Second Life, I’m Dying Soon Chapter 17

Chapter 17

The debutante ball commenced precisely at seven o’clock. Thousands of candles illuminated the grand banquet hall, while the chandeliers adorning the ceiling added to its splendor.

The guests in attendance were mesmerized by the breathtaking scenery.

Everything around them was dazzling and luxurious—the red velvet carpet lining the floor, the intricate carvings embellishing the walls and columns, and the fresh flowers densely arranged throughout the hall, exuding a refreshing fragrance. Behind the lush shrubs, the orchestra continuously played melodies that delighted the ears. The praises of the imperial palace’s grandeur were endless.

“Lady Rosalyn Garden!”

At the herald’s loud proclamation, the trumpeters standing beside him blew their horns with all their might. Every time the high-pitched sound echoed through the hall, the nobles turned their gazes toward the entrance.

A young lady, just beginning to shed the traces of childhood, entered with a tense expression. Holding onto her chaperone’s hand, she walked in carefully, then gracefully greeted the guests. She must have practiced extensively. Though her smile was stiff, her curtsy was poised and refined.

“She’s truly a lovely girl.”

“That dress is an excellent choice. That sapphire necklace complements her fair skin perfectly.”

Nobles scattered throughout the banquet hall whispered among themselves, evaluating the young men and women making their debut into high society. Beneath the surface, sinister glances exchanged like fish swimming in a pond—each seeking to mark their preferred candidates in advance.

The table where the imperial family was seated was just as lively.

With the return of Crown Prince Alexis to the empire after several years and the presence of the current talk of the town, Cecil, the area was overflowing with nobles eager to catch a glimpse of them.

The Empress, as always, had secluded herself under the pretext of ill health, but the nobles paid little mind. Instead, they took this as an opportunity to approach more freely.

“I have never seen such a magnificent ball before. The imperial grandeur is truly unmatched. The sight is dazzling to the point of blindness. Of course, the most radiant of all is none other than Lord Cecil.”

“Baron Raymond.”

Cecil frowned and waved his right hand dismissively.

“I don’t mind flattery, but must you spit every time you speak? Could you step back a little?”

Baron Raymond awkwardly wiped the corners of his mouth. In his excitement over being Cecil’s dance partner, he had unknowingly invaded his personal space. Realizing his mistake, he straightened his posture.

The moment Raymond took a couple of steps back, other men swiftly filled the vacant space. Cecil’s seat was particularly competitive.

Their intentions were obvious. As if vying for the position of a princess’s consort, they were all desperately trying to win Cecil’s favor.

Despite his attempts to avoid attention, the atmosphere of the debutante ball was not aligning with his wishes. Who would have thought that so many perfectly healthy young men would swarm around him, completely surrounding him? Because of this, the interest that should have been directed toward the young ladies was instead converging on him.

Cecil was thoroughly irritated. How much perfume had these men doused themselves in? The overpowering scent gave him a headache, and the forced conversations only fueled his frustration.

“Lord Cecil, if it isn’t too much to ask, would you honor me with a dance?”

“I’ll pass.”

Without hesitation, he declined.

Immediately, another man, who had been waiting for his chance, stepped forward and quickly knelt before him.

“This necklace would perfectly complement your velvet waistcoat. Please, grant me the honor of placing it around your neck.”

The deep blue diamond shimmered with an extraordinary luster. It was undoubtedly a precious treasure, carefully prepared to adorn a woman he wished to woo.

Cecil curled his lips into a smirk and unbuttoned his waistcoat. The lustrous velvet fabric was flung over the back of his chair.

“Oh dear, the waistcoat that matched the jewel is gone now.”

Alexis, seated beside him, had been listening to the conversation the entire time. Though engaged in small talk with other nobles, his attention was fully on the scene unfolding next to him.

“Such a personality.”

He was exasperatingly particular. With such high standards, would he ever find a suitor that satisfied him? Alexis took a sip of his wine, silently tolerating Cecil’s haughty behavior.

“Lady Yuria Beatrice!”

The trumpets blared once more, echoing throughout the grand hall. Finally, the last guest of the evening had arrived.

As Yuria stepped into the hall, a collective gasp spread through the crowd.

Dressed in a pristine satin gown, she was the very embodiment of an ancient goddess—sublime and untouchable.

Holding the hand of Duchess Vandell, Yuria grasped the hem of her dress and gracefully curtsied. Every step she took commanded the attention of the room.

She was stunning.

More dazzling than any woman adorned in extravagant dresses and jewels, more brilliant than even the crystal chandeliers hanging from the ceiling—she alone shone the brightest.

Cecil observed Yuria’s approach for a long moment before turning away. His gaze landed on Alexis’s chiseled profile.

The Crown Prince stood with his arms crossed, smiling. For once, his usually icy blue eyes seemed warm, like reeds swaying in a sunlit field. Alexis’s gaze did not waver in the slightest as he watched Yuria. He observed her every movement, every smile, every nervous twitch—as if unwilling to let a single detail slip past him.

‘It’s fine. I expected this.’

