CH 41

To be honest, I’m more nervous about Albert saying something about the spicy food, but he instead just agreed to the previous statement.

“I’m doing fine thanks to Rosé. It doesn’t feel like I’ve been locked away.”

Liam’s pupils shook as Albert said this. Even so, the ensuing silence wasn’t as awkward as I thought it’d feel.

“And the preparations?”

Liam grew tense again when hearing Albert’s question. Sitting next to me, Schubert unexpectedly opened his lips to speak first.

“The public opinion amongst the knights is well-maintained, Your Highness.”

“It seems only yesterday when you asked me, ‘Do I really have to join the knight order?’ But now you’re doing a good job.”

Albert spoke proudly. I was rather surprised at what he said about Schubert—he looked to be the type who’d say that he wanted to be a knight ever since he was young, but it seemed like that wasn’t the case in the beginning.

“That’s because I’m not as dignified as my liege, and I have not been educated well.”

Schubert scratched the back of his head in embarrassment. His title of ‘baron’ was somewhat like an honorary position. Seeing Schubert’s attitude now, he must not have been a noble from birth.

He must be greatly loyal as a knight serving Albert. I’ll ask how you guys met later.

“But the general public’s opinion is not very good,” Liam said.

Albert nodded as though he already expected this.

“Isn’t there a countermeasure that’s already finalized? Use that.”

“…Your Highness will allow that method?”

Liam frowned.

“We have to use everything in our arsenal. Don’t ask me again.”

It’s new for me to see Albert working hard from behind the scenes. This enough told me that he was doing so much more without me knowing.

After that, the conversation flowed between them. They didn’t seem to be bringing up anything that was top secret in front of me, but I could understand why.

As the tension in the dining hall eased little by little, the conversation became more natural. It’s also fun to talk to more people. No matter how much I liked being a homebody, staying home voluntarily was different from being confined against my will.

I wondered at first why Albert made me sit here, but now I think that he was right to do so.

But, you know, it’s still kinda awkward to introduce me to his aides better when they’re talking about usurping the throne during this nice meal.

Albert was now almost certain that I’m a dark mage, and one who actively engaged in confining him to the tower. Removing the spell on me before officially leaving the tower was practically a gamble for him.

He couldn’t really be sure that I’ve changed, or am just pretending to have changed.

Even so, Albert was giving me such good treatment and was now even introducing me to his vassals.

I could feel no hesitation whenever Albert made a decision. And his decisions usually led to good results. Maybe it was his intuition, maybe it was a well-thought calculation.

Either way, it’s obvious just how great of a man he was. The fact that such a person was being so considerate to me made the corners of my lips unconsciously curl up.

Then, my eyes met with Albert’s.

Gracefully, he held the spoon in his hand, and slowly, his eyes turned towards me in languid ease. Even his slightly opened lips looked unrealistic. It felt like that even more so because I don’t think his beauty was something that existed in the real world.

As he met my gaze, the look in Albert’s eyes deepened.

“Is there something you want to say?”

“As I’ve said many, many times before, Your Highness is very han… Never mind.”

I was about to say something I usually said, but I clamped my mouth shut when I felt Liam’s narrow gaze directed towards me.

It’s a bit embarrassing to repeat the same line of ‘Prince, you’re so handsome’ over and over again when Liam and Schubert were also here.

I guess the thick iron plate over my face had become thinner since I hadn’t met other people for a while now. I need to get used to them quickly. So, I smiled, hoping that next time would be smoother.

“It’s a pity.”

Albert murmured tacitly. I understood what he wanted to express, but unfortunately dear prince, I can’t continue and say something like that at a place like this.

Setting down his spoon onto the table, Albert rested one elbow on the surface and rested his chin on a closed fist. The eyes that resembled crescent moons curved beautifully.

“I was looking forward to what you were going to say.”

It’s something you hear everyday anyway? But when he said it like that, it’s difficult to tone down the heat I could feel blooming on my face in an instant.

“Oh goodness me, it’s getting late.”

I hurriedly changed the subject. Let’s cut off that conversation right there.

“Prince, aren’t you feeling tired? It would be better for you to rest now.”

“Ah.”

Albert replied briefly, as if he remembered something because of what I said. It was suspicious how he did that. Then, he wiped his face with a handkerchief that Schubert had handed over, then he muttered.

“Come to think of it, I’m sweating a little.”

…That’s not something you should brag about though?

It’s not like he’s sweating because of the hot food, it should be from pain. It’s almost like he’s not even sick right now.

I could unconsciously tell that he was enduring the pain. At this, my voice became sharp as I spoke again—this was because I was to blame for the pain he’s feeling.

“…Don’t you think it’s better to go and rest now, Your Highness? I’ll go back to my room now, too.”

I already knew that Albert couldn’t be completely honest here, but why was that making me sad? I could feel my chest tightening up distinctly.

“It’s not that bad. Still, it would be better if everyone retired today. My body is reaching its limit as well.”

As soon as I heard Albert say that, I quickly got up from my seat, so did Liam and Schubert. The two of them bowed towards him, and he waved his hand gracefully to dismiss them.

“Go now. Good job today.”

“Thank you, Your Highness.”

“Thank you, Your Highness.”

Liam and Schubert left first. I bowed politely to Albert last.

