Chapter 44

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Chapter 44

I wasn’t concerned about the mention of ‘fledgling dragon’. What caught my attention was the word ‘dying’. Albert did say that dragons didn’t care for each other.

Since that’s the case, even if Blanc was in a situation where his life was in danger, then there would be no one else but me who’d help him. Because I knew this, I didn’t find it strange to hear about the other fledgling dragon.

As I opened and closed my lips, Liam and I met eyes. With an expressionless face, he looked down slightly and asked.

“Ah, that reminds me. You mentioned that you were interested in dragons, correct? Why is that?”

Liam didn’t have the capability to see Blanc’s true form. Can I tell him about Blanc?

All I knew about dragons was what Albert told me. And Albert didn’t like dragons very much.

…I think the biggest reason he dislikes Blanc is because I brought him in.

When I hesitated, Liam walked past me and looked at the bookshelf there.

“You don’t have to explain.”

But if I continue hiding it, I won’t be able to get any information from Liam. More than that, I kinda need his help.

Instead of being completely honest, I sparsely told half-truths.

“Because there’s a fledgling dragon I know.”

“Ahh.”

Liam briefly replied like that with a sour tone of voice, but he soon looked back at me with his eyes wide open.

“Do you have magic?”

…Was that such a surprise? Feeling awkward, I nodded.

“I didn’t know about it either, but I guess that’s the case.”

“You haven’t really awakened yet, then. Ah, that’s why you’re looking for books on magic.”

“Yes, but why is Your Grace also looking for a book on dragons?”

Liam pulled out a thick book from its shelf. It looked about a thousand pages long.

“To confirm what happens when a fledgling dragon dies.”

“…What happens when they die?”

“Read about it on your own. Aren’t you here for that?”

Opening a book, Liam sat down at a chair behind a desk and waved at me. It was more of a shooing gesture to make it known that I shouldn’t talk to him anymore because he had to concentrate on reading.

Unlike Albert, who would keep a straight, elegant posture whenever he read a book, Liam flipped through the pages while leaning forward, his chin on one hand. He didn’t seem to like reading books very much.

Seeing that he had a sword on his person even inside the castle, it seemed like he was a swordsman. Perhaps he’s more brawn than brains.

Liam was certainly in good shape. Though not as much as Albert.

So what the hell’s up with Albert…? Was it his male lead buff?

Lost in thought, I returned to what I came here for. Liam was here personally, even though he could have asked someone else to do this.

That’s how important it was for him to check.

It seemed like it’s going to be difficult to get a straight answer from him. When I saw the books about dragons from the shelf where Liam took out the book he was reading now, I reached for about three of them and brought them to the desk.

When I opened the book titled 〈 The History of Dragons 〉, I got surprised by the huge dragon that’s illustrated on the page. It was amazing to know that a huge creature that was bigger than an entire castle seemed to exist in this world.

Can Blanc be able to transform into a huge dragon like this later? As I thought of this, I suddenly realized that I have never once envisioned that Blanc would die.

It’s said that fledgling dragons were weak.

I was always with Blanc, so I didn’t even have time to think about this. I just thought about leaving the tower and continuing to be with him.

At the beginning of this book, I read about the same information that Albert had told me about. It’s as if he had memorized the whole book.

The reasons for why fledgling dragons tended to die was also explained in more detail—as a matter of fact, there were many reasons. The closer they got to their 500th year, the less likely they were to die from the most ridiculous reasons. But, still as ever, torturous pain awaited them on their 500th birthday.

—After a fledgling dragon dies, its remains will cause a disaster because of the consequential destabilization of mana in the surrounding area. It is considered their final struggle.

The only evidence left that they existed in this world was a disaster that would be caused after their death. This made me feel strange.

But why was Liam here to check this information? He said that a dying fledgling dragon was found, not its remains.

“…May I ask why you need to know this?”

Looking back at me with one eyebrow raised, Liam replied.

“It’s for His Highness. The death of a fledgling dragon in itself would have quite a large impact on the kingdom. And it’s a rather good decoy.”

Liam’s words were ruthless.

“Why aren’t you thinking of saving the dying fledgling dragon?”

“There is no way to save one without a contractor. And it is the fate of a fledgling dragon. Time and time again.”

We’re just taking advantage of this opportunity for His Highness, Liam continued in a low voice as he returned the book to its place. He passed by me and dusted his hands.

“Apparently, I heard that nobody wants to be its contractor, so it’s better to stay away. If it so happens that you’re there for the moment it dies, then you will die as well.”

The book also gave a warning about how terribly painful it was to be a dragon’s contractor. The pain that would be passed on was far too much for any human to endure.

I heard the same words from Albert, but they had a different impact on me now.

When I first found out that Blanc was a fledgling dragon, all I wanted to do was to create good memories before he’d have to overcome the ordeal that he’d go through when he’d turn 500.

