Second Life, I’m Dying Soon

Chapter 11 

Chamberlain Leo was busy examining Cecil’s swollen left cheek. Though the one who had been struck remained composed, Leo’s worried gaze brushed over his face, unable to hide his distress.

When the cloth pressed against the wound, Cecil, who had been holding up well until then, flinched and shuddered.

“Ah!”

“Ah! I-I’m sorry! It stings, doesn’t it?”

Leo recoiled, hastily pulling the cloth away. A thin scratch ran across Cecil’s pale cheek—a mark left by the sharp edge of a gemstone ring.

Setting the cloth aside, Leo carefully applied ointment to the wound, his touch gentle.

“For heaven’s sake… Of all the places to hit, why the face? No, if they were going to hit you, they could have at least done it without leaving a mark… Now there’s a blemish on such a precious face. This is killing me, really.”

Unconsciously mumbling his impertinent thoughts, Leo was startled when Cecil chuckled softly with his eyes closed.

“Leo, you need to fix that habit of talking to yourself. One day, it’s going to get you in big trouble.”

“What in the world were you thinking? You knew exactly what Her Majesty was like.”

After the tea party, Cecil had been summoned by the Empress and harshly reprimanded. It was inevitable—he had publicly declared his love for men before the Senate, a statement too scandalous for even the Empress to easily contain.

Though the servants of the Empress’s palace had shut every door and window, her furious shouts still echoed beyond the palace walls. The attendants waiting outside the Peridot Palace could do nothing but fret anxiously over their master’s well-being.

‘You must be out of your mind! Do you even realize where you were when you spewed such nonsense?’

‘I’m not crazy, and the fact that I like men isn’t going to change. Do you think hiding it will make it disappear?’

‘Do you still not understand? Cecil, you’ll bring disgrace to the imperial family!’

‘The imperial family is just a hollow title to me. What’s there to worry about? Should I leave the palace, then? If that’s what you want, I’ll do it.’

Cecil remained unfazed. Instead, he firmly reinforced his stance, countering the Empress’s words with unwavering resolve.

‘You should learn to rein in your greed. I have no interest in the throne. This is my life, and I will live it as I please. I refuse to be controlled by you any longer.’

The Empress, who had always expected unquestioning obedience, nearly fainted at his defiance. Not only did she slap Cecil in rage, but she also ended up collapsing from sheer fury.

It had only been an hour since the Empress’s palace had been turned upside down.

Cecil emerged with a bright red mark on his cheek, and his horrified attendants quickly escorted him back to Peridot Palace.

Tilting his face slightly, Cecil looked up at Leo.

“You’re taking this better than I expected. Doesn’t it disgust you that I like men?”

Closing the wooden lid of the ointment jar, Leo straightened his back and pursed his lips.

“That’s just a personal preference, isn’t it? What does gender matter when it comes to liking someone?”

“Huh. You’re more open-minded than I thought.”

“We’re always on your side, Cecil, so don’t worry!”

Leo and the other attendants clenched their fists and nodded in unison, their eyes brimming with determination. Their stance made it clear—they would stand as shields against anyone who dared to insult their master.

Cecil let out a breath that was both amused and relieved. Knowing he had allies was unexpectedly reassuring, even if they were just powerless attendants.

“Thanks, even if it’s just words.”

“Shall I bring you some fruit to lift your spirits? A fresh batch of peaches arrived this morning. They’re perfectly ripe, fragrant, and dripping with sweet juice. They looked absolutely delicious.”

“Sounds good. I’d like to eat them in the garden.”

“No problem! I’ll prepare it right away!”

Just as the Peridot Palace was regaining its usual lively atmosphere, a knock echoed through the sitting room. A moment later, the Emperor’s chamberlain entered with his ever-composed expression.

“Lord Cecil, His Majesty has summoned you to the audience chamber.”

“As expected… There’s no way this would end so easily.”

Cecil let his limbs go slack for a moment, shutting his eyes tightly before reopening them. Then, pushing himself up from the sofa’s armrest, he stood.

“I’ll go now.”

 

***

 

In the audience chamber, Crown Prince Alexis and the Minister of Foreign Affairs were already present, engaged in a discussion too sensitive for the tea party.

“The empire must further expand its military strength. Though we have eradicated the monsters, there’s no guarantee they won’t reappear. Ongoing security is essential.”

Alexis tapped his finger on a specific location on the map spread across the table—an expanse of dense forest just beyond a long, marked boundary. It was the Black Forest, where he had recently completed a subjugation mission.

“We must reinforce the existing barrier, establish guard posts, and dispatch an elite order of knights to protect them. I estimate that a force of about fifty knights would be appropriate.”

“So that means we’ll need to recruit more knights to make up for the deficit. Training knights takes considerable effort. Wouldn’t mercenaries be a more viable alternative?”

Raising knights required significant time, effort, and investment. Sensing the Emperor’s concern, Alexis smoothly provided his response.

