Life as a Tower Maid: Locked up with the Prince - Chapter 264

Chapter 264

Translator: Yonnee

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“Alexander exaggerated. I never said it like that. Maybe I should only speak when you’re around…”

As I spoke, Albert turned his head sharply towards me.

I feared his expression would remain stoic, but there was a subtle smile on his lips.

“Only speak when I’m around, hmm. Then there’ll be no misunderstandings. Perfect.”

“…Is that even practically possible?”

“If I follow you around, it would be. Seems like a good plan. Oh, and…”

Albert gently grasped my chin.

“I didn’t fully understand back then…”

“……”

“If I hadn’t shattered the hourglass and stopped you…”

His grip on my chin tightened, and his face drew closer. His deep red eyes reflected my image.

My face looked anxious as I gazed at him.

He whispered softly.

“You would have died.”

“……”

“Or perhaps ceased to exist altogether.”

Unable to deny the certainty in his voice, I looked him straight in the eye.

“Like you said earlier, it’s something that never happened.”

My voice was steady.

“Because you saved me.”

I placed my hand on his, which was still holding my chin, hoping my warmth would calm him.

“Because you’re my savior.”

The moment I uttered ‘savior’, Albert’s eyes wavered. He sighed, his face closing in on mine.

“…Don’t ever risk your life for me. Never.”

I couldn’t agree with that. I shook my head.

“If you were in my place, you would have done the same.”

Unable to argue, Albert pursed his lips. The grip on my chin loosened.

Then, I lightly kissed his lips.

“So, please forgive me.”

And then I smiled brightly.

Seeing Albert’s surprised expression with his eyes wide open made me think that maybe initiating a kiss wasn’t such a bad idea after all.

I hadn’t realized, as Albert usually took the lead in situations, but seeing this side of him felt refreshing.

Now I understood why he always liked to surprise me.

Albert wrapped his arms around my neck and leaned in closer.

“We might have to take another bath.”

He covered my lips with his. It was an engulfing kiss.

Within it, I sensed Albert’s lingering anxiety again. The remnants of emotions he tried to hide whenever he was with me.

I pulled back and murmured to Albert.

“I didn’t leave the room because you wanted me not to.”

Albert hesitated just as he was about to kiss me again.

“If you’re anxious, tell me what you want me to do for you. I might not be able to do everything, but I’ll do what I can.”

“……”

“And don’t just keep it bottled up inside.”

At my words, Albert faintly smiled.

“…I’ll try.”

Behind his words, which sounded like a promise to himself, the distance between us closed again.

* * *

Back in the palace, Albert had his own responsibilities of meeting and dealing with the nobles.

Inevitably, Albert had to leave my side for a few days.

And my suggestion of sleeping in separate rooms was neatly sidestepped. Instead, Albert promised to ensure discretion among the people around us.

I headed to the dining room for lunch. Today, Seo Ina had prepared my meal again.

When it comes to meals, it’s all about meat. The combination of tender boiled pork with kimchi was so heavenly that one wouldn’t even notice if the other person at the table died.

The tender meat paired perfectly with the kimchi, balancing out its richness.

It’s no wonder this book wasn’t just a healing romance with food. To capture a palate like Albert’s, such culinary skills were necessary.

By now, Seo Ina had almost become my personal chef…

Speaking of which, I wondered how my own territory was doing. I decided to talk to Albert about it later and officially employ Seo Ina. Definitely.

Feeling a bit guilty, I gave her a thumbs-up to praise the delicious food.

Unnie, I might not be able to yield Albert to you, but I can pay you handsomely.

Blanc and Alexander, who were concentrating on their food beside me, followed my lead and gave her thumbs-ups as well.

Seeing the three of us doing so, Seo Ina laughed out loud.

In reality, Blanc and Alexander were just mimicking me. She was amused by our actions.

“It feels so special to have come from the same era as you. So, I made this meal hoping that everyone would enjoy it and feel happy as well.”

“It truly lives up to your words.”

As I admired Seo Ina’s words, I suddenly realized that I could sense magic from her.

I had been so focused on the food every time I met her that I hadn’t noticed before.

“But um, Seo Ina-ssi… I can feel magic coming from you…”

I cautiously chose my words before broaching the subject. Seo Ina blushed slightly at my direct approach.

“Yes, thanks to Lady Mercy, I discovered that I have some talent for magic.”

Unnie, you’re a mage?

“Although it’s nothing compared to a dragon contractor such as you, Jung-in-nim.”

I wasn’t expecting such a twist.

t/n: I decided to leave -ssi and -nim as is for whenever Seo Ina and Jung-in would address each other.

The affix ‘-ssi’ is an honorific that conveys respect for someone, kind of like Ms./Mrs./Mr. (or ‘-san’ in Japanese), while ‘-nim’ is a formal honorific that conveys higher respect than ‘-ssi’, so essentially like Lady/Lord (or ‘-sama’)

It just feels a bit weird to see a Korean addressing a fellow Korean as ‘Lady’ in a western setting, even if it’s the norm there *shrugs* hope that makes sense