Chapter 45

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Chapter 45

“You broke your promise, too.”

I was a little startled with how Albert was rationalizing his actions.

Though he knew that I’d accepted the skinship he’d initiate with me, he always asked my consent beforehand. Whenever it got to this point, the contract was far from my mind, but he always asked for my permission.

My heart was pounding loudly. As he waited for my answer, it’s like I’m watching a scene from a movie in slow-motion while I stared at Albert’s adam’s apple move as he exhaled.

I looked up at him and immediately spoke.

“Prince, I did inform you that I did my best in that situation.”

“Your best, you say.”

“I told her that time doesn’t account for everything, but it’s true that I don’t seem to know a lot about Your Highness.”

I could have gone with the flow. If I wanted to keep Albert’s mood up, just as I usually did, I would have just said that I was wrong, did whatever he wanted and just flattered him.

But the barrier between us wasn’t just some one-dimensional thing. The fact was that he’s a prince, and I’m just a maid. With all our differences between us, it would eat up so much effort and emotion that overcoming this would just leave us both exhausted.

Still, I couldn’t avoid this forever. Even more so because he continued to think of me as someone special. I wonder if he’s really seeing me for who I was.

After my precious family passed on, I realized just how difficult it was to lose a loved one. Whether it was intentional or voluntary, it’s hard to let go of someone who’s a significant part of your life.

The more you live amidst society, the more it’s inevitable to become defensive and wary of your surroundings. It’s natural to weigh the pros and cons every step of the way. Experience was something that could turn a person into a coward.

Albert’s eyes grew wide. The red tinge that filled his irises were like roses that were blooming.

I lowered my head and bowed politely.

“I’m sorry, Prince. I can’t smile and brush this off as I usually do.”

“No.”

I thought that he would agree, but he said no right away. I looked up and saw his eyes curved up into a smiling expression.

As if his disappointment had vanished right then and there.

…Why though?

“Don’t be sorry. I prefer it this way.”

“…What way?”

“That you’re expressing your opinions. That’s what made me fall for you.”

As if I was a glass sculpture, Albert raised my chin gently with one index finger. Then, he whispered.

“Just as you said, time doesn’t account for everything. That’s why I felt a little frustrated.”

“……”

“The fact that you think you’re not the one who knows me best.”

His words were like the sound of the wind that was flowing straight from his heart.

“The fact that this was enough for my nanny to kick you out without being able to say anything back.”

“……”

“The fact that you couldn’t defend yourself against that, and the fact that you didn’t even think to argue back.”

The sigh that he let out after saying was reminiscent of the exhale you’d do while smoking a cigarette. I stared dazedly back at him like this, caught off guard as though I was a criminal who had been arrested.

While his eyes were half-closed, Albert’s lashes fluttered. He gave a helpless smile.

“I already said that I’d do everything in my power, but look at the state that I’m in now.”

“It’s my fault.”

“Rather than my body being exhausted, it’s my mind that’s getting impatient.”

I raised both hands to wrap them over his hand which was holding my chin. Despite wrapping over one hand with both of mine, there was still an exposed part in his, and so it looked like he had an entirely different frame.

“I should have stayed. I should have kept my promise, but I made the wrong decision. Your Highness also ordered me to stay. I’m really sorry. I won’t let this happen again.”

It’s better to admit that I was wrong. Anyone could make a mistake, but what mattered was how you’d accept them and grow from them.

I looked at him with strengthened resolve, and as he saw this, Albert murmured quietly.

“You’re like a servant reporting to me.”

“…That’s not entirely wrong.”

“Even when I’m holding you by your chin like this, and while we’re close enough that we’re breathing the same air?”

“…It’s not something that has happened only once or twice, so I’m trying to get used to it.”

“Well, it’s not something that you should get used to.”

With a smirk, one hand of his went to the nape of my neck.

“I’m doing this to make your heart beat faster.”

It didn’t seem like he was giving me a chance to get away—he crossed the distance between us in an instant, yet his approach felt slow in this atmosphere.

He’s going to kiss me.

His lips brushed near my lower lip. The sensation of that very instant made my entire body tense up. The memories of what we did before made my face burn.

However, Albert stopped there. After that near-touch, the grip on my nape loosened right then. His warm sigh fell over my lips again.

Albert smiled with satisfaction as he watched my face turn into a tomato.

“After you made me feel so impatient, you seemed so calm that I felt a bit wronged.”

“……”

“I didn’t forget about our contract. That’s why I’m trying to control myself now.”

Like a heat wave despite the spring breeze, Albert said this with a soft tone.

The hand that was holding my neck withdrew, as well as the hand that was holding my chin. His face drew further away.

