Life as a Tower Maid: Locked up with the Prince - Side Story 32
Side Story 32
Translator: Yonnee
—
“It’s different from the soups and broths I usually have, but it’s quite good.”
The reason I hadn’t offered Albert samgyetang before was because of the medicinal herbs, which could be an acquired taste.
Even Ina, when introducing Korean food to the locals, would usually start with lighter broths or non-spicy dishes.
Korean cuisine was still unfamiliar to the people here.
‘But Albert has grown accustomed to spicy food while being with me…’
He might be the person in this empire most familiar with Korean cuisine.
I decided to try this because Albert had become quite familiar with Korean food.
‘How brave I was to introduce him to tteokbokki at first.’
Back then, being stuck here with no way to relieve stress or calm my anxiety, I clung to food.
“At first, I wondered how anyone could eat something like this…”
Albert looked at his empty bowl with a curious expression.
‘I feel good.’
I had been nervous about making Korean food for the first time after a long time, but I didn’t expect it to be this successful.
I should learn more cooking from Ina in the future.
I rested my chin on my hand and watched Albert with satisfaction. He looked at me with a gentle smile after putting down his spoon.
“Probably because you made it.”
“For dessert, I’ve prepared seasonal fruit. I also learned how to peel apples.”
“Apples?”
Albert tilted his head in confusion. I brought over a well-washed apple and started peeling it into the shape of a rabbit, just as I had learned.
Squeak, squeak. The sound of peeling echoed loudly. Like a sculptor crafting a masterpiece, I focused and successfully made a rabbit-shaped apple. I placed it in front of Albert.
“Here you are.”
Albert lightly touched the rabbit’s ears with his finger and laughed.
“It’s been a while since I saw you so focused on cooking.”
“I have been busy, yes,” I replied, feeling a bit shy under his gaze.
“You know you can reduce your workload.”
“I like things the way they are now.”
Spending time with Joos and Adela, keeping up with the news and managing the empire, and the moments spent with Albert—all of these are precious to me.
“I love the person I am when I’m with you and the kids, but I also cherish the person I am when I’m working.”
Albert rested his chin on his hand and looked at me thoughtfully.
“Is it too much to want to keep all of these?”
“If you felt it was too much…”
Albert’s voice lowered, tinged with regret.
“Then it’s my fault.”
He always supported me, no matter what I wanted to do.
“I should’ve made sure you never felt that way.”
His sincere eyes conveyed his genuine feelings.
“I wanted you to achieve whatever you wanted.”
I’ve always been grateful for his endless support and love.
“It’s not that you made me feel that way, Albert. It’s just…”
There were still some moments of self-doubt. When those moments would linger, they would lead to questions.
“It’s just something I wondered about.”
“If you ever feel that way again, tell me sooner.”
Albert speared a piece of apple with his fork and brought it to my lips.
“I’ll make sure to uproot any doubts completely.”
I nodded, biting into the crisp apple.
There are moments, regardless of our time together, when I feel how deeply I still love him.
“Let me peel the next one. You’ve been up all night and even cooked—I should do my part.”
Albert took the knife from me and started peeling the apple with ease.
He had only watched me do it, yet he was already more skilled than I was.
‘Is this what talent looks like?’
That’s definitely Albert.
“Next year…”
Albert placed the neatly peeled apple slices on a plate and trailed off.
“I’ll try cooking.”
“…You, Albert?”
It wasn’t that the idea of him cooking was funny, I was just surprised.
“I thought it would be better to leave it to the experts…”
He murmured, placing another piece of apple in my mouth.
“But I’d like to see you enjoying something I made.”
His eyes curved gently like a crescent moon as he smiled.
“You looked so happy watching me.”
To me, it seems like you’re the happier one right now.
I gazed at Albert’s smiling face.
In his face, I could see Adela and Joos too.
And at times, I saw glimpses of myself, reflecting our time together.
It’s a fulfilling life.
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