Life as a Tower Maid: Locked up with the Prince - Side Story 33

Side Story 33

Translator: Yonnee

—

After finishing the fruit for dessert, we drank tea. The fragrant scent of chamomile lingered in my mouth. Then, Albert started washing the dishes, something he had never done in his life.

He told me to just sit and relax. I couldn’t help but smile as I watched his back while he washed the dishes, wearing an apron.

I never thought I’d see this sight in my lifetime, and it was even better than I imagined.

As I spent this delightful time with him, I couldn’t help but feel a bit regretful. It wasn’t that I regretted the time spent with Albert—I just missed Adela and Joos.

“Let’s come back with the children next time,” Albert said, turning around after washing the last dish clean.

“……”

I stared at him, momentarily dumbfounded by his sudden suggestion.

He dried his hands and sat next to me, and I burst out laughing.

“Is that such a funny idea?”

Albert tilted his head in curiosity.

“No, actually, I was thinking the same thing,” I replied, still laughing.

Albert finally joined in my laughter.

“It seems we’ve gotten more accustomed to being together as a family than just the two of us.”

He tucked my hair behind my ear and chuckled.

“When you come to a nice place, it’s natural to think of family,” I added.

Albert’s eyes narrowed thoughtfully as he propped his chin on his hand.

“Family. Family, huh.”

It seemed the word had a different meaning for him.

“It’s still such a foreign concept to me,” he admitted with a faint smile that carried a hint of sadness.

His honest words left me momentarily speechless.

For Albert, those who shared his bloodline or bore the title of family were always far from being true family. The old king, and even those who came before him, all wanted to either kill or use him.

“……”

The idea that Albert, Adela, Joos, and I were a family was so natural to me that I had never felt the need to say it out loud.

I grasped Albert’s hand tightly.

“It’s a word you should get used to by now.”

I smiled brightly at him.

“Adela, Joos, you, and I are a family…”

I continued softly, fiddling with his hand.

“And even if they aren’t blood-related, we can’t forget Blanc, Liam, Schubert, and Mercy.”

“……”

“Everyone by your side has always been part of your family.”

Albert’s face slowly brightened with another smile.

“One family,” I reiterated, emphasizing the words.

Albert smiled.

“You always know exactly what to say.”

“We’ve spent enough time together. Just as you know me, I know you too.”

“That’s true.”

Albert said as he stood up and approached me. He whispered,

“I still look forward to every moment with you.”

“…As do I.”

“This must be what life is.”

Albert embraced me. I wrapped my arms around his neck.

“Now that we’ve eaten, it’s time to rest.”

“…It’s really just rest time, right?”

Albert remained silent at my question.

“A leisurely rest time, yes.”

He smiled mischievously.

“For me.”

“Why am I the one not getting any rest?”

I held back my laughter as I asked back.

I had prepared myself for this when we came to the tower, but hearing Albert’s responses was just too entertaining.

Albert cleared his throat and then laughed, his smile utterly bewitching.

“After resting, I’ll wash you. You won’t have to lift a finger,” Albert said in a lowered voice. “I’ll take care of everything.”

And that was it. That smile, those words— I was undone.

Just as always.

* * *

As promised, after resting(?), Albert and I lay in bed reading books. With the warm sunlight streaming in, it felt like heaven.

Although the spacious rooms of the palace were nice, being in this cozy space together felt like a true vacation.

When Adela came here at the tower before too, we all just slept together in the bed. But now, with Joos joining us, it would be more difficult to do that.

I looked around the space beside the bed and asked,

“Should we place another bed next to this one?”

“The space is too tight for that.”

“Hmm…”

“You can sleep with Adela and Joos in the bed. I can sleep on the floor.”

…The emperor of the empire, volunteering to sleep on the cold floor—how absurd.

I narrowed my eyes playfully.

“How can I let you sleep on the floor? If anyone should sleep there, it should be me.”

“Think of it as my wish,” Albert insisted.

Sometimes, I should just give in.

I pondered for a moment before slapping my knee.

“Ah, why don’t we move all the beds to the attic? It can be a place just for sleeping.”

The attic had been unused for a long time, so transforming it wouldn’t be a bad idea. The children would likely have a whimsical fondness for the attic, making it a great place for Adela and Joos to create memories.

“We can add a window to stargaze together,” I suggested.

Albert nodded and got up.

“That sounds like a good idea. Let’s take a look.”