By Zephyria 
Alexis called the attendants of the Peridot Palace in place of the dazed Cecile.
At the sound of the pulling of a string, six attendants entered in a line. Their calm demeanor upon seeing the Crown Prince suggested that they were already aware of Alexis’s temporary return.
“Your Highness, I will quickly prepare the bathwater.”
“Shall I bring the meal here?”
“Yeah, I’ll eat with you. I’d also like you to bring me some clothes to change into.”
“Yes, I will prepare them.”
A comfortable conversation flowed between them. Alexis treated Cecile’s attendants as if he were familiar with them, and the attendants served the Crown Prince without any difficulty.
Only Cecile remained bewildered. As she watched the attendants bustling about, she turned her head back to face Alexis. When their eyes met, he smiled brightly, as radiant as the sun, and asked,
“What’s wrong? You still can’t believe it?”
“…….”
“Are you still half-asleep?”
“…I’ll go wash up.”
Cecile hurriedly made her way to the bathroom. Checking her reflection in the mirror on the wall, she realized her face was a mess. Her hair was all over the place, and her cheeks were flushed red as if she had a fever.
She touched her slightly swollen lips, still feeling the lingering sensation of Alexis’s tongue.
The attendants, who had just filled the bathtub with water, looked at Cecile standing in front of the mirror with puzzled expressions.
“What’s the matter? Are you feeling unwell?”
“No, it’s nothing, so don’t worry about it.”
While Cecile brushed her teeth with minty salt, the attendants finished preparing the bath and left. Finally alone, Cecile rinsed her mouth and rubbed her still-warm face with her palm. By this point, she should have regained her composure, but her mind felt completely blank.
She immediately stepped into the bathtub, submerging her entire body. The thin fabric of her nightgown quickly became opaque and clung to her skin. Inside, she splashed water on her face repeatedly.
Now that sleep had completely vanished, Cecile still couldn’t accept reality. After all…
“It doesn’t make sense. Alexis… likes me?”
Does loving and cherishing mean the same love I think it does? Does Alexis truly feel the same way I do?
Knock, knock, and the door opened, followed by the sound of footsteps approaching from behind. Assuming it was the head attendant, Cecile leaned her heavy head against the edge of the bathtub.
“Ah, Leo. Can you help me wash my hair?”
Her head was so tangled that she could hardly lift a finger. Closing her eyes and relaxing, she heard footsteps coming closer to her. It seemed like someone was preparing to assist her with her bath.
A viscous liquid, likely liquid soap, trickled down over Cecile’s head. Then, fingers smoothly penetrated through her wet hair.
The length of the fingers and the pressure on her scalp were different from Leo’s. Most importantly, her sensitive sense of smell detected Alexis’s scent mixed in with the fragrance of the soap. Cecile opened her eyes. Alexis’s face, looking down at her, came into view, turned upside down.
Cecile’s eyes widened. Alexis smiled as if he had expected this and began to wash her hair.
“If someone confesses, you should at least give a response, whether you like it or not. Running away won’t help.”
“…….”
“You’re looking at me like that again. Why? Do you think I’m lying to you?”
“No… that’s not it.”
“You said you love me too. What’s the problem? You haven’t suddenly lost interest, have you?”
Alexis smeared the foam on the tip of Cecile’s nose. The creamy, white foam settled on her beautifully shaped nose, making Cecile look like a sweet dessert.
Before long, he poured clean water over her head. The gentle touch washing away the foam was incredibly delicate. Cecile, fully aware of it, still wore a face full of confusion.
“If that’s the case, then try to love me again. I’m tall and handsome enough; is there another man in the Empire who fits your taste besides me?”
Alexis’s shameless self-praise felt strange. Cecile hesitated, straightening her upper body to turn around completely.
“Are you teasing me right now? This is all a joke, right?”
“Of course not. I’m genuinely pursuing you.”
He brushed aside the dripping bangs from Cecile’s forehead and carefully observed her reaction with his eyes. Alexis’s tone became more serious.
“How can I make you believe me? Is it not enough to run away from the Imperial Army?”
“…….”
“Tell me, Cecile. I can grant you anything you desire.”
“The fact that you like me….”
Cecile swallowed hard. She was so nervous that her vision blurred, and her lips trembled slightly. She struggled to squeeze out the words that had been swirling in her mouth.
“…Is it in a romantic sense? Like… wanting to kiss and hug, wanting to be intimate… is that the kind of affection you mean?”
“Of course.”
Alexis stepped into the bathtub. With a splash, his long arms wrapped around Cecile’s waist. Before she knew it, Alexis, equally soaked, pulled Cecile’s hand and placed it on his left thigh.
She could feel a distinct outline through his pants. The fabric was wet, and the heat contained within was palpable. The rigidness of his body was undeniable evidence.
“Do you need more proof?”
“…Since when?”
“Since I got excited? Or since I started liking you?”
Honestly, she was curious about both. Cecile slowly lifted her gaze from his solid thigh.
Her eyes met Alexis’s. In his eyes, filled with passion, blue flames flickered.
Cecile gasped and instinctively clenched her hand. As she grasped his thick thigh, it seemed to act as a signal, and Alexis immediately pressed his lips against hers.
With warm breaths, their heated bodies intertwined. Cecile, swaying from the intensity of the kiss, wrapped her arms around Alexis’s neck and eagerly offered her tongue to him.
