Second Life, I’m Dying Soon Chapter 87

Chapter 87

 

Cecil was left momentarily dumbfounded by the kisses raining down on him like a sudden shower. But the surprise passed quickly, and he broke into a bright smile, patting Alexis’s shoulder.

Seeing him this happy, it was only natural that Cecil felt a sense of fulfillment as well. A smile formed on its own.

“I’m glad you returned safely, without any injuries.”

“I heard you were sick. They said you were bedridden while I was gone.”

“…Ah.”

When he subtly turned his head, Leo and Ethan, standing off to the side, met his gaze and stared back at him pointedly.

It felt like a silent threat, urging him to reveal the secret to the crown prince as well.

Cecil pretended not to notice their desperate insistence and smiled even more brightly.

“Yes, the cold was terribly severe. I thought I was going to die.”

“You’ve lost a lot of weight. Shouldn’t you be resting more?”

“I’m fine now. I was already on the mend anyway. Isn’t that right, court physician?”

“……Yes.”

Ethan answered reluctantly. Leo failed to hide the wounded look on his face.

Fearing that Alexis might sense something amiss, Cecil quickly grabbed his arm and tugged it.

“In all the chaos, I couldn’t even prepare a banquet to celebrate your victory. Instead, shall we at least dine together? I’ll host dinner for you.”

“Alright, let’s do that.”

Alexis smiled and brushed his hand along Cecil’s cheek. He could clearly feel how much thinner he was than before. The blue eyes gazing at Cecil softened, melting with emotion.

“I’ll change clothes and come back. I have so much to tell you.”

“You may take as much time as you like.”

“I’ll see you in a bit.”

After tossing out that promise, Alexis turned away first. Cecil saw him off to the very end, and the moment that tall figure disappeared beyond the bedchamber doors, his body swayed.

“Lord Cecil!”

Ethan and Leo hurriedly supported him. Cecil slowly waved his hand, insisting he was fine.

“You’re overdoing it. You need more rest.”

Cecil knew well enough that he wasn’t in proper condition yet. At this rate, he wouldn’t be able to spend much time with Alexis. His face pale as if he might collapse at any moment, he tightly grasped Ethan’s arm.

“Just for dinner… make it so I can get through it properly.”

After a brief round of preparations, Alexis returned to the Peridot Palace. Despite Cecil’s words about hosting dinner, Alexis showed up even before the sun had set.

Alexis had much to say.

Though they had seized the upper hand, the war had only just begun, and Kazarjan was by no means an easy opponent. Even as everyone else reveled in the joy of victory, he was filled with unspoken worries as the supreme commander of the imperial army.

The only one he could confide in was Cecil. The clever youth would provide answers to Alexis’s anguish as though he were a wise sage.

That was something even Claude—his milk-brother and closest aide for twenty years—could not do.

As a fellow member of the imperial family, Cecil understood Alexis’s torment. His advice was clear-cut and, at times, stern, delivering words no one else would dare say to the crown prince of the empire.

“So, you’re saying I don’t need to feel guilty?”

Alexis asked, half-reclined on a wide sofa that was nearly as large as a bed.

“To be frank, His Majesty the Emperor has no hope. You should prepare yourself.”

“You’re too honest.”

“I’m only saying this because it’s just the two of us. I don’t go around talking like this elsewhere.”

Cecil replied lightly.

Speaking so freely about the emperor’s death was certainly irreverent. But for Cecil, it wasn’t speculation—it was a fixed future—so he could only remain calm.

Alexis mulled over Cecil’s words as he raised the wineglass in his hand to his lips. After draining the remaining wine, he spoke.

“Most of the factions that supported the empress have already been purged. But I doubt she’ll just sit back and watch. She must realize her time is running out as well.”

“The more cornered a person becomes, the more vicious they grow. Even a rat will bite a cat.”

“So that’s why you told me not to go on any more expeditions.”

Cecil answered with a nod.

He took a sip of the hot herbal tea placed before him. The taste was awful. The court physician had dissolved medicine into the tea.

Only by drinking this could he calm his stomach, even briefly, and pretend to be fine in front of Alexis. But he couldn’t help the bitterness, and his brows furrowed before he realized it.

