By Zephyria 
It was a somewhat solemn confession. Cecile was momentarily at a loss for words, but he managed to squeeze out a response.
“Congratulations. I had a feeling that Yuria would become the Crown Princess. I will do my part to ensure it is a grand wedding.”
“No! That’s not it! The person I’m going to marry is Claude.”
“Really, Claude… what?”
Cecile’s voice came out as a desperate question, reflecting his shock.
Yuria’s cheeks flushed a deep red. She felt embarrassed and didn’t know where to look.
“It’s a bit embarrassing. It’s hard to explain everything, but a lot has happened. My relationship with His Highness has been settled for a long time. I too… have given up on my feelings some time ago.”
“…What are you saying right now?”
“His Highness already has someone he cares for. I don’t want to covet a place that isn’t mine.”
Yuria took a sip of her tea and recalled the words Alexis had left her before his departure.
“Yuria, you don’t need to feel sorry. I’m actually glad that the person you chose is Claude. I hope you find happiness with the man who cherishes and loves you the most. As the Crown Prince of the Empire, and as your supporter, I promise to continue to support you without reservation.”
“Are you really okay with this?”
“Of course. I have Cecile with me. It’s fine.”
Cecile looked as if he couldn’t comprehend, covering his mouth with his hand.
“His Highness… has someone else in mind?”
What on earth had happened while he was suffering? He muttered to himself in disbelief.
“You had no idea at all?”
“What do you mean?”
“Who His Highness likes.”
As Cecile stared blankly, Yuria’s lips curled into a small smile.
Cecile Adrian can look cute at times. Is that why His Highness likes him?
Yuria refrained from speaking too hastily. After all, a confession should be made by the person involved.
She popped a small cookie into her mouth and smiled gently. Since Cecile was a smart person, perhaps he would find the answer on his own.
Four more days passed.
Cecile had recovered enough to walk around the Imperial Palace without assistance. However, perhaps due to his previous collapse, everyone who encountered him treated him as if he were a person on the brink of death.
Even Alexis had left him out of all state affairs before departing.
Cecile found the forced rest quite unsatisfactory. Doing nothing made the days feel unbearably long. Even his perfectly healthy body felt achy, and time dragged on painfully.
“It must be nice to be so free, right? You can leisurely read books and enjoy tea time in the garden after such a long time.”
Leo said as he poured cream generously into a warm cup of black tea. He had also placed a delicious slice of peach pie on a plate. He was making every effort to lift Cecile’s spirits, which seemed lower than usual.
Cecile scanned the garden with a neutral gaze. It was already January, and the Camellia flowers were blooming particularly beautifully.
“Yeah, it is comfortable. But it’s so leisurely that it’s almost boring.”
“If you’re feeling bored, how about going out with me this afternoon? We can check out the shops in the bustling district, and if you see something you like, we can do some shopping.”
“I’ll think about it.”
Leo’s suggestion was appreciated, but it didn’t pique his interest much. Cecile rested his chin on his hand, staring at the distant castle walls.
His mind was consumed with worry for Alexis. Thinking of him fighting in the midst of war made him anxious, and he couldn’t focus on anything.
“Leo. Is there any new news?”
“Again? It’s only been an hour since you last heard anything.”
Leo shook his head and pushed the plate with the pie a little closer to Cecile, along with a small fork for easier eating.
“There’s nothing to worry about. Isn’t His Highness Alexis personally leading the charge? The Imperial Army will never lose!”
He seemed unaware that this made Cecile even more anxious.
He didn’t even glance at the dessert he loved so much, merely rubbed the rim of the warm teacup with his fingertips. Cecile let out a long sigh that felt like it could sink the floor.
“I know that… but I can’t feel at ease.”
“What are you worried about?”
“Out there, a war is raging, and I feel like I’m the only one at peace.”
“Do you think a war can end in just a day or two? We can’t live every day in anxiety. Everyone in the Imperial Palace is now enjoying their daily lives.”
“……”
“Above all, you resting quietly is helping. You haven’t forgotten our promise, have you?”
“I know.”
