Life as a Tower Maid: Locked up with the Prince - Chapter 251
Chapter 251
Translator: Yonnee
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My eyes went completely wide.
Of course, Albert himself as a gift was more to my liking than any imperial palace, and the thought of Albert coming to me with a ribbon tied just for me was a bit exciting—!
But for now, I had to dissuade Albert, who seemed ready to give me every gift he could at this very moment.
To accept the palace and him was the same as accepting to rule over the empire as its empress. Simply put, it meant becoming the Empress.
It’s not that I disliked standing by his side. In fact, from the moment I returned, I wanted to be by Albert’s side.
But everything has its order.
Firstly, I didn’t even have an ID nor an identity in the first place, and I didn’t know what my duties as an empress would entail.
Becoming a dragon’s contractor might make it easier to gain recognition than any lofty bloodline or status, but being competent as an empress was a completely different story.
The idea of ruling my own small territory had been something I had planned to leave entirely to others. The role of empress was incredibly daunting for me.
Though I had only caught snippets of conversation since returning to this time, I had seen how much Albert was respected by his people.
I hoped that would continue.
Public opinion is fickle, and I know that even if he becomes disliked, it won’t hurt him.
But it is my selfishness to want his life to be recognized and for more people to understand him.
A desire to bring only good things into his life.
I smiled and shook my head.
“I appreciate the gift you’ve prepared, but let’s save the palace for later.”
Albert raised an eyebrow slightly. I answered confidently, my eyes twinkling with mischief.
“Because I’ve already received you.”
You had the same feelings for me a long time ago. I continued with a bright smile.
“The same goes for you. You’ve already received my heart a long time ago.”
We had become each other’s gifts long ago. It just took me a while to fully acknowledge my own feelings.
At my words, Albert blinked and his lips curved into a smile. It’s as if a blinding light had spread across his face.
His faint smile on an expressionless face was as beautiful as a vivid splash of watercolor spreading on a blank canvas.
Albert stood up from his seat and embraced me.
His embrace was filled with a familiar scent. The same scent that had faintly lingered on the pillow.
“Yes, you’ve always been more than I deserved.”
“You’re saying what I’ve been wanting to say.”
“…You’re all I need in my life.”
His voice sounded almost trembling, and I knew it wasn’t my imagination.
He captured my lips again, a move that seemed to reflect his anxious state of mind.
Words can be fabricated, but actions filled with heart cannot be hidden.
Rather than the chain still binding us together, the continued kisses revealed his feelings unmistakably.
This wasn’t something that could be resolved quickly.
All I could do was to keep reminding him of my presence and help ease his anxiety.
After the kiss ended, I met Albert’s gaze and placed my hands on both his cheeks.
Then, I whispered in a clear voice.
“Albert, I’m not going anywhere.”
“It seems my will was never considered in you leaving me.”
Albert murmured bitterly, sighing. I couldn’t deny that it was true.
What should I say? My mind was racing when Albert pulled me tightly into his embrace.
“Ack—”
His chest was firm against my face. I struggled for a moment before gently patting his back.
After a while, I lifted my head from his embrace and confidently said,
“I’m as strong as you now, Albert.”
At my words, Albert chuckled. But he didn’t deny it.
My presence in this tower was proof enough.
The same went for Blanc, who had become a full-fledged dragon and transformed into a human form through polymorph.
Albert took my hand and pressed his lips to the inside of it. The sensation of his pressing lips was peculiar, almost like he was stamping a seal on me.
The breath on my palm felt so real that my hand instinctively clenched. It tickled slightly.
Albert narrowed his eyes.
Up close, his eyelashes looked like delicate flower stems. How could even this detail be so beautiful?
His eyes, nestled among the lashes, shone brightly, reflecting their true color. My own reflection was visible in his clear eyes.
“I want to keep you locked up in this tower for as long as we both live.”
His low voice affirmed that his words were his honest feelings.
“I want to keep you here, I want you to look at only me. Wherever you go, I want to be with you. I want you to live every moment just for me. I wish that you wouldn’t care about anyone else.”
His words, heavy with desire, flowed from his lips and enveloped me.
Goosebumps ran down my spine, knowing that he was someone who could actually do as he said.
His gaze slowly examined me. Like a predator observing its prey, he watched me calmly as I listened to his words.
I couldn’t predict what expression Albert would wear if I said that it wasn’t right.
“But then, you would hate me.”
A resigned smile spread across his face. The torment of knowing his own heart, yet being unable to act on it, was apparent.
“That, I dread even more.”
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