“Unlike knights, mercenaries are difficult to command. They frequently desert, and since they prioritize their own lives over loyalty, they are unsuitable for forming a stable force.”

“What is the Foreign Minister’s opinion?”

“I share His Highness’s views. While diplomacy has stabilized somewhat, we must remain vigilant against the Kingdom of Khazars to the south. Expanding the knight order at this time is a wise move. Furthermore, this follows right on the heels of a successful campaign. The knights’ reputation within the empire is at an all-time high. If we were to recruit now, we would attract a significant number of talented individuals. It’s the perfect opportunity.”

“Hmm. I see your point.”

With both sides aligned in their reasoning, the Emperor’s stance gradually shifted. He ran a hand over his lips, tapped the table lightly, and finally spoke.

“Alexis, you’re already managing a significant number of state affairs. Can you handle overseeing the knights as well?”

“All of this is for the good of the empire. How could I shy away from my duty? If Your Majesty entrusts me with this responsibility, I will lead them without hesitation.”

“Very well. I shall grant you full authority over the matter. Keep me informed of all progress.”

“I shall obey your command.”

Though he had just been given full authority over the knight order along with major state responsibilities, Alexis showed no outward sign of joy—he merely bowed in acknowledgment.

‘So, the crown prince is finally going to interfere with domestic affairs, huh?’

The foreign minister clicked his tongue inwardly at this.

Having been away for a long time, the crown prince’s position in the empire was still rather insignificant. The only way to quickly and decisively raise his influence was, of course, to seize control of the military.

The emperor was not ignorant of this fact, and it seemed clear that he was trying to support the empire’s sole heir to strengthen his position.

In this moment, the foreign minister wondered which political line he should follow. Would it not be right to pledge his loyalty to Alexis, who would one day become the emperor of the Verka Empire?

“Your Majesty, how do you intend to handle the incident that occurred at the tea party earlier?”

Seizing the opportunity, he brought up Cecil’s matter.

It was no secret that the emperor was exceedingly fond of Cecil. It was also important to check whether Emperor Arnold’s affection for him remained unchanged after all this time.

Upon hearing this, the emperor unexpectedly burst into laughter. His previously serious face was instantly replaced by a smile.

“That boy, truly audacious! I suppose it’s because he resembles his mother, his spirit is extraordinary.”

It seemed that the favor was still going strong. As expected, the foreign minister nodded to himself, deciding that he would need to maintain ties with both the empress and the crown prince.

“Alexis, what do you think? Do you believe Cecil’s unique disposition threatens the dignity of the royal family?”

“As long as his conduct is proper, I don’t see any issue.”

“Exactly.”

The emperor nodded in agreement and then turned his gaze to the foreign minister. It was as if asking, ‘What do you think?’ The foreign minister, in turn, smiled awkwardly.

The emperor reclined lazily against the backrest of his beautifully crafted sofa, fiddling with the armrest.

“I’m thinking of allowing same-sex relationships. I’ll need to discuss it with the Senate in detail, but for now, that’s my intention.”

“If that is Your Majesty’s will…”

“It will probably cause an uproar. I’d like you to inform the elder nobles of my decision in advance.”

“Of course, Your Majesty.”

Just then, the sound of a servant calling out from the antechamber echoed. The person in question had arrived at the perfect moment.

As Cecil entered the antechamber, he was slightly surprised to see Alexis and the foreign minister already there. However, he quickly composed himself and lowered his posture politely.

“Cecil Adrian, I greet the sun of the empire.”

“There’s no need for such formality. Come closer.”

At the emperor’s call, Cecil slowly moved closer. When their faces were close, Emperor Arnold clicked his tongue in disapproval.

“The empress did this, didn’t she?”

“I apologize, Your Majesty.”

“Have you applied the ointment? It won’t leave a scar, but…”

The emperor’s wrinkled hand took Cecil’s chin, turning his face left and right. It seemed he wasn’t pleased with the mark on the pretty face.

“I’ve heard. You fought well, didn’t you?”

“…I’m sure it’s made you quite upset.”

Cecil lowered his lashes and responded obediently.

“I’ll try to persuade the empress. She’s someone who listens well to me, so her stubbornness will soon be broken. But tell me, why did you say something like that?”

“…I could no longer lie. I believe I must always speak the truth in front of you, Your Majesty.”

“You cheeky one. You thought I wouldn’t know you deliberately said that in front of the nobles? You wanted to make sure there was no way to take it back.”

Cecil nodded, agreeing with that assessment. He knew the emperor wouldn’t be fooled by his feeble excuse.

Then, he shyly widened his eyes. When the emperor gave a smile that could melt anyone’s heart, Arnold chuckled and gently patted Cecil’s head.

“You needn’t worry. Didn’t you have a father who is the emperor? I’ll take care of things so you won’t be criticized, so rest easy.”

“Your Majesty…”

“If it comes to that, I’ll make a move. Do you think there will be anyone who dares to speak against an emperor indulging in same-sex relationships?”

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