Second Life, I’m Dying Soon Chapter 85

Chapter 85

 

A heavy tension settled over the table, candlelight shadows wavering across its surface.

Inside the main palace’s council chamber, high-ranking nobles had been locked in grave discussion for hours.

It had already been over half a year since relations with Kazarjan were severed. After a prolonged exchange of brinkmanship, Emperor Arnold had abruptly declared Kazarjan an enemy state just the day before.

Alexis sat at the head of the table, listening intently to the nobles’ arguments. His lips remained firmly sealed, but not a single word exchanged across the table escaped him.

“Now that they’ve been declared an enemy, we cannot remain idle.”

“After everything Kazarjan has done to us—this is as far as our patience goes!”

“If war breaks out, the damage to the Empire will be catastrophic. With monsters resurfacing, we cannot afford to waste military strength. Commander Vandel of the knight order—what is your opinion?”

“The Black Forest Garrison operates separately from the Imperial Knights, so there is little cause for concern there. If we move to full war preparations, nobles and their private forces will be mobilized according to military law. It will take at least a week to assemble the Imperial Army.”

Those with the right to speak offered their opinions one after another. When the discussion completed a full circuit of the table, all eyes naturally converged on a single person.

The only one who had not spoken yet was Cecil Adrian.

Alexis finally broke his long silence.

“Cecil. What do you think?”

Cecil held the position of strategist. A strategist was expected to possess broad expertise and sharp judgment, offering decisive counsel to the Emperor.

When Cecil Adrian—barely in his early twenties—had been appointed to the role, opposition had been fierce.

Most believed the position was granted through the Empress’s influence or as a privilege afforded to nobility. That perception, however, did not last long.

His political insight was exceptional. His ability to pierce through issues rivaled even that of Crown Prince Alexis, and at times he proposed solutions so striking they left others stunned.

Throughout the discussion, Cecil had been staring down at the map spread across the table. He tapped it lightly with his fingers before finally speaking.

“I believe war is inevitable. Even if we take no action, Kazarjan will strike first.”

He tapped the table again.

Alexis sensed the signal Cecil was sending. He released his interlaced fingers and adjusted his posture.

“I have matters to discuss privately with the strategist. Everyone else may leave. The meeting will resume in two hours.”

The nobles, along with the guards and attendants, exited the chamber. Once they were alone, Cecil finally rose from his seat.

Without hesitation, he began drawing lines across the map. The lines advanced steadily, like marching troops, until they reached a point within Kazarjan ’s territory. Cecil circled the location and wrote a number beside it.

He was indicating where—and when—they should strike.

Alexis lifted his blue eyes.

“You’re certain?”

“Yes. We must hit here first. That’s how we seize the advantage.”

The corner of Alexis’s mouth curved upward at an angle. He looked deeply satisfied, having obtained exactly what he wanted.

“Very well. I’ll take it under advisement.”

Alexis had, without realizing it, become accustomed to following Cecil’s advice.

At every crucial moment requiring a decision, Cecil pointed the way forward as though guided by divine revelation.

Alexis had never said it aloud, but he knew—this was Cecil’s extraordinary ability.

Resting his chin at an angle, Alexis studied Cecil closely.

Was it because his talent as a strategist was so exceptional? With each passing day, Cecil seemed unbearably dear to him. Trust and affection had grown so deep that simply having Cecil by his side filled him with quiet joy.

Alexis smiled softly.

“You predicted the attack on the trade ship recently, too. Your dreams are so accurate it’s unsettling.”

“I’ve told you repeatedly—it isn’t divine power.”

“Then magic, perhaps?”

Cecil let out a small laugh at the nonsense. He had already confessed, using Alexis’s nightmare as an opening, that he too experienced prophetic dreams.

He had judged that the secret could no longer be fully concealed. If it was for Alexis’s sake, Cecil was prepared to reveal the future whenever necessary.

“Whatever it is, it’s an ability that helps Your Highness.”

“……”

Alexis did not deny it. Cecil’s presence had become irreplaceable.

“What should I do for you?”

“What do you mean?”

“Compensation—for that precious ability of yours. If there’s something you want, say it. I’d rather not repeat what happened last time—giving you a gift you didn’t want and making you cry.”

Cecil recalled the day he had received a dagger from Alexis. It was a memory neither of them wished to revisit, and his expression stiffened.

“I don’t really… want anything.”

“Nothing at all?”

“…….”

“Cecil. Be smart. When an opportunity presents itself, you take it.”

Cecil bit down on his lip.

It wasn’t as though he lacked desire. And with Alexis offering to give him anything first—how could he possibly refuse?

Awakening desire and restrained reason clashed fiercely in his mind. The bait laid before him looked far too sweet to ignore.

“Then… would you close your eyes for just five minutes?”

At Cecil’s hesitant request, Alexis’s brow furrowed.

Under the intense gaze, his face felt ticklish. Pretending it was nothing, Cecil spoke even more calmly.

“I won’t do anything strange. Just—no matter what I do, please endure it for five minutes.”

