Second Life, I’m Dying Soon Chapter 76

Chapter 76

 

As always, someone was by his side. Judging by the elegant and opulent attire, she seemed to be one of the noblewomen who had come to see the opera.

 

“Eek!”

 

The woman, seeing the faces revealed beyond the curtain, was startled, gave a flustered bow, and scurried away.

 

Even though the woman he was about to enjoy a secret tryst with had fled, Kilian merely shrugged his shoulders without showing any regret.

 

He now openly stepped onto the balcony. In fact, the scene unfolding before his eyes was more interesting than a brief dalliance.

 

“Quite an unusual composition, isn’t it?”

 

Kilian pointed alternately at both sides with his index finger. Looking over the three sitting as if in opposition, he wore an enigmatic smile.

 

“Shouldn’t we switch seats? Somehow, this side looks more like the couple.”

 

As if agreeing with his words, Larisa stared intently at Alexis and Cecil’s side. It seemed she secretly hoped they would follow Kilian’s suggestion.

 

Despite Kilian’s sudden appearance, Alexis remained composed, looking straight ahead. He swallowed a sip of wine and spoke.

 

“It seems you don’t consider the Princess’s dignity at all.”

 

“Aah, even so, this isn’t right. Our Lara is so interested in His Highness the Crown Prince.”

 

Kilian, with his hands clasped behind his back, strolled leisurely. Surveying the sofas on both sides, he suddenly approached the side where Cecil was sitting.

 

He bent down to meet Cecil’s eye level. Facing the icy green eyes, Kilian gave an impudent, slight smile.

 

“Don’t be like that. Let’s step aside so the two of you can have an intimate conversation. I’ll have more fun with you.”

 

“I have no intention of…”

 

“Come now.”

 

Kilian abruptly pulled Cecil’s wrist. With strong force, Cecil was yanked up in an instant.

 

At that moment, Alexis grabbed Cecil’s waist. The tightly wound arm pushed Cecil back down into his seat. Alexis, who had been feigning composure until now, glared at Kilian with a cold, icy gaze.

 

“Your interference is excessive. You cannot take him away without permission.”

 

“Permission? Is this a matter requiring permission?”

 

“Be reasonable. This is not Kazarjan, but the Verka Empire. As guests, you should act accordingly and observe propriety, shouldn’t you?”

 

“Ah… so you’re telling me to know my place?”

 

Kilian murmured and ran his tongue long along the inside of his cheek. Though a smile still lingered, a cold glint flickered in his narrowed eyes.

 

Cecil broke into a cold sweat at the strangely shifting atmosphere. Judging by Kilian’s reaction, he must be quite offended now.

 

“His Highness Alexis likely didn’t mean it that way. I’ll change seats for now…”

 

Cecil tried to stand up first, but the moment he tried to lift himself, he was forced back down. The same happened with a second attempt. Unable to move an inch under the strong force, Cecil lowered his head.

 

A large, smooth-skinned hand was tightly gripping Cecil’s left hip. Alexis’s knuckles were so strained they turned white, clearly visible.

 

“……”

 

Why is he doing this? Unable to understand, Cecil looked at Alexis. But he offered no explanation, stubbornly staring only at Kilian.

 

He looked like he was guarding his possession to prevent it from being taken away. Kilian, who couldn’t possibly not know this, stretched his mouth into a wide grin.

 

“Was the rumored saint perhaps Cecil Adrian?”

 

“……”

 

“Rumors abound that the Crown Prince holds the saint in special regard. Perhaps the rumors were mistaken.”

 

“Kilian Ortega, watch your words and actions.”

 

Despite Alexis’s warning, Kilian didn’t bat an eye. Instead, he stood in a slanted posture and began to sneer.

 

“I know your usual temperament isn’t that affectionate… But looking at your current demeanor, it’s hard to tell who holds the Crown Prince’s favor.”

 

“It seems I’ve given enough warnings.”

 

Alexis rose from his seat. Merely standing face-to-face with Kilian, without any grand gesture, was enough to create an oppressive presence. Alexis looked down at Kilian with an expressionless face.