But right now, I don’t know anymore.

As I read about the pain that Blanc was going to experience, there in clear printed script, it made it feel more real to me.

The more time I spent with Blanc, the more so it was going to be.

Albert also warned me not to be so attached to Blanc… As I was trying not to give in to Albert, I couldn’t possibly ignore Blanc when he’s alleviating my loneliness.

I want Blanc to live. I want him to be happy and look as cool as the dragon on the first page of the book. I don’t want him to pass away and become a natural disaster.

Then, a contractor.

As my head was now down on the table, I was lost in thought.

…If I was a mage, then I could learn how to wield magic with all that I can for the rest of the year, then I can become Blanc’s contractor. If it’s like that, then will Blanc be able to live?

If I do my very best for a year…?

What if I gather all one hundred of the best magic teachers and try to sleep as little as I could just so I could absorb everything?

If not that, wouldn’t it be possible for me to learn from Albert?

But the moment I thought about Albert, I also recalled how he tried to throw out Blanc. I just know he’d be against me becoming Blanc’s contractor.

But I wouldn’t be able to hide this from Albert for the rest of my life, so I think I really would need to talk to him about this. Though it’s true that I’ll need to wait for the right timing.

Otherwise, I had a very strong hunch that I’d have to say goodbye to Blanc. I could already imagine the smile he’d have on his face as he’d say ‘It’s okay,’ in front of me, then everything between us would be finished.

“Ah, you’re still here!”

In the midst of these serious thoughts, I heard the voice of the attendant. As I turned my head to face him, the sweaty attendant looked as if he ran here as fast as he could.

“His Highness is looking for you.”

With the help of the attendant, I brought back with me several books about magic and dragons. Then, he turned to guide me towards the direction going to the room where Albert was waiting.

Seeing as how the attendant’s steps were more urgent than before, I could already expect that Albert’s mood was not going to be the usual.

Rushing through the corridors, I saw the sun slowly setting over the horizon out the windows. At the same time, my stomach rumbled.

…Come to think of it, I haven’t eaten anything.

It didn’t seem like it’s been long since I went to the library, but before I knew it, it was already dinnertime. I seem to have taken quite a while because I’m not a speed reader.

Then, I remembered that I left Blanc in Schubert’s care.

“Can you look for the cat that’s always with me? It’s time to eat dinner, you see…”

“I understand. I’ll look for it while you’re with His Highness.”

He hastened his pace. After meandering past the labyrinth-like halls, I once again found myself in front of Albert’s room.

“We’ve arrived, sire!”

The attendant opened the door and ushered me in.

“Rosé.”

The voice beckoning me sounded like a sweet melody. I turned my head towards the sound of that voice.

Just like yesterday, Albert was wearing a thin, sheer shirt that was half translucent.

His hair clung to his forehead as though there was a wet towel there just now, and through that soaked fringe were his eyes that were opened languidly that just attracted people’s attention automatically.

Greten wasn’t sitting on the chair beside Albert’s bed. Seeing that she was away, it seemed like she now knew that I was right.

The tray next to the chair had a bowl of soup prepared for Albert.

I arrived during dinnertime, so I should take charge. I set down the books on the floor and sat on the chair. Then, I reached for the bowl and lifted the spoon. Now, I’m all prepared to help Albert eat.

Albert’s gaze was resting on my hand that was holding the spoon. He was staring at me with his lips closed in a tight line. As if he was waiting for me to speak first.

Seeing Albert with no expression like this was terrifying. I now understood why the attendant came running in a hurry to fetch me earlier.

“Prince, I didn’t intend to leave. I was kicked out.”

“I heard.”

After I spoke first, Albert’s gaze visibly relaxed. But still, his eyes were still narrowed like that. Perhaps it’s because of the shadows from his long lashes, but his eyes looked especially red right now.

I lowered my shoulders and pretended to be pitiful.

“No matter how much I told Your Highness’ nanny that I know you much better…”

“Why have you never told me? That you know me much better.”

Albert’s words made me pause. In the first place, I couldn’t really say that I knew him better. I slipped past this and brought up something else.

“I said that time can’t account for everything, but… I thought that it wouldn’t be good to keep squabbling when we’re in front of Your Highness while you’re sick. You should be resting in a quiet place.”

Albert blinked.

“I guess you never thought about how it’s much worse when you’re not here with me.”

“……”

“And why are you changing the subject, Rosé? I’m trying to ask you about what you said about knowing me better.”

Albert leaned closer to me. Then, his hand touched my cheek. His face drew nearer in an instant.

…This touch. His hands were unusually hot. Inhaling, I stared at him for a moment.

In this short distance where even our breaths could be shared, Albert laughed and whispered.

“You, too. You broke your promise, hm?”

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