Second Life, I’m Dying Soon Chapter 73

Chapter 73

 

Still, Cecil could not bring himself to relax. He knew all too well what was destined to happen—and more than that, he knew exactly how strict Alexis could be.

No matter how meticulously one planned, no one could ever know how the future might change.

“Please promise me. Even if you’re offended, don’t lose your temper with Princess Larisa.”

“What exactly is the problem? Are you really this anxious over nothing more than a princess’s wounded pride?”

“What I’m worried about is diplomacy with the Kingdom of Kazarjan. I don’t want this matter to spark a dispute.”

“That’s a rather specific concern.”

Alexis lowered his gaze. In eyes as blue and still as a lake, Cecil’s face was reflected in full.

“Are you simply imaginative… or—”

Once suspicion took root, every word Cecil spoke began to sound strange. It only worsened with time. The idea that Cecil might be predicting the future gained more and more weight.

Just as the silence threatened to stretch on, Alexis flicked a rounded finger lightly against the bridge of Cecil’s nose.

“You impudent brat. Do you have any idea who you’re giving orders to?”

The flick carried more force than expected. Cecil clutched his stinging nose—but even then, he pressed his demand.

“You won’t promise me?”

“I don’t like your attitude. I might have considered it if you’d asked politely.”

“…….”

Cecil pressed his lips together and glared at Alexis. Who did he think was doing this for their own benefit? He bit back everything he wanted to say, his chin puckering with tight wrinkles like a cracked walnut.

Watching him, Alexis narrowed his eyes.

“Hey now—relax your glare.”

“Forget it. Do as you please, Your Highness.”

“You’re exhausting. Can’t even joke around with you. Then again, I suppose jokes were never going to work on Cecil Adrian.”

A smile spread lazily across his loosened lips. Alexis looked at Cecil with an expression far gentler than before.

“Don’t worry. What you’re afraid of will never happen.”

“So you’re promising me.”

“I promise.”

Only then did Cecil finally ease. That settled everything he needed to do. He slowly stepped backward, retreating from Alexis’s personal space.

With his hand on the office doorknob, he offered a final farewell.

“It’s late. Please get some rest.”

“Yes. You should have a good night as well.”

Soon after, Cecil left the office. As silence settled over the room, Alexis remained at his desk, savoring the quiet alone.

He lifted a hand to his mouth. The corners of his lips—still tense—had been lifted this entire time. Only now did Alexis realize that he had been smiling the whole time he’d been with Cecil.

“…This is troublesome.”

He murmured while brushing his fingers over his smooth lips. The expression he hadn’t even been aware of left him faintly unsettled.

 

***

 

The Emperor’s birthday celebration was now only two days away.

There were three palaces prepared for guests. One of them had been reserved exclusively for the dignitaries from Kazarjan—a clear display of just how exceptional the treatment afforded to Kazarjan truly was.

Cecil finished his preparations early that morning and headed for the palace where Princess Larisa was staying.

She happened to be spending her time leisurely in the garden. Beneath the abundant morning sunlight, white muslin fabric fluttered softly, and Princess Larisa lay beneath it, eating fruit.

“Good morning.”

Cecil greeted her as he sat down on a wooden chair placed opposite her. Using the long sofa as though it were a bed, Larisa merely tilted her head in acknowledgment without even glancing his way.

“The Empire’s sunlight is so bland. Sunlight should be hot enough to scorch your skin—that’s what it’s meant to be.”

“No place can truly compare to Kazarjan.”

“Still, the hospitality is quite pleasing. I was a little irritated when I heard you’d be hosting instead of Alexis, but… well, I’m satisfied now.”

Larisa crossed her legs leisurely. Her dress plunged deeply at the chest, and the fabric was so thin that her voluptuous figure was revealed in full.

It might have been ordinary attire in Kazarjan’s heat, but to imperial eyes, it bordered on indecent.

The palace servants struggled not knowing where to look, while the attendants from Kazarjan tended to the princess as though this were perfectly normal. Perhaps that was precisely why they’d brought them along.

Though the weather wasn’t particularly hot, her attendants fanned her without pause. Riding the gentle breeze was the heavy scent of perfume.

Resting his chin on his hand, Cecil quietly observed Princess Larisa. Her appearance was undeniably provocative, but as someone with little interest in women, there wasn’t the slightest hint of lechery in his gaze.

