Chapter 153

Chapter 153

Translator: Yonnee

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Even as Albert uttered the most romantic words, he was expressionless.

Like the night sky that still lingers at dawn, his demeanor was empty. An emotion that I couldn’t distinguish had deeply settled upon him.

The Rosteratu that I saw before was a nobody. And he would have still been the same when Albert met him again.

So it’s no wonder that Albert had to think—why had he been so shaken by that kind of man.

But the time that had already passed would not come back. Not just the time that passed, but even the innocent people who had been sacrificed and the wounds that could not heal.

Even so, he had to move forward.

And I felt grateful that Albert met that man again. Because he was able to relieve the emptiness and futility that he’d been harboring all this time.

I stood in front of Albert and went on my tip toes.

Not expecting me to do that, Albert came down from the window when he saw me drawing closer.

“Your neck must hurt.”

He caressed the base of my neck once more. His touch was warm. He has always been such a kind person.

Someone who always seemed big. Someone who was perfect in every way.

Ever since I first possessed Rosé’s body, it was rare for me to see any gaps in Albert’s walls. He always kept his emotions exceptionally sealed.

I want to know the part of your life that I don’t know. All the unhappy times you had to endure during your childhood. The experiences you had to make up who you are today.

I know that I decided to keep my distance until Albert’s feelings became clear, but…

Albert visited my room tonight, and so I decided to blame him for doing so.

I took a step closer to him.

“Prince.”

And I embraced him.

He’s much taller than me, and it rather looked like I was in his embrace instead. But that didn’t matter.

“You must have had a hard time.”

I patted him on the back. Like when he would praise me and say that I did well. I buried my face into his chest, and because of this, I couldn’t see what expression he was making.

“…Rosé.”

Albert uttered my name with a sigh. His breath fluttered over my hair. Once more, I patted him on the back.

“You always say what I want to hear,” he said.

Rarely ever does it appear, but now, here was gap in Albert’s walls.

After a moment of silence, he murmured.

“I wanted to hear that.”

“……”

“It’s always either ‘Good work,’ ‘You did well’… But I also wanted to hear someone say to me that I must have had a hard time.”

“……”

“Even though I know that I need to be perfect.”

He wrapped his arms around my back. As he hugged me ever so tightly, he was as warm as a bonfire in the middle of winter. And his embrace was accompanied by a pleasant scent.

We hugged each other for a long time. Later, as he reluctantly let me go, Albert looked at me with half-lidded eyes while caressing my face.

“I don’t know how I can go on for a month without you.”

“I’ll be back in no time. There’s a banquet to prepare for, and you’ll also be busy cleaning up the palace, too.”

“Do you still truly want us to be apart?”

“…Yes.”

I nodded. Right now, my month away from him wasn’t just for the purpose of giving each other time and space.

I had a more important reason now, which wouldn’t make me change my mind.

I have to go to the Dragon’s Tomb.

Albert wanted to switch places as the contractor. Instead of me, he’s going to be Blanc’s contractor while enduring everything by himself. I needed to find a way to stop that.

All his life, he always bore other people’s burdens while enduring the pain.

He treated me when I was suffering from black magic. I could no longer watch him sacrifice himself.

As Albert stared at me, it’s clear that he didn’t like my reply. However, he never tried to dissuade me.

“Right, I did say that you can do whatever you wish, so of course it should be granted.”

“……”

“I’m not originally such an impatient man, you know.”

He smiled faintly.

“Tomorrow, I will be bequeathing you with praises and the rank of a baron. Your estate is in the southern region of the country, along the coastline. It’s small, but I’m sure it’s a place you’ll like.”

“So soon?”

It was only today that he launched his uprising, but there was already a territory ready for me? What about the backlash of other people’s opinions?

There were many things I wanted to ask, but it seemed like none of those were of any concern to Albert.

Since I knew just how well he handled his work, I wasn’t very worried about that part.

“Do you know what this means?” he asked.

With his hand still cupping my cheek, he held me with very slightly more force.

“The contract will end tomorrow.”

And he was mentioning the contract now to point out that one clause there—that from tomorrow on, we wouldn’t need to ask for permission before touching the other person.

My face flushed bright red.

I’m not usually the kind of person who’d get embarrassed so easily, but I found myself finding a new side to myself whenever I’m in front of him.

At first, I still managed to clap back or retort to his teasing words, but as I began to like him more and more, I couldn’t help but get so embarrassed like this.

Taking a deep breath while controlling my train of thought, I smiled and responded.

“You never asked me before anyways though?”

But then, Albert threw a strong punch once more.

“It’s sad, yes. I had to hold back very much at the time.”

He smiled brightly as he lightly rubbed my lower lip.

“Do you know that you sleep exceptionally well next to me? But on the other hand, it’s thanks to you that I can’t sleep well at night.”