Life as a Tower Maid: Locked up with the Prince - Side Story 6

Side Story 6

Translator: Yonnee

—

Mercy, looking at me, scratched the back of her head awkwardly.

“…I found solace in him.”

Her story began.

After her father’s atrocities were revealed, Mercy went through a tough time.

Even though the selection of the Tower Lord was by Albert’s command, it wasn’t something just anyone could achieve.

Mercy was qualified. She had the talent and skills to become the Lord of the Magic Tower.

But after realizing Belfort’s true nature, Mercy was in shock and confined herself to her room.

She was devastated to learn that her father, whom she had respected, had been selling children to nobles.

And she was even more despairing at the thought that the same blood flowed in her veins.

Albert initially believed Mercy could overcome this on her own and left her alone.

But as opposition forces continued to grow and appeals for a new Tower Lord persisted, he finally sent reinforcements to Mercy.

“Really… I know he’s a guy who only has eyes for His Majesty, but how can you not like someone who’s good?”

That person was Schubert.

Schubert, following Albert’s command to help Mercy fulfill her duties as Tower Lord, made efforts to face the reclusive Mercy.

“Hey, you can live well without parents. I do, so what.”

For Mercy, who was struggling with the betrayal of her parents, Schubert’s nonchalant attitude was a shock.

Especially when she heard about his life.

Though they had lived entirely different lives, seeing someone who still found life worth living was a revelation.

“Living on, you find reasons to keep wanting to live.”

Schubert hadn’t met many people and was quite inexperienced. But his sincerity reached Mercy.

He also took care of the wizards who were wasting the tower’s resources, as a bonus. His main job was assassination.

“Thanks to Schubert, I was able to get through that time.”

Eventually, with Schubert, Mercy visited the imprisoned Belfort, sorted out her emotions, and successfully killed him.

The person who helped Mercy when she was struggling the most.

It seemed impossible for Mercy not to fall in love with Schubert.

I recalled how they used to bicker in the past life.

When I asked if they were dating, they both denied it vehemently. Has their relationship finally changed?

…Indeed, Mercy seemed similar to before but was subtly different.

Her attitude towards me and her blushing face reflected that. Her bold demeanor remained, but she was more honest with her emotions.

I wondered if Albert’s actions had helped remove Mercy’s traumas, allowing her life to become more stable.

Schubert didn’t seem to dislike Mercy either.

It was just that he had spent so much time admiring and looking up to Albert that he hadn’t realized his own feelings.

Schubert also didn’t seem to have many people he was close to.

And even if Schubert did love Mercy, the problem was whether he would recognize it as romantic love.

Love has many facets, after all.

The only advice I could give her as I pondered was this—

“I just showed my true self.”

Mercy didn’t need to change herself. And changing just for the sake of the other person wouldn’t help in love anyway.

Even if you act differently from your true self, it won’t last long.

If you’re going to fall in love, it’s best to do so with someone who loves your true self.

At least that’s what I thought.

Just as I loved Albert after seeing all his sides, I hoped Mercy would fall in love with someone who loved all of her.

“Well, if you show your usual self and he doesn’t catch on, that’s his loss. Right?”

There are many good people in the world.

Mercy’s face took on a determined expression at my words.

“Right? It’s strange if he doesn’t like me. If he has eyes….”

“……”

“Thank you for your wise words, Your Majesty.”

…Something seemed odd about her response, but she looked hopeful, so I was relieved.

* * *

On the first evening, we camped out. The spot we stopped at was a clearing in the forest specially prepared for us.

We set up tents and prepared a place for a campfire in the center.

The tents around us were as large as those used in wars, yet they didn’t look out of place in the vast clearing. Albert’s preparedness was impressive as always….

I first tried to light the fire by rubbing sticks together but failed spectacularly and resorted to using magic.

Soon, the campfire began crackling and burning. It was the only light in the darkness of the night sky and looked beautiful.

We all sat around the campfire.

Only Alexander stood alone behind Blanc, but there was a rustling sound around him.

“Hey, since I knew we’d be camping this time, I brought something special.”

Alexander puffed up with pride and pulled out a bag from his chest with a dramatic flourish. What could it be…?

“It’s called marshmallows!”

The bag was full of soft, white marshmallows.

“I’m really good at roasting these.”

He skewered marshmallows onto sticks he had brought and handed them out to us. Thus began the marshmallow roasting competition.

“…I see.”

Blanc, tilting his head at the marshmallows, was first to receive one. Schubert, eager to impress Albert with his marshmallow roasting skills, and Mercy, sighing beside him, also took their marshmallows.

Alexander was the first to show off, sticking his marshmallow into the fire.

“Watch me!”

And the marshmallow promptly caught fire and burned.

“……”

Alexander’s face turned as red as the flaming marshmallow as he blinked at us and then hung his head low.