Life as a Tower Maid: Locked up with the Prince - Chapter 52

Chapter 52

Translator: Yonnee

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Albert nodded.

“It’s been a while since you’ve been so obedient.”

“I usually am though.”

“Sure, now close your eyes.”

I tried protesting, but Albert just nodded again. I couldn’t find any solace in how he looked now.

No matter who listened to him right now, it’s clear that this was a trick to try and get me to sleep. With my eyes wide open, I shook my head.

“…I won’t close my eyes.”

“Will you try to resist even when I’ll continue to look at you like this?”

Albert just made me widen my eyes more.

Seeing his eyes so up close was like looking at the red sun during sunset. The bright red hue faded down to a deep red shade in a mysterious manner.

Albert’s voice rang in my ears.

“I’ve never lost a staring contest, you know.”

What was he saying this time. I picked up on the contradiction in his words.

“Is there anyone who’d want to be in a staring contest with you, Prince?”

Albert shrugged.

“They got caught, so they don’t get a score. That’s why I won every time.”

Albert’s shameless declaration rendered me speechless. He wasn’t wrong, so really. Albert’s really a genius at playing with words, huh.

…But how long do I have to stay like this?

Just continuing to stare at Albert was certainly burdensome. Even the times he blinked was completely different from the times I did, so every moment I had my eyes open, his gaze followed.

While I was trying to think about what to say, Albert beat me to the punch and spoke first.

“It’s burdensome to you, isn’t it.”

“……”

“I know how you feel even if you don’t say anything.”

Albert raised one hand, which carefully covered my eyelids. The width of his big hand covered almost half of my face. At that, it became dark for me.

“Sleep, just try it out while keeping your eyes shut like this.”

He continued speaking with a low voice as his hand covered my eyes. And—

“Just think of it as heeding the wishes of a sick person. If you don’t listen to me now, then I’ll just assume you’ll kiss me. I don’t care which way or another.”

Even his voice. Everything was warm.

…Albert’s someone who really knows how to get his way.

But sleeping like this was embarrassing.

I lightly held the wrist of the hand covering my eyes.

At that moment, I realized how different even our body frames were judging by his wrist. It’s rare for me to touch Albert first.

Albert didn’t even budge.

I gently pushed his hand away. There was no longer any darkness in front of me. Instead, I saw Albert again.

His eyes were still so brilliant.

Staring at those luminous orbs, I spoke bravely.

“I’ll make some porridge.”

Crossing his arms once more, Albert spoke.

“But what is that, porridge.”

While he knew I was still avoiding the matter at hand, he moved on without any qualms and purposely repeated the word he didn’t know.

“It’s like a soup that you eat when you’re sick, but instead of just soup, there’s rice in it. I personally like vegetable porridge, so you can try that.”

When in the kitchen, you follow the ways of the chef. I don’t know much about the food in this world, and all I know is Korean food and delivery food.

That’s why I could only think of soup when someone’s sick.

A serving of porridge that’s lightly mixed with vegetables and some soy sauce was one of the few dishes I ate even when I’m not sick because it’s just so savory. Apart from that, it’s easy to cook and wouldn’t take long to whip up a bowl.

At what I said, Albert smiled.

“Is that dish either sweet or salty?”

“Your Highness knows exactly what my taste is, but unfortunately this time, it’s neither of those things.”

I heard that there’s a porridge restaurant out there selling spicy porridge, too, but… If you’re sick, I’m not sure if it’s a good idea to eat spicy food.

As though he couldn’t believe it, Albert narrowed his eyes.

How unfair. But still, I emphasized it again. It’s not spicy. It’s reeeally not, okay?

“You never do what I like.”

“Um, I usually do what I can, but since you’re sick today, I’ll ask…”

Of course, just asking about it doesn’t mean that I can do everything for you…

I decided to show my sincerity towards Albert by following his orders.

“Is there anything you want to eat?”

Smiling gently, Albert shook his head.

No? There’s nothing you want to eat? I asked again. What would you like? Ah, but he didn’t have a preference either. I was puzzled by his answer.

“…Were you disappointed that I didn’t ask what you like?”

Sir Prince, you seem to be a difficult customer to satisfy… like someone who would refuse anything that’s suggested to them even though they don’t particularly want something else.

Albert didn’t answer. Instead, he pulled back the conversation to the very first topic.

“It must be nice to be what you like.”

“…This seems to be no different from the beginning.”

“Haven’t I already told you what I like?”

“You haven’t.”

“What you like.”

I was at a loss for words.

“I like what you like, Rosé.”

Albert’s voice was so sweet that it seemed to melt like honey. Both his voice and what he said were all enough to draw someone in.

…Albert’s flirting seemed to get more effective by the day. Even now, I could feel my face heating up.

Just being here is already too dangerous!

I jumped up from the bed.

“You’re up.”

Seeing the mischievous glint in his eyes, I felt a prickling sensation. Come to think of it, he said that he’d kiss me if I don’t close my eyes and fall asleep.

I grew nervous that instant. I wondered if Albert would really get up and kiss me now.

I went ahead and warned him.

“Prince, if you kiss me now, you’ll pass on your sickness to me.”

“Sure, I’m not going to do it.”

“…Huh?”

…So everything you said was just a joke?

“I have no choice.”

I stared at him blankly right then. But he continued speaking in a low voice.

“Because I won’t allow myself to get you sick or to hurt you.”

As though it was an obvious fact.