Chapter 62

Chapter 62

At first, I thought I heard it wrong. That’s why I waited for him to correct his words.

But then, Albert just continued staring at me, his arms folded.

“I don’t feel comfortable letting you sleep in the attic where there’s no proper bed.”

…But you allowed me to sleep in that place. And I’m fine with it.

“It’s a bed for two people anyway. Just change your clothes and come back down.”

“No, Your Highness. How can I dare sleep in the same bed as the Prince…”

“The first thing you did before was pounce at me.”

All I wanted was to make a strong case to defend myself here. That wasn’t me, sire. The woman who crawled into your bed and the woman in front of you now isn’t the same person!

…But saying that would just make me look crazy—just as crazy as the real Rosé Artius was. I desperately grasped for a different reason.

“But Prince, we’re still under contract.”

“But as long as we have each other’s consent, it’s fine, right?”

My excuse went up in smoke in an instant, completely useless against him. As if already anticipating my next words, Albert opened his lips first.

“Don’t tell me you’re about to say that’s not right, Rosé? You’re not trying to take back your words, are you? If so, then you can just give me your permission again.”

What a smooth talker, this guy. Never in my whole life have I met another person who’s as eloquent as our dear Albert.

As he took a step forward, I had a hunch that he was about to grab hold of the back of my neck and steal my lips at any given moment.

In response, I took a step back. Albert chuckled.

“Don’t worry, I’m not going to do anything. At least, not yet.”

Did this prince even know that saying this is only making me more nervous? ‘Not yet,’ he said, but what are you going to do later?

“If it’s impossible to win you over with words, it is only wise to switch tactics, yes?”

“……”

“If you listen to my words well, then I feel like my anger will dissipate in time.”

As he spoke gently to soothe me, I couldn’t help but give in. In any case, Albert would counter every excuse I could possibly give. The inevitable conclusion would be for me to nod my head and follow after what he’d say.

Yeah, okay, I’m just doing this for my own sake. Let’s not think about anything else. We’re just going to sleep.

As I muttered inwardly, I eventually nodded.

“I wonder if there comes a day when I can finally win against you, Prince.”

When I uttered my lamentations, Albert replied with a low voice.

“That’s what I want to say. I wonder if there’ll come a day when I’ll truly win.”

Why would you say that, as if you’re losing to me every time?

Then, Albert tucked a lock of my hair behind my ear as he whispered softly.

“I’ll go to bed first.”

His voice echoed within me.

Albert pushed me towards the bathroom. There were already clothes for me to change into in the bathroom, but when did he prepare this?

…Here, there was a prince who’s taking care of his maid’s clothes. What kind of sight was this.

Still though, inwardly, it felt nice that Albert was taking care of me. Though the current situation was strange, it didn’t feel bad either.

…Was I turning into some kind of pervert? What other explanation would there be when I’m thrilled to see a man like Albert serve me like this?

I was preoccupied with many thoughts as I changed into the drab chemise. And when I recalled the kiss we shared in the duke’s castle, my face went bright red.

Nothing’s going to happen. Nothing. Nothing… We’re literally just going to sleep.

I opened the door and went out of the bathroom.

“Prince?”

Lying on his back, Albert’s eyes were closed.

The moonlight streaming in from the window fell upon his face—his small face, which had such beautiful features. There were shadows beneath his long eyelashes.

The only sound that could be heard inside the room was the sound of his quiet breaths. As he lay back in such an upright position, he looked like a sleeping saint.

He must have been so tired. The last few days were sure to have been long for Albert, too.

The tension in my body suddenly loosened. Albert asked me to sleep beside him out of his selfless concern for me, and I’m just left ashamed here after reading too much into it.

Staring at his face, I smiled softly.

“It really is a favor that can’t be refused.”

“……”

“Still, judging by your face, if it’s at least true that your anger’s gone, then it might be fine. But when I think like this, I couldn’t help but think of how stupid I’m being.”

I stared at Albert’s face for a moment longer, then I drew the curtains. I was worried that Albert might wake up because of the moonlight.

Lying next to him made my heart race again. I’ve been in his embrace before, and I’ve already kissed him. But this was different.

I turned to my side and watched Albert sleep. If I get to see him sleep like this, then it’s at least a great perk to this arrangement.

“Really, you’re so handsome…”

My eyelids gradually closed as my own fatigue caught up to me. I yawned loudly. Then, towards Albert who was already asleep, I said something that I couldn’t ever say while he was awake.

“Good night, Albert.”

Even just once, I wanted to call his name.

When she stared at his face intently and when she spoke to him with a voice that seemed to melt like honey, Albert could still endure it.

Until she called his name.

At the unexpected action, his breath caught in his throat. He was barely able to subdue the flames of his desire, and yet Rosé poured oil and ignited them once again.

He never even thought of her calling him his name because she always said Prince this and Prince that. But, no—he imagined it once. He thought that it would make him feel good, but he didn’t think that it would ever happen.

However, when this imagination did actually materialize into reality, it became a problem. What he felt now transcended just ‘good’—it was at the level that rendered him helpless as his body’s condition changed.

To make matters worse, Rosé—the very person who made him this way—so quickly fell asleep. Albert’s ears were hatefully filled with her even breaths.

