Chapter 61

Chapter 61

“She’s someone who wants to try doing everything. In the first place, she must have realized that she wouldn’t be able to run away from me just like that, so isn’t it obvious that her only other way to escape is to ask for help from the people around her?”

As Albert said this, Liam realized that hiding their previously agreed-upon plans here would not fly by Albert’s eyes and ears.

The prince’s eyes narrowed.

“I’m sure you know better than anyone else that silence is louder than any other excuse right here.”

Albert brushed off Liam’s shoulder, as if he was removing some dust on him. He did it so casually, but this was a silent act of pressuring the other man.

“I’ve decided to let her do whatever she wants. But just to be fair, shouldn’t I also know what she’s planning?”

Liam smirked inwardly. He realized that even if he tried to hide those plans right now, regardless, Albert would eventually make him open his mouth later.

Now that it’s come to this, perhaps this was for the better. Since Albert knew how it was that woman who instigated this plan rather than Liam himself, Albert would be more agreeable.

“She said that it was for the sake of Your Highness’ happiness that she wants to keep her distance for a while.”

Albert smiled faintly.

“I wonder if I should just open up my chest and show her my heart just to make her believe me. So, how long?”

“…About a month, sire.”

“About a month. Fine then.”

Albert murmured as he put his sword back into its scabbard. Liam was somewhat taken aback by the prince’s light answer.

“…Is it truly alright?”

“I’ll honor Rosé’s wishes, so I’ll entrust her to you for about a month after we leave the tower for good. I will need about that much time to clean up the palace anyway. If I’m going to be with her for the rest of my life, what is a month compared to that.”

Rosé’s wishes had to be fulfilled right away. While there were still many things to sort out in the royal court, it’s possible for Rosé to do everything she wanted to do.

“There’s somewhere I have to be as well.”

“Sire?”

“I’m going to the dragons’ nest.”

As a place where dragons were born, only mages could enter the dragons’ nest. Even so, it was close to a cave rather than a nest, and there were many murals about dragons across its walls.

“Why that place?”

“To find out how I can reverse a dragon’s contract.”

Liam pushed down the urge to gasp. He couldn’t understand why Albert was willing to go this far.

“It’s her choice, sire. There’s no need for Your Highness to show such concern…”

“It would be possible for me to show a king’s dignity through this as well, so I will gain from it. This isn’t just for Rosé.”

As he spoke and chuckled right after, his voice was as languid as ever. His expression and tone showed no flaws at all. Even so, Liam knew that this was just an excuse.

Though he tried to hide it, there were just some things that could not be hidden.

With an emotionless smile on his lips, Albert’s eyes were curved as well, however, his pupils were shaking minutely. It was reminiscent of a rock thrown into the waters, waves disturbing the tranquil surface.

Denying it now would just make him look like a fool.

His liege had already given his heart to a maid, whose identity and background were ambiguous.

It wasn’t that he couldn’t understand Albert. In as small of a space as the tower was, it’s impossible for nothing to happen between two people who were alone together. His liege was also human.

‘…In any case, it’s an emotion that will fade away soon enough.’

Liam believed what Rosé told him—that once they’re back outside, the illusion of love fostered between them, created by the tower’s narrow space, would soon disappear. Then, as Albert would regain his rationality once more, he’d realize just how foolish his actions had been until now.

‘One month.’

Rosé Artius should be sent to the southernmost coast, the furthest place away from here. It would be better if they lost contact later on.

‘I’ll have to make sure that neither hide nor hair of that woman could be found.’

…The food she cooked was more delicious than he had expected, and she was a maid who had a good head on her shoulders. Even so, these reasons were not enough to keep her by Albert’s side.

It’ll be alright.

Liam knew Albert. He wasn’t the kind of person who’d go crazy just because one person had disappeared.

* * *

“Nightmare? I was fine though? It’s not something I hadn’t already thought of before.”

Schubert’s eyes grew wide as though he couldn’t understand why I asked such a question, but he soon became sullen.

“I can’t believe I won’t be able to see His Highness for some time.”

I thought he was a bit depressed because of the nightmare, but it turns out that he’s just listless because he’d have to return to the knight order due to the king’s commands. There, all he’s going to hear was endless sermons about how he had to sacrifice his own life for the king.

Just in time, I took Schubert to the kitchen so that I could give him some of the chicken I cooked earlier.

“To express my gratitude, I also prepared a gift for you?”

“What is it?”

“It’s the fried chicken that I mentioned to you before. It’s not that hot anymore, but it’s still delicious.”

Schubert had a baffled expression on his face. He was busy staring hard at the chicken, trying to see whether I sprinkled some sort of poison on it. Or, perhaps trying to see if it was edible at all.

However, he soon let out a cough, embarrassed by his own actions. Then, he took a piece of chicken using a fork.

It’s cold now, but fried chicken still tastes good when it’s cold. He took a bite out of the piece and widened his eyes.

“…I guess there’s a reason why His Highness likes you.”

He muttered to himself as he chewed the crispy outer skin of the fried chicken. As he was practically entranced by the dish, I watched him eat with a pleasant expression.

“Right? You get it now.”

“No! I’m not convinced.”

Schubert ate all of the leftover chicken while licking his lips from time to time. Suddenly, his eyes focused on the back of my hand.

Then, he gaped at it blankly.

“…You.”

