Second Life, I’m Dying Soon Chapter 12

Chapter 12

Cecil’s eyes widened. He hadn’t anticipated the situation unfolding like this, and his face was full of surprise. He hurriedly lowered his head.

“There’s no need for that because of me.”

“Haha, I was only joking! Really, you take things so seriously that even I feel embarrassed.”

A hearty laugh echoed through the audience chamber. Emperor Arnold, who had been affectionately ruffling the back of Cecil’s head, soon smiled kindly.

“In times like these, you mustn’t hide but stand tall in front of others. Besides, the Crown Prince has a heavy workload, so it would be good if you could assist him.”

“…Pardon?”

“You’ve been apart for quite some time, so it’s only natural that your bond has grown distant. This would be a great opportunity to strengthen your brotherly ties, wouldn’t it?”

Assist with state affairs? Cecil was completely dumbfounded.

This was too soon. And more importantly, Alexis was bound to disapprove.

His dazed gaze naturally shifted toward the Crown Prince. However, Alexis kept his eyes firmly ahead, making it impossible to gauge what he was thinking.

“Cecil, you should respond.”

“Your Majesty… How could I possibly dare?”

“Oh dear. My child has become so timid. Alexis, what do you think?”

“If Your Majesty wishes it, I shall, of course, comply.”

“You heard that, didn’t you?”

The situation was spiraling in an unexpected direction. Refusing outright wasn’t an option. Cecil pressed his lips together tightly and gave a small nod.

“Now that everything has been settled, everyone may leave. I am weary and shall take my afternoon rest.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

Alexis and the Minister of Foreign Affairs rose and bowed. Not wanting to be left behind, Cecil quickly followed suit and hurried out.

A long corridor stretched from the audience chamber to the main palace entrance. Cecil hastened his steps, barely keeping up with Alexis’ long strides.

“Your Highness, why did you agree to this?”

“His Majesty desired it. I always abide by his wishes.”

“But you don’t want me assisting with your work.”

“Then are you suggesting I go against His Majesty’s command?”

“Your Highness could have come up with a reasonable excuse.”

At that moment, Alexis, who had been walking briskly, came to an abrupt halt. Meeting his sharp gaze, Cecil instinctively drew in a breath.

“You speak as if you know me quite well.”

Of course, he did. He knew exactly what kind of person Alexis was—down to his very core.

Cecil swallowed the words rolling on his tongue, barely managing to suppress them. Thankfully, the only thing that escaped was a quiet sigh.

“Your Highness, does none of this trouble you?”

“What exactly?”

“The fact that I… like men. Doesn’t it disgust you?”

Alexis pulled up one corner of his lips. A fleeting smirk crossed his otherwise indifferent face.

“I don’t care. Your preferences are none of my concern—as long as I’m not involved. Not that there’s any chance of that happening.”

“…Right.”

Cecil cast his gaze downward, struck by the sharp sting of those words. His hands trembled pathetically, so he quickly hid them behind his back.

Yes. This was a feeling that must never be discovered. He had to bury it deep, ensuring Alexis would never notice. Not even a hint of disappointment could be allowed to surface.

“Follow me.”

A cold command fell from above. As Alexis strode forward, Cecil clenched his resolve and hurried after him.

 

***

 

There were seven palaces within the imperial palace.

Each one bore a symbolic emblem, and for Saint’s palace, where the Crown Prince resided, it was the sequoia tree. Towering as high as the palace itself, the trees stood like guardian spirits, no different from living walls.

The centuries-old sequoias were all tall and unyielding. They reminded Cecil of Alexis—resilient, steadfast, and never bending no matter what.

Cecil gazed endlessly at the green leaves swaying outside the window, trying to soothe the heavy weight settling in his chest.

‘To think I’d return here again.’

Even now, when he closed his eyes, he could still see it—Alexis collapsing in this very office, coughing up blood as he died. The terrible memory was burned into his mind and heart, haunting him relentlessly.

His eyes, a shade paler than the deep green foliage outside, shifted sideways. Across from him sat the Crown Prince, completely engrossed in work.

He was busy. The towering stack of documents on his desk was proof enough.

Not only that, but the attendants of the Saint’s palace bustled about, constantly bringing in more papers. The desk was already overflowing, with six waiting trolleys filled with thick books and rolled-up parchments.

Cecil tapped his fingers against his empty desk.

‘If there’s so much work, he could at least share some with me. Wasn’t that the reason he brought me here in the first place?’

On Cecil’s desk, the only items were a bottle of black ink and a pen. Even that pen had yet to touch the ink. It had already been three days of being completely ignored.

Cecil spent half a day at the Crown Prince’s palace, idling away his time before leaving. Though Alexis had said he would ask for help if needed, all he had given Cecil was a desk—without assigning him any work.

The message was clear.

Even if he drowned in paperwork, he had no intention of accepting Cecil’s help. More than that, it was a statement that he wasn’t incompetent enough to require it.

Well, there was no real complaint. Watching Alexis work with such intense focus was entertaining in its own way.

And was this spot actually a prime location? The day seemed to pass by in the blink of an eye.

Cecil idly spun a useless pen around his finger. For a brief moment, Alexis glanced over at the childish display, but soon turned his attention back to his documents.

Knock, knock.

