Second Life, I’m Dying Soon Chapter 49

Chapter 49

 

When Alexis returned, only Yuria remained in the spacious dining hall.

“Where did they go?”

“They said men have important things to discuss over drinks. They left me out.”

Yuria complained pettily as she took out her frustration on an innocent dessert. Each time she tapped it with her small teaspoon, the plump fruit pudding wobbled like it was dancing.

“Oh dear. Were you upset they didn’t include you?”

Alexis stroked the back of Yuria’s head as he took a seat. Though he sat close on a diagonal, it seemed insufficient, as he turned his body toward her side.

Resting both arms on the table, the Crown Prince tilted his head slightly and spoke.

“Am I not enough for you?”

“If Your Highness would be my conversational partner, what greater honor could there be?”

“You’ve gotten quite used to palace speech.”

Alexis laughed aloud, clearly pleased. Beneath his radiant platinum-blond hair, his gaze toward Yuria was filled with warm affection.

Soon, a dessert plate was placed before Alexis as well. But having little interest in sweets, he paid it no mind. Instead, he reached for his wineglass and leaned back languidly against the chair.

“It’s been a while since we last met. I’m sure you’ve had much to say. Tonight’s dinner was arranged for you, so feel free to monopolize my time.”

All traces of disappointment vanished from Yuria’s face as she beamed brightly. Alexis had been so busy lately that even finding time to talk had been difficult. Unwilling to waste this rare opportunity, she began chattering away like a baby bird.

“Mm.”

Alexis mostly responded with smiles or low, rumbling hums of acknowledgment. Even when Yuria slipped into blunt, unrefined speech unbecoming of etiquette, he never once scolded her.

“It may feel burdensome, but for now, you’ll have to endure it. You intended to live in the imperial palace anyway. The timing has merely been moved up.”

“Your Highness… will you take me as your Crown Princess?”

“I promised you, Yuria.”

With a faint smile at the corner of his lips, Alexis took a sip of wine.

Every one of his movements was measured and refined, as though drawn with a ruler. Even in his relaxed posture, Alexis Winter Graham exuded absolute dignity, a man worthy of the title Crown Prince of the Empire. His handsome appearance and natural nobility made him seem like a prince straight out of a fairy tale.

Though somewhat cold and indifferent by nature, he was sincere when it came to Yuria. After all, he was a man who had not forgotten the promise he made five years ago in the Black Forest.

Yuria’s cheeks flushed faintly. She fidgeted with her hands hidden beneath the table before carefully opening her mouth.

“Your Highness, this may be presumptuous, but may I ask you for a favor?”

“Anything.”

“Please… kiss me.”

At her bold request, Alexis’s eyes narrowed slightly. He set down his wineglass and rubbed at his lips for a moment.

The Yuria seated before him was now of age. When they first met in the Black Forest, she had seemed like nothing more than a young girl, but now she had grown into a proper young lady.

Until she came of age, Alexis had never laid a hand on her. Though he had promised her future to repay the debt of saving his life, they had never even shared a simple kiss.

Their lips had touched only once—when Yuria first awakened her divine power.

That moment had been no different from artificial respiration. It was an act solely to save her life, devoid of affection or desire. But now, Yuria was an adult, and having promised a future together, there was no longer any need to delay.

Slowly, he reached out and cupped her cheek. Her small, smooth face fit perfectly in his palm, and Yuria closed her eyes. She was so tense that her eyelashes trembled visibly.

Tilting his head, Alexis kissed her cheek as he always did. When his dry lips brushed against her skin and pulled away, Yuria let out a disappointed sigh. She had clearly hoped for something more intimate.

Smiling, Alexis gently rubbed her cheek.

“A kiss is still too early. How can an unmarried man and woman exchange lips?”

“But—”

“If you’re feeling anxious, I’ll give you a token. Would wearing a ring ease your heart a little?”

For Yuria’s sake, Alexis would spare no expense on precious jewels. No, he could grant her far greater wealth and honor if he wished. That was the extent of what he could offer her at present.

