Chapter 128

Chapter 128

Translator: Yonnee

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“He wanted to ask if it’s someone you know.”

“No, I don’t. But…”

I trailed off, then I shook my head. Seo Ina and I aren’t exactly acquainted.

Still though, it’s kind of amazing to hear about Seo Ina now. The original story truly was beginning in earnest.

And it’s clear that Seo Ina’s story was going to change after I went around and affected the plot, regardless of the original.

I don’t know either what the future entails, whether Albert might come to dislike me eventually, but I do know that it would be impossible for Albert and Seo Ina to connect now.

I’m not enough of a fool to willingly send away the person I like. Unless Albert chooses Seo Ina himself.

“I’d like to meet that person.”

It wasn’t because of the romantic subplot between Albert and Seo Ina. And it wasn’t because I was worried about how they might fall in love once they met.

“Why?”

The reason is this: I’m curious about the food that Seo Ina makes. If I were to use the metaphor of coffee, then in the cooking world, I’m just instant coffee while Seo Ina was T.O.P. When it came to food, cooking was important, but so too was enjoying it.[1]

Maybe I should think about taking the fief and bringing the female lead there. I’m seriously considering it.

“Because it seems like that person is good at cooking.”

Albert glanced at me with a smile on his lips.

“If you want, I’ll bring that person to the palace later.”

“Thank you so much, Prince!”

And as though he was mulling something over, Albert stroked his chin. Then he spoke again.

“Go travel for a bit, then you can stay at the lateral palace for a while.”

“Lateral palace?”

“There are two lateral palaces on the east side of the royal palace. I’ll be using one, and…”

He stared at me.

“You will stay in the other one.”

After leaving the tower, I was in trouble anyway since I had nowhere to go until Albert gave me my compensation. I nodded right away.

“Once you’ve received your fief… After that, you’ll have to leave the palace with Liam. I still need to have the palace cleaned up on a larger scale.”

It was exactly as Liam predicted. Albert was going to leave me in his care.

As I listened to Albert explain this calmly, I felt guilty. Even if I’m only going to be away from him for a while.

The way he said ‘clean up’ might not just refer to cleaning up the building itself. It’s nigh time that those who’ve been supporting Rosteratu, surviving up until now, should be dealt with and erased from history.

“I’ll need a lot of time cleaning up the place, and I don’t want you to see how messy it is.”

His gaze sank as deep as his low voice. Though his expression was languid as usual, he looked tired as he sighed.

“Your Highness will be meeting a lot of people in the palace as well… I guess you’re really going back to your old life.”

I thought out loud. At this, Albert rose to his feet and walked towards where I was on the floor, sitting on the ground as I listened to him explain all that. Then, he placed his hand on top of my head.

“Yeah, just like you wanted.”

His life, which Rosé Artius had ruined, was finally back on track.

He stroked my head gently.

“And one month later, I will find you again.”

His deep voice sank deep into my ears.

One month.

It was too specific a period for me to just brush off. I knew it instinctively. Albert had caught onto my plan.

Liam wouldn’t have said it on purpose. Albert was just too quick-witted.

But I wonder why. Why was it that even as I looked at Albert, who already knew about my plans, I wasn’t upset at all.

“I know what you’re thinking, Rosé.”

The hand over my head gradually slipped down.

“I did say tell you I’ll follow as you heed and let you do whatever you want to do.”

In the end, he placed his hand on the back of my own.

“My patience is running out, but I think you’ll believe me when that time comes.”

He raised my hand and placed it on top of his heart.

“After a month.”

He held my hand tightly and pressed it against his chest. His heart was racing. And as I felt his solid muscles beneath my touch, my face became bright red.

On the other hand, unlike his rather calm, composed demeanor, his heart was pounding violently. And in time, I could no longer tell whether this racing heartbeat drumming against my fingertips was his or mine…

“You’ll be bringing with you everything that I can receive, and I will wait. After that…”

Albert’s voice dropped to a whisper.

“You’ll come back to me.”

You will come back. His voice echoed within me. And, he kissed the back of my hand.

The gentle touch and soft breath tickled me. The kiss was too pure to be considered anything sensual, but his lips lingered a moment long enough that I could feel his hidden intentions.

In the end, as Albert’s lips left my hand, he laughed with his eyes curved elatedly.

“And even if you don’t come back, I will go to you.”

He was so dazzling.

¹ Maxim instant stick coffee vs bottled/canned Maxim TOP coffee. ↩