Chapter 124

Chapter 124

Translator: Yonnee

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* * *

Albert’s hand shook my shoulder.

“Rosé, wake up.”

I rubbed my clouded eyes. The sky outside was much drearier than I expected it would be. It’s raining.

“It’s time for the soldiers to come. Go down and get ready.”

“Ah, yes, of course.”

It’s the day of the week when the soldiers were scheduled to give us our food supplies at the door. What have they brought this time? I jumped out of bed.

“Prince, you’re up early.”

“…Because of a certain someone, I was up almost all night long.”

There was a wide smile on his lips as he said this, but why did it feel like his words were filled with thorns. I’m the only other person here, but you fell asleep before I did, so why are you blaming me? That’s unfair.

Albert picked up a letter that was placed on the desk. Seeing as how he’s wearing a different set of clothes now, too, he must have woken up a while back.

Then, I saw his sword next to the desk—seems like he had already finished his morning training as well. The luxurious sword suited Albert very much.

Brushing his hair with his fingers, Albert handed me the letter.

“Here, the report.”

“Whoa, it almost slipped my mind… Thank you for this.”

Albert even wrote a report that I should have crammed. But then I felt a bit mutinous against the prince. Feeling a bit odd, I turned the letter in my hands.

I recalled Rosteratu’s words.

“Prince, thank you for writing the reports for me all this time… But may I ask, what on earth have you been writing?”

“You read the one sent before?”

“No, I heard about it from Rosteratu—he was very loud. At the banquet.

“Ahh, I don’t know what he said, but I can imagine.”

Albert replied shamelessly.

“It’s just as you heard. I tried my best, so it seems my efforts were fruitful.”

“Is the report this time the same, too?”

I asked with a serious tone.

“No, I raised the bar higher this time.”

“…Huh?”

I was overcome with the urge to open the letter and read it right here, right now. Albert stroked his chin and narrowed his eyes.

“It’s the last opportunity to make the king drop his guard.”

“…I see.”

“Would you also like to flesh out today’s story? It might even be better if we say that I’m sick.”

“I shall heed Your Highness’ orders.”

At his low voice, I also became serious. It felt a bit more real that we’re fighting against Rosteratu now.

“Oh, and you can read that report if you want to.”

Albert’s tone had a hint of laughter. In the midst of it all, he was still trying to tease me.

“No, I’m good.”

I firmly turned down the suggestion. I already knew that my face would just turn bright red if I were to read this. I don’t want to give Albert another opening just so he could tease me.

He’s definitely teasing me a lot more these days. Of course, it’s only natural that I’d get flustered by his words and actions.

“You may do as you please.”

Seeing my reaction, Albert smirked. I couldn’t read what’s on his mind. But at least, he didn’t look as angry as he did yesterday.

Was he feeling excited at the thought of finally destroying Rosteratu? As I thought about it, I also decided to make potato soup for breakfast.

“Then, I’ll also prepare our breakfast, Prince!”

Going down to the kitchen, I saw Blanc sleeping on the kitchen counter. And right next to the table was a book that Blanc seemed to have read before he slept.

—Dragons and Contractors

Contentedly looking at the cover of the book, I picked it up, dusted it off and placed it next to Blanc. Now, it’s time to start making our meal.

As I found myself in this kitchen for the first time in a long while, my fighting spirit soared. I must cook something that Albert will like!

Bang, bang! Someone was knocking on the door. With an unperturbed expression, I walked closer to the door.

“Yes, it’s Rosé.”

“I heard you were sick for a week… Report your status!”

This voice was owned by neither of the two misters, Bob and John, who usually delivered our food supplies. It seemed like someone else had replaced them.

Maybe the people on the other side weren’t soldiers at all. I couldn’t see their faces.

It seemed like an aristocrat had come under Rosteratu’s orders to check on Albert’s condition.

“I was so ill that I couldn’t even move properly. Of course, I also couldn’t cook properly either. I apologize.”

“…What is the condition of the Prince?”

Without even having to lick my lips, I spat out lies.

“The Prince is so very sick that he couldn’t even get out of bed right now. How can I satisfy my desires like this!”

Haha! Like a villainess, I laughed with all the wickedness I could muster. No one would have guessed that it was Albert himself who wrote this report earlier.

I needed to act as best as I could to make Rosteratu continue underestimating Albert.

I knew well enough it’s my fault that the coup was being moved up. That’s why I had to do my part at least so that this coup would be successful.

The man outside the door asked enticingly.

“Is he in a lot of pain?”

“Yes, sir. A whole lot.”

Hearing about Albert’s misfortune delighted the man. The stupidity of those guys on the other side was hilarious to me.

But there’s something else that mattered to me at this moment.

“Then, this week’s food…”

“Make do with what you already have. No food delivery this week.”

“I beg your pardon?”

“Then, we’ll be off.”

Since they’re all set to slash Albert’s throat, they seemed to think that any food that would pass through it would just be a waste. After hearing what they wanted to hear, they all disappeared just like that.

“No, but, people have to eat…”

These evil scoundrels. How can I live without food?! Do you even know how important meals are to Koreans!

Right then, gruuumble. My stomach let out a meandering sound.