Second Life, I’m Dying Soon Chapter 60

TW/CW: COERCION, SEXUAL VIOLENCE AHEAD

 

 

Chapter 60

 

The marquis’s estate was closer than Cecil had expected. Once they crossed the bridge and reached the upper stretch of the riverbank, a lavish, imposing mansion revealed itself.

Among the high nobility, the Marquis Valeri was famed for his wealth. True to the Valeri family’s long-standing prestige—having held the position of Minister of Finance for generations—the estate announced its opulence from the moment one set eyes on the gates.

“Please, come in. Marsha! We have an honored guest—prepare to receive him at once!”

At their master’s sharp command, the servants of House Valeri hurried out in droves to greet Cecil.

As he took in the sight of dozens of servants appearing all at once, Cecil noticed something odd. For all the people present, not a single one appeared to be a member of the marquis’s family.

“My lord, what shall we prepare?”

“Hm. Yes—first, a hot bath. Lord Cecil, you’ve been caught in the rain. Please bathe first. In the meantime, I’ll have a room made ready for you.”

“Very well.”

His body already felt unpleasantly sticky. Cecil readily accepted the offer.

The servants filled the tub with steaming water and poured in generous amounts of expensive scented oil, so strong the rose fragrance stung the nose.

Submerged in the bath, Cecil let himself go slack. Wrapped in warmth, his thoughts dulled, drowsiness washing over him. The day had been too long, too exhausting—his body was finally demanding rest.

He straightened his head where it had lolled back and brushed his wet hair aside.

‘I’ll impose on the marquis just for tonight. At dawn, I’ll leave. I should borrow a little money, too.’

He had no concrete plans yet, but relying on the Marquis Valeri indefinitely was out of the question.

Judging by the marquis’s reaction, news of Cecil’s disappearance had not yet spread. The palace would surely come looking soon—but until then, he wanted to wander freely, even if only for a little while.

Scooping hot water over his face, Cecil finished bathing. He was genuinely grateful that the marquis had even prepared fresh clothes for him.

When he stepped outside, the Marquis Valeri stood waiting as if guarding the door. He, too, appeared freshly bathed, his hair still faintly damp, dressed in relaxed attire.

“I’ve had a simple dinner prepared. Would you care to join me?”

“It is late, but given your hospitality, I will.”

In truth, he was so hungry his stomach felt hollowed out. Maintaining an air of effortless refinement, Cecil accepted gracefully.

They proceeded together to the dining room. A splendid spread awaited them atop a long table.

It was far too much food for just two people. Ornate candelabras and fresh flowers decorated every corner, their extravagance almost overwhelming. This was less a modest supper than a full banquet.

Cecil naturally took the seat of honor, while the marquis sat nearby. As servants bustled back and forth attending to the meal, Cecil carefully surveyed the expansive estate.

“This house is… remarkably quiet. Are the rest of your family already asleep?”

“There is no one else here besides me. I was divorced.”

The Marquis Valeri replied, stuffing a large piece of meat into his mouth. Something—blood or meat juice—glistened on his lips.

Something—blood or juice—gleamed on his lips.

“My secret hobbies became the talk of the capital, did they not? My wife tolerated my peculiar inclinations, but having them exposed to the world was another matter. She said she was too ashamed to go on living with me. After the divorce, she immediately returned to her family’s estate with the child.”

“I… see.”

Cecil nearly choked. After all, he himself had been the one to expose the marquis’s secret. Still—if one didn’t want to be humiliated, perhaps one shouldn’t behave so shamelessly.

In any case, the Marquis Valeri had likely been destined for divorce regardless. It had simply come sooner than expected.

“I don’t understand why liking men is something to be ashamed of. It’s unfortunate you got divorced, but don’t let it weigh too heavily on you.”

Despite everything, Cecil offered a defense, guilt prickling faintly.

“Yes, I’m perfectly fine. Thanks to you, male relations were legalized, weren’t they?”

“……”

“I’m freer than ever now. I can indulge my desires without restraint—it’s delightful, really. I’ve never felt more at ease! Hahaha!”

The marquis’s booming laughter echoed across the table. A chill crept up Cecil’s spine, and he found he could no longer bring himself to eat. Setting down his cutlery, he forced down only water.

He had the unsettling sense that he had stepped somewhere he never should have entered.

After the meal, the marquis personally guided Cecil to his room. The vast mansion felt like a maze, its silence oppressive.

When they reached a guest room on the second floor, the marquis paused before opening the door and looked at Cecil with that same inscrutable smile.

