By Zephyria 
Fifteen days later, joyful news arrived.
The Imperial Army had defeated the Kazazhan forces and reclaimed all major strongholds. The Berka Empire now firmly held the upper hand and was preparing a peace treaty with Kazazhan.
The entire nation buzzed with the news of victory. Flags were hung from every home, and the streets were lined with congratulatory flowers. Newspapers praising the war heroes were distributed almost daily.
The Imperial Palace was no different. A banquet was being prepared to celebrate the imminent return of the Crown Prince and the Empire’s knights.
Cecile stood in front of the mirror, adjusting his attire.
The deep purple shirt boasted a luxurious sheen today. The voluminous cuffs added an elegant touch, and the clean, unadorned trousers accentuated Cecile’s slender figure.
He was quite pleased with today’s outfit, which intentionally toned down the extravagance. As he was about to tie the ribbon, he suddenly remembered and opened his shirt.
The ancient number inscribed on his chest was visible. Less than a month remained.
Cecile was no longer greatly disturbed by the dwindling time left. He felt a sense of lightness, as if he had completed all his tasks. Rather than clinging to life, he wanted to spend the remaining time more meaningfully.
He tightened his shirt and tied the ribbon. Somehow, it didn’t look as pretty when he did it himself. After struggling in front of the mirror, he eventually gave up and asked Leo for help.
Leo skillfully crafted a beautiful bow in no time.
“You look amazing today.”
“Really? I’m glad to hear that.”
“I think His Highness will like it too.”
Cecile nodded quietly. Though he tried to act calm, his pale face flushed red like a ripe apple. The stark whiteness of the shirt made the contrast even more apparent.
Seeing his master’s lovely appearance, Leo felt happy and smiled broadly, but he couldn’t help but sniffle. He tried to hold it back, but soon his eyes were moist.
Cecile’s eyes widened in surprise.
“Are you crying?”
“I’m sorry, I don’t know why I’m tearing up on such a happy day.”
“There’s plenty to cry about. How can you be so soft-hearted? Be tougher. You’re a servant of Peridot Palace.”
Despite his cold words, Cecile gently patted Leo’s head.
“Cecile, you are happy, right?”
“Yeah.”
“You must continue to be… happy.”
“I will. Don’t worry.”
As Cecile smiled, Leo couldn’t help but grin back. However, his tear-streaked face looked unbearably sad.
“Crown Prince! Congratulations on your victory!”
“Long live the Berka Empire!”
The Empire’s knights returned to the capital, greeted by the enthusiastic cheers of the crowd. A grand procession followed, accompanied by a majestic march. The destination of their proud strides was the Imperial Palace.
The first to cross the massive gates was Crown Prince Alexis. The majesty of the Crown Prince, mounted on a pure white horse, was truly a symbol of the Empire’s pride. Those who beheld his dazzling platinum hair bowed their heads in joy, celebrating his safe return with victory.
As they reached the front of the main palace, Alexis, leading the way, leaped down from his white horse.
Following his back, the Empire’s knights moved in a line into the main hall, where a welcome banquet was prepared.
The hall was filled with hundreds of golden candlesticks and floral decorations, starting with a vast expanse of red carpet. The moment the Crown Prince entered, the nobles bowed deeply in respect.
Alexis, disregarding the welcome, walked straight ahead. His eyes were fixed solely on one person.
At the highest point inside, where the Emperor should have been, stood Cecile Adrian. He was there to welcome the war heroes in place of the bedridden Emperor and the reclusive Empress.
As Alexis appeared, Cecile was also descending the stairs. The solemn demeanor he had maintained until now was overshadowed by the unmistakable joy on his face.
Once Cecile reached the bottom of the platform, he steadied his trembling excitement and greeted Alexis.
“Your Highness, welcome back. I’m so glad you returned safely…!”
Before he could finish his sentence, Alexis pulled Cecile into a tight embrace.
“Yeah, I’m back.”
Alexis’s strong arms wrapped around Cecile’s back, and their chests pressed together, rising and falling with heavy breaths. Overwhelmed by emotion, Alexis had to exhale roughly to suppress the surge of feelings.
“I missed you.”
“I missed you too.”
Cecile opened his arms and embraced Alexis back. He lifted his heels to whisper all his innermost feelings into Alexis’s ear. Alexis listened intently, catching every word that flowed into his ear, and in return, he whispered back to Cecile.
A moment of silence enveloped the hall. Although no one could hear the whispers exchanged between the two, everyone was keenly aware of the emotional reunion.
Were they always this close? Just as that question crossed some minds, the following knights began to enter. As the music resumed, the hall regained its lively atmosphere.
