Second Life, I’m Dying Soon Chapter 75

Chapter 75

 

“Let’s change locations. It seems we might be a nuisance to everyone here. There happens to be a place suitable for conversation.”

 

Alexis skillfully handled the situation, separating Larisa from himself. His response was so smooth that Larisa didn’t even have time to feel offended. She obediently stepped back, lightly gathered the hem of her dress, and gave a formal Empire-style bow.

 

“In that case, I’ll make a quick stop at the powder room. Please wait a moment.”

 

Larisa looked thoroughly excited at the prospect of conversing with Alexis.

 

The moment she disappeared with her ladies-in-waiting, Cecil openly ruffled his hair. His fiercely glaring gaze was now directed at Alexis.

 

“Why are you here?”

 

“Asking why I’m in the opera hall, what kind of question is that?”

 

“I naturally assumed you’d be on the first floor…!”

 

“The same goes for me. I just moved to a secluded spot, keeping in mind that Princess Larisa might come to see the opera…”

 

Alexis trailed off and burst into laughter. In the end, trying to consider each other had led to this mess.

 

“Let’s change seats first. Chatting during the performance is impolite.”

 

Alexis personally smoothed down Cecil’s disheveled hair. Seeing Cecil momentarily dazed, having forgotten his irritation, Alexis also gave a gentle smile. It was a strange feeling. Now, whenever he saw Cecil, the corners of his mouth wanted to lift.

 

A short distance from the balcony seating, there was an open balcony.

 

Its original purpose was for taking a comfortable break to get some fresh air or for having simple conversations.

 

However, heavy velvet curtains were hung to prevent voices from carrying, and there were many secluded blind spots, so over time, the opera hall balcony became famous as a spot for secret rendezvous.

 

Even now, there were several nobles sharing affection, putting the opera performance aside. But the moment Crown Prince Alexis and Cecil appeared, they scattered like thieves caught in the act, quickly disappearing.

 

Cecil paid them no mind as he moved. A splendid garden was visible beyond the arched iron railing, but he didn’t have the energy to care about such things now.

 

He slumped wearily onto a sofa. Plush cushions were scattered everywhere, making his body sink. He wanted to just lie back comfortably like this.

 

Alexis naturally took the seat beside him. He glanced down at Cecil, who was stretching out his limbs.

 

“You look terrible. It seems like you’re about to collapse at any moment.”

 

“Do you know… how much I’ve been struggling these past few days?”

 

“I can imagine. But wasn’t that your own choice? I never ordered you to pour all your time into it.”

 

Alexis reached out his arm. On the low table stood a glass vase. He plucked a single small flower from it and, as if bestowing a reward, stuck it behind Cecil’s ear.

 

Leaning back on the sofa, Cecil frowned. The petal tucked by his ear kept tickling his temple.

 

“What is this?”

 

“Now you’re at least presentable.”

 

“Do I look so pathetic that I need floral decoration?”

 

“You know your own condition well, don’t you?”

 

Cecil let out a hollow laugh and pulled out the flower.

 

The now useless flower could simply be thrown on the floor, but since Alexis gave it to him, he couldn’t easily discard it. In the end, he swiftly hid it in his trouser pocket.

 

Alexis laughed aloud seeing this. Feeling awkward, Cecil straightened his back and poured some wine, offering a glass to Alexis as well.

 

“Did you come alone? What about Yuria?”

 

“Yuria? Why would I look for a child who should be resting well in her residence?”

 

“Well…”

 

Cecil pressed his lips together tightly. It was strange. He distinctly remembered Alexis watching the opera with Yuria on the eve of the celebration.

 

Of course, the specific details could change. Cecil no longer placed much significance on minor alterations. As long as the outcome turned out right.

 

As a brief silence flowed, Alexis gently swirled the glass in his hand. The wine inside sloshed against the glass walls, and its rich aroma rose to tickle the nose.

 

Gazing at the swirling wine, Alexis said.

 

“Did you know? Sometimes you stop mid-conversation and fall into your own thoughts. As if you’re recalling something.”

 

“…You’re imagining things. I just forget what I was going to say.”

 

“Alright, let’s leave it at that for now.”

 

Alexis gave a perfunctory reply and brought the wine glass to his lips. At the sound of the gulp and the sight of his Adam’s apple bobbing, Cecil couldn’t help but swallow his own saliva.

 

If he himself sometimes got lost in thought, Alexis would suddenly test people. Lately, the frequency had increased, and sometimes he struck at his weak points so precisely it felt as if he knew something.

