Second Life, I’m Dying Soon Chapter 72

Chapter 72

 

After the meeting ended and everyone had left, only Cecil and the Empress remained in the guest reception room.

 

Once the guests had disappeared, the Empress wiped the smile from her face. Unable to hide her anxiety, she kept gnawing on her well-manicured nails.

 

“To think Princess Larisa has set her sights on the Crown Prince. We must absolutely prevent a marriage alliance between the two. The Kingdom of Kazarjan cannot become Alexis’s backer.”

 

In contrast, Cecil remained composed.

 

“Please, Mother, don’t intervene.”

 

The Empress’s doubtful gaze flew toward him.

 

“Don’t intervene? Why?”

 

Cecil savored the black tea before him slowly and replied calmly.

 

“Even the same words are perceived differently depending on who says them. If you interfere, Mother, the princess will feel that not just her, but Kazarjan itself, is being rejected. Rather, let me try to persuade Princess Larisa.”

 

The Empress, grinding her nails between her teeth, sank into thought. Cecil’s words had merit. The other party was Kazarjan royalty. The Empress keenly understood that this was not someone to be dealt with lightly.

 

Seeing the Empress waver, Cecil settled comfortably into his chair and drove the point home.

 

“You know very well nothing good will come from friction with the Kazarjan Kingdom, don’t you? I will do my utmost to ensure their feelings aren’t hurt.”

 

“Alright. Since you put it that way, I’ll trust you with this. Ah, Cecil. One more thing.”

 

As if struck by a sudden idea, the Empress’s eyes lit up.

 

“Build a relationship with Killian. He is the future King of Kazarjan; gaining his favor will surely be helpful.”

 

He had expected that. Not deviating an inch from his expectations of the Empress’s greed, Cecil bowed his head and smirked. Pretending to vaguely accept her intention, he gave a noncommittal reply.

 

“If I have the time, I’ll try.”

 

“This is an excellent opportunity. Besides, he said himself he doesn’t discriminate by gender, so you should proactively…”

 

Cecil paused while running a hand through his hair. He then raised his eyes and looked directly at Empress Elizabeth.

 

“Are you telling me to seduce Killian right now?”

 

For an instant, Elizabeth realized she had misspoken. She regretted it, but the words were already out. Instead, Elizabeth clung to an arrogant attitude.

 

“What’s the problem?”

 

“That’s not something you should say, considering how ashamed you were of my attraction to men.”

 

“He’s not just anyone; he’s the heir to Kazarjan. He holds sufficient value. It’s all for your sake, my dear.”

 

Cecil scoffed.

 

“Ha, be honest. You’re not doing this for me; you’re trying to satisfy your own greed. Are you so desperate that you’d even sell your own son?”

 

Cecil retorted without backing down a single word. Then, he pushed away the sofa and stood up. The sound of the sofa legs scraping the floor was quite jarring.

 

“There will be no seducing Killian. I’ll handle things myself. As I said, please don’t interfere.”

 

“Cecil!”

 

Despite the Empress’s sharp call, Cecil pushed open the door and left. Disgust welled up at the demand that defied all reason.

 

Perhaps it was for the best. At least now, even the scant remnants of familial affection could be severed cleanly.

 

Leaving the Empress’s palace behind, Cecil moved swiftly. He first returned to the Peridot Palace, then headed straight for his study.

 

Who would be suitable? Holding an ink pen, he pondered for a moment.

 

Within a short time, numerous faces flashed through his mind, and soon Cecil dipped the sharp pen nib deep into ink and began writing.

 

Handing the paper to an attendant, Cecil instructed firmly.

 

“Bring all the people listed here. It’s important.”

 

“Yes, Lord Cecil.”

 

His loyal attendants took the paper and hurried off. Then, Cecil took out another clean sheet of paper from a drawer. Unlike before, he wrote with great care.

 

Soon, the palm-sized paper was densely filled with neat handwriting. After letting the ink dry, he folded it meticulously and concealed it in his palm.

 

Cecil promptly rose from his seat. It was already nearing midnight, but there was no way he could go to bed peacefully. There was still someone he needed to see.

 

Avoiding the eyes of others, he cautiously made his way toward Saint Palace.

 

“I need to see His Highness.”

 

“I will guide you immediately.”

 

Despite the sudden visit, the Head Attendant of Saint Palace received the guest with composure. Cecil’s abrupt appearances had become a fairly routine part of his day as well.