The sound of knocking was followed by the entrance of the chamberlain, who had served Alexis for years.

“Your Highness, Sir Claude Vandell, the Knight Commander, has arrived. Shall I escort him to the audience chamber?”

“Ah, I see. It’s that time already.”

Setting aside his papers, Alexis left his office. With the only source of entertainment gone, Cecil swallowed a hint of disappointment.

As soon as the Crown Prince stepped out, his attendants moved swiftly. Three or four of them formed a human barricade around the desk, standing as if on guard.

There was no need to ask who they were wary of. Cecil scoffed, turning his head away.

Just then, his gaze landed on the wall clock.

Now that Alexis had gone to meet with the Knight Commander, the meeting would take at least an hour.

‘Ah, this is going to be boring.’

Spending time in the office without Alexis was unbearable. Every passing second felt like a waste of his precious time.

While Cecil squandered his valuable hours doing nothing, Alexis entered the audience chamber, where Claude was already waiting.

The Crown Prince sank into a large, single-seat sofa, his body sinking into the goose-feather cushions. His platinum hair, neatly combed back, tumbled slightly out of place. As he lazily pushed his bangs back, Claude let a rare smile across his lips.

“You look exhausted.”

“And you look pleased.”

“How could I not be, when Your Highness is working so diligently?”

“Enough useless chatter. Get on with the report.”

Still lounging, Alexis lazily beckoned with his fingers. Straightening his posture, Claude neatly arranged the documents he had brought on the table.

“The number of applicants who passed the document screening is 182 in total. The selection process will begin tomorrow.”

“That’s more than I expected.”

“It’s been seven years since the last recruitment. Applications flooded in.”

The knight order primarily attracted lesser nobles. For them, joining was the surest path to success.

The promise of rewards based on merit made it an enticing career. If they performed well, they might even be granted a title, making this an opportunity they couldn’t afford to miss.

Picking up a thick stack of documents, Alexis swiftly scanned the printed names and details. Despite his relaxed posture, his gaze was sharp.

“There better be some capable ones in the mix.”

“We can afford to be generous in the selection. At least half will drop out during training.”

“Because our dear Knight Commander is particularly ruthless.”

A smirk tugged at Alexis’ lips. Though his words carried a sharp edge, Claude only nodded, seemingly in agreement.

Alexis tossed the application papers onto the table. Staring at documents for so long had left his eyes feeling dry. Tilting his head back, he rubbed at his eyelids, pressing down on the growing heat.

“Finish the first round of selections. After that, I’ll review the rest myself.”

“Are you sure? I heard you haven’t been sleeping much.”

“It’s just the initial adjustment period. It’ll get better soon. Right now, I need to personally oversee—”

He cut himself off with a wry laugh, pressing his forehead with his fingers.

“Did you hear that His Majesty assigned Cecil to me?”

“Ah… I was informed. He’s supposed to assist you with state affairs, I believe.”

Claude took a slow sip of cold tea.

They had known each other for twenty years. Knowing Alexis’ meticulous nature better than anyone, Claude found it hard to imagine him tolerating an untrusted person at his side.

Curious, he took the opportunity to ask.

“I doubt you’ve given him any real tasks. So what does he do all day?”

“He just… exists. He stares at trees, then stares at my face.”

“…He stares at Your Highness?”

“With an absolutely dazed expression.”

Even recalling it made Alexis chuckle.

He had never intended to delegate any work to Cecil. The only reason he kept him close was to comply with the Emperor’s orders while keeping an eye on him.

Cecil Adrian, sitting there like an exquisite ornament, didn’t bother to hide his gaze. Whenever Alexis glanced up, their eyes met without fail.

There was no ulterior motive, no hidden schemes—just pure, unfiltered interest. It left Alexis utterly baffled.

“Rumors are already spreading through the capital that he likes men.”

“That was fast. Well, nobles do have loose tongues.”

“You’re being too nonchalant. What if he starts harboring improper feelings for you?”

“That’s ridiculous.”

Alexis let out an incredulous laugh. He had no interest in Cecil’s preferences. In fact, he didn’t even believe the rumors.

He could tell just by looking at his eyes. When men who liked other men found someone attractive, their gazes often carried an unmistakable hunger.

But in those emerald-green eyes, there wasn’t a trace of lust.

“He’s a strange one, the more I see him.”

Why would someone willingly expose such an obvious weakness, one that would surely be a stain on their future? And to go so far as to antagonize the Empress, who had been his greatest supporter? Alexis couldn’t begin to fathom his motives.

“Your Highness, my apologies for interrupting… but a message just arrived from the Empress’s palace.”

A hesitant chamberlain approached. At Alexis’ nod, he quickly handed over a letter.

Scanning the contents, Alexis let out a quiet scoff.

Claude, sensing something unusual, asked, “What is it?”

“Our esteemed Empress has decided to add another burden onto my shoulders.”

Pressing down his irritation, Alexis fell into thought. Soon, his sharp eyes narrowed.

“Is Cecil still in the office?”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

“Perfect. It’s about time I put him to work.”

The smooth paper crumpled mercilessly in the Crown Prince’s grip.

Since the Empress had made her move first, he would gladly engage. And while he was at it, he would uncover what exactly Cecil was hiding.