Chapter 49

"Have you just noticed that Cecil is actually your sister? Really, Your Highness, you are so slow."

The day after Oscar realized that Cecilia might be Cecil, he confronted Gilbert, who readily admitted it. They spoke in hushed tones in the entrance hall of the cottage, while the other members chatted casually.

"Originally, I didn’t think it could be kept a secret forever. It seems your sister believes she can continue like this, but I’m not that optimistic."

"You realize Cecilia is a duchess’s daughter, right? Such a—"

"I know. I know that."

Oscar didn’t like the nonchalant expression on Gilbert’s face. And—

"Even so, this is what your sister wants."

Oscar also didn’t like how Gilbert acted as if he was the only one who knew the situation. It made him feel left out.

"Why is she doing this?"

"I can’t say."

"You!—"

"I don’t think you would understand even if I told you."

Oscar was angry at the condescending tone. It was one thing not to be able to give a reason, but to be told he wouldn’t understand was infuriating.

"Fine. If that’s the case!"

If Gilbert wouldn’t tell him, he would ask Cecilia herself. As Oscar took a step forward, Gilbert grabbed his arm to stop him.

"It’s better not to tell her. If she finds out that Your Highness has noticed, she might even flee the country."

"What? Flee the country!?"

"That’s how much she doesn’t want Your Highness to know."

"You mean, she doesn’t want me to know that she’s disguised as a man?"

"Yes. So, Your Highness, please pretend you don’t know. I’m just going to follow my sister, so even if she flees the country, it’s fine with me."

Oscar was confused. The anger at being mocked had vanished, replaced by a sense of chaos. The only thing he understood was that if he didn’t keep quiet, Cecilia would flee the country. From the look on Gilbert’s face, this wasn’t a lie.

"Then, I’ll do my best to pretend I don’t know."

As Gilbert smiled, Cecilia and Lean descended the stairs.

That was three days ago.

"Ah, damn it!"

In the office at the palace, Oscar scratched his head vigorously. The knight who had just brought him some documents jumped at his sudden outburst.

"Your Highness, is something wrong!? Could there be an issue with the documents?"

"No, it’s fine. Sorry."

Oscar apologized to the knight, who had turned pale, and glanced at the documents on his desk again. The documents were about the additional budget for the military. Currently, Oscar was in charge of the military, though the official head was still the king. In practice, he managed it. However, decisions about how to deploy the military and what equipment to build were made with the help of field personnel and experts, so he felt he was still in the learning phase.

While working, Oscar thought about Cecilia.

(So, all those times, all those times, all those times. The person I was with was not Cecil, but Cecilia!?)

The Cecil who had slept in the same bed because he was scared,

The Cecil who had touched his chest to pose for a painting,

The Cecil who had climbed on top of him in foreign clothes to escape from Lean,

All of it, all of it, all of it, it wasn’t him. It was her.

The moment he realized this, he remembered the softness of her body from just the other day and buried his face in the desk.

"Ah, damn it!!"

"Your Highness!? Are you alright!?"

"What is she doing!! She’s really an idiot!!"

"Did I do something wrong!?"

The knight was flustered by Oscar’s strange behavior. However, Oscar didn’t have the mental space to comfort the poor knight. He pressed his forehead and bit his lower lip.

"Pretending I don’t know. What kind of face am I supposed to show her…?"

Oscar scratched his head again.

Starting from the next chapter, it will be after the summer break.

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