I blinked as I saw Albert sitting back again against the bed’s headboard.

…Oh, he didn’t kiss me.

It didn’t happen. But why was I so sad? I widened my eyes slightly as I recalled the near-touch that his lips had left.

Oh my god, I’ve gone crazy. All this time, I’ve been trying to push Albert away, but it’s a shame that I couldn’t kiss him…? Crazy!

More than that, I even recently asked his right-hand man, Liam, to help me run away. I know I’m definitely wrong to think that it’s a shame.

Let’s calm down now.

I am a rational human being governed by morals.

“Your face is saying that it’s a shame.”

“Absolutely not!”

But at my immediate response, Albert retorted back.

“You answered too fast. Like I’ve hit the bull’s eye.”

…This prince must already know me like the back of his hand. I glanced over to him and suddenly recalled that I was holding a spoon.

Oh, right. I’m here to take care of him.

Okay, let’s go back to doing that. After letting out a deep sigh, I dipped the spoon in the still-warm soup and stirred it once.

Then, I got up and placed the tray down in front of Albert. However, he just stared at the bowl of soup for a while, after which, he looked back at me.

“I’m waiting for you to feed me though.”

“…I understand.”

I did so many wrong things today, after all. I might as well do this to atone for my sins. I pulled the chair closer and picked up the spoon again.

He opened his lips, and I carefully brought the spoon closer. Albert then began to eat his soup.

An uncomfortable silence ensued. I was the one who spoke first.

“By the way, where is Your Highness’ nanny?”

“I told her to eat dinner and cool her head a little.”

“Ah, is that so.”

“I guess Liam didn’t know either that Greten would hate you so much. Still, she’s someone who serves me.”

Since I was someone who exclusively took care of him while we were stuck in the tower, I guess he didn’t think that I’d be kicked out with such blatant contempt. I get it. Greten must not be showing that side of herself to him.

Ah, now that the topic of Greten was brought up, this might be a good time to convince him. And to put a wall between us.

“I understand how Miss Greten feels though. I can see where she’s coming from. When a man and a woman are trapped alone in a tower, there’s no way to see that in a good light, is there?”

“That’s what you’re dreading.”

“Yes.”

Albert rested his chin on one hand as he was deep in thought. Great, I think he’s successfully being persuaded. I picked up the spoon nervously, waiting for him to speak again.

Then, amidst the silence, he continued.

“Just as you said, rumors can spread easily. But people are easily won over as well.”

“……”

“If you’re worried about the rumors that would arise about you, then I’ll change them all for you.”

“It’s not so easy to turn bad rumors the other way around.”

“If you know a good method to do so, then it becomes easy.”

Albert’s voice rang low, as if he’s been through this many times already. He sounded tired.

I was reminded of Albert’s current situation. Right, there were people who didn’t know anything about him because of all the malicious rumors that Rosteratu had spread about him. And it’s difficult to separate yourself from such rumors.

Come to think of it, that’s one question, too.

I remember reading about Albert’s reputation being good even after breaking out of the tower and successfully launching the coup d’état.

How did he manage to do that?

Then, what Liam said during dinner passed through my mind.

“But the public’s opinion about you isn’t very good.”

Albert nodded, but with a firm tone, he replied.

“There’s a method to overturn their thinking. I’ll use that.”

What method? But maybe I could guess it instinctively—the fact that he’d take advantage of the rumors.

Which rumors was he going to use? Maybe the kind of rumor that could topple the public’s opinion and at the same time hurt Rosteratu as well.

Somehow, I had a bad feeling.

“Prince, regarding what you said during dinner last time. Are you saying that you’re taking advantage of the rumors?”

Albert stared at me blankly for a moment, as if he was startled by what I said. He usually had a languid atmosphere about him, but this disappeared for a moment and was replaced by fatigue.

But it was over in an instant. Albert had a relaxed smile again as he glanced at me.

“…Why are you suddenly talking about that?”

“When you were talking about the rumors back then, your expression was weird. What kind of rumor are you trying to spread?”

He wasn’t answering me straight. Now I’m getting nervous.

“Prince, if it’s a rumor that you’re trying to spread, then I’ll hear about it later anyway. Why are you hesitating now?”

“You’ll find out eventually.”

As Albert said this, he looked straight at me. And at that moment, I wonder why his eyes suddenly clouded over.

Now I’m really getting a bad feeling. Why was he being so vague about this?

“I want you to be the last person to hear about this rumor.”

“……”

“It’s something I’m willing to tell everyone for my benefit, but I’m wishing that you wouldn’t know.”

Albert drew closer and reached towards my hair. It was exceedingly warm, his touch.

“Even though I know that this is a ridiculous wish.”

Albert added quietly.

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