Though he spoke in an intentionally sweet voice, Yuria couldn’t hide her resentment, her lips twitching slightly.

“Hm? Yuria, why do you look so upset?”

“…I know you cherish me, Your Highness. Still, I feel a little uneasy.”

“What is there to be uneasy about, when you know how much I treasure you?”

Alexis soothed and coaxed her gently. Yet to Yuria, it felt as though he were treating her like a younger sister, twisting her heart further.

She wished the Crown Prince would see her as a woman. She understood his care and devotion, but she was already a grown adult.

Unable to ask for a kiss outright, she endured in silence. At last, unable to hold back any longer, Yuria voiced the question she had been suppressing.

“You haven’t kissed anyone else besides me… have you?”

“……”

Alexis was about to answer affirmatively when he closed his mouth. Suddenly, a recent memory surfaced.

He had kissed Cecil while holding his feverish, limp body. More than once.

Could that truly be called a kiss? It had merely been an act to administer medicine, devoid of desire or affection.

And yet, the more he reflected on it, the more vividly the sensation from that moment returned, leaving him unsettled.

The soft flesh crushed within his mouth, the heated breath full of warmth. As the memory replayed before his eyes, Alexis bit down lightly on the tip of his tongue and frowned.

“…It would be better not to continue this conversation.”

He must be quite tired. Alexis found the useless thoughts crowding his mind deeply unpleasant. He erased the memory and dismissed the conversation with Yuria altogether.

He failed to notice what kind of shock his response dealt her.

Leaving the dining hall, one soon arrived at the balcony. As grand and spacious as the dining hall itself, the open-air balcony lacked a painted ceiling, replaced instead by a night sky filled with stars, accompanied by a cool breeze.

Cecil leaned against the railing, swirling the glass in his hand. The rich wine sloshed within the narrow glass like a storm-tossed sea at night.

“To be forced to drink with you while gazing upon such a magnificent view is truly regrettable.”

“I wasn’t the one who suggested we drink.”

Claude snorted and poured himself another glass.

It was already his third. Bound by his belief that he must always remain clear-headed, Claude had long avoided alcohol, but tonight he drank without restraint.

Cecil cast a sidelong glance at the man beside him and let out an involuntary scoff. Claude, fuming with anger, his sturdy frame flushed red, resembled an enraged bull.

He was a thoroughly unpleasant drinking companion. Cecil wet his lips lightly with wine and spoke.

“Sir Vandell, I believe I gave you some advice last time. Are you stubborn, or simply foolish?”

“Pardon?”

“I’m saying your feelings are painfully obvious, even to me.”

Claude’s mouth fell open. He nearly spilled the wine he was holding. Hastily swallowing, he stammered.

“W-What feelings?”

“You like Yuria.”

“That’s absurd!”

The shout was so loud that Cecil grimaced and shoved a finger into his right ear.

“If it’s not true, then it’s not. Why are you yelling?”

“I-I don’t! I absolutely do not!”

“Judging by your stammering, you’re terribly bad at lying.”

“I said it’s not true!”

“Fine. Let’s say it isn’t. Still, you should manage your expression better. It’d be troublesome if others misunderstand, like I did.”

Cecil tilted his head lazily, as if annoyed. He had brought Claude out merely to clear the space, not to engage in pointless verbal sparring.

In the silence, the chirping of insects occasionally rang out. The sequoia trees surrounding Saint Palace rustled as their leaves brushed together in the wind, creating a picturesque atmosphere.

Cecil stood sipping his wine, admiring the scenery, when—

Claude, glass in hand, sank into deep thought. After some hesitation, he finally spoke.

“Am I… that obvious?”

“Well, it depends on how the observer sees it. To outsiders, caring for someone like a sister and doting on a woman you love probably look no different, like two sides of the same coin.”

“I have never harbored improper feelings toward Yuria.”

“Who asked? I couldn’t care less.”

Cecil cut him off flatly. Claude snapped his head to the side, glaring fiercely at Cecil’s shameless profile.

“You were the one who probed first.”