Life as a Tower Maid: Locked up with the Prince - Side Story 10
Side Story 10
Translator: Yonnee
—
“What is this?”
“Oh, this is a seashell… You can hear the sound of waves inside it. Try holding it close to your ear.”
Blanc’s brows furrowed in curiosity, but he didn’t argue.
Blanc always did this. Instead of questioning my words, he quietly followed them. His endless trust in me was always appreciated.
Blanc moved his long fingers to bring the seashell to his ear.
At first, he seemed to concentrate, narrowing his brows, but then his eyes widened in surprise.
“Did you capture the sea in here? Is it magic?”
“No, it’s a natural phenomenon.”
I shook my head with a smile.
“Sometimes nature creates more magical things.”
Blanc tilted his head, not quite understanding, but he held the seashell tightly.
Seeing him pleased with something so simple made me feel warm inside. I gently patted Blanc’s head and asked,
“Do you like it?”
“Yes.”
“There are plenty around here. How about we gather some together? It would be a nice souvenir of this place.”
“…Are there many?”
Engrossed in the sand and sea, Blanc now looked intrigued, his eyes sparkling.
In this man, who was at least a head taller than me, I saw a glimpse of the little dragon he once was.
“Great, let’s go…”
Blanc excitedly started searching through the sand.
We wandered for a long time, looking for pretty seashells and conch shells.
After finding enough to fill our hands, Blanc sat down on the warm sand, satisfied.
The sun-warmed sand felt like a cozy heater.
Blanc lay down, his hair fanning out like flowers, beautifully tousled.
He looked up at me with a bright, innocent smile.
“I was a bit lonely when you were just with Albert, but this trip is wonderful.”
…His words stung. I hadn’t had much time to meet Blanc because I was always with Albert.
It was true that I had somewhat neglected Blanc while comforting Albert.
Seeing how happy he was just spending time with me made me feel guilty.
“I’m sorry. I should have thought more about you, Blanc.”
“Huuh? But Albert is your mate, Jung-in. It’s only natural…”
My sweet Blanc, instead of understanding my apology, widened his eyes and shook his head. He couldn’t comprehend my remorse.
Blanc thought for a moment, then picked up the prettiest pink seashell he had collected and placed it in my hand.
“Just remember that I’m by your side and on your side.”
That was all Blanc asked of me, appearing to want nothing else.
“We should travel together again.”
“Yes, when you have the time, Jung-in.”
Blanc replied as if it were the most natural thing. But there was a condition.
When I have time, meaning Blanc knew how busy I would be in the future.
He also knew that Albert would always be by my side.
But what about you? While maintaining an appropriate distance for me and Albert, what will you be doing?
The question that I had put aside while spending happy times with Albert came to mind.
I must have looked a bit sad without realizing it.
“I like Albert too. It’s even better if you two get along well. So don’t make that sad face…”
Blanc murmured as he looked at me.
“Being by your side—both of you—is enough for me.”
“……”
I couldn’t easily tell Blanc to find someone, too.
Because I knew that the only people he had truly opened his heart to were me, Albert, and Alexander.
“Alexander roams alone often, doesn’t he? I can do it too…”
“Contractors can’t stay apart for long periods.”
“I’ll come back before that…”
Contractors share a lot with each other.
In a way, it’s like holding each other’s lifeline, so being apart could be dangerous.
It’s a relationship that requires complete trust. Perhaps that’s why many contractors in the history books were also romantically involved with their dragons.
“You should have found a partner to contract with…”
“The idea that a contract must be with a partner is a misconception…”
At my words, Blanc pouted and shook his head.
“If we care for and cherish each other enough, it’s always possible.”
In my case, that person was you, Jung-in.
Blanc’s eyes sparkled with a color similar to the sea as he murmured while looking at me.
“I am happy now.”
His voice, full of sincerity, left me speechless.
I couldn’t judge Blanc’s happiness. As long as he was happy, that was enough.
But there was one thing I wanted to clarify.
If someone he genuinely loved came into his life, I wanted to wholeheartedly celebrate it.
I spoke softly.
“Blanc, if you ever find a partner in your life…”
“……”
“Promise you’ll tell me first, okay?”
Blanc lowered his head slightly and nodded.
“Okay.”
He might not know if it would happen.
His ambiguous expression said the words he didn’t.
I chuckled. I knew too well that connections often come from unexpected places.
Just like the bond between Albert and me.
Blanc held the seashell to his ear and gestured to me.
“Lie down next to me, Jung-in. The sunlight is really warm.”
I lay down next to Blanc. He held the seashell to my ear, and the gentle sound of waves filled the air.
It might seem silly to hold a seashell to our ears when the actual sea was right next to us, but I liked it.
Lying there, basking in the sunlight, made me feel drowsy. It felt like I was bathing in the sun.
As Blanc and I continued our sunbathing, a shadow fell over us.
“It seems this is the limit of leaving you two alone.”
“Then, Albert, lie down between us…”
Blanc cheerfully suggested, and despite his initial annoyance, Albert eventually lay down between us.
To think Albert had learned to yield. Who would have guessed their relationship would become so good?
Today was another perfectly pleasant day.
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