Second Life, I’m Dying Soon Chapter 69

Chapter 69

 

The birthday of Emperor Arnold—the sun of the Empire—was drawing near.

The Emperor’s birthday celebration was a grand event that required months of preparation. As had been the case every year, Empress Elizabeth took full charge of the arrangements.

Perhaps mindful of the Emperor’s poor mood after a string of unsettling incidents, she had declared from the outset that this year’s celebration would surpass all previous ones in both scale and splendor.

From a week before the celebration, the gates of the imperial palace were thrown wide open, and a steady stream of visitors arrived. Most were nobles and members of the bourgeoisie.

A large number of visitors was, in itself, proof of the Empire’s far-reaching influence. No one begrudged the time or money spent if it meant earning the Emperor’s favor.

So many gifts were presented that they could have filled an entire castle—there was no need to elaborate on the Empire’s overwhelming prestige.

Amid the palace buzzing with preparations for the birthday celebration, Alexis and Cecil were no less busy.

According to imperial protocol, distinguished guests arriving from foreign lands were to be received personally by members of the imperial family. As a result, both men had to put aside all other work to attend to visitors.

“Lord Cecil, shall I prepare something for you to drink?”

“No. I just… want to walk alone for a bit. All of you, step back.”

Dismissing his attendants, Cecil entered the greenhouse. These days, the palace was crowded no matter where one went—he needed a place to escape, even if only briefly.

Stepping into the greenhouse, filled with all manner of beautiful natural growth, his cluttered mind finally found some rest.

Breathing in the fresh air exuded by the plants, Cecil walked slowly—until, before long, he spotted a familiar figure.

He stopped in his tracks.

The man seated on the bench had his long legs loosely crossed, arms folded as he leaned his head back. Disheveled platinum-blond hair caught the sunlight pouring through the glass ceiling, shimmering beautifully.

Sensing someone’s presence, Alexis lifted his head. When he noticed Cecil, he broke into a grin and crooked his fingers in a beckoning gesture. Cecil moved toward him at an unhurried pace, feeling both pleased and surprised to see him—his emotions oddly adrift.

“What brings you here?”

“Probably the same reason as you.”

He, too, had slipped into the greenhouse in search of a place to rest. Cecil let out a short laugh, then sighed and dropped heavily onto the seat beside him.

“I’m sick of it to death. Something that could be finished in a single day has been dragging on for weeks.”

“If I ever become Emperor, I’ll cut the birthday celebration down to a single day, no exceptions.”

“Please do.”

Perhaps sharing grievances lightened the burden. They had done nothing more than trade tired complaints, yet Cecil felt as though he could finally breathe.

Letting his limbs go slack, Cecil leaned his head back. It had been so long since he’d relaxed that, even with Alexis beside him, his posture naturally loosened.

Fortunately, Alexis didn’t point it out. Instead, he, too, settled into a comfortable position and enjoyed the moment.

“You look quite worn.”

“I’ve been tormented by the young lady from Santia.”

“Ah, that five-year-old. She seemed rather sharp.”

“Even so, a child is still a child. She sat me down and made me play with dolls. Once she starts, she won’t stop until she’s satisfied—it takes at least two or three hours.”

He added that he’d been caught by her again that very morning and had barely managed to escape.

Alexis turned slightly toward him, listening as Cecil vented. Propping his head on his hand, he studied Cecil’s face before letting out a faint chuckle.

“So that’s why your lips are so red.”

Startled, Cecil hastily rubbed his mouth. He had thought he’d wiped it clean, but vivid red still smeared his knuckles.

“…Damn brat.”

“Seems the child used you as a substitute doll.”

Alexis reached out and wiped away the remaining traces around Cecil’s mouth. As his thumb brushed over Cecil’s lips and the surrounding skin, Cecil stiffened completely.

“Children are naturally drawn to pretty things.”

“I can’t believe my attendants saw me like that and said nothing.”

“They may have decided it suited you and left it alone.”

There was laughter in Alexis’s reply. When Cecil whipped his head around, he saw the unmistakable smile on Alexis’s face.

“Are you mocking me right now?”

“Half and half. That child did choose a color that suits you very well.”

“Wow… seriously….”

At a loss for words, Cecil trailed off. Alexis burst into open laughter. He was genuinely enjoying this rare moment of rest.

Cecil, on the other hand, felt like his face was on fire. He didn’t know why it was so hot. He was fanning himself when—

“Lord Cecil? Are you here?”

A young, delicate voice came from the greenhouse entrance. It was the young lady from Santia, calling for him.

“My lady, you cannot enter here. Lord Cecil is not inside.”

