Second Life, I’m Dying Soon Chapter 95

Chapter 95

 

Two weeks later, joyful news arrived.

The imperial army had defeated the Kazarjan forces and reclaimed all major strongholds. The Verka Empire now held a decisive advantage and was preparing a ceasefire agreement with Kazarjan.

The entire nation buzzed with the news of victory. Every household hung flags, and the streets overflowed with celebratory flowers. Newspapers praising the war heroes were distributed almost daily.

The imperial palace was no different. With the Crown Prince and the imperial knights scheduled to return soon, preparations were underway for a grand celebratory banquet.

Cecil stood before the mirror, adjusting his attire.

The pearl-tinted shirt shimmered with a refined sheen, while the full sleeves added an air of elegance. The clean, undecorated trousers accentuated Cecil’s slim figure even more.

He quite liked today’s outfit, deliberately toned down in extravagance. As he was about to tie the ribbon at his collar, a thought struck him, and he opened his shirt.

29. The ancient number on his chest was visible. Less than a month remained.

Cecil no longer felt deeply shaken when he saw his dwindling lifespan. It felt as though he had already completed everything he needed to do, leaving him strangely lighthearted. Rather than clinging to life, he simply wanted to spend the time he had left in a more meaningful way.

He closed his shirt again and tied the ribbon. Somehow, when he did it himself, it never came out quite right. After struggling in front of the mirror, he eventually gave up and asked Leo for help.

Leo, deft with his hands, fashioned a neat, stylish ribbon in no time.

“You look wonderful today.”

“Do I? That’s a relief.”

“I think His Highness will like it too.”

Cecil nodded quietly. He tried to appear calm, but his pale face flushed red like a ripe ruby. The stark white of his shirt only made the contrast more striking.

Seeing his master look so lovely, Leo grinned broadly, then suddenly sniffled. He tried to hold it in, but in the end, his eyes grew moist.

Cecil’s eyes widened.

“Are you crying?”

“I’m sorry. It’s a good day, but I don’t know why I keep tearing up.”

“You cry too easily. How are you going to manage being so soft-hearted? Be tougher. You’re the chief attendant of Peridot Palace.”

Despite his sharp tone, Cecil gently patted Leo’s head.

“Lord Cecil, you are happy, right?”

“Yes.”

“And from now on… you’ll keep being happy.”

“I will. Don’t worry.”

When Cecil smiled, Leo smiled too, but with tears still brimming, his face looked unbearably sorrowful.

 

“Your Highness! Congratulations on your victory!”

“Long live the Verka Empire!”

The imperial knights returned to the capital amid the people’s fervent cheers. A long procession followed the majestic march. Their proud footsteps led them straight to the imperial palace.

The first to pass through the massive gates was Crown Prince Alexis. Mounted on a pure white horse, his commanding presence embodied the pride of the empire. At the sight of his radiant platinum hair, people bowed their heads, rejoicing that the Crown Prince had returned safely with victory in hand.

When they reached the main palace, Alexis leapt smoothly down from his horse at the head of the procession.

The imperial knights followed in orderly lines as he strode toward the main hall, where the welcoming banquet had been prepared.

Inside the hall, a vast red carpet stretched out, surrounded by hundreds of golden candelabras and floral decorations. The moment the Crown Prince entered, the nobles bowed deeply in respect.

Ignoring the greetings, Alexis walked straight ahead. His eyes held only one person.

At the highest seat in the innermost part of the hall—where the Emperor should have been—stood Cecil Adrian. In place of the bedridden Emperor and the secluded Empress, Cecil had taken on the role of welcoming the heroes of the war.

When Alexis appeared, Cecil was already descending the steps. Though he had maintained a solemn demeanor until then, his face now revealed joy he could not hide.

Reaching the bottom of the dais, Cecil calmed his trembling excitement and spoke first.

“Your Highness, welcome back. I’m so glad you returned safely—!”

Before he could finish, Alexis pulled him into a tight embrace.

“Yes. I’m back.”

Strong arms locked around Cecil’s back, and their chests heaved against each other. Suppressing the surge of emotion, Alexis had to breathe roughly.

“I missed you.”

“Me too.”

Cecil wrapped his arms around Alexis in return, lifting onto his toes and whispering all the thoughts in his heart into Alexis’s ear. Alexis listened to every word, responding with whispers of his own.

A brief silence fell over the hall. No one could hear what the two were saying, but everyone clearly witnessed their emotional reunion.

Just as people began to wonder if they had always been this close, the knights behind them entered. The paused music resumed, and the hall filled with life once more.

At that moment, with a burst of celebratory fireworks, a massive banner bearing the imperial crest unfurled from the ceiling. Cheers erupted as everyone reveled in the joy of victory.

