Second Life, I’m Dying Soon

  

Cecil tumbled out of bed as if falling. His careless movement caused his knee and hip bone to hit the sharp wooden edge, but in a half-dazed state, he had no time to feel pain.

 

He immediately rushed to the window, throwing it wide open. Dazzling sunlight poured over his forehead drenched in cold sweat. The peaceful landscape of the Imperial Palace came into view. Everything was exactly as it had been, unbelievably so.

 

“No way…”

 

Muttering to himself, he rubbed his chest. The clothes he was wearing were only slightly damp with sweat, with no trace of blood or dirty smell. Even the sensation around his fingers felt soft.

 

Cecil stretched out both hands. His nails had definitely been pulled out before, with no intact spot, but now his ten fingers were perfectly clean.

 

Suddenly, the full-length mirror in the corner caught his eye. Cecil approached it closely. Although dazed, it was definitely his face – and even slightly more youthful than he remembered.

 

Unable to believe it, he touched his face for a long time.

 

“What is this? Have I really gone back in time?”

 

Could this be a dream? Impossible. It was too vivid to be a dream.

 

In a trance, he took off the clothes he was wearing. There was no wound where he had been stabbed by a knife. Instead, a very small number was etched near his chest.

 

At first glance, it looked like a scar, but it was in the ancient language primarily used in temples, meaning the number 1000. As Cecil traced the number on his skin with his fingertips, he suddenly came to his senses and quickly picked up and put on his clothes.

 

〈I shall give my poor child a thousand days of time.〉

 

The words of the Goddess Gaia came to mind, and he carefully pressed the spot where the number was etched. His heart began to race uncontrollably. Cecil had to take deep breaths several times to accept this situation.

 

Then, with determination, he turned around and tugged vigorously on the bell cord by the bedpost. As if waiting, the servants entered upon hearing the bell. Familiar faces all bowed, placing their hands above their navels.

 

“Have you awakened, Lord Cecil?”

 

“Felix. What day is it today?”

 

The head servant of the Peridot Palace, standing at the front, looked up.

 

The white-haired old man hesitated at the unexpected question before quickly bowing his head.

 

“Today is the 24th of April, Imperial Year 628.”

 

“Ah.”

 

Having heard the answer, Cecil let out a long breath. He had truly returned to the past.

 

“So I’m twenty years old now.”

 

Cecil swept back his sweat-soaked bangs. His brow furrowed involuntarily at the situation where he must revisit events from almost three years ago.

 

“Alexis… The Crown Prince is currently on the battlefield, isn’t he?”

 

To the servants, Cecil’s question about an obvious fact seemed strange. Perhaps he hadn’t fully woken up? Felix, watching carefully, asked cautiously.

 

“Lord Cecil. Are you alright?”

 

“No, how could I be?”

 

“Your complexion doesn’t look good. Should I call the court physician?”

 

“No. I need to take a bath first.”

 

Cecil flapped the thin edges of his robe that were stuck to his chest. He wanted to wash off the sweat covering his body. Whether due to his mood or not, he still felt sticky, as if trapped in an underground prison.

 

As soon as his words fell, the servants moved busily. Beautiful silver trays continuously went in and out of the bathroom connected to the bedroom. The fragrant smell and warm, humid steam from the hot water wafted into the bedroom.

 

Cecil sent away all those who wanted to help him bathe and entered the marble bathtub alone. Lavender salt turned the water a light purple, rising up to his chest. Leaning back in that state, he thought for a long time.

 

Looking back, the period when he had been most rebellious was the three years from now. The Goddess Gaia must have given him a thousand days of time with the intention of correcting his mistakes.

 

It was plenty of time to change the future. Moreover, Cecil pondered the fact that he was terminally ill. Perhaps because he had experienced death once, it didn’t seem scary. Instead, it made him let go of his desires.

 

This time, he would definitely establish a friendly relationship with Alexis. Making sure to keep him alive and safely make him emperor became Cecil’s only goal.