“But Leo is here—Leo is Lord Cecil’s chief attendant, isn’t he?”

“That’s true, but… he isn’t here.”

“Don’t lie to me! Are you looking down on me because I’m a child? Do you even know who my father is?”

The young lady scolded the chief attendant sharply. Hearing this, Cecil recoiled and curled in on himself.

“Damn it! It hasn’t even been that long since I escaped—why is she after me again?!”

His whispered outburst reached Alexis’s ears. Alexis glanced down at Cecil, who was using him as a shield.

“And who is the young lady’s father?”

“The Duke of Merhen of Santia.”

“Ah. The next king, then.”

No wonder the child carried herself with such pride. Alexis scoffed softly and uncrossed his legs.

When the young lady finally entered the greenhouse, Cecil was nearly despondent. The small figure peered around, steadily closing the distance.

“I guess rest is out of the question… I’ll be going now.”

Just as he rose in resignation, Alexis suddenly grabbed his wrist.

“If I help you, what will you give me in return?”

“…Will Your Highness play with her instead?”

“Hardly. I detest babysitting.”

Unable to understand his intentions, Cecil could only stare blankly at Alexis’s face.

Then Alexis pulled sharply on the wrist he held. Caught off guard, Cecil fell onto his lap, and Alexis’s arm wrapped around his slim waist like a shackle.

“Hold close. Your face might show.”

“There’s no way I’d be hidden like this—!”

At that moment, the young lady drew closer, the sound of grass being crushed underfoot growing clear.

“Lord Cecil?”

At the child’s thin voice, Cecil hurriedly clung to Alexis’s shoulder and buried his face against him.

The young lady appeared just moments later. Pushing aside a massive monstera leaf, she peeked out—and upon seeing the Crown Prince seated on the bench, let out a cute gasp.

“Who dares enter the imperial greenhouse without permission?”

Alexis asked, holding Cecil tightly. His voice and sharp gaze were utterly merciless for a child.

“My lady—your greeting. Quickly.”

Chief attendant Leo discreetly poked the girl’s shoulder. Though he couldn’t quite believe what he was seeing, now was not the time to question it.

Fortunately, her etiquette training had been thorough. Clutching her skirt, the young lady bowed politely.

“Odette Merhen of Santia greets the great star of the Empire.”

The sight of the child offering greetings with her small limbs was endearing enough that warmth crept into Alexis’s eyes. In truth, he had never been angry to begin with.

He spoke in a gentler voice.

“Lady Merhen. It seems your curiosity led you to the greenhouse, but as you can see, I am using it at the moment. I would ask that you give us privacy.”

“The greenhouse is very beautiful, Your Highness. …However, I did not come to see the greenhouse. I was looking for Lord Cecil.”

“Cecil? I’m afraid I haven’t seen him. As you can see, I was enjoying a pleasant moment with my lover.”

Alexis tightened the arm wrapped around Cecil’s waist, squeezing until the narrow frame was pulled snugly against him.

The young lady tilted her head.

“But isn’t the person sitting on Your Highness’s lap Lord Cecil?”

“That would be impossible. The only one allowed on my lap is the lover I cherish.”

“But he isn’t wearing a dress.”

“He is wearing very expensive clothes.”

“His hair is short.”

“…You are a very curious child.”

Even with his voice deliberately lowered, it failed to intimidate her. The young lady from Santia was simply fascinated by the sight of the Crown Prince and his lover.

“My lady, my lover is quite shy and is having a difficult time. We do not wish to be disturbed—would you please excuse us?”

Smiling, Alexis pressed a kiss to the back of Cecil’s neck. Cecil, who had remained utterly still until now, shuddered violently. The tremor transferred clearly, deepening the Crown Prince’s smile.

To a child, it was the picture of an intimate couple. Satisfied, the young lady bent her knees once more.

“My apologies. I shall take my leave.”

Until her small footsteps faded into the distance, Cecil and Alexis remained locked together. When nearby attendants cleared their throats in pointed coughs, Cecil finally lifted his head, releasing the breath he had been holding.

“She actually believed it. Children really are children.”

“…….”

“You look like you’re about to bleed from the face, Cecil Adrian.”

Cecil let out a harsh breath. He didn’t need to look to know his face was blazing red. His heart felt ready to burst—he wasn’t sure he’d ever calm down.

After steadying his breathing with effort, Cecil asked,

“You seem to enjoy seeing me flustered.”

“I enjoyed myself. One needs such amusements now and then.”

“…Then what exactly would you like me to do for you?”

At that, Alexis’s lips curved into a smooth, deliberate smile.