Life as a Tower Maid: Locked up with the Prince - Chapter 67

Chapter 67

Translator: Yonnee

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The way Albert said such things naturally always made me nervous. Does he know just how much his casual words make my heart pound?

It would be nice if I had the power to look into people’s hearts. I’m not a bold enough person to be comfortable right away with the person who confessed to her.

I know that this happiness now might not last forever, and I also know that the affection he’s harboring for me could leave just as easily as it came. So, I can’t fully trust the prince.

Despite such sentiments, there were still times when I got overcome with the urge to take his hand and let go of all the thoughts and worries that were holding me back. There were times when I wanted to accept his feelings without ever worrying about the future.

A person’s heart was very simple, and it was all too easy for it to waver when in comes an elegant, attractive prince who keeps approaching me despite my efforts to push him away.

He’s cheeky, knows how to handle people well, and knows just how much his words affect others.

I looked straight into Albert’s eyes. Looking at him this close, those red eyes now feel different compared to when I first saw them.

As he now looked ahead again, his angular jawline became visible to me.

Framed by jewel-like gray hair beneath the dark night sky, his perfect jawline could be seen. Below, it was his protruding adam’s apple and his wide shoulders.

…I believe it’s been a while since I’ve said this. But as I continued to stare at him with a serious face, I somehow got grumpy, wanting to make his heart waver just as he did with mine.

“Prince.”

“Seems like you have something to say.”

“Yes, Prince. You’re handsome today, too.”

Well, something like this wouldn’t make Albert’s heart pound, but it didn’t seem like he hated hearing it either.

Hearing my words, Albert blinked a couple of times before he lowered his gaze to match mine once more. He smiled as he asked.

“Is there a reason for why you’re trying to butter me up?”

The answer: honesty. It’s impossible to play hard to get with Albert. I decided to express my feelings little by little, even if it wasn’t direct.

I opened my lips and spoke honestly.

“I wanted to see you get surprised by why I said, Prince. I feel like I’m the only one who gets taken aback every time.”

“Compliments aren’t bad, but there’s another way to surprise me. You’ve already let me personally experience it.”

“Wouldn’t it be impossible to surprise you if you already know?”

“No, it’s possible.”

“How?”

The eyes that glanced down at me were curved beautifully.

“You can come and give in to me.”

“……”

“And you can kiss me first.”

It really makes me wonder if Albert Grey was originally a man who’d talk with such a shameless face. When I squinted at him instead of answering, Albert shrugged.

“You’re really not falling for it, Rosé. I’ll have to try harder.”

“You don’t have to do that. I’m already overwhelmed as it is.”

“The most important thing is that you’re still here with me, Rosé.”

As always, he smiled all the same, but his low voice carried an underlying weight.

I’m too scared to address that weight. I know for a fact that the moment I try to do so, it would be a point of no return. In such a case, it would be best to pretend not to know anything or just pretend not to notice it.

Fortunately, we were standing over the magic circle now. While looking up at him, I spoke with an over-enthusiastic voice.

“You can drop me off now. My headache isn’t bothering me and I can walk on my own.”

“That’s right.”

Albert took a scattered lock of my hair in his hand. As he tucked it behind my ear, the back of his hand touched my cheek, leaving behind a trail of warmth.

“But not me. I’m constantly using magic.”

“Prince, you’re being too obvious these days.”

“You wouldn’t notice unless I make it obvious.”

Yes, I wouldn’t ‘notice’ unless Albert tells me. So, it was another jab at my conscience. Albert really knew me well.

“But still, I can walk…”

Before I could finish talking, our surroundings suddenly changed. I was still in Albert’s arms, and we’ve arrived in the north.

“…What.”

And in front of us were Duke Liam Masen—

“Y-Your Highness?”

—and Baron Schubert Bergen, who had an indignant expression on his face.

As I made eye contact with Schubert, I saw how his lips opened and closed several times. He looked so hurt, as if he had witnessed his lover having an affair.

It seemed like my reputation with Liam and Schubert had crumbled to pieces right from the get-go.

I’m not doing it on purpose either!

I struggled to get down from Albert’s arms, but even if I tried to push him with all my strength, it could never be enough.

Albert turned towards his retainers with an expressionless face, pulling me close despite my vigorous resistance.

“Stay still, Rosé. You have to be close to me so that the hex can be contained. Who do you think is stopping your headache?”

…What Albert told me before we left the tower came to my mind. It’s not that I wasn’t feeling pain, but Albert, now able to use magic outside, was the one blocking it!

…More than making a bad impression, I hated feeling pain. So, I decided to remain obedient.

“Good girl.”

Albert said this quietly, looking into my eyes as I stopped resisting. Liam’s forehead became wrinkled as he watched Albert smile calmly.

Fortunately, Liam and Schubert were the only ones who came to see us. Maybe they’re the only ones Albert called, so the others didn’t know.

The prince carried me with one arm and reached out to Liam. Liam stood blankly in place, as though he was genuinely in shock.