“The timing isn’t good. If Your Highness personally goes to the battlefield, the morale of the imperial army will surely rise. But at the very least, you should remain in the imperial palace and stay on guard for a couple of months.”

“A couple of months won’t be enough to end the war.”

“No, it will take a long time. But since we started with such a decisive victory, Kazarjan won’t be able to strike back easily.”

Cecil emptied his teacup and let out a long sigh.

“The imperial palace has just as many enemies as the battlefield. If anything unfortunate were to happen to Your Highness, things would become far more difficult than simply losing the war.”

At those words, Alexis tilted his head. His body, sunk into the sofa, shifted slightly toward Cecil.

“That almost sounds like you’re very worried about me.”

Cecil let out a small snort.

“Isn’t that only natural?”

“Will you keep worrying about me even after I become emperor?”

The question carried a hint of tenderness. Cecil hesitated, unsure how to answer.

The answer itself was obvious. He was simply wary that personal feelings might seep into his words.

Meanwhile, Alexis rested his head in his hand and quietly studied Cecil. As he slowly straightened his upper body, the distance between them closed.

He reached out and cupped Cecil’s stiff lower jaw, pulling his face closer. The emerald eyes followed in the same direction.

Alexis gently rubbed along Cecil’s jawline with his thumb. His gaze lingered, heavy and heated, as if inspecting every part that made up Cecil—his hair, skin, eyes, nose, lips.

“Why are you so thin?”

“…I told you, I caught a cold.”

“And now? You’re better?”

As Alexis’s gaze roamed over his face, Cecil found it harder and harder to maintain his composure. Before his face could flush completely red, he sprang to his feet.

“Th-then let’s go eat. It should all be ready by now.”

“What’s the rush?”

Alexis caught Cecil’s wrist as though snatching prey.

The force of his sudden pull sent his body, which had just risen, tumbling back down awkwardly.

Not only was the distance closer than before, but as he fell into Alexis’s arms, Cecil finally gave up and let the tension drain from his body.

He didn’t have the stamina to resist anyway. All he could hope was that his face didn’t look too obviously flustered.

Seeming quite pleased that Cecil had gone docile, the corners of Alexis’s lips curved upward.

As he twirled Cecil’s soft brown hair around his finger like a toy, he suddenly murmured.

“I’ll become the strong emperor I promised to be. But in return, you have to stay by my side for the rest of your life.”

“…….”

“Cecil, I don’t think I can rule the empire without you anymore.”

The voice that drifted out so casually sounded almost like a confession. Of course, the meaning was different, but to Cecil, it felt much the same.

Cecil closed his eyes and quietly suppressed the storm raging inside his chest. He was, by nature, a greedy person—if he didn’t restrain himself, he would end up wanting far too much.

Then he lifted his lids again. Taking hold of Alexis’s hand tangled in his hair, Cecil slowly guided it downward.

“You’ll do just fine, Your Highness. There are already many outstanding people at your side, aren’t there?”

“Are you trying to slip away now?”

“That’s not it.”

Cecil let out a weak laugh. Locking away his aching true feelings, he replied smoothly.

“You’ll have to get married too.”

“…Married?”

“How long do you plan to stay alone? Once you ascend the throne, I’ll make sure everything is prepared so you can hold the wedding immediately. The war will continue anyway, so even if it’s just for a brief while—”

Cecil paused. Alexis’s face before him looked slightly dazed.

As though he had just realized something he’d forgotten. Then his grip tightened around Cecil’s hand.

Alexis pressed his lower lip between his teeth, then spoke.

“Yes, I suppose… I do have to get married.”

“Do you perhaps not want to leave it to me?”

“Of course not.”

Alexis straightened his twisted posture and buried his head into the plush backrest. Come to think of it, Cecil didn’t know that his relationship with Yuria had already been settled.

He had planned to tell him eventually, but when Cecil urged him toward marriage, a quiet sense of disappointment welled up inside him. Feeling as though it was an emotion only he carried, Alexis stared up at the ceiling and let out a hollow laugh.