Life as a Tower Maid: Locked up with the Prince - Chapter 280
Chapter 280
Translator: Yonnee
—
The feat of crossing dimensions required a spell that, even for a dragon contractor, would need a significant amount of power.
Moreover, if I were to traverse dimensions and timelines without remembering anything, Albert and I might never meet, passing by each other across countless parallel worlds.
And above all, I didn’t like the idea of Albert having to endure the entirety of his painful childhood again to bear everything.
There was also one more significant problem.
In order to come and find me, Albert would have to make a contract with a dragon.
The process itself could be painful, and whether he can meet a dragon is uncertain.
How the past of Marquis Evnen would change was also unpredictable.
There were too many variables that I couldn’t foresee with my own mind.
“I’ll somehow manage to remember you.”
Albert tried to reassure me. It seemed he didn’t care at all what would happen to himself.
“But still, you can’t.”
I don’t want to forget him. And I wish for him to experience as little unhappiness as possible. The pain he would feel was just the same for me—it was always going to be painful to see one’s beloved suffer.
The three of us sank back into thought. The room, continuing in silence, was still.
Then, a loud noise broke the silence.
“Wight, I think it’s time for me to g—”
Alexander had burst into the room.
He had flung open the window and entered, shocked by the heavy atmosphere as he looked around hastily.
The gloominess on my face and Alexander’s gaze met. He stammered.
“I knew the mood would be terrible but… this is almost like a funeral. I don’t like this kind of atmosphere.”
Shivering, Alexander complained weakly then cautiously glanced at me.
Alexander’s abrupt farewell was presumably also due to Rosé Artius’s death.
With Rosé Artius’s death and my impending disappearance, Alexander’s future was bound to change as well.
…I couldn’t understand why he was so cautious around me when he had nothing to apologize for.
“You’re trying to go to another dimension.”
“…Yes. If I may ask, how did you become a full-fledged dragon? Since it’s risky to go back to the past.”
“……”
“I don’t want to go through that pain again.”
I understood Alexander’s feelings. As I sighed, an idea suddenly struck me.
“Can a full-fledged dragon have a contractor?”
“…It’s not impossible, but it’s not common either. Primarily because full-fledged dragons don’t usually take an interest in humans.”
It wasn’t Alexander who responded, but Albert. The moment I saw a glimmer of hope, I was exhilarated.
Alexander was a unique existence capable of traversing dimensions.
What if he were to make a contract with Albert?
Then, if Albert could traverse dimensions as well, and he could accompany me to another dimension.
It might even be possible to use his power later to restore the memories of me that will have disappeared.
Most importantly, it means Albert and I wouldn’t have to part ways.
“No, it’s impossible.”
But Alexander firmly declined. It was a seriousness entirely unlike his usually somewhat playful demeanor towards me.
“The most important part of a contract with a dragon is the heart. But I’ve never had the intention of making a contract with a human.”
Alexander sighed, looking down apologetically.
“Being a contractor means being bound to that person. I don’t want a life tethered to someone else. Not even if it means fulfilling my lifelong wish.”
Unless the past changes, a contract between a dragon and a human is eternal.
This was Alexander’s greatest fear.
Knowing this, I weakly conceded.
“…Still.”
I know it’s selfish of me.
Alexander had already granted more than enough grace when he dedicated the last moments of his life to me and Blanc.
But, if he were to help us here, couldn’t everything end smoothly?
For a smooth resolution, I couldn’t help but hope for Alexander’s assistance again.
“…Jung-in.”
As I eagerly awaited Alexander’s response, Blanc quietly called out to me from the side.
Approaching me, Blanc pressed his lips together and shook his head.
“It can’t be done.”
Alexander slowly lifted his head.
It was only when I saw his pained expression that I realized what I had asked of him.
To a dragon whose lifelong dream was to roam dimensions, I was asking him to sacrifice his life.
For Albert.
How was I any different from Marquis Evnen?
No matter how much I wanted to be happy with Albert, this wasn’t right.
I bit my lip and ultimately knelt down.
“…I’m sorry, Alexander. I must have lost my mind just now. Please pretend you didn’t hear that.”
“It’s okay. I don’t entirely fail to understand your feelings.”
Still looking at me with a twisted face, Alexander tried to smile. He crossed his arms and stared at Blanc.
“…Everyone living seeks their own happiness. That’s why unexpected acts of kindness are even more beautiful.”
Alexander sighed quietly, looking down.
“I need some time to think.”
With those words, Alexander sat down on the sofa. Blanc hesitantly sat beside him.
“What are you doing, let’s think together.”
Alexander tapped Blanc’s shoulder. As if he had completely forgotten about the recent events.
“I’ll generously forgive your slip of the tongue. It’s not like you threatened me outright, and I still owe you, after all.”
Alexander, who had been serious with me, turned his head towards Albert.
“So let’s think of a way, Your Majesty.”
Albert gave a languid smile.
“…Finding a way isn’t the hard part.”
All we needed was time.
Seated, Albert narrowed his eyes and fell into thought.
And we found it.
The ending that could make us all happy.
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