Life as a Tower Maid: Locked up with the Prince - Side Story 9
Side Story 9
Translator: Yonnee
—
After a few days of enjoyable camping, we arrived at a historic castle perched on a cliff.
The weather seemed to favor us, with the sunlight dazzling our eyes.
We entered the castle and unpacked our stuff in our respective rooms. Not that there was much to unpack—just one bag each.
The castle’s steward was a kind-looking elderly man.
“Your rooms are this way…”
Albert and I were given a room along the right corridor of the castle, right at the edge of the cliff. When I opened the window, the seaside view was breathtaking.
As soon as I stepped inside, I leaned out the window to fully enjoy the sea.
The calm waves were so clear and blue that they looked like polished glass.
The emerald-colored water sparkled as if tiny jewels were scattered within it.
Before such an unachievable natural beauty, all I could do was marvel.
“The sea…”
Albert approached and gently hugged me from behind, murmuring softly.
“I thought about decorating it beforehand, but I figured it would be better to leave it as it is so you can change it to your liking.”
Indeed, being a place akin to a villa, it felt simpler compared to the imperial palace.
There were few jeweled decorations, and the furniture showed signs of age.
It smelled fresh and woody, as if no artificial scents had been used.
“I like it just as it is.”
I loved this feeling. The room had a sense that touched the inner soul, something that opulence could never match.
What if the palace had this kind of atmosphere? Wouldn’t it have a different charm from its dazzling appearance? As I pondered, I shook my head.
The palace is the center of the empire, a place where all lords and nobles come to stay and discuss matters. It couldn’t be like this.
“Let’s come here often.”
“If you’d like.”
Albert tucked a lock of my hair behind one ear and kissed my cheek.
Then he moved in front of me, planting small kisses on my forehead, nose, and lips.
His soft, spring breeze-like lips made my heart flutter with excitement.
Every kiss with him always left me trembling.
After a series of featherlight kisses, our lips met in a deep kiss.
As if we were the only ones in the world, we craved each other until we had to let go.
Albert tucked my tousled hair behind my ear and smiled gently.
“You’re beautiful as always.”
…After spending the day together or finishing a kiss, Albert would praise me like this, as if he had been waiting for it.
“You’re handsome as always too.”
Then, just like when I first met him in the tower, I would respond the same way.
I didn’t realize how good sincere compliments felt.
If I had known, I would have said it to him more often. Words are indeed powerful.
* * *
Near the cliff, there was a forest path leading down to the sea.
Following that path led to a white sandy beach and a seemingly endless stretch of coastline.
It felt like we had the sea all to ourselves.
With the sound of crashing waves, Schubert had already started splashing around in the water, and Mercy was cautiously dipping her ankles in.
Side by side, Liam and Alexander began a stroll around the area. Surprisingly enough, Alexander was afraid of water, of all things.
Leona insisted on her duty to guard me, so she stood tall and fully dressed in her uniform.
But the person whose reaction I was most curious about was Blanc. He always brought up the sea and had often suggested we visit it together.
I watched Blanc silently.
His silver hair fluttered in the gentle breeze as he stared endlessly at the water stretching beyond the horizon.
“…It’s prettier than I thought.”
Blanc muttered softly, scooping up some fine sand and letting it run through his fingers as he moved closer to the shore.
Then he dipped his hand into the water. His hand was perfectly reflected in the clear water.
“Do you like it?”
I asked, handing him a seashell I had just picked up.
A gentle smile spread across Blanc’s lips as he held the seashell tightly in his hand.
“Yes. More than I expected. I’m glad I waited…”
It wasn’t that Blanc hadn’t had a chance to see the sea in the 500 years he waited again.
But Blanc waited for me.
“I’m glad I kept my promise…”
He murmured slowly, his eyes cast down with a serene happiness. He was a precious bond I had made.
“Thank you for keeping your promise.”
Want to read more? Advanced chapters are available on Patreon! (only for selected novels)
≪ Discord ≫
≪ Novel Updates ≫