“Ha…”

What do you mean you can’t win against me, Albert muttered to himself. In the end, he had to leave the bed.

Today as well. He had to cool down his body.

Albert’s hand shook my shoulder.

“Rosé, wake up.”

I rubbed my clouded eyes. The sky outside was much drearier than I expected it would be. It’s raining.

“It’s time for the soldiers to come. Go down and get ready.”

“Ah, yes, of course.”

It’s the day of the week when the soldiers were scheduled to give us our food supplies at the door. What have they brought this time? I jumped out of bed.

“Prince, you’re up early.”

“…Because of a certain someone, I was up almost all night long.”

There was a wide smile on his lips as he said this, but why did it feel like his words were filled with thorns. I’m the only other person here, but you fell asleep before I did, so why are you blaming me? That’s unfair.

Albert picked up a letter that was placed on the desk. Seeing as how he’s wearing a different set of clothes now, too, he must have woken up a while back.

Then, I saw his sword next to the desk—seems like he had already finished his morning training as well. The luxurious sword suited Albert very much.

Brushing his hair with his fingers, Albert handed me the letter.

“Here, the report.”

“Whoa, it almost slipped my mind… Thank you for this.”

Albert even wrote a report that I should have crammed. But then I felt a bit mutinous against the prince. Feeling a bit odd, I turned the letter in my hands.

I recalled Rosteratu’s words.

“Prince, thank you for writing the reports for me all this time… But may I ask, what on earth have you been writing?”

“You read the one sent before?”

“No, I heard about it from Rosteratu—he was very loud. At the banquet.

“Ahh, I don’t know what he said, but I can imagine.”

Albert replied shamelessly.

“It’s just as you heard. I tried my best, so it seems my efforts were fruitful.”

“Is the report this time the same, too?”

I asked with a serious tone.

“No, I raised the bar higher this time.”

“…Huh?”

I was overcome with the urge to open the letter and read it right here, right now. Albert stroked his chin and narrowed his eyes.

“It’s the last opportunity to make the King drop his guard.”

“…I see.”

“Would you also like to flesh out today’s story? It might even be better if we say that I’m sick.”

“I shall heed Your Highness’ orders.”

At his low voice, I also became serious. It felt a bit more real that we’re fighting against Rosteratu now.

“Oh, and you can read that report if you want to.”

Albert’s tone had a hint of laughter. In the midst of it all, he was still trying to tease me.

“No, I’m good.”

I firmly turned down the suggestion. I already knew that my face would just turn bright red if I read this. I don’t want to give Albert another opening just so he could tease me.

He’s definitely teasing me a lot more these days. Of course, it’s only natural that I’d get flustered by his words and actions.

“You may do as you please.”

Seeing my reaction, Albert smirked. I couldn’t read what’s on his mind. But at least, he didn’t look as angry as he did yesterday.

Was he feeling excited at the thought of finally destroying Rosteratu? As I thought about it, I also decided to make potato soup for breakfast.

“Then, I’ll also prepare our breakfast, Prince!”

Going down to the kitchen, I saw Blanc sleeping on the kitchen counter. And right next to the table was a book that Blanc seemed to have read before he slept.

—Dragons and Contractors

Contentedly looking at the cover of the book, I picked it up, dusted it off and placed it next to Blanc. Now, it’s time to start making our meal.

As I found myself in this kitchen for the first time in a long while, my fighting spirit soared. I must cook something that Albert will like!

Bang, bang! Someone was knocking on the door. With an unperturbed expression, I walked closer to the door.

“Yes, it’s Rosé.”

“I heard you were sick for a week… Report your status!”

This voice was owned by neither of the two misters, Bob and John, who usually delivered our food supplies. It seemed like someone else had replaced them.

Maybe the people on the other side weren’t soldiers at all. I couldn’t see their faces.

It seemed like an aristocrat had come under Rosteratu’s orders to check on Albert’s condition.

“I was so ill that I couldn’t even move properly. Of course, I also couldn’t cook properly either. I apologize.”

“…What is the condition of the Prince?”

Without even having to lick my lips, I spat out lies.

“The Prince is so very sick that he couldn’t even get out of bed right now. How can I satisfy my desires like this!”

Haha! Like a villainess, I laughed with all the wickedness I could muster. No one would have guessed that it was Albert himself who wrote this report earlier.

I needed to act as best as I could to make Rosteratu continue underestimating Albert.

I knew well enough it’s my fault that the coup was being moved up. That’s why I had to do my part at least so that this coup would be successful.

The man outside the door asked enticingly.

“Is he in a lot of pain?”

“Yes, sir. A lot.”

Hearing about Albert’s misfortune delighted the man. The stupidity of those guys on the other side was hilarious to me.

But there’s something else that mattered to me at this moment.

“Then, this week’s food…”

“Make do with what you already have. No food delivery this week.”

“I beg your pardon?”

“Then, we’ll be off.”

Since they’re all set to slash Albert’s throat, they seemed to think that any food that would pass through it would just be a waste. After hearing what they wanted to hear, they all disappeared just like that.

“No, but, people have to eat…”

These evil scoundrels. How can I live without food?! Do you even know how important meals are to Koreans!

Right then, gruuumble. My stomach let out a meandering sound.

——