Second Life, I’m Dying Soon Chapter 47

Chapter 47

 

From the very first day Yuria Beatrice set foot in the imperial palace, she had to endure a storm of attention with her entire being.

Every morning, the emperor summoned her to receive prayers, and after that, high-ranking nobles flocked to her like moths to a flame.

Most of them were people who had witnessed Yuria’s abilities during the knighthood ceremony. Under normal circumstances, they would have dismissed such things as exaggerated rumors, but having seen it with their own eyes, they were now desperate to receive a taste of the saintess’s grace.

Yuria’s surroundings were constantly crowded with people seeking prayers. Of course, the emperor had ordered her not to recklessly expend divine power without his permission, so she had no choice but to refuse every request that came her way.

The greater the interest, the heavier the burden of rejection. At times, she was hurt by nobles who hurled harsh words at her, but Yuria believed that since she was living in the imperial palace, this much hardship was something she had to endure.

This chaotic life had continued for about a week. While waiting for the right moment, Cecil came to visit Yuria.

Knock, knock. When he lightly knocked on the already open door, Yuria visibly flinched and turned around. Her eyes widened in surprise, but the moment she recognized the suddenly appeared Cecil, her face lit up and she broke into a broad smile.

“Lord Cecil!”

“Yuria, are you busy?”

“I’m fine, please come in!”

Unsure how to properly welcome such an esteemed guest, Yuria fussed about in a fluster. It wasn’t even their first meeting, yet she was like this every time.

Having received permission, Cecil smiled lightly and stepped inside. After briefly sweeping his gaze over the small, cozy residence, he signaled to the attendants who had followed him in.

“It seemed like it might be time for a snack, so I took the liberty of bringing something.”

“Oh my, every time you do this! I’m so touched!”

Yuria was deeply moved as she looked at the desserts Cecil—no, more precisely, his attendants—had brought in their arms.

Around the time when the midday sunlight began to fade, Cecil Adrian unfailingly came to visit Yuria, bringing desserts and black tea with him.

On the table covered with a bright yellow tablecloth were placed elegant plates and silver cutlery, a whole cake that made one’s mouth water just by looking at it, and delicate teacups.

The homeowner merely watched with her hands idle while everything was set up entirely by Cecil’s attendants.

“How was it today? Did they trouble you a lot again?”

Cecil personally lifted the teapot and poured black tea for Yuria. The fragrance was so rich that the scent of tea lingered thickly in the air.

Meanwhile, Cecil’s head attendant cut a generous slice of chocolate cake topped with candied cherries and dried figs, transferred it to a plate, and carefully set it down in front of Cecil and Yuria.

Without realizing it, Yuria swallowed.

Only after the saliva pooling in her mouth disappeared could she finally move her tongue.

“Yes, well… a little. Still, it’s much better than at first. Fewer people are coming to see me now. I’m still not used to having audiences with His Majesty the Emperor, but I’m trying to adjust.”

“That’s a relief. Ah, don’t be shy—go ahead and eat.”

Cecil let out a soft chuckle and gestured with his chin. Yuria’s gaze had been stuck on the cake for quite some time now.

Once permission was given, Yuria carefully grasped her fork. Her heart pounded at the thought of tasting the cake. Her excitement was plainly visible on her face.

Even when she lived at the Duke Vandell’s, her meals had been excellent, but due to the duchess’s emphasis on health, such indulgent-looking desserts were rarely seen.

Perhaps because of that, she had begun to look forward to Cecil’s visits, as he always brought beautiful and sweet treats with him.

“The cake looks really delicious.”

“Eat plenty. If it’s too sweet, have some black tea with it. They go well together.”

As he encouraged her, Cecil lifted the teacup in front of him and brought it to his lips.

Following Cecil’s lead, Yuria took a bite of cake and then slowly sipped the black tea, which had cooled to just the right temperature. As she savored the lingering sweet and bittersweet flavors in her mouth, she spoke cautiously.

“Um… but Lord Cecil. You don’t have to speak so formally with me.”

“Well, for now, this feels more comfortable.”

The response was sharp and decisive. Yuria found herself at a loss for words. Instead, she focused on busily moving her fork and eating the cake.

As silence settled between them, she occasionally lifted her eyes to steal glances at Cecil. The noble person sitting across from her continued to pass the time, sipping only his black tea.

He was very beautiful.