 

Ahem, ahem. Cecil cleared his throat twice as if choking and composed his expression. The trick was to act shamelessly. There was no way his secret would be discovered.

 

As they were each drinking their wine, the velvet curtain parted, revealing Larisa. Her face, now with a much glossier sheen, and her even bolder attire hinted at her determination.

 

“I’m thirsty. Could I also have a glass of wine?”

 

Larisa approached Alexis’s side with graceful poise. Cecil, faster than necessary, poured the wine and handed it to Larisa.

 

At the unnecessarily swift action, Larisa’s eyes sharpened. But she couldn’t refuse Cecil’s goodwill, so she silently took the glass.

 

She rolled her dark eyes. Coincidentally, Alexis and Cecil were sitting side-by-side on a two-seater sofa, leaving no space for her to slip in.

 

“Please, have a seat, Princess Larisa.”

 

At Alexis’s invitation, she had no choice but to sit on the opposite sofa. Larisa gave Cecil a pointed look, hoping for something, but for some reason, the usually perceptive man was feigning ignorance only now.

 

“It seems you’re having a pleasant time in the Empire; that’s a relief. Come to think of it, the day of your departure isn’t far off now.”

 

“That’s right. Thanks to your wonderful hospitality, I completely lost track of time. I’d love for you to visit our Kazarjan sometime soon. As repayment, I’ll treat you with the utmost care.”

 

Alexis gave a standard smile. Raising his wine glass as if for a toast, he replied.

 

“I will visit if the opportunity arises.”

 

“Really? Since we’re on the topic, how about setting a date? When would be good for you? Next week? Or next month?”

 

“I have responsibilities that prevent me from easily leaving the Empire. I can promise to visit, but I cannot give a definitive date.”

 

Alexis answered politely, but it contained a meaning of refusal.

 

Princess Larisa couldn’t possibly not know it was merely a courtesy. Her previously joyous face soon showed a hint of disappointment.

 

Listening to their conversation from the side, Cecil, feeling anxious in advance, found it hard to sit still quietly.

 

Although Alexis was responding more kindly than he expected, his counterpart was the unpredictable Princess Larisa. He couldn’t relax his vigilance for a moment, worried she might make some sudden move that could offend Alexis’s mood.

 

“By the way you two…”

 

Suddenly, Larisa spoke up. Tilting her head, she pointed her index finger back and forth between Cecil and Alexis.

 

“Didn’t you say you weren’t close?”

 

“……”

 

Cecil searched for a reply. If only Alexis weren’t here, he would have made up some suitable excuse, but with the person in question right beside him, it was quite unnerving.

 

While Cecil hesitated, Alexis slowly lifted the corner of his mouth. Cecil’s flustered profile was reflected in his blue eyes.

 

“We’re… not close.”

 

At his words, Cecil also turned his head. When their eyes met, a look of tension seeped into Cecil’s face. Alexis’s smile deepened further.

 

“This fellow is incredibly envious of me, you see. Not only does he constantly stick by my side to cause interference, but he also follows me around, being a nuisance.”

 

“Oh my!”

 

“I… when did I ever do that?”

 

“My, putting on a front because we have a guest present?”

 

Alexis pinched Cecil’s earlobe hard and pulled. Cecil’s head tilted along with it in response.

 

Cecil sharply smacked Alexis’s hand away and rubbed his tingling earlobe. The skin from his neck to his forehead, which had been pale, flushed red like a ripe peach.

 

“Shouldn’t you be the one maintaining some dignity, Your Highness? Even children don’t do such childish things.”

 

“How about you do something about that insolent tone of yours?”

 

“I am currently doing my utmost to be polite. Would you like to see what truly insolent looks like?”

 

As their sharp banter went back and forth, Larisa silently watched the two of them.

 

It seemed like a lie that they didn’t get along. Not only were they sitting extremely close, but above all, the Crown Prince’s expression now looked the most honest and relaxed she had ever seen of him.

 

“It seems… you are very fond of Lord Cecil, Alexis?”

 

Larisa offered her observation.

 

Alexis, who had been looking at Cecil all along, turned his head at her words. He wore the same smile, but the earlier joyful expression had vanished as if it were a lie, and an imperceptibly cold veneer had been layered over it.

 

“Does it seem so?”

 

“Even without sharing a drop of blood, siblings are still siblings, I suppose? Better than me and Kilian. Sigh, if only Kilian were like you…”

 

“Lara, what’s wrong with me?”

 

A languid voice came from beyond the curtain. Soon after, the velvet curtain was drawn aside, and Kilian suddenly peeked his face in.