Yet, seeing it unfold before his very eyes made Cecil scoff bitterly. He swallowed down the emptiness in his chest with a gulp of wine. Even in this situation, his careful selection of the finest vintage proved to be an excellent choice—it tasted wonderful.

Now that the final guest had arrived, the atmosphere within the banquet hall truly began to flourish. The court musicians crafted beautiful melodies, and men and women gathered in groups, performing elegant dance steps to the tune of a minuet ^[1] a slow graceful dance in ³/₄ time characterized by forward balancing, bowing, and toe pointing.  .

“Lady Beatrice, may I have this dance?”

“Your Highness.”

“I would be honored if you granted me the first dance of the evening.”

At some point, Alexis had left his seat and approached Yuria. At his polite request, Yuria lowered herself into a graceful curtsy. The two of them moved toward the center of the hall.

As the Crown Prince stepped onto the dance floor, a path naturally cleared, allowing him and Yuria to take the prime spot. The dark oak floor, polished with a fine layer of wax, gleamed beneath their feet as they glided across it. At that moment, the music shifted to a waltz, and a new dance began.

“The perfect pair, wouldn’t you say?”

“……”

Someone lacking tact offered their opinion beside Cecil. No longer able to maintain a neutral expression, Cecil excused himself and rose from his seat.

He had just slipped away to a quieter spot when the shimmering hem of an opulent pearl-colored dress rippled toward him.

“It is an honor to meet the Empire’s little star. Lord Cecil, have you been well?”

“It has been a while, Duchess Vandell.”

Caught off guard by the unexpected encounter, Cecil quickly straightened his posture.

“How is your health?”

“I have recovered significantly. The Empress must also regain her health soon.”

“Well, I’m sure she will.”

They both knew the Empress was perfectly fine. With the formal pleasantries out of the way, the duchess moved on to what she truly wished to say.

“You have lost a great deal of weight.”

“There have been too many troublesome matters as of late.”

“Although it’s late, I wanted to take this opportunity to express my gratitude. Thanks to you, I was able to keep my life.”

The duchess bowed deeply. Cecil, feeling somewhat awkward, offered a small nod in return. Given that she should have every reason to disapprove of him, her display of favor felt strange.

“But why are you alone, Lord Cecil?”

“I found the attention overwhelming and needed a brief respite.”

“Oh dear…”

The duchess responded with sympathy before flashing her signature warm and motherly smile.

“I can understand why. The gentlemen of the Empire can hardly leave a beauty alone.”

“There are plenty of beauties here.”

Cecil frowned slightly. He knew it was just a compliment, but it wasn’t particularly pleasant to hear.

“Oh! I must introduce my son to you.”

“Your son?”

The Vandell family had only one son. As expected, a tall and imposing man stepped forward beside the duchess and greeted Cecil with a polite bow.

“Claude Vandell greets the Empire’s little star.”

Even after rewinding three years, his expression remained as stern as ever. Unable to hold back, Cecil chuckled. This man truly hadn’t changed. What was the point of turning back time if he was going to be just as sullen?

“It’s been a while, Sir Vandell. I hear you’ve become the Knight Commander.”

“Yes.”

His response was short. It was improper to reply so curtly to royalty, so the duchess promptly pinched his side. The knight commander, who should have been as solid as steel, let out a strangled groan as he flinched.

“L…Lord Cecil, I wish to express my gratitude. I will not forget the grace you have shown my mother and will surely repay it.”

“Though it sounds forced, I’ll accept it.”

Cecil tilted his chin slightly as he replied. His arrogant posture made Claude’s lips tighten. Though his displeasure was evident, he remained in place out of courtesy.

Even in a different lifetime, they had never been particularly close. They stood together in silence, staring at the ballroom floor. At that moment, Alexis and Yuria were still dancing. Many others were also watching the harmonious pair.

Cecil unconsciously let out a sigh and turned his head. That was when he caught a glimpse of Claude’s profile. His troubled gaze was fixed solely on Yuria.

Ah, that’s right. Claude had feelings for Yuria.

He had never dared to act on them, knowing he couldn’t take the woman his sovereign loved. He had only buried and suppressed his emotions.

Cecil wasn’t the only one experiencing an unrequited love. He chuckled bitterly and murmured,

“We are both unfortunate souls.”

“What do you mean by that?”

“There are some things better left alone. I don’t hold much affection for you, but allow me to give you a piece of advice. There is nothing more agonizing than love that will never be returned. If you already know it can never be yours, it’s best to let it go and forget about it.”

“You’ve been speaking nonsense for a while now. Are you drunk?”

“Well, maybe that would be for the best. Would you like a drink?”

Cecil smirked as he graciously offered a glass of wine. Claude accepted it with a reluctant expression. Ignoring his wary gaze, Cecil took a sip himself.

‘How absurd. Who am I to be giving advice when I can’t even keep my own heart in check?’

No matter how much he drank, the low-alcohol wine wouldn’t get him drunk. The palace ensured that party guests wouldn’t become intoxicated and cause a scene. But tonight, of all nights, he wished he could get lost in inebriation.

Even though everything around him was dazzling, Cecil’s heart felt painfully hollow.

 

• 1. a slow graceful dance in ³/₄ time characterized by forward balancing, bowing, and toe pointing.