Second Life, I’m Dying Soon Chapter 52

Chapter 52

 

Time passed, and the Empire had now entered a period of stability. The imperial palace was enjoying days more peaceful than ever.

“You’ve worked hard all this time. This concludes our lessons. I have nothing more left to teach you.”

Viscount Gerald, who had been in charge of Cecil’s private education, closed the thick book and shared his thoughts on the years gone by.

“You’ve worked hard as well. I feel sorry that dealing with such an uncooperative pupil has added more white to your beard.”

“Ahem, that’s simply a symptom of aging, so there’s no need for concern. More importantly, thank you for following my lessons so diligently. Lord Cecil possesses truly outstanding potential. I can confidently say that you will become a great asset to the Empire. I will make sure to report this in detail to Her Majesty the Empress as well.”

“She’ll be very pleased.”

Cecil replied with a light laugh. Despite the sugar-coated praise, he showed no particular excitement and maintained his usual indifferent attitude.

Viscount Gerald ultimately sought out the Empress and reported Cecil’s exceptional talent. He explained how, compared to the early days of instruction, Cecil’s abilities had grown at a frightening pace as time went on.

There was no mother who would not take pride in her child’s brilliance. The Empress was deeply pleased and could not hide her joy as she repeated that he was indeed her son. She rewarded Viscount Gerald generously for his efforts and immediately went to request an audience with the Emperor.

“From now on, Cecil Adrian will assist with work in the Emperor’s office.”

The imperial decree was finally delivered at a family dining table where everyone was gathered.

“No matter that you are of imperial blood, I cannot grant you a high position from the start. I have heard from the Empress that you are clever, but I must confirm it with my own eyes as well. Depending on your abilities, if you perform well, I may even appoint you as a strategist.”

“Thank you, Your Majesty.”

Cecil answered obediently. Helping the Emperor had been all but inevitable anyway.

By now, Cecil had grown accustomed to his second life enough to distinguish between matters he needed to avoid and those he had to accept.

The Empress could not contain her emotion, while the Crown Prince showed no particular reaction and focused solely on his meal.

After tea was served and the gathering concluded, they exited the main palace. Cecil quickened his pace and followed closely behind Alexis. With legs that long, catching up was no easy feat.

He finally managed to walk shoulder to shoulder with him. Alexis wore his usual cold expression. Without his gaze wavering even once, he continued to walk straight ahead, but subtly slowed his pace to match Cecil’s stride.

“You must be pleased. I can’t quite bring myself to congratulate you, though.”

“Yes. Your Highness should be on guard as well. As you know, His Majesty’s affection toward me is no small thing. Rising to the position of strategist won’t take long.”

“How presumptuous.”

Alexis replied with a laugh. Though it sounded like sharp banter on the surface, it was little more than a joke. The two continued trading jabs a few more times before parting ways at a fork in the road.

That afternoon, Cecil discreetly visited Saint Palace.

Using a secret route known only to a select few, he walked through the maze-like interior of the castle and encountered the Crown Prince’s chief attendant. The elderly attendant greeted Cecil with great respect before opening the door for him.

The moment he stepped inside, the strong, distinctive scent of oil paint filled his nose. Cecil silently etched the scene before him into his eyes.

Alexis stood in full uniform, enduring the pouring sunlight without flinching. His posture—shoulders and waist held straight, a longsword gripped in one hand—was almost reverent.

“You’re here.”

Alexis did not scold the intruder who had entered without permission. Instead, he greeted him with a bright smile, as though he had been waiting.

“…How far along is it?”

“Almost finished. No—this time, it has to be finished. I’m at my limit. Isn’t that right, Enoch?”

“Yes… Your Highness. Today, I will finish it without fail.”

The court painter, brush in hand, furrowed his brow in concentration. His gaze moved back and forth between the Crown Prince’s face and the canvas.

Cecil slowly approached and stood beside the painter. He bent forward and scanned the painting on the canvas.

He had no eye for art, but even so, he could tell that the Crown Prince’s portrait was nearing completion.

The paint-laden brush moved with care. With every meticulous stroke, life bloomed into Alexis’s hair. Bathed fully in sunlight, the platinum blond shone brilliantly even within the painting.

As Cecil examined the portrait with interest, Alexis hung a relaxed smile on his lips and asked,

“What do you think?”

