Life as a Tower Maid: Locked up with the Prince - Chapter 269

Chapter 269

Translator: Yonnee

—

I met Crowell for the first time in a long while. Of course, from Crowell’s perspective, it was the first time seeing me.

“Hello, it’s nice to meet you for the first time, Lady Jung-in.”

However, her greeting was no different from the first. The confident smile and demeanor she maintained with just the right amount of politeness were unchanged.

I liked that she was no different.

Seeing Crowell, who looked splendid in her clothes chosen with a unique sense, and her imposing stature, reminded me of my first time here.

“It is an honor to meet such an esteemed dragon contractor.”

I liked that her first words were referring to me directly.

It felt new and refreshing to be recognized not as the emperor’s beloved, but for myself, just Jung-in.

“I wasn’t sure which dress you would prefer, so I’ve prepared all the available fabrics and dress designs we have.”

Her scale was as grand as ever.

“Then, let me guide you in.”

Crowell smiled deeply at me.

It seemed like a rather deep fondness for a stranger, why is that? Entering the room with my head tilted in wonder, I was greeted by an unexpected guest.

“It’s been a long time.”

The person greeting me now with such a formal tone, looking healthier than before, was Leona.

The suit she wore, accentuating her muscles modestly, looked as if it was carved to perfection.

I was delighted by the unexpected guest, yet I couldn’t help but be confused by Leona’s words, suggesting she knew me…

…Could it be that there were more people who knew that I used to be Rosé Artius? That was the only conclusion I could draw from Leona’s words.

Neither Albert nor any other figure seemed likely to casually divulge such a secret.

Looking up at Mercy for an explanation, Mercy responded.

“She’s the only person who caught on that you were originally in Rosé’s body.”

“…Why?”

“Why don’t you accept Leona’s greeting first? Otherwise, she’d have kept her head bowed down.”

Only then did I realize that Leona was still keeping her head bowed in greeting.

“Ah, it’s been a long time for me as well.”

Our eyes met as she lifted her head. Her gaze was still straightforward and clear.

Mercy’s voice began the story from beside us.

“She was the only person suspicious about the disappearance of Rosé Artius’s existence, having decided to delve into it even if it cost her her life.”

After Rosé had been imprisoned, Albert gradually erased the rumors and stories about her.

He had resolved to erase Rosé’s existence from people’s minds by the time I returned.

He also ensured that Schubert diligently searched for evidence that Rosé Artius was a dark mage—although, even this didn’t yield much.

“I don’t follow what I believe is wrong. My older sister always said I was stubborn.”

As I looked at her with surprise, Leona made an excuse as she blinked her wide eyes. Well, that seemed like a hereditary trait anyhow.

“That’s why I tried to enlist Leona, too,” Schubert interjected. “It’s been a long time, Commander of the Eagle Knights.”

“Baron Bergen.”

“Just call me Schubert.”

Schubert, who had joined the conversation, greeted Leona and then grumbled.

Mercy, watching the two, chuckled before continuing.

“Leona was suspicious of how events transpired. If not for the search for your soul, Sister, Rosé Artius would have been brutally executed in public…”

If I hadn’t been able to reclaim my human form from my soul state, what would have happened.

It was my first time hearing how Albert had prepared for this.

“He planned to immediately imbue your soul into the remaining body, granting you a completely new life.”

The public execution wasn’t just out of vengeance towards Rosé.

The more people who witnessed Rosé’s death, the less likely they would believe someone looking exactly like her to be the same person if she reappeared.

They would merely think she resembled Rosé. Albert had exploited this loophole.

People aware of Rosé Artius’s humble origins or those displeased by a commoner suddenly receiving a domain had no interest in her disappearance.

It was possible due to the limited social connections of Rosé Artius.

But it was Leona who stood up with determination.

She grew suspicious of the suddenly disappearing traces of Rosé Artius and relentlessly sought to uncover the truth.

Although Schubert, acting as an assassin with his face concealed, visited her several times to threaten her, and Mercy tried to stop her, she did not back down.

I found this quite remarkable. After all, Leona and I had only met a few times.

I looked up to her and asked,

“Why were you so curious about Rosé Artius, Leona?”

She’s a knight commander worthy of respect.

Leona, scratching the back of her head with a gaze too sparkling to be comfortable, coughed lightly before replying.

“It was not something to be praised by a dragon contractor.”

“That can’t be true.”

When I firmly denied it, Leona, smiling faintly, continued.

“I couldn’t just let it go without knowing more. She was someone who acknowledged me, so I wanted to help.”

“Acknowledged… You mean…?”

“It’s about the conversation we had when escaping from the dungeon.”

It seems the words I had imparted to Leona, who was genuinely admirable, left a lasting impression.