Only then did Larisa turn her head. Catching Cecil watching her, she smiled faintly and rolled onto her side. Propping her head loosely on her hand, she looked every bit like a seductive sun goddess.

“There’s something I’m curious about.”

“Please, go ahead.”

“What is the Crown Prince’s type? What kind of woman does he like?”

Cecil let out a weak laugh. Her fixation really was unwavering. He straightened his posture and leaned back against the chair.

“You’ve asked the wrong person. I’m not particularly close to Crown Prince Alexis.”

“Hm. A rival, then… something like that?”

“You could say that.”

“What do you think about Crown Prince Alexis marrying me and leaving for Kazarjan? If that happens, a strong contender for the imperial throne would disappear… Are you willing to cooperate?”

“Give up. It’s impossible.”

“You never know until you try. I can persuade Kilian.”

Cecil crossed his arms and smiled. It was a beautiful smile—but there was a chill beneath it.

“The next Emperor of the Empire will be Alexis. No matter what anyone does, that will not change.”

Larisa blinked her large eyes. Cecil’s firm stance seemed to catch her off guard. She pressed a hand to the sofa and slowly sat up.

“I assumed you’d side with me. How unexpected.”

“It was an unrealistic proposal from the start. And above all, the Crown Prince has a woman he is promised to.”

“I know. Yuria, was it? The saintess.”

“No matter how much you try, Princess, you won’t steal his heart from her. It might take some time, but the Crown Princess will be Yuria. Why waste time and emotion on something without value? Larisa, you are so young and beautiful. Men who would adore you are plentiful.”

“But there’s no man I like as much as Alexis.”

Cecil pressed his fingers firmly between his brows. As expected, the princess’s stubbornness wouldn’t yield easily. Sweeping his bangs back, he let out a frustrated sigh.

“There’s something I’m curious about too.”

“What is it?”

“Why do you like His Highness? You’ve hardly had any real contact with him.”

Princess Larisa let out a soft laugh.

“Why ask something so obvious? He’s the perfect ideal. The noblest blood, the finest swordsman in the Empire—and above all, handsome.”

“Are you aware that the Empire has quite a lot of handsome men?”

“I’ve heard the rumors. You yourself are rather impressive. Unfortunately, not my type.”

She added primly, as though to say that there weren’t many men prettier than herself.

Cecil regarded the princess of Kazarjan in silence. His tightly pressed lips curved into a captivating line.

“Then it seems I’ve prepared something properly for you, Lady Larisa.”

“What is it?”

At Cecil’s nod, Head Attendant Leo—who had been waiting at a distance—caught the signal and moved.

Moments later, people poured into the garden. All were tall, handsome young men. Every single one of them had been carefully selected by Cecil after much deliberation.

Just the night before, Cecil had summoned them to the Peridot Palace and instructed them to serve as conversational companions for Princess Larisa Ortega of Kazarjan.

Sure enough, Larisa’s face brightened visibly. She seemed quite pleased by the sight of handsome men from the Empire.

“We greet the Princess of Kazarjan.”

“Lovely to meet you.”

As Larisa extended her right hand, the tall attendants knelt on one knee—just as Cecil had taught them—and pressed respectful kisses to the back of her hand.

Unable to hide her satisfaction at their impeccable manners, Larisa smiled. Their gentlemanly demeanor fit her ideal perfectly.

In Kazarjan, it was customary for women of high status to keep many male lovers. The number of lovers one had was a measure of one’s power.

If fortune favored them, they might even become part of Princess Larisa’s harem. Thinking it a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, the attendants resolved to give it their all.

Before long, they were seated around her. Servants from the Peridot Palace hurriedly brought tea and fruit, and in an instant, a tea gathering took shape.

Cecil joined in the conversation as well. No matter how pleasant the atmosphere, first meetings were bound to feel awkward. Each time that happened, Cecil smoothly guided the discussion, always ensuring that the focus returned to Larisa.

Everything unfolded exactly as Cecil had planned.

Fortunately, the princess harbored no suspicions—she was simply enjoying the moment. The incessant questions about Alexis had disappeared entirely.

“My, Larisa. Starting the morning with a harem, are we?”

At that moment, a languid voice cut in.