The crown princess’s residence prepared a more luxurious dinner than usual, but instead of the awaited Lucas, an attendant came to inform that the council meeting was running long.

“Is that so? It can’t be helped since it’s a council matter.”

Serena was already feeling awkward thinking about spending the night with Lucas, so if he couldn’t come for a reason other than official duties, the situation would have been just fine.

“His Highness the Crown Prince said not to feel too disappointed and that he would arrive around 10 o’clock,” the attendant relayed.

However, Serena had judged too quickly. While Lucas had no choice but to miss the dinner, he had no intention of missing the rare chance to spend time alone together.

“… I see.”

After the attendant paid his respects and left, Serena murmured to herself. The maids who had been enthusiastically preparing for the dinner all day tried to stop her, saying it was too much, but now that she thought the main guest wasn’t coming, she suddenly felt drained.

“Anna, we prepared a lot of food for tonight’s dinner, right?”

“Yes, my lady.”

“I only need a few dishes, so serve it simply in the reception room of the bedchamber and distribute the rest to the palace staff. Don’t wait for me to eat, serve it while it’s warm.”

Anna nodded. Serena’s kind heart hadn’t changed, whether in Astel or now.

Originally, the meals for the upper quarters were usually prepared two or three times more, and the leftovers were shared among the servants. But Serena always set aside her portion first and considerately had them eat together while the food was still a bit warm.

“I’ll have a light meal and rest for a bit.”

“Yes, that would be good,” Anna paid her respects and withdrew, seeing Serena’s tired appearance.

A little later, cheers erupted from the first floor, reaching Serena’s ears as well. Only then did a smile spread across her lips.

Although it quickly quieted down, likely because Anna scolded them, the sight of the young maids being happy was pleasing to her eyes.

“They’re younger than Lora, but sometimes they’re so calm that I forget that fact.”

Tomorrow, she would have to order an abundance of cookies that the young maids liked to be baked. If the girls could find even a moment of joy that way, Serena thought her heart would feel at ease too.

“In a way, it must be much harder for them than for me, the one in the upper quarters.”

Serena herself didn’t realize it, but the way she considered the position and feelings of others regardless of status was the very reason many people were loyal to her.

“Now’s not the time to complain about being tired.”

The incident where she had everyone come take shelter at the ducal residence during the typhoon in Astel was still talked about to this day. That sincerity and kindness would soon be conveyed to the young maids as well.

“The secret weighs on my mind, but… Anna and Peter will need some rest for the time being too.”

Serena wasn’t the only one having a hard time adjusting. She felt belatedly sorry for bothering their break time with her curiosity.

She was tired too, but at least among those who entered the palace this time, she was the most comfortable.

“Except for one single fact.”

Suddenly, Lucas’s face came to mind.

Now that she was the crown princess, no one could disturb their time together, but today Serena had to spend the night maintaining the barrier between them.

“If I were a man, we could have been good friends.”

It was something Lucas would hate to hear and never agree with, but Serena was filled with unfounded confidence.

Lucas’s day was very long.

Having spent many years on the battlefield and occasionally even camping in rough terrains, his eyes would open around dawn no matter how tired he was.

Even after sleeping in a large bed, his body felt stiff, so the start of the day was shedding sweat by crossing swords with Cedric in the back garden.

“Now that you’ve returned to the imperial palace, is sword training still necessary?”

Cedric made a protest that wasn’t quite a protest with an expressionless face, but Lucas picked up a sword in the garden instead of answering. Moving his body enough to sweat even in winter seemed to have already become a habit that satisfied him.

“Your Highness’s skills are already outstanding. Moreover, what the body has learned, the body remembers, so there is no need to repeat it every day.”

There was probably basis for these words. What Cedric said was always right.

“Don’t tell me, you find it annoying to spar with me from the early morning?”

However, Lucas trusted the movements of his own body more than Cedric’s theory.

“It’s a little annoying.”

“Bear with it. As you always have.”

Cedric bowed his head. Following the crown prince seemed to be a fate determined from the moment he was born.

According to custom, when the emperor had a son and the child turned three years old, several boys of the same age from families of high noble status were put forth as candidates.

He was the same age as Lucas, who was the prince at the time, and as the youngest son of a marquis, he was considered a suitable candidate and swore to assist him for life.

“And just because we’re back at the palace doesn’t mean you should go easy. If you slack off, I won’t feel refreshed at all.”