“Your Highness, would you say a few words!”

One of the high-ranking nobles asked the Crown Prince for a speech. At some point, a goblet of wine had been placed in Alexis’s right hand.

He deliberately clasped Cecil’s hand tightly, then raised his glass high toward the crowd with a satisfied smile.

“This precious victory is thanks to all of you. Tonight, drink and enjoy yourselves to your heart’s content! The light of the Verka Empire will never be extinguished!”

“For the glory of the Empire!”

Their unified voices filled the hall. Amid the celebratory cheers, a grand victory anthem resounded. The atmosphere of the banquet grew ever more festive, and toasts were exchanged one after another.

In the meantime, Alexis set down his wine glass and pulled Cecil close by the wrist.

“Cecil, aren’t you forgetting something?”

“Forgetting what?”

“It’s a victory banquet. Those who achieved merit should receive rewards.”

Caught off guard, Cecil was momentarily speechless. He stared blankly at Alexis, then nodded with a resolute expression.

Taking Alexis’s hand, he slowly backed toward a curtained area. The pull was gentle, but Alexis smiled and followed willingly.

While the grand banquet raged on, its main figures slipped away into a secluded corner, out of everyone’s sight.

The moment they burst into the private room, neither waited for the other—both went straight for each other’s lips. Heated breaths mingled, and their tongues tangled messily in each other’s mouths.

They had long since cast aside any royal dignity. Both were desperate to satisfy the craving they had been waiting on for so long.

Cecil grabbed Alexis’s collar tightly. Though he had initiated the kiss, he soon found himself losing control to Alexis.

Overpowered, he was forced to step back. His back slammed against the wall, and a large hand cradled the back of his head, cushioning the impact.

With their heads tilted in opposite directions, their lips met without any gap. Their tongues were sucked and pulled as if they might be torn out at the root. The sharp sensation was closer to pleasure than pain. At some point, the hand gripping Alexis’s collar moved to cup both his cheeks.

In the quiet room, only their ragged breaths and the sounds of wet skin filled the air. It felt so indecent that Cecil let out a strained moan.

Everything about it overwhelmed him, making his legs weaken until he could barely stay standing.

As Cecil slid downward, Alexis lifted him up entirely. At the sudden height, Cecil’s hands left Alexis’s cheeks and wrapped tightly around his broad shoulders. Their lips parted briefly, and they caught their breath face to face.

“So this… haah… is the reward you prepared?”

Alexis asked with a laugh in his voice. Cecil gazed at him with dazed eyes, then tilted his head again. He couldn’t resist kissing that face. Their saliva-soaked skin pressed together, separated, then pressed together again.

“Huh… yes. Don’t you like it?”

“How could I not?”

Alexis’s handsome mouth stretched into a grin, one that looked almost villainous.

Supporting Cecil with one arm, Alexis grabbed the back of his head. Quick to understand his intent, Cecil immediately parted his lips.

Short, intense kisses followed in quick succession. Still holding Cecil, Alexis walked forward.

The secluded room, completely isolated from the banquet hall, was a perfect place to share secret love. The small, cozy space was lit only by the flickering lantern, barely illuminating their faces.

Before long, they were sprawled on the sofa. Alexis looked down at Cecil beneath him and gently brushed his disheveled hair back.

“I could do this all night.”

“You’re not really going to stay up all night, are you?”

“Did you touch me without that kind of resolve?”

In the darkness, his blue eyes gleamed brightly, like a wolf with prey in its sights. Alexis made no effort to hide his raw desire.

“…….”

Without a word, Cecil reached out. With his fingertips, he traced Alexis’s sharply shadowed features, touching them one by one.

From his sharply arched brows to the fine bridge of his nose, and down to the full curve of his lips. As he traced the outline of those lips, the blue eyes hidden in the dark shone even more deeply.

Alexis seized Cecil’s wrist and bit down gently on his soft fingers.

Taking advantage of his superior position, Alexis slipped his knee between Cecil’s legs. Their lower bodies pressed closer together, and heated breaths dampened each other’s faces.

“I can’t believe it. That we’re… like this right now.”

“Still feels like a dream?”

“Yes. I’m so happy I don’t ever want to wake up.”

Cecil smiled sadly.

There he goes again. Every time Cecil reacted so tenderly when their love was confirmed, Alexis felt an indescribable ache.

If he couldn’t believe it, then all Alexis had to do was show him until he was sure. He intertwined all ten fingers with Cecil’s limp hands and gently pressed their lips together, pouring his sincerity into the warmth.

Whether in dreams or in reality, Cecil had to be happy by his side.