“You do realize that sounds even more suspicious, right?”

Cecil stepped forward slowly. Alexis, seated in the chair, closed his eyes as promised. His hands hung loosely beneath the armrests, looking as though he would tolerate whatever Cecil chose to do.

When Cecil cautiously cupped his cheek, Alexis chuckled softly, air escaping him. With his eyes firmly shut, he said.

“So all you wanted was to touch my face?”

“Yes.”

Cecil answered without smiling.

He had never examined Alexis’s face from this close. Touching him like this had been an unimaginable act.

Focusing every nerve in his fingertips, Cecil traced Alexis’s features carefully—the neat forehead, the straight brow ridge, the sharply defined jawline.

The contours were delicate beneath smooth, flawless skin. His hand lingered along the cheek as his gaze followed the tall bridge of Alexis’s nose. His eyes remained fixed for a long moment on the line of his lips. He still remembered vividly what they felt like.

Perhaps his perverse thoughts were transmitted through his fingertips, as the closed eyelids slowly began to open.

When eyes like clear lake water met his, Cecil startled and dropped his hand.

“The time isn’t up yet…”

An arm suddenly wrapped around his waist, pulling him close. In an instant, the distance vanished, and Cecil collapsed down with one of Alexis’s thighs caught between his legs.

“Will you really be satisfied with just touching?”

“…….”

“For five minutes, I’m yours. Do whatever you like. I permit it.”

Alexis took Cecil’s right hand and placed it against his own lips. Adding pressure with their overlapped hands, he pressed his soft mouth firmly against Cecil’s fingertips.

Cecil’s eyes trembled violently.

Though none of his intent was reflected, the sight before him looked exactly as if he were toying with Alexis’s lips.

Both sight and touch overwhelmed him, scrambling his thoughts.

Alexis closed his eyes again. Half of it was teasing—but truthfully, even if Cecil went further, he intended to allow it.

Or perhaps… he had been hoping for it.

The more he came to know Cecil, the more he allowed him closer, the more his heart veered in unexpected directions.

Perhaps he wanted this chance to define their relationship—balanced on the brink of crossing a line.

Leaving that decision to Cecil—wasn’t that cowardly?

Alexis scoffed inwardly at himself. Resigned to whatever might come, he waited—only for the hands on his face to withdraw, warm breath drawing nearer.

Even without opening his eyes, he sensed a shadow fall over him. In that instant, Alexis’s fragile composure shattered, tension gripping him without warning.

Sweet breath brushed past like an illusion.

Then arms wrapped around his shoulders, and Cecil’s smooth cheek pressed against his right.

“This much is okay, right?”

“……Yes.”

Alexis couldn’t hide his hollow disappointment.

After touching him so earnestly, after summoning such courage—this was all Cecil could manage. A hug.

Yet the arms gripping his shoulders trembled unmistakably, the cheek pressed to his burned with heat, and Cecil’s heart pounded so violently it felt on the verge of bursting.

What emotion was this, exactly?

Cecil Adrian was, as always, an unsolvable riddle to him.

 

***

 

As preparations for war began in earnest, the Empire grew heavy with the air of impending conflict.

The forges ran without rest, producing armor and weapons, while supply wagons moved endlessly back and forth.

War did not begin by charging blindly into enemy territory like a street brawl. Each stage had to be advanced with meticulous planning. As a result, the strategy room’s lights never went out—day or night.

As preparations progressed, Cecil spoke of the future more frequently.

With it came a pain that clung to his chest like a leech. He had found the most effective painkiller and took it often, but that didn’t make it easy.

Even now, a brief stab of pain had just passed. Drained from secretly enduring it, Cecil slumped forward over his desk.

That was when Alexis noticed him.

Knowing only that Cecil had been up all night in strategy meetings, Alexis assumed he was simply exhausted.

He approached silently and massaged the back of Cecil’s neck. Recognizing the familiar scent, Cecil knew who it was immediately. He straightened slowly, barely managing to sit upright. Fatigue was etched plainly across his face.

“Go rest. At this rate, you’ll collapse before the war even begins.”

“I’m fine. There’s still work to do.”

“That’s an order, Adrian. There’s nothing more for you to assist with. Return to your palace immediately.”

Alexis turned his head toward the corner. Reading the signal, Leo hurried over and supported Cecil. The grip was polite—but unmistakably firm.

“I’ll come check on you this evening, so rest properly.”

With Alexis’s added command, he was effectively being chased out without recourse.

“…Yes.”

Cecil was particularly weak when it came to the Crown Prince’s words. Though the public viewed him as a hyena coveting the throne, in truth, he was as gentle as a lamb. Leo found that deeply frustrating.

“Um… Lord Cecil.”

On the way back to the Peridot Palace, Leo spoke cautiously, scanning their surroundings like a nervous puppy afraid of being overheard.

“What is it?”

“Well…”

Leo kept sneaking glances at Cecil’s chest.

Cecil didn’t need to look to understand.

It had already been over two years since they started working together. No matter how careful he was, he couldn’t completely hide his secret from someone who attended to him all day long.