There were many watching eyes in the palace, and there was great concern about the crown prince training with real swords. Cedric had already restrained himself bit by bit so it wouldn’t be noticeable, but Lucas’s face was already filled with discontent.

“Even if you swing your sword with sincerity, I won’t get cut.”

“Yes. It’s been that way since three years ago.”

Cedric was born with an honest and straightforward personality. To others, he often appeared blunt and indifferent, but the fact that he always spoke the truth even if it meant death and was always honest appealed to Lucas.

At least, it was thanks to the belief that Cedric would never overprotect him or deceive him with sweet lies just because he was the crown prince.

“For a change, shall we wash our bodies with cold well water?”

After a vigorous sword match, Lucas, whose body had grown hot, asked. It meant he would end the training now.

“No, I’ll pass.”

Let me say it again, Cedric was always honest.

“However, if Your Highness insists, I can pour water over you.”

“You’re no fun because jokes don’t work on you.”

“That is not my duty.”

Lucas tapped the shoulder of Cedric, who remained steadfast until the end, and entered the palace. The attendants were already waiting, having prepared bath water for him.

“Sir Cedric, good work.”

Of course, there were also attendants to serve Cedric. It felt a bit unfamiliar due to the past six years of living, but since he had stayed at the palace with Lucas since the age of three, this place was now Cedric’s home too.

“The attendants have prepared a bath in the bathroom attached to Sir Cedric’s bedchamber. After you finish grooming, you will have breakfast with His Highness in the dining room on the first floor.”

“Understood.”

Some considered Cedric’s life to be an accessory dependent on Lucas, but he himself never thought that way.

At least, ever since the crown prince had shown his spirit while secretly crying every night six years ago, he had always been the true lord in Cedric’s heart. To be born a man and be able to meet a lifelong comrade and friend who was also his lord was a great happiness.

“You’re late again.”

As usual, Lucas was already having breakfast first.

“I told you not to focus so much on appearances.”

“That’s not it.”

“It is.”

No matter how rough the place he slept, Cedric couldn’t feel at ease in the morning until he straightened his collar while looking at his reflection in the well water. Lucas had teased him a few times, but when there was no reaction, he soon stopped.

“Today, His Majesty told me to attend the council meeting, so let’s go together.”

“I will accompany Your Highness.”

“No, I don’t just want you to accompany me, but to sit by my side at the council meeting.”

Cedric blinked at the unexpected words.

“Don’t you know the reason I returned to attend the council meeting?”

“Of course, it’s to carry out official duties, succeeding His Majesty the Emperor.”

“Right. One day, I will have to govern that council. Then where will you be?”

Discomfort spread across his face, which had shown no reaction even when teased in various ways.

“You wouldn’t abandon your oath to serve me for life, would you?”

“That will never happen.”

“That’s why you have to come to the council with me. Just as there is a place for me there, there is a place for you.”

Lucas’s words were not wrong, but not every crown prince’s attendant knight necessarily participated in politics. The current emperor also had a knight who had protected him for life, but he was completely excluded from politics and official duties.

“Are you worried about the marquis?”

Cedric silently pondered for a moment and then nodded. Although he had spent most of his life by Lucas’s side, he was still the youngest son of the historic Carlson family and that fact could not be erased.

“Rather than being worried, I don’t want to tarnish Your Highness’s name because of my background.”

The emperor had sought to balance power by appointing Marquis Carlson and had ordered him several times to fulfill his duties, but the marquis claimed he had done his duty by offering one of his sons and did not return to the capital.

At first, the emperor had highly regarded his spirit, but now it was only natural for him to be angry at a disloyal subject who ignored his orders.

“His Majesty is not angry at you, but at Marquis Carlson’s neglect. Above all, you gave up your family name when you became my knight, so it doesn’t matter.”

Of course, Lucas’s true intentions didn’t end there. As one could see from Cedric, Marquis Carlson was a very upright man, and if he could be made to submit and serve as a subject, he could become a great asset.

“Don’t worry. Many things will change in my reign.”

Even without a detailed explanation, the lord’s reliable words were enough. Cedric nodded and silently continued with his meal.

“Don’t overeat. There will be many disgusting sights at the council today.”

Lucas grinned mischievously as he made the sarcastic remark.

Many people, including the emperor, regarded Lucas as a thoughtless young man who had just returned, but he had already planned everything and chosen to return. And soon, many would come to know that fact.