, the Empress’s eyes narrowed sharply.
“Are you just going to sit back and watch?”
“I am also contemplating various approaches. However, as Your Majesty knows, the situation in the cabinet is not good… it’s a time to catch our breath.”
“Is there not a single person who can act as my hands and feet?”
The Empress ground her teeth in anger.
Crown Prince Alexis had cut off not only the nobles who openly supported the Empress but also those who had secretly backed her from the shadows. It was impossible for this to happen without divine intervention.
“Count, we must instigate a war with Kazarzan.”
“Your Majesty! A war?”
“The tide has already turned in favor of the Crown Prince. If we are to revive ourselves, we must shake the empire to create an opportunity.”
The Empress clenched her fist tightly. Ambition bubbled in her emerald eyes, unable to be concealed.
“I will persuade His Majesty the Emperor. Though his strength has waned, he is still the Emperor of the Verka Empire. He still has the power to declare war.”
Count Lawrence swallowed hard. A war with Kazarzan was unexpected, but her plan was not entirely futile.
“Whenever you wish, I will follow your orders without hesitation.”
The Empress nodded and offered a faint smile. If war broke out, the empire would become a hellfire. As long as she could push Alexis into that inferno, anything would be acceptable.