“It’s well done.”

“That’s all you have to say?”

Only then did Cecil straighten his bent back. Looking at the real, living Alexis outside the painting, he asked back,

“Does it have to be something special?”

“Yuria teared up the moment she saw it, and Claude clicked his tongue in admiration. Even the chief attendant praised it as the finest portrait in history.”

“I wouldn’t go that far.”

Of course, anyone seeing it for the first time would lavish it with praise. The problem was simply that this was not the first time Cecil had seen the portrait.

He had seen it so many times it was practically etched into his mind. There was no room left for awe.

Seeing Cecil’s consistently lukewarm reaction, Alexis tilted his head and swallowed a hollow laugh. Then he stepped away from his assigned position and strode closer.

“Y-Your Highness! You mustn’t move yet! Just ten more minutes—no, five minutes, please!”

“I’ve already given enough time. Finish it on your own. A chief court painter should be able to paint even without the subject present.”

Before anyone noticed, Alexis was standing beside Cecil, staring at his own portrait. His gaze was closer to inspection than admiration, and the painter’s shoulders gradually shrank under the pressure.

Watching the painter fail to make even a single proper stroke, Cecil tilted his head slightly and spoke,

“…Could you cooperate a little so he can finish?”

“You said it wasn’t that impressive.”

“I didn’t say that. I said it was well done.”

“That’s praise for Enoch, not me.”

“Then what am I supposed to say? It’s a portrait—what else would I say….”

A sudden thought crossed Cecil’s mind. Surely not… He turned his head slowly.

“Are you perhaps hoping to hear that you’re handsome?”

“What do you think?”

“…….”

Cecil could only open and close his mouth like a goldfish, while Alexis burst into laughter. Muttering that he hadn’t expected much anyway, Alexis bumped his shoulder against Cecil’s.

“One thing you should know—Enoch is meticulous and skilled, but his hands are painfully slow. He pours his whole heart into it. You’d better prepare yourself.”

Alexis whispered as he closed the distance until their breaths nearly touched. His voice was lowered just enough so the painter couldn’t hear.

Cecil replied, visibly tense.

“…It took about half a year for you, didn’t it?”

“It did. And soon, it will be your turn.”

Cecil nodded. Members of the imperial family typically had their portraits painted in the year they came of age. In Alexis’s case, since he had reached adulthood in the Black Forest, his portrait was only being commissioned now.

Standing before a painter for two hours a day, in the same place, wearing the same outfit, was grueling work. On top of that, it had to be done during the hours when sunlight was brightest, forcing time to be carved out even from a busy schedule.

And that ordeal had lasted half a year.

Now that the Crown Prince’s portrait was nearing completion, Cecil’s turn was next.

Having experienced firsthand how tedious and exhausting the process was, Cecil already felt his vision darken. He resolved to find some way to avoid it. With less than four hundred days remaining, if he played his cards right, his portrait might end up unfinished.

Alexis straightened his posture again and lightly tapped the back of Cecil’s hand. Turning around, he began to walk ahead.

Taking the unspoken cue to follow, Cecil moved in the same direction.

The room heavy with the smell of oil paint had another side door. Passing through it, they moved through several rooms and reception halls before finally reaching the Crown Prince’s bedchamber.

The moment Alexis entered his private quarters, he pulled the bell cord. A knock sounded, and the chief attendant appeared. When confidential discussions took place, only the attendant who had served Alexis for many years was permitted to be present.

“The Empress’s palace has been quiet lately. What do you think, Cecil?”

“The Empress is aware that I’ve grown close to Yuria. She subtly tested me during dinner last night. I told her that we have indeed become close.”

In the meantime, the chief attendant attended to the Crown Prince’s clothing. He carefully removed the blue silk sash and heavy jeweled ornaments, diligently helping Alexis out of his uniform.

By the time his shirt was removed, Alexis stood bare-skinned, casually ruffling his neatly slicked-back platinum hair.

“So what did she say?”

He showed not the slightest hesitation about exposing his bare body in front of Cecil. He had simply taken his clothes off because he needed to change.

Cecil, on the other hand, panicked, unsure where to rest his eyes. He had seen countless men’s bare bodies through the knights. Yet never before had his head felt this dizzy.