At that moment, fireworks erupted, and a massive banner emblazoned with the royal emblem descended from the ceiling. In an instant, everyone cheered, reveling in the joy of victory.
“Your Highness, please say a few words!”
One of the high-ranking nobles requested a speech from the Crown Prince. By now, a wine glass was in Alexis’s right hand.
He boldly grasped Cecile’s hand. With a satisfied smile, he raised the glass high for all to see.
“The precious victory belongs to all of you. Today, indulge and celebrate to your heart’s content! The light of the Berka Empire will never be extinguished!”
“For the glory of the Empire!”
A unified voice filled the hall. Amidst the cheers of celebration, a grand victory anthem resonated. The atmosphere of the banquet grew even more vibrant, and toasts were exchanged hurriedly.
In the meantime, Alexis set down his wine glass and pulled Cecile’s wrist closer.
“Cecile, is there something you’ve forgotten?”
“What do you mean?”
“It’s a victory banquet. We must reward those who have contributed.”
Caught off guard by the unexpected request, Cecile momentarily lost his words. He stared blankly at Alexis before nodding with determination.
He took Alexis’s hand and gently stepped back toward the curtain-draped area. Though his guiding force was weak, Alexis smiled and willingly followed.
While the grand banquet unfolded, the protagonists of the evening slipped away to a secluded spot.
As soon as they entered the secret room, they began searching for each other’s lips without a word. Heated breaths exchanged, and their tongues tangled messily within their mouths.
They had long since discarded any semblance of royal decorum. Both were eager to fulfill the longing they had waited for in this moment.
Cecile grasped Alexis’s collar with difficulty. Though it was he who initiated the kiss, he soon found himself losing control to Alexis.
Overwhelmed by the forceful push, he instinctively stepped back. When his back hit the wall, a large hand cradled the back of his head, cushioning the impact.
With their heads tilted, their lips met without a gap. Their tongues danced so fervently that it felt as if they might be pulled out entirely. The sensation was closer to pleasure than pain. The hand that had been gripping Alexis’s collar now cradled his cheeks.
In the quiet room, only the sound of heavy breathing and wet skin mingling echoed. The intensity of it all made Cecile let out a moan that sounded almost pained.
With all the sensations overwhelming him, he felt his knees weaken, making it impossible to stand.
As Cecile began to slide down, Alexis lifted him entirely. With the sudden elevation, Cecile’s hand, which had been gripping Alexis’s cheek, wrapped tightly around his broad shoulder. Their lips parted for a moment, and they faced each other, catching their breath.
“Is this… huff, the reward you prepared for me?”
Alexis asked with a voice laced with laughter. Cecile, dazed, admired his face before leaning in again. It was a face he couldn’t resist kissing. Their saliva-soaked skin pressed together, then pulled apart.
“Phew, yes. Is it not to your liking?”
“Not at all.”
Alexis’s handsome lips stretched into a wide grin, resembling that of a villain.
With one arm supporting Cecile, he grasped the back of his head. Quick to catch on, Cecile opened his lips immediately.
Short, intense kisses followed one after another. Alexis held Cecile close and continued to walk.
The secret room, completely isolated from the banquet hall, was the perfect place for their clandestine love. The only light came from the flickering oil lamp, barely illuminating their faces.
Before long, they collapsed onto the sofa. Alexis looked down at Cecile, who lay beneath him, and gently brushed his disheveled hair aside.
“I could do this all night.”
“You’re not really planning to stay up all night, are you?”
“Did you think I’d touch you without that kind of resolve?”
In the darkness, Alexis’s blue eyes sparkled unusually bright, like a wolf with its prey in sight. He didn’t bother to hide his raw desire.
“……”
Cecile reached out silently. He began to trace the sharp contours of Alexis’s features with his fingertips, exploring each detail.
From the sharply arched eyebrows to the delicate nose, and down to the full curve of his lips. As he gently traced the outline of those lips, the blue eyes hidden in the shadows shone even more intensely.
Alexis seized Cecile’s wrist and playfully bit down on his soft fingers.
With the advantage of position, Alexis wedged his knee between Cecile’s legs. Their lower bodies pressed even closer together, and their heated breaths mingled, dampening each other’s faces.
“I can’t believe it. That we’re… doing this right now.”
“Does it still feel like a dream?”
“Yes. I’m so happy that I never want to wake up.”
Cecile smiled sadly.
Here we go again. Every time he saw Cecile’s heartache when confirming their love, Alexis was enveloped in an inexplicable sorrow.
If it’s hard to believe, then he just needed to show his heart until certainty emerged. He intertwined his fingers with Cecile’s limp hands and carefully pressed their lips together, pouring his genuine feelings into the kiss.
Whether in a dream or reality, Cecile must be happy by his side.