“Then, Prince, I’ll leave as well.”

The moment I tried to follow after the attendant—

“Rosé, there’s something I have to tell you, so let’s go back to my room together.”

Albert caught my arm.

Yep. If the boss calls, I go right away. With a somewhat sullen face, I followed behind Albert. In my arms, Blanc was snoring cutely as he had already slipped off into dreamland.

* * *

Before entering the room, Albert told me to wait outside while he’s changing clothes.

After a while, I soon faced Albert, who was wearing nothing but trousers and a loose robe.

“Come in.”

“…Yes.”

Flustered, I looked at him with wide eyes because it’s my first time seeing something like this in my entire life. I mean, it’s not like I’ve watched only one drama series just once or twice! If you show a seductive face here, I’ll definitely lose!

But it’s difficult not to look.

Through his gray fringe, his eyes as red as rose petals could be seen clearly. And those eyes were looking straight at me.

When I tried to lower my own eyes to avoid his persistent gaze, I was greeted with a breathtaking sight between the loosely tied robe—his clearly defined abs. Oh, hello…?

I’ve seen him work out not just once before this. But why was it that, compared to seeing his entire upper body unclothed, this was a heck ton more sensuous?

For Albert to wear something like this, seriously, why…? Is there a reason you’re trying to suffocate me, dear Prince? If I suddenly have a nosebleed here, would I still be innocent?

Without realizing it, I took a step back. But behind me was already the closed door.

Albert’s low chuckle rang in my ears as he looked down at me with my back against the surface. With shadows dancing over his face, a smile could be seen.

“You’re trying to run away.”

The smoldering voice as hot as the sun was lower than usual.

“O-Of course not.”

I coughed and tried to clear my throat. If my voice were to tremble here, he’d definitely think I’m some weirdo.

“I see you’re wearing something different.”

“I know I’ll sweat a lot in my sleep, so I asked for a robe I could wear since I thought wearing this would be better. It felt like a lot last time.”

“Ah…”

Wasn’t it kind of a stroke of luck that the original Rosé didn’t know that Albert could wear something like this? If Albert was dressed like this every day, I don’t think I’d be able to face him properly day after day—even with the shamelessly thick iron plate over my face intact.

I decided to just finish my business here quickly.

“Why did you call me, Prince? Is there something you need me to do, or…”

“From now on, don’t bring up black magic.”

Albert’s words were simple and succinct. And I accepted it right away. It’s true that any mention of black magic would just reflect on me badly.

But there’s one thing I’m worried about.

“But shouldn’t it at least be revealed that I was a dark mage before? The fact that the present king could have manipulated some things behind the scenes might be key information…”

Albert smiled gently as I expressed my concern. However, this smile was bordering on the cold smile that he sometimes gave.

“Don’t say anything about it. It’s better to just talk to me.”

At the sudden change in atmosphere, I turned my thoughts over. I wondered if I should just stop talking here—but it’s something that I couldn’t avoid. Even if it was something that the past Rosé did, her actions were mine to bear now.

“The fact that I was a dark mage is a bigger problem than I previously thought.”

“Yes. A dark mage is executed as soon as they’re found out.”

Executed. Standing on a precarious line between life and death, it made me realize just how serious black magic was.

The casual way Albert said it also made goosebumps rise over my skin. For a moment, I was shocked frozen by his heavy words, but I soon breathed out a sigh of relief.

If it wasn’t for Albert, I would have probably already died.

In fact, I’m more worried about Albert now. As he was being blinded by love or affection, he might not be seeing things clearly right now. He was covering for me, and he was even treating the side effects of black magic that had been left on my body. I was grateful for all that, but I couldn’t help but be concerned.

Sooner or later, he was going to rise to the highest position and rule this country. He should know how wrong it was to cover up things while thinking only of personal feelings.

In this case, my conscience—which usually didn’t rear its head—prickled and made my chest hurt.

“Don’t you think you’re favoring me too much, Prince?”

“You’re not the only one I’m taking care of, so don’t worry like that. You seem to be scared I’ll become a tyrant.”

“You caught me.”

Grinning, I meekly agreed to his words. Smiles were always the best tool to smooth over a bit of awkwardness.

“Your Highness’ sensitivity to other people is as sharp as always, so there’s nothing I can hide from you.”

“Rather than sensitivity… It’s more accurate to say that it’s only because I’ve been observing you now for a much longer time and even more closely.”

Ah, he’s coming onto me again like this. His words were making my face heat up. I glanced up at him and asked him mischievously.

“Prince, what if I’m actually a bad person, what will you do? You’re letting me know everything.”

“A bad person?”

Albert stroked his chin as he was momentarily lost in thought. His silence did not go on for long.

He leaned down towards me. His face came closer to me in an instant, and his lips stopped by my ear.

“Then I’ll follow you to the depths of hell.”

A voice as low as a cello’s melody resounded and tickled my ears.

“I tend to hold grudges for a very long time, Rosé.”

“……”

“So the moment you run away, you’ll have to think about what excuses you can tell me the next time we meet.”

Please tell me that’s a joke. I’m dying here.

I could feel beads of sweat flowing down my back.

It’s not like I’m actually going to run away.

If I was, then I had a hunch that something huge would really happen.