In that moment, within the bathtub, separated from the world, only raw desire surged. They cast aside the dignity of royalty and indulged in each other hungrily to satisfy their cravings. The water in the tub splashed continuously, matching their ragged breaths.
The two who had entered the bathroom emerged only after an hour had passed.
Cecile was completely exhausted, and Alexis’s clothes were soaked through. They had merely confirmed their affection, yet both of their faces were flushed as if they had engaged in a passionate affair.
The attendants pretended not to notice as they helped them change. In the meantime, they had also prepared a meal. Deliciously arranged food awaited the two by the window, where the sunlight streamed in the room.
“Make sure to eat everything without leaving any behind.”
Alexis transferred neatly cut food onto a large plate. Cream, mashed potatoes, peas cooked in sauce, roasted mushrooms, and tender boiled chicken filled the plate, leaving no empty space.
Cecile frowned at the plate in front of her. It was too much for someone who had just started eating regular meals.
“I can’t eat all of this.”
“It’s just one plate. It’s not that much.”
“I don’t usually eat this much.”
“That’s why I want you to eat a lot. You’re too thin. When I hold you, it hurts because your bones dig into me.”
“Your Highness.”
Cecile set down her cutlery. The sound of the plate clinking was particularly jarring.
“Why?”
In contrast, his questioning voice was incredibly warm. The gaze looking at Cecile was filled with affection.
“The attendants can hear everything.”
“And so?”
Alexis tilted his head and asked Leo, who was standing beside him.
“Head attendant, is there a problem?”
“Of course not, Your Highness.”
Leo replied nonchalantly while pouring water from a silver pitcher. He even winked at Cecile, sending an ambiguous signal.
“They say it’s fine.”
“That’s absurd. When did everyone become in cahoots without me?”
“In cahoots? They’re all just people who care about you.”
Alexis spoke calmly and placed the fork and knife back into Cecile’s hands.
“Eat up. That way, we can at least take a short walk afterward.”
Alexis had to return to the battlefield. Remembering that he had made time for her, Cecile could no longer be picky.
She picked up her cutlery again and diligently began to cut her food. It wasn’t a large amount, but she continuously put food into her mouth.
Alexis watched her with a relaxed smile. In fact, he was forgoing his own meal just to observe Cecile.
Is this what it means to feel full just by watching someone eat? She was suddenly reminded of that embarrassing metaphor.
After finishing their meal, Alexis, now dressed in his uniform again, took Cecile out to the royal path of Rias. It was to spend a moment of intimacy before leaving.
The path, reserved for royalty, was quiet both day and night. This meant there were no prying eyes watching them.
However, Cecile kept glancing around, conscious of nonexistent gazes. She sometimes distanced herself from Alexis, who was walking beside her, and often fell behind, unable to match his pace.
“Cecile.”
Alexis, who had been walking ahead, stopped and turned halfway.
“Do you want me to carry you if it’s hard to walk?”
“No.”
“Come here.”
Despite his somewhat stern tone, his hand reaching out to Cecile was gentle. As their palms touched and their fingers intertwined, Cecile couldn’t help but smile.
Alexis smiled back at her. The grip on their intertwined fingers tightened.
“Enjoying this so much.”
“…Yes. I like it.”
“Be honest in front of me.”
“Will you really accept everything?”
“I will.”
“Even if I act presumptuously?”
Their steps momentarily halted. Alexis tilted his head and gave Cecile’s lips a quick peck.
“Whatever you desire.”
The kiss, as if granting permission, made Cecile burst into laughter. Their halted steps resumed slowly, and they exchanged conversation while walking.
“Soon, there will be a wedding between Claude and Yuria. It would be best if the war ends before that, but even if it doesn’t, the ceremony will still take place.”
“Someone must be quite anxious, whether it’s one of the two.”
Alexis agreed with a smile. Since being recognized as a couple by Alexis, Claude had been in an excited state. The effect of that excitement even reached the battlefield, where he flew around alone like the god of war, Ares.
“Did the Vandels allow the marriage?”
“They did. In fact, they welcomed it. The wet nurse has always liked Yuria.”
“That might stir up some gossip.”
“She’ll be the future Duchess, so if she makes a good impression, there won’t be anyone trying to undermine her.”
That was a relief. Cecile felt a sense of comfort wash over her.
“Claude is truly remarkable. In the end, he gets to spend his life with the woman he loves.”
“You knew?”
“How could I not? It was so obvious.”
Alexis chuckled softly.
“Unlike others, Claude can’t hide his true feelings well.”
“Compared to whom? …Are you talking about me?”
“Of course. You have a remarkable ability to deceive people. If you hadn’t been caught that day, I would have continued to be unaware of your feelings.”
“…That’s probably true.”
“Should I thank the Empress?”
He stopped walking again. Setting aside their stroll, he stood facing Cecile. Instead of a joking tone, he spoke with a more serious demeanor.
“I plan to attend the wedding.”
“You should. It’s Claude and Yuria’s wedding, after all.”
“And you, Cecile, must go as well.”
In his blue eyes, only Cecile was reflected. It was the gaze one has when looking at something precious.”You will attend that day not as royalty, but as my lover.”
“……”
“I hope you will be my partner.”
Cecile gazed at Alexis for a long time. Dressed in his uniform, he looked more handsome than ever, and the conversation shared on the path was enough to make one feel as if it were a dream, stirring his heart.
Perhaps this is the last blessing I can enjoy before I die.
He greedily tightened his grip on their joined hands.
“I will gladly be with you.”