 

“Do you wish to test my patience?”

 

“Is this rude as well? I’m not well-versed in Imperial etiquette, you see.”

 

“So Kazarjan’s customs are always this vulgar? Then I suppose Princess Larisa is no exception.”

 

“Do not speak carelessly of my sister.”

 

“You crossed the line first. I’m merely returning what I was given.”

 

“You’re quite bold. Are you certain you can afford to provoke me?”

 

“You seem to be under a misunderstanding. Kazarjan is allied with the Empire—not a subject that must bow and scrape.”

 

Alexis smiled coldly, and Kilian also looked at Alexis with a sneer. The tense standoff between the two made the onlookers anxious.

 

Cecil was simply confused by this situation. He knew Alexis and Kilian would clash one day, but the reason for that fight should have been Yuria. He couldn’t understand why he was now taking that role.

 

The priority was to prevent a bigger fight from erupting. He immediately stood up and squeezed himself between the two men standing face-to-face.

 

“Let’s stop here. It seems both of you are more agitated than necessary right now.”

 

Cecil calmly took on the role of mediator. Also, at this moment, he tried his best to put aside his ill feelings towards Kilian and act as affably as possible.

 

“I’m admittedly ill-mannered. His Highness was merely trying to prevent me from offending a guest in advance. But you compared that to the Saint he cherishes most—that’s why he took offense. Anyone would resent such a misunderstanding.”

 

“Is that so?”

 

Kilian answered in a somewhat softened voice. He didn’t seem to believe Cecil’s excuse, but Cecil’s submissive demeanor in front of him seemed quite satisfactory.

 

Sensing this, Cecil acted even more compliantly. He tried to ease the atmosphere by smiling towards Kilian.

 

“As emotions ran high, His Highness Alexis said something a bit excessive. But I assure you it wasn’t meant sincerely. I hope there will be no misunderstanding.”

 

Cecil felt the body behind him stiffen. He could feel Alexis suppressing his anger even through his skin. He kept becoming conscious of him, but Cecil forcibly cut off his attention and focused even more on Kilian.

 

“I admit I was also rude. I understand the Crown Prince looking out for you. How can my heart not melt when you’re being so warm?”

 

Cecil swallowed back the nausea rising as he ground his teeth. But he maintained a bright expression. Even he thought his flattery was impressive.

 

Kilian straightened his head, which had been tilted sideways.

 

The consistently gentle, smiling Cecil Adrian and the Crown Prince Alexis with an icy, sculpted expression presented a starkly contrasting picture. Being the complete opposite of what he’d seen so far, it piqued his interest considerably.

 

“Considering Cecil’s effort, let’s both erase today’s incident from memory. Let’s go, Lara.”

 

Kilian gave a slight nod towards Larisa.

 

Perhaps realizing the good atmosphere was already gone, Larisa obediently followed. But disappointment was inevitable. As she left the balcony, she looked back at Alexis with longing dripping from her gaze.

 

Once the Kazarjan royals disappeared beyond the curtain, Cecil finally let out a long-held sigh. He had been so tense that his palms were tingling all over and his stomach felt queasy. Pressing the corner of his mouth with the back of his hand, he turned around. Cecil still had a problem to resolve.

 

“If only you had endured just a little more.”

 

“So this is my fault?”

 

“That’s not what I meant. But they’re people who will leave soon anyway. By the time Your Highness rules the Empire, Kilian will also be governing Kazarjan. Having a bad relationship with him won’t be helpful.”

 

Cecil replied in a weary voice, speaking softly.

 

He was truly tired. Wanting to lie down immediately, he rubbed his fatigue-filled face when Alexis grabbed his wrist and pulled him close.

 

Alexis looked down at Cecil with a hardened face. When his eyes met Cecil’s, his straight eyebrows wrinkled slightly.

 

“Do you know what’s the most infuriating?”

 

“……”

 

“That you behaved submissively towards that Kilian bastard.”

 

“You know very well it wasn’t sincere, Your Highness.”

 

“I do. I know you were just smoothing things over intelligently. But you shouldn’t have done that in front of me.”

