A Sudden Kiss

As he had anticipated, Cecilia didn’t remain intoxicated for long. She soon approached Yodel and initiated a conversation.

Gently lifting her veil, she revealed her true face to Yodel without reservation.

Her features, once pale and somewhat diminished by illness, had regained their rosy hue, radiating a charm several times greater than before.

If the sick Cecilia had been delicate and fragile, stirring an involuntary urge to protect her, now she could only be described as radiant and graceful. The noble and elegant temperament of a kingdom’s princess was fully displayed.

Even Yodel was momentarily stunned at the sight of her. Fortunately, having spent considerable time with Thanatos, he had grown somewhat desensitized to beauty and managed not to lose his composure.

But what surprised Yodel was the way Cecilia looked at him—it seemed rather unusual.

In truth, the princess had imagined that if Yodel could cure her tuberculosis and grant her a few more years, she would be content. She never expected him to achieve so much, and at virtually no cost to her—since his request was something she had already wanted to do.

Gratitude, excitement, joy—all these emotions swirled together, leaving her mind in a haze.

Though she had been the one to approach Yodel, now she seemed at a loss, her speech faltering.

The thought she had harbored before the treatment resurfaced: if Yodel truly could save her, she wouldn’t wait for him to make a request—she would willingly marry him.

“I… I’m not very good at thanking people… uh… I don’t know what to offer in gratitude… so…”

Before Yodel could react, Cecilia rose on her tiptoes and quickly planted a kiss on his cheek.

The kiss lasted only a brief moment, and then she leaped back, blushing, retreating to where she had been.

Yodel was dumbfounded. He instinctively touched his cheek, the sensation of the kiss still lingering.

Seeing his stunned expression, Cecilia suddenly realized something crucial and hastily asked, “I… I’m sorry, that was rash. You don’t already have a wife or fiancée, do you? I haven’t wrecked someone’s family, have I?”

“Th-this… no, I don’t,” Yodel replied mechanically, still absentmindedly touching his face.

“Phew… that’s good… that’s a relief.” A princess becoming a homewrecker—Cecilia would never be able to live that down. Upon hearing he was unmarried, she found herself feeling a small flicker of happiness, not much, but it was there.

“Princess, you…”

Yodel had finally regained his composure by now, but the shock Cecilia had given him couldn’t be forgotten so easily.

Yet, despite being kissed by a beautiful girl, Yodel didn’t feel the expected joy. In the past, he would have mocked himself for being ungrateful, but the truth was that he felt no happiness at all; instead, there was a tightness in his chest.

Cecilia quickly changed the subject: “Ah, that kiss… don’t overthink it—it was just a simple thank-you! Also, we’ve been talking for a while. Your sister must be worried. Let’s head back to the hall.”

Without another word, she rushed out the door, called for her attendants, and led Yodel out of the meeting room as if fleeing.

On the way, they both tacitly avoided mentioning the incident, but the blush beneath Cecilia’s veil showed she was far from as calm as she appeared.

It wasn’t until they returned to the banquet hall that their emotions gradually settled.

Yali was still sitting in the same place as before. Her brother had been gone so long that she was starting to worry. He was with the princess of the kingdom—what if she tried to make trouble for him? “Yali, I’m back.” Just as her thoughts wandered, Yodel and Cecilia returned together.

Yali looked up to find her brother and the princess standing side by side, but there seemed to be no discord. Only then did she relax.

But Yali was so focused on observing the princess that it took her a moment to notice that, besides herself, all the other students—including Lynn—had risen and were bowing to Cecilia.

Now, Yali, the only one still seated, became the center of attention.

From somewhere not far away came a snicker. Micah’s face was full of schadenfreude. He wouldn’t miss the chance to curry favor with the princess. He pushed through the crowd and pointed at Yali, scolding: “Have you no manners at all? The princess is standing, and you, a commoner, dare to sit there comfortably? Get up and pay your respects!”

Yali flinched at his shout. Her first thought wasn’t for herself but that she might drag her brother down and make the princess dislike him too.

But before she could stand, a hand gently pressed down on her head—it was Cecilia.

“So you’re Yodel’s sister?” Her voice was as melodious as a silver bell.

“Y-yes… I’m sorry, Princess… for offending you.”

However, the scolding Yali expected never came. On the contrary, under the gaze of the guests, Cecilia leaned down, lifted the edge of her veil, and showed no anger—only a gentle smile as she looked at Yali.

To Micah’s dumbfounded expression, she affectionately stroked Yali’s cheek: “From now on, we’ll be classmates. If you ever encounter any troubles in life, or if someone bullies you, come find Sister Cecilia, okay?”

She didn’t lower her voice, and since the entire hall was silently waiting for the princess’s reaction, almost everyone clearly heard Cecilia’s words.

Micah, in particular, felt his heart sink when Cecilia said ‘if someone bullies you, come find Sister Cecilia.’ Wasn’t that directed at him? She might as well have named him directly!

He didn’t need to think twice—his image in the princess’s eyes was completely ruined.

But why? Princess Cecilia rarely left the palace and seldom received visitors. Why would she show such care to a commoner girl? Micah just couldn’t understand, and the other guests were just as bewildered.

Meanwhile, Yodel stepped to his sister’s side and whispered, “Aren’t you going to say thank you?”

“Thank you, Princess.”

“Hmm?” Cecilia frowned.

“Ah! Thank you, Sister Cecilia!”

The matter concluded in a way no one had expected. Not only was Yali not punished, but she had gained an ‘elder sister.’

After this minor incident, many wanted to come and talk to the princess.

But they never found the opportunity, because Cecilia stayed with Yodel and the military scions, including Lynn.

Naturally, the young students were ecstatic. Before them was the acknowledged number one beauty of the kingdom, the first princess famed both among commoners and the elite, someone rarely seen even under normal circumstances.

Seeing that they were on good terms with Yodel, Cecilia graciously played along, giving them full emotional satisfaction. It wasn’t until her maids stepped forward to urge her that she pretended to cough a few times and left early.

After Cecilia had gone, Lynn scratched his head. “Is it just me, or did the princess’s voice sound sweeter just now?”