“Oh, I entered the contract.”

“Seems like you’ve got nothing to fear during your life.”

Schubert continued to look at me with wide eyes, but I could only reply awkwardly.

“I did it because I am scared.”

Unable to grasp my words, Schubert blinked in a daze. Then, he shrugged.

“Well, it’s your life, so.”

With the blasé attitude of not having anything to do with it, Schubert continued to stare at me for an unusually long period.

“Do you have some kind of hobby related to dying?”

“…No?”

What kind of person has a hobby like that?

“I get it now. So it’s your hobby to refuse orders?”

“…That’s still not it?”

“Ah, whatever. I don’t even know why I’m asking you.”

Schubert shook his head and focused on eating his fried chicken again.

What’s this, I guess you’re worried about me.

He seemed to find it difficult to admit he’s concerned for me.

He’s being more casual with me now and it’s an unfamiliar experience, but on his part, he does sound more natural speaking this way. As expected, people can’t be judged based on only their first impression.

This outing was a lot more productive than I originally expected. Schubert and Liam dropped their guards around me. I also met Mercy.

And, I became Blanc’s contractor.

Letting out an exhale, I clasped one hand into a fist.

I could definitely feel the mana flowing within me.

I heard that each and every dragon had differing levels of mana, but it seemed like Blanc had an abundance of potential.

Even so, I was a bit worried about how I entered the contract using my real name, not Rosé’s.

So does that mean that Blanc is under contract with Yoo Jung-in, not Rosé Artius?

But now that it’s come to this, I don’t know how it’s going to affect me.

“Ah, I should get going.”

Schubert checked the time, then stood up from his seat. Seems like it’s time for him to report to Albert.

“See ya later.”

After that satisfying meal, Schubert went to Albert, right after Liam was done talking with the prince. As he turned back, I asked Schubert to let Liam know that there’s some chicken set aside for him, then I headed towards the library where Blanc was right now.

I pulled out a few books from the shelves, ones about magic. They were all about the fundamentals, such as how to wield magic.

I got permission from Liam to pack up, so Blanc and I did it together. Then, we sat down in front of the room where Albert still was, talking to his subordinates.

Even with the piercing stares of the passing attendants, I wasn’t ashamed.

“Zzzz…”

Because Blanc couldn’t sleep while I was having that nightmare, he soon fell asleep here.

After some time of waiting, the door finally opened. With the knob in his hand, Albert found me like that. He blinked once.

I soon jumped to my feet and smiled.

“All preparations for our departure are done, Prince.”

“It must’ve been a lot. Great job.”

His countenance right now, with this rather calm answer along with those curved eyes, was the complete opposite from what I was expecting. So, I was left confused.

“That must be heavy. Let me get that for you.”

Albert took the dimensional pouch from my hand. Then, he leaned towards me.

“Let’s go, Rosé.”

Albert smiled the way he usually did.

Something’s weird. There’s no way Albert’s this easily convinced about me becoming a dragon contractor.

I hugged Blanc tighter in my arms. However, instead of staring at Blanc, his gaze lingered at the back of my hand for a moment, until he looked up again.

“You did a great job with the preparations.”

As he spoke casually, Albert stroked my head.

It’s as if nothing happened just a while ago.

After some brief farewells, we teleported back to the open clearing and soared through the sky.

Albert’s spell was smooth, like flowing water. Much more than Mercy’s.

We neared the tower in no time, where the soldiers guarding the edifice came into sight. Despite how late in the night it was, the soldiers were keeping a close watch on the tower.

There were a lot more troops deployed here now compared to when we left a few days ago. The people below looked like a swarm of ants.

“What a useless endeavor.”

Albert smirked as he glanced down at the soldiers. Even with the droves of people below, this wasn’t enough to make Albert bat an eyelid.

We walked through the air towards the tower’s attic. It was as quiet as when we left it.

Soon enough, we descended to the attic floor. The first thing I did was carry slumbering Blanc to the kitchen. It seemed like he was really tired because he never once tossed in his sleep on our way back.

Climbing the stairs once more, I ran into Albert, who had already changed clothes. Unlike what he wore in Liam’s residence, the shirt he was wearing now was made out of plain, rough fabric. Still though, I’m much more used to seeing him like this.

It came as a realization that we’re back in the tower yet again. We won’t need to stay here for that much longer, but…

There’s still some time left for me to be alone together with Albert. Since it’s like this, then it’s good to take advantage of this opportunity.

“Prince, I guess you really aren’t upset.”

I said this as I tried to lightly gauge his mood.

Albert looked back at me with his arms crossed in front of him. With a languid tone, he answered back.

“Would it matter to you if I was?”

…If you’re answering like this, are you sure you’re not angry anymore? Then again, him not being angry would stress me out more.

Albert was much too used to erasing his emotions.

“Prince, while we’re in the tower, I’ll anything—whatever it is. Please leave it all to me.”

“You’re expecting a give and take, aren’t you?”

As expected, I got caught. Hehe. I laughed for a second, but I soon continued vigorously.

“Since I’m already shameless enough, I would like to ask Your Highness to teach me magic please!”

Albert stared at me for a moment.

“So you’ll do anything to ease my anger…”

“Yes, sir.”

Albert’s eyes curved into crescent moons, resembling the one lighting up the night sky.

“Then, from now on, you’re going to sleep next to me.”