Life as a Tower Maid: Locked up with the Prince - Chapter 256
Chapter 256
Translator: Yonnee
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As if she had seen a nightmare, Mercy’s face turned pale. She quickly spoke up.
“I didn’t say anything, Your Majesty.”
“Neither did I!”
Schubert quickly responded before returning to his meal.
Liam, too, looked momentarily startled but did not comment on Albert’s behavior.
“You’re quite right.”
Instead, he agreed, just as he had acknowledged Jung-in’s presence when they left the tower.
They all realized that an emperor in love was better than a madman busy conquering neighboring countries.
Even though he was in the tower, Albert hadn’t completely abandoned his work.
After tormenting Jung-in all day, he would work while she slept.
He couldn’t let her country fall into ruin, could he?
Considering the conditions she had written in their contract, Jung-in was not without her own desires. With power and status, couldn’t he fulfill them all?
“If you’re done eating, let’s get up.”
Albert, seeing that Jung-in’s plate was empty, extended his hand to her.
“I haven’t properly shown you the palace yet.”
Jung-in looked at him and then took his hand.
She realized he would keep his hand extended until she accepted it.
Holding her hand, Albert pulled her into his embrace and briefly greeted the still-seated subjects.
“We’ll see you later.”
The servants who flocked around were long accustomed to Albert’s ways.
Holding her hand, he walked on, unfazed by all the gazes around him.
Rather, he had to restrain himself from ordering everyone to look away, not to even lay eyes on the person beside him.
It was better for everyone to know what he truly wanted.
As he was their liege and emperor, there was no need to show only a righteous façade in front of them.
He’s too busy expressing all my emotions to bother considering others when Jung-in was by his side. It all seemed utterly unnecessary.
Everyone must know you are mine, so no one even dares to come close to you.
“This will be our room in the future.”
“Wow…”
They headed to the most splendid room in the renovated main palace. The interior was clean yet extravagantly decorated.
Tiny jewels embedded in the ceiling and chandeliers were something one would expect to see at a banquet hall.
The room wasn’t small, but it wasn’t overly large either. It was intentionally constructed this way.
He couldn’t bear for Jung-in to disappear from his sight, not even for a moment.
The same was true for the bed. It was modest for an emperor and empress, designed so they couldn’t use it without being close to each other.
“But you can change the furniture to your liking. The wall color, too.”
For now, it was arranged to his taste, but this was temporary. He planned to tailor everything to her preferences once she arrived.
“No, I like it too.”
“I’m glad you like my taste.”
“There seems to be another issue, though.”
“An issue?”
What could she dislike? Was it something serious enough to whisper about? As he pondered, Jung-in continued softly.
“It might cause gossip if we share a room before I officially become the empress. It might be better to restrain ourselves.”
Such unnecessary worries. Anger bubbled up inside him.
Why do you think so much about others? Your adorable head should be filled only with thoughts of me.
However, this was anger he couldn’t direct at Jung-in. Albert pursed his lips and muttered in a low voice.
“Whether you’re here or not, every night together would be the same either way.”
Jung-in flinched. She had intended to say something if he sought her room, but his expression was more serious than expected.
She placed her hand on his wrist and continued.
“Still, it’s better than strange rumors circulating about you, Albert.”
The moment he realized she was considering their time together, he found her concern endearing, yet unnecessary.
“I’m not such a fool to be hurt by such things.”
“…You’re still human. How can you not be hurt at all? You’ve just become numb.”
Albert chuckled as Jung-in comforted him.
Everyone around knew he wouldn’t bat an eye at such rumors, but Jung-in saw him as vulnerable.
Was it because the image of his younger self was still etched in her mind?
Albert felt a self-mocking jealousy toward his younger self.
‘Did my younger self also feel jealousy toward the current me?’
It’s laughable now that he remembers everything… As a child, he hated the reason Jung-in was leaving.
If possible, he would have killed ‘that man’, just to keep Jung-in by his side.
Of course, it was all imagination since Jung-in never spoke of him…
He never dreamed it would be himself.
Albert gently kissed the back of Jung-in’s hand resting on his and looked down.
“Come to think of it, it does seem painful.”
If pretending to be hurt could sway Jung-in’s heart, it was worth it.
“I might need some comfort.”
Releasing her hand, Albert pulled her into an embrace.
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