The endless wait made the days drag on even more slowly.
He hoped Alexis would return safely soon. There were so many things he wanted to ask him. He wasn’t sure if he would even get the chance to ask them directly.
* * *
Cecile buried himself under the blankets and lifted his heavy eyelids.
He had tossed and turned all night and finally fell asleep just before dawn. He thought he had seen Alexis in his dreams.
He had jumped into the middle of enemy territory and grabbed him while he was fighting a Kazazhan soldier, asking who he liked. Alexis only smiled warmly in response.
Even after waking up, he lay there in a daze for a while.
He tried to close his eyes again, but once a dream was broken, it wouldn’t resume. A sense of disappointment escaped him in a weak sigh.
He slightly pulled back the blanket that covered him. The sunlight streaming into the bed indicated that it was already noon.
Since he had nothing to do anyway, it wouldn’t matter if he stayed in bed a little longer. Just as he was thinking of rolling over to indulge in a bit more laziness…
“……!”
Through the thin canopy curtain, he saw a familiar figure. Cecile couldn’t believe it and shot up straight. Crawling on his knees, he yanked the curtain aside, and the figure of a man sitting in a chair became clearer.
Alexis was sitting there, arms crossed, with his eyes closed. His hair was slightly tousled, but he looked just as handsome as Cecile remembered.
Unable to believe his eyes, he stared silently, and the closed eyelids slowly opened. The blue eyes hidden within met Cecile’s gaze.
“Good morning.”
He greeted him in a low, calm voice, as if he had been waiting for this moment.
“What… no. How are you here?”
Cecile couldn’t even form a complete sentence. While he stammered in surprise, Alexis uncrossed his arms and smiled gently.
He stood up from the chair and took a step closer, sitting at the edge of the bed to match Cecile’s eye level.
“It’s been about an hour. I didn’t wake you because I heard you slept late.”
His long fingers gently caressed Cecile’s forehead. Despite the warmth he felt, Cecile still couldn’t believe it.
“Has the war… already ended?”
“Not yet. I just stopped by to see your face. I have to go back soon.”
He had heard the news that Cecile had regained consciousness when the battle was at its peak.
Alexis had approached the war with a determination to return, and perhaps because he had put everything on the line, he had achieved an overwhelming victory in the five-day-long battle.
As the war entered a brief lull, he had entrusted the follow-up to Claude and come straight here. Including the journey back, he had only a few hours to spare. That was why he had no reason to hesitate. His large hands cupped Cecile’s cheeks.
“Cecile, I was worried about what would happen if you didn’t wake up.”
“……”
“Even during the war, all I could think about was you. I wanted to tell you as soon as you woke up.”
Alexis locked eyes with Cecile’s dazed emerald ones. He spoke each word with sincerity.
“I love you and cherish you more than anyone else.”
“……”
“Do you understand? It means I love you.”
After finishing his confession, he slowly lowered his head.
His lips, which had softly touched Cecile’s forehead, traveled down to his eyes and cheeks before finally landing on Cecile’s lips. As their soft lips met, Alexis’s prominent nose brushed against Cecile’s small nostrils.
Cecile was left in a daze. Caught off guard, he accepted Alexis’s lips, then gently pushed against his chest. He pressed his wet lips together and fell back onto the bed as if collapsing. Curling up, he began to pull the blanket over himself and hide within it.
“What are you doing?”
“…I’m sure this is still a dream.”
Cecile thought this was just an extension of a dream. It wouldn’t make sense otherwise.
Seeing him trying to sleep again, Alexis couldn’t help but laugh. He understood the confusion well enough.
“That’s ridiculous!”
Not long after, Cecile kicked off the blanket and sat up abruptly.
At that moment, Alexis, as if he had been waiting for this, wrapped his hand around the back of Cecile’s head and pulled him close. He showered him with kisses all over his face. It was so endearing that Cecile could hardly bear it.
“It’s okay; I expected it wouldn’t be easy.”
“……”
“I guess I’ll have to work hard to awaken your feelings.”
Finally, he pressed his lips against Cecile’s flushed cheeks.