 

Only when his fingertips became wrinkled in the water did Cecil finally break off his thoughts and rise. Roughly draping a robe on his wet body, he came out. The servants waiting outside, seeing drops of water falling, bowed their heads apologetically and rushed towards him.

 

Cecil refused even the servants’ hands trying to dry him. He roughly wiped off the water with a dry cloth, then turned around to dress. Allowing the fumbling servants to only adjust his exterior appearance, their hands finally moved busily.

 

No one found this strange. It wasn’t a day or two that the master of the Peridot Palace was sensitive and capricious.

 

While the servants dried his wet hair, Cecil quietly stared at Felix, who oversaw the servants from beyond.

 

The gray-haired old man was one of the Empress’s oldest servants. Though seemingly kind on the surface, his interior was utterly insidious. He had diligently assisted Cecil since childhood, but was also the person who had taught him all kinds of schemes and strategies, urging him to steal what Alexis possessed.

  

‘Lady Cornelia of the Havel Marquis is being discussed as the Crown Princess. She’s considered a top marriage prospect in the Empire. Most importantly, if the Havel Marquis sides with the Crown Prince, he will solidify his political position. You must absolutely obstruct this.’

 

‘I’ve planted my adopted son in the Crown Prince’s palace. He will be your eyes and ears.’

 

‘Never soften your heart. You must grasp the Crown Prince Alexis’s weaknesses.’

  

His past words naturally came to mind.

 

“Felix.”

 

“Yes, Lord Cecil.”

 

Cecil touched the sleeve adorned with small jewels. He glanced up and smiled warmly at the head servant.

 

“Isn’t it time for you to retire?”

 

“What are you talking about!”

 

The aged servant was startled.

 

For a moment, Felix’s wrinkled eyes suddenly blazed with fire as he lost control of his expression.

 

“I will remain in the Peridot Palace until the day I die to assist Lord Cecil.”

 

But he quickly and skillfully suppressed his excitement. Seeing his snake-like eyes rolling, Cecil stretched one corner of his mouth.

 

“How touching.”

 

“Who could be more concerned about you than me? Please trust this old man to the end. Retire? I can work for another 10 years.”

 

“Should I call this greed or loyalty?”

 

Their gazes met. Felix swallowed hard, trying to read Cecil’s inner thoughts.

 

Today, something was strange. From Cecil’s way of speaking to his atmosphere, he seemed more mature by years, and somehow gave the impression of knowing everything, looking down from the top.

 

Cecil, who had been quietly matching his gaze, suddenly smiled.

 

“I’m just uncomfortable with controlling an older person. You’re at an age to enjoy your retirement, yet you’re still doing menial work under me, so I’m concerned.”

 

Felix couldn’t resolve his puzzled expression. Cecil seemed increasingly unfamiliar. The perceptive Cecil deliberately showed a youthful demeanor to prevent the head servant from noticing anything.

 

“As you know, I’m not even of royal blood… I’m not sure if I can properly take care of you when you retire.”

 

Felix stepped closer to Cecil. With his wrinkled hands, he personally adjusted Cecil’s collar. The doll he had carefully cultivated was again displaying a beautiful appearance.

 

“Don’t say such things. If the Empress hears, she’ll be greatly angered.”

 

Felix tilted his head, whispering in a voice only Cecil could hear.

 

“I’ve told you repeatedly that you are destined to be a great star of the Empire.”

 

“Thanks, even if it’s flattery.”

 

“Flattery? There’s not an inch of falsehood in my words. The Empress and I will absolutely make you so.”

 

“You’re the only one I can trust.”

 

They simultaneously wore artificial smiles. Cecil gestured that the service was done. He had already achieved a perfect appearance.

 

“Oh, I have a request. I want to have lunch with my mother. Will you personally deliver the message?”

 

He deliberately asked Felix to do a task he could have assigned to younger servants. Felix stepped back a few steps and bowed respectfully.

 

“I will follow the command.”

 

The aged head servant walked out of the room with his chin held high. Until then, Cecil had maintained a subtle smile, but the moment Felix disappeared, he completely erased it from his face.

 

Damn old man. He would make sure to remove this person from his sight.