She had felt it from the first time they met, but it was astonishing how someone could seem to sparkle like that.

His doll-like features, neatly arranged within a small face, were beautiful, and so was his clean, flawless pearl-like skin. The way he leaned back comfortably, relaxed, exuded both composure and elegance. At a glance, one could sense a superiority that surpassed that of ordinary nobles.

For a moment, Yuria forgot about eating her cake and stared blankly.

She had spent quite a long time with Crown Prince Alexis, and recently had even met the emperor, so she thought she had built up some resistance to the overwhelming presence of the imperial family. Yet whenever she looked at Cecil, her gaze was helplessly drawn to him.

Suddenly, their eyes met.

The eyes holding warm green irises curved softly, and Yuria, unable to hide her embarrassment, felt her cheeks flush red. She put the fork smeared with chocolate cream into her mouth and sucked lightly.

“Honestly, I’m glad you come to visit so often, Lord Cecil. The imperial palace is still difficult and unfamiliar to me… The knights take good care of me, but they’re not really people I can casually talk with.”

“It seems Yuria has started to feel quite comfortable with me.”

“Ah, I don’t mean anything bad! I just meant that you feel like a friend to me…. Ah, that sounds like it might be rude too.”

“So what, friends are good. Think of it comfortably. That’s what I want too.”

Cecil smiled brightly. Whatever his true feelings, outwardly he looked as though he cherished Yuria a great deal.

At the moment, he was faithfully carrying out Alexis’s request. Cecil had been tasked with looking after Yuria, caring for her, and helping her adapt to the harsh life of the imperial palace.

“Yuria, remember my words carefully. Other than His Highness Prince Alexis, you must not trust anyone inside the imperial palace. That goes for nobles, of course, but also attendants and servants.”

“I… I was told to be especially careful of people on the empress’s side.”

Yuria spoke hesitantly.

She knew Cecil stood on the Crown Prince’s side, but since he was still of the empress’s bloodline, it felt uncomfortable to speak ill of her people in front of him.

But Cecil showed no particular reaction. Instead, he shifted into a more relaxed posture and propped his chin at an angle. From that position, he stared straight at Yuria and asked,

“Can you tell who belongs to the empress’s faction?”

“His Highness explained some of it to me….”

“People who pose a threat to me can appear anywhere. Is it simply because they’re aligned with the empress? No. Some are hired with money, and others are forced into doing bad things through blackmail.”

“…….”

“Even someone who smiles and helps me today could one day stab a knife into my back. I’m sorry if this sounds frightening, but… this is reality, so I want you to remember it well.”

Yuria nodded and accepted Cecil’s advice. However, her expression gradually stiffened. Being reminded that the place she lived in was filled with danger, like a dark forest, weighed on her anew.

“Then… does that mean I shouldn’t trust you either, Lord Cecil?”

“Hm… if anything, that would be better. You’re not very good at hiding your expressions or dealing with people of high status, so it would be good to practice through me. Pretend to trust me, pretend to rely on me, but keep your guard up inside.”

“But I want to become close enough with you to share my true feelings.”

“…….”

“The imperial palace is so lonely and desolate.”

Yuria’s large eyes quietly searched Cecil’s face. When their gazes met, Cecil smiled and once again brought his teacup to his lips.

“That’s why I come so often. I’ll stay a little longer today.”

Not only did he keep her company, but Cecil also brought along his attendants to take care of Yuria’s residence.

Without assigned servants, the quarters were always slightly disheveled. Cecil’s attendants thoroughly cleaned the place, meticulously checking if anything was lacking for daily life, protesting that the Saintess’s residence couldn’t be kept like this.

As tea time continued, the attendants moved briskly about. After watching their busy movements for a moment, Yuria hesitantly opened her mouth.

“Um… Lord Cecil, if it’s all right with you, may I invite you to dinner?”

“Dinner?”

“His Highness Prince Alexis asked me to dine with him this evening. I was hoping you could come as well.”

Cecil looked at her clear, untainted face. There wasn’t a shred of malice there, only pure goodwill. It wasn’t about showing off how much Alexis cherished her, but simply an earnest invitation to enjoy dinner together.

What made his chest ache was only the fact that lingering attachment and jealousy still clung stickily inside his heart. Cecil forcibly lifted the corners of his mouth. It was a smile anyone would call beautiful.

“I’d be honored.”

If it was a feeling he could not shake off, then he would have to hide it until the day he died.