 

Navigating the maze-like corridors, they arrived before the office. The Head Attendant dismissed all the doorkeepers, intending to stand guard himself. Under his guidance, Cecil secretly knocked on the office door.

 

Knock, knock, knock.

 

After three short knocks, he immediately stuck his head in. As expected, Alexis was still in his office late at night, attending to affairs of state.

 

Already aware from the knocking that it was Cecil, Alexis showed no sign of panic. On the contrary, as soon as their eyes met, he stopped what he was doing and rose from his seat.

 

Meanwhile, Cecil carefully locked the door. When he turned around after securing it, Alexis was already standing right in front of him.

 

Perhaps because of the late hour, the button choking his neck was undone, giving Alexis a more relaxed appearance. Cecil froze momentarily, unprepared to face the exposed skin.

 

It was inevitable that his gaze drifted to the straight collarbone and the long line of the neck. The distance was far too close. Swallowing hard unconsciously, Cecil barely regained his composure and slowly lifted his head.

 

“Your Highness, I just came from the Empress’s palace…”

 

“I distinctly recall ordering you not to leave your bed. It seems the people of Peridot Palace don’t even listen with the tips of their ears.”

 

Alexis, a full head taller than Cecil, looked down as if to press him down with his larger frame. With one hand bracing against the door, blocking the way, a dark shadow fell over Cecil’s face.

 

Alexis reached out his free hand and lifted Cecil’s bangs. His knuckles lightly brushed Cecil’s rounded forehead. While taking his temperature directly, the blue eyes remained fixed on Cecil’s face.

 

“How is your body?”

 

“Perfectly fine. No… I wasn’t sick enough to stay in bed in the first place.”

 

“I see. Looking at you talking back so precisely, you seem to have recovered well.”

 

“……”

 

“What is it? Hurry up and give it.”

 

With a light rebuke, Alexis tapped Cecil’s forehead with his long finger.

 

Cecil frowned and handed over the note he had been clutching all along. As expected, his perception was extraordinary. After sharply cutting off his own words, he clearly knew the reason for his visit.

 

Alexis read the note in silence. At this moment, there was no trace of his usual playfulness. His cool gaze dissected Cecil’s handwriting line by line.

 

The contents were effectively an anonymous report—detailing whom Cecil had met in the Empress’s palace, what had been discussed, and what orders the Empress had given.

 

“You talked about me quite a lot in my absence.”

 

Alexis let out a short snort as he voiced his impression. Moving to the front of the desk, he held the edge of the note over the flickering candle flame.

 

The paper burst into flames. The secret note disappeared without a trace, leaving behind only a bit of soot and the smell of burning.

 

Brushing off his hands, Alexis sat on the edge of the desk. With a slight jerk of his chin, Cecil slowly approached him.

 

To have a secret conversation, they needed to stand close to each other. Inadvertently, Cecil ended up between Alexis’s parted legs.

 

The intimacy of the position made his mouth go dry. Afraid of entertaining improper thoughts, he gently bit the inside of his lip.

 

Unlike the highly conscious Cecil, Alexis whispered calmly into his ear.

 

“What’s your take on it?”

 

“…Princess Larisa is sincere. It’s clear her purpose in coming to the Empire is also because of you.”

 

“It would be best for you to handle the princess. It would be troublesome to get further entangled.”

 

“That’s exactly what I was going to suggest. After all, she’ll be returning once the birthday celebrations are over. It’s best to avoid meeting her as much as possible during that time.”

 

Cecil also lowered his voice as much as possible. Although they were alone in the office, it would be extremely problematic if any word leaked out. Perhaps from great tension, Cecil found himself holding onto the hem of Alexis’s clothes without realizing it.

 

Suddenly, he looked up. His cat-like eyes gazed intently at Alexis.

 

“Even if Princess Larisa shows affection towards you, please don’t reject her too coldly.”

 

“Why?”

 

“She has great pride. She’s likely never been rejected in her life. If the person she likes puts up walls—how do you think she’d take it? Her pride wouldn’t survive.”

 

“How can you be so certain? You don’t know the princess personally. Speaking from experience?”

 

“……”

 

Cecil let out a short sigh.

 

In a way, it was from experience. He spoke in a way that represented the princess because he had felt the exact same way as her.

 

“Anyone would think so. Besides, Your Highness is merciless towards anyone who seems to cross a line. Regardless of who the other person is.”

 

“That is definitely from experience.”

 

Leaning his head back, Alexis replied in a relaxed tone. His expression softened to match his voice. Now, when he looked down at Cecil, his eyes were filled only with amusement.