“Are you very tired?”

“I am.”

“What a pity. Still, I’d hoped you might enjoy what I’ve prepared before sleeping.”

With that, the marquis flung the door open and shoved Cecil forward.

The moment Cecil stepped inside, a heavy, cloying scent assaulted him, strong enough to make his head throb. He hastily covered his nose—and then froze at the sight before him, a stunned sigh escaping his lips.

The bedroom was drenched entirely in red. There was only one piece of furniture—a bed—and it was already occupied.

Two beautiful young men lay upon it. The instant they saw the marquis and Cecil, they shifted into practiced, inviting poses, their naked bodies exposed without a thread of shame.

“They are my most treasured bed-slaves. For you, Lord Cecil, I’d be happy to lend them.”

“You’ve lost your mind. I don’t need this.”

“Why not? You clearly asked me to provide you with a place to sleep.”

The marquis chuckled, amused by his own wordplay.

Cecil clenched his teeth, struggling to suppress the surge of anger. Each word came out with effort.

“Are you daring to mock me?”

“Mock you? Perish the thought. I am merely honored to host someone who shares my tastes. Please, consider it my repayment.”

“Repayment?”

“One cannot indulge in vulgar pleasures within the palace. You must have been terribly stifled. Allow me to introduce you to something new tonight.”

“Marquis!”

Only then did Cecil fully grasp the man’s intent. His first instinct was to escape—immediately.

But the marquis stood firmly before the door, showing no intention of moving. No matter how hard Cecil shoved, he was no match for Valeri’s massive build.

“Step aside while I’m still speaking politely.”

“What seems to be the problem?”

“If this is revenge, you’d be wise to abandon it. Have you forgotten who I am? I am Cecil Adrian—someone you have no right to touch.”

The marquis burst out laughing.

“And what will you do? Return to the palace and accuse the Minister of Finance of extorting sexual favors from you?”

“…Enough. Let me go, and I won’t mention this to anyone.”

“That won’t do. We’re alike, aren’t we? Those of similar tastes should comfort one another.”

As the marquis advanced, Cecil instinctively retreated. After only a few steps, the backs of his knees struck the edge of the bed.

“You’re not being honest. From the moment you asked me for a bed, weren’t you already expecting this?”

“Do you have a death wish?”

“Please, keep snarling like that. It excites me even more.”

The marquis shoved Cecil’s shoulder lightly—but the force sent him collapsing onto the bed. In an instant, the bed-slaves closed in.

Shadows fell over his face. Cecil tried desperately to sit up, but they pinned his shoulders and restrained his limbs.

“Be careful. He’s precious—don’t leave a mark.”

“Yes, master.”

“Let go! Let me go!”

“Shh. Calm yourself. Seeing how much you dislike this, I can’t very well leave it to such lowly creatures. I’ll teach you myself—personally.”

“Valeri! Do you think I’ll let this go? Don’t touch me! I said stop—!”

Cecil screamed until his throat burned. No one came running.

Such things happened often in the marquis’s estate. Lately, Valeri had grown bored of seasoned prostitutes; he preferred inexperienced men—their resistance, their eventual surrender to pleasure, filled him with unparalleled satisfaction.

“I may look fat and lazy, but when it comes to bed skills, I’m unmatched. They all scream at first—then a few thrusts in, and they’re moaning themselves senseless.”

Licking his lips, the marquis placed one knee on the bed. The thought of Cecil Adrian sprawled beneath him sent a violent surge of excitement through his body.

 

At that same hour, the lights in Saint Palace’s office still burned bright.

Alexis, who had seemed absorbed in his work for some time, suddenly called for the head attendant.

“Cecil?”

The unexpected question made the attendant respond at once, fearful the Crown Prince’s interest might fade.

“Not yet, Your Highness.”

“…….”

Alexis could no longer read a single word on the page. He exhaled deeply, pressing his fingers to his eyes. No matter how hard he tried to think of something else, worry for Cecil filled his mind.

“How long has it been?”

“Fourteen hours.”

“…….”

Leaning back, Alexis stared at the wavering candlelight. Though silent, his clenched fists and bitten lip betrayed the depth of his turmoil.

“Your Highness. Johannes Albrecht IV, head of the Themion delegation, urgently requests an audience.”

“What for?”

“He says there is a matter of utmost importance.”

Alexis rose abruptly from his seat.

“I’ll hear it later. And call Claude—immediately.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

“I’m going to find Cecil.”