Second Life, I’m Dying Soon Chapter 40

Chapter 40

 

“Everyone, leave us.”

A low voice echoed through the quiet bedchamber. The attendants froze, all turning their heads in unison. Every dazed face looked toward the crown prince.

“…Pardon?”

One dared to ask despite the impropriety, but Alexis gave no answer—only shot them a piercing, icy glare.

With no choice, the attendants quietly stepped away from the bed. A young servant placed the medicine bowl on a nearby table. With a soft clink, the last sound faded, and the room was cleared of everyone.

Even after every shadow had vanished, Alexis remained still, seated in silence. Only after a long breath escaped his lips did he rise from the chair.

The first thing he did was roll up his sleeves. He loosened the stiffness in his neck with a slow turn, then reached for the porcelain bowl the attendant had left behind.

‘If possible, it’s best to administer it forcibly…’

He had done it once. Why not twice?

Alexis placed a knee on the bed, and the mattress sank deeply under his weight.

Cecil’s limp head rolled slightly in the same direction. His eyelids, sealed shut, showed no sign of opening, and his lashes were damp with either tears or sweat.

Alexis looked down at him, then brought the bowl to his own lips. Filling his mouth with the bitter, herbal medicine, he leaned down.

Soft lips pressed together as the medicine was passed between them.

It was a far gentler, more delicate gesture than before, but Cecil, still unconscious, didn’t even register this third kiss.

Cecil finally awoke near dawn. In the blur of his vision, he saw an unfamiliar ceiling. He blinked repeatedly, trying to figure out where he was.

The soft bed beneath him, the feel of fine fabric against his bare skin, and the bitter taste lingering in his mouth told him that much had happened while he slept.

“You’re awake?”

As he slowly raised his upper body, a low voice came from the darkness. Cecil flinched and turned his head instinctively.

Alexis stood with his back to the pale moonlight spilling through the window.

Cecil stared at him in shock, his mouth slightly agape. Alexis pushed off from the window frame and approached the bed.

Without a word, a large hand pressed gently against Cecil’s forehead. Feeling the significantly reduced heat, Alexis finally relaxed.

“The fever’s gone down.”

“…What… happened?”

Cecil forced the words out. His throat was swollen and sore, and his voice rasped with a metallic edge. But his gaze, locked on Alexis, was sharp and clear—showing no trace of weakness.

Alexis gave a small smile, only to restrain it just as quickly. As Cecil tried to sit up, Alexis pressed firmly against his forehead and pushed him back down.

“You had a fever and were completely out of it. Spent half the day unconscious.”

“……”

“The treatment is done, so don’t worry. Just as you wanted, the palace physician took great care of you.”

Cecil lowered his gaze in silence. He absently rubbed the clothes that had been changed while he slept.

Suspicion crept into his eyes as he looked up at Alexis. Judging by the prince’s usual unreadable expression, it seemed he hadn’t discovered the secret Cecil had tried so hard to keep.

A sigh of relief slipped out. Pushing back his tousled bangs, Cecil straightened again. This time, Alexis didn’t try to make him lie down. Instead, he took the nearby chair and sat down.

Cecil glanced around the spacious room. It was the dead of night. Everyone else was asleep—just the two of them remained. The perfect setting for a secret conversation.

“…I suppose everyone knows what happened at the hunting grounds by now?”

“Most likely. It’s been a while.”

Alexis answered simply, and Cecil didn’t press further.

After all, it had been an attack on the crown prince during a royal event. And with Cecil injured as well, it wouldn’t be something that could be easily covered up.

A bloodbath was inevitable in the palace. Those involved would not keep their heads for long.

Cecil closed his eyes, lost in thought. He had told Alexis that it was the Empress’s doing, but proving it would be no easy task.

His mother would likely sever a few loose ends and present a scapegoat to take the fall.

There was no stopping the sigh that rose in his throat. His mother’s ambitions had always been excessive—and those ambitions had always pointed at him. This meant that the only way her plans would ever end… was if Cecil took Alexis’s place.

He didn’t have the heart to face Alexis directly. Even if he gave up his own desires, the future wouldn’t change drastically. The Empress would continue targeting Alexis, and the benefits would inevitably fall to Cecil. That was an undeniable truth.

Cecil wiped his face with a dry hand. His determination to save Alexis—no matter the cost—remained unchanged. He forced his hoarse voice out.

“…I’m sorry. I’ll find a way—”

“What are you apologizing for?”

The pointed question cut like a blade. Cecil had no response. He only clutched the thin blanket tightly.

When he turned his head, his gaze met Alexis’s—arms crossed, expression unreadable. That cold, detached face… it was a look Cecil had become all too familiar with.

Their eyes stayed locked for a moment. Alexis tilted his luminous hair slightly in the darkness and spoke.

“You warned me of the danger beforehand. Then, you threw yourself in to save Yuria. If anything, I should be thanking you—so why are you apologizing?”

“……”

Cecil stared up at him, stunned. Whether from the fever or not, he seemed completely dazed.

Finally, Alexis smiled. The one who had always been cold and indifferent… was now opening his heart to Cecil.

“Thank you for today. I’ve long thought about how I should express my trust. I won’t lie—I’ve been suspicious and wary of you all this time.”

“……”

“I understand it couldn’t have been easy to go against the Empress’s wishes, given your position. But that’s what makes it clear—you truly meant to protect me.”

“…What are you saying…?”

Cecil asked cautiously, his brow furrowed. Alexis gave a faint laugh at the sight.

“I’m saying I’ll trust you now—and keep you by my side.”

His softened voice made it clear this was no empty promise.

Cecil’s face lit up with surprise and joy. His complexion, still pale moments ago, now flushed with healthy color. His rosy cheeks left no doubt: he was genuinely happy.

“Do you like it that much?”

“Yes. Truly.”

At the honest response, Alexis let out a laugh. Deciding to accept Cecil had been a significant resolution for him, too.

While Cecil lay sick in bed, Alexis had agonized endlessly. But once he’d made up his mind, strangely enough, he found himself increasingly generous toward Cecil—and even his actions seemed endearing.

“I only hope my decision wasn’t in vain.”

“It won’t be. I’ll always follow Your Highness. That will never change.”

“I’ll trust you on that. Ah, right—I have something to give you.”

Alexis unfolded his firm arms and extended his right hand downward. He leaned slightly to search for something in the darkness.

Cecil watched him with quiet anticipation. When Alexis’s face reappeared under the pale moonlight from behind the shadows, Cecil’s green eyes sparkled in response.

“It’s a token of gratitude for today. I’d like you to accept it.”

Alexis placed something on the bed.

The dagger, over two palms in length, was exquisite from hilt to sheath. It was a treasured weapon only the Crown Prince of the Empire could possess.

“…….”

Cecil froze at the sight of the dagger now resting in his hands. There was no way he wouldn’t recognize it—this was the very blade Alexis had once handed him with an order to end his own life.

“How… How can this be…”

His heart clenched, and his throat tightened.

He remembered everything—the gleam of the jewel, the weight in his palm, the chill of the blade, even the piercing sensation when that tip had driven into his heart.

“It’s old, but I’ve always cherished it. I’ve taken great care of it, so it’s still perfectly usable. The edge is well honed. It’s not just ornamental—this blade can kill.”

“…….”

“Keep it close. You may have need of it someday.”

Alexis smiled as he subtly studied Cecil’s reaction. He had expected joy, perhaps even awe. But what he saw was a face drained pale, as if about to faint, and hands trembling like leaves in a storm.

At the unexpected reaction, the smile on Alexis’s lips slowly stiffened and faded.