 

Cecil blinked slowly. He couldn’t believe it. This made it seem as if Alexis was jealous.

 

“I… dislike Kilian. No, it’s closer to loathing. What happened just now… was merely an act for Your Highness.”

 

“Are you sure?”

 

“Of course. Who would like such trash human scum…”

 

As he openly badmouthed him, the grip on his wrist loosened. Alexis released Cecil’s hand and took a step back.

 

“You truly have an exceptional talent for manipulating people.”

 

A remark followed that was unclear whether it was praise or criticism. Cecil stared intently at Alexis’s face to gauge his true feelings.

 

What was certain was that the fierce look in Alexis’s eyes had softened considerably.

 

Cecil knew. Alexis never showed such an amused expression to anyone else. Whether intended or not, he was greatly unsettling the person who secretly adored him right now.

 

* * *

 

That night, Yuria visited Saint Palace.

 

Alexis set aside his work and, for once, spent time with her, having a serious conversation.

 

Their discussion about palace life naturally shifted to the topic of their relationship. It seemed Yuria had come for this very conversation.

 

“Your Highness… have you ever truly loved someone?”

 

After asking the difficult question, Yuria pressed further.

 

“Do you love me?”

 

Alexis could give no answer to this. There was only one answer Yuria wanted. It would have been enough to say he loved her, even falsely, but somehow the words wouldn’t come out readily.

 

He himself knew the reason. Although he cherished Yuria greatly, it was different from romantic love.

 

But Alexis had a given responsibility. He had promised to make her his Crown Princess. Marriage was the surest way to protect Yuria. His own love was not something to be discussed.

 

“Yuria, I promised to protect you for life. Is this vow insufficient?”

 

“I also thought that was enough. But after entering the imperial palace, I realized something. That my feelings and Your Highness’s feelings are different.”

 

Yuria began to pour out the words she had been holding back.

 

“I know you cherish me a lot. Even if it’s not love, I could pretend not to know and let it pass. Because Your Highness is someone who would keep a promise no matter what.”

 

“……”

 

“But I hate seeing myself become increasingly greedy like this. I could never be happy like this.”

 

Then she said in a resolute voice.

 

“I wish you would retract the promise to take me as your Crown Princess.”

 

“Yuria.”

 

“I am no longer a child. I have become strong enough not to need Your Highness’s protection. I am telling you that you no longer need to be my guardian.”

 

Yuria firmly conveyed her intention. It wasn’t a casual remark. She emphasized once more that this was a decision made after long and deep contemplation.

 

Alexis’s face darkened with concern. He could imagine how much she must have suffered before bringing this up. It was entirely his fault.

 

“You won’t regret it?”

 

“Not at all. I am already receiving more than I deserve.”

 

The child who risked her life to find food in the black forest had now become the Empire’s revered saint. Residing in the imperial palace, she received treatment comparable to nobility. Once an orphan, she was now surrounded by people.

 

Alexis had already repaid her enough. From now on, she needed to step out from the Crown Prince’s shadow and move forward on her own.

 

“I wish to remain in the imperial palace. I want to contribute to the Empire with my small abilities.”

 

Yuria forced a smile and wiped the tears gathering at the corners of her eyes.

 

“Don’t worry. I will become happier than I am now.”

 

“…Is there anything I can help with?”

 

“Can we keep this conversation between just the two of us? It’s still more beneficial for my life in the palace to remain as the person favored by Your Highness.”

 

“You will always be my person. That will never change.”

 

“Of course. Absolutely.”

 

As Yuria smiled brightly, Alexis also gave a faint smile in response.

 

Yet, he couldn’t hide his regretful feelings. He didn’t know how difficult it must have been for her to bring this up.

 

“I’m sorry.”

 

“I’m alright.”

 

“Nothing will change. I will always cherish you.”

 

Yuria nodded in agreement. Simultaneously, she secretly prayed in her heart.

 

She hoped Alexis would also set down his burdens and become as unburdened as she was now. Whoever it might be, she wished for him to find someone he could truly love.

 

She prayed fervently that the Crown Prince, who always looked lonely from his high position, would definitely find his one and only person.