Chapter 68

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Chapter 68

After wrapping up his call with Mercy, he glanced through the window to see that the moon was still illuminating the evening sky outside. Moonlight permeated through the windows, which were not covered by their curtains.

Albert drew nearer towards Rosé, who was sleeping on one side of the bed.

“Now, aren’t you sleeping well.”

It hadn’t been long since she started sleeping in this bed, but she was sleeping so well that it seemed like this had been her spot all along. She would be so nervous while settling into the covers, but while he pretended to sleep, she would relax almost instantaneously.

Albert lay down on his side of the bed. The sound of her even breaths next to him filled his ears. He turned to the side and leaned his head on Rosé’s back.

“You said you like my smile.”

I like everything about you. Everything including the things I couldn’t put into words.

You, who gradually brought color to my dull, colorless life. I like you.

From the moment you brought up the contract. When you showed me the expression you had when you said that you would never, ever touch me. During the times you laughed. As we ate together and read books together. Throughout all those times, I like you.

The moment they had entered the tower together, she told him that he should think of no better happiness than this. However, only a fool would have trusted the words of ‘that woman’, and he vowed that as soon as he’d get out of this tower, he would exact his vengeance against Rosteratu. That was the only way he’d be able to continue on with his life.

It was like that. Until Rosé Artius’ demeanor completely changed.

Ever since she changed, she had become his shelter. His salvation.

Living in the tower gave him a moment’s repose from all the malice and all the greed he had been surrounded by throughout his entire life. She was the one who made him realize what living truly meant. It was during the time he spent with her that he was truly happy.

Even though he knew that it was impossible for them to live here forever, he still wished that they could.

‘…And I’m reminded of something else.’

The time he had with Rosé reminded him of a memory from way back when. As he started to think about it more, that memory gradually became clearer.

Albert recalled the time he met that woman, when all he had was nothing but loss. He couldn’t find a single reason to continue living, but then she held his hand and made it possible for him to think that enduring and trudging ahead was worth it.

“You’re going to be happy someday. That’s why you have to live. Your life is worth living.”

Her smile resembled the clear daytime sky, and her tone and personality were exactly like that of the current Rosé Artius.

He recalled the fledgling dragon who had taken up space on the floor next to the bed. Such a precocious name like ‘Blanc’ didn’t suit it.

Albert was now under the strong suspicion that his childhood memories had been blocked. He was even suspecting that he was under a memory erasing spell. Having a vague idea of it, Albert soon stopped thinking about it.

In the end, she was going to leave him yet bring that dragon with her.

“…Maybe that’s why I’ve started to hate dragons even more.”

If she hadn’t become a dragon’s contractor, she wouldn’t be able to disappear so suddenly.

He had a fleeting thought that perhaps Rosé had overcome the ordeal then came to see him at that time in the past. However, that idea was wrong from the very beginning. Rosé and that woman were two separate people.

‘You’re all I need.’

Albert gently held a lock of Rosé’s hair, which was tickling his cheek, and soon, he brought it to his lips. Being so close to her yet not being able to touch her was torture. His brows furrowed, and yet he smirked. At the end of the day, this, too, was a time they spent together.

After getting out of this place, there would be two weeks. Then, one month. This would be Rosé’s first and last grace period.

“Isn’t this much a long enough time for me to wait?”

His whisper reached Rosé’s ears. At this, she moved slightly.

As Albert exhaled quietly, he lay back down further back from Rosé.

If he was any closer to her now, he might be overcome by the urge to wake her up.

On the day of Rosteratu’s all-out attack, I automatically woke up as early as daybreak. I didn’t even need an alarm clock for that.

…I guess the day we’re getting out of this tower has finally come. We really are leaving now, but I don’t feel as delighted as I thought I’d be. It made my heart pound just thinking about Rosteratu and his 30,000 soldiers.

I mean, it’s not like they’re here to watch a concert or something. I stiffly sat up, as if my body had become a robot’s.

“You’re up early.”

In the middle of a sword slash, Albert greeted me. Those muscles, which I hadn’t seen for a long time now, made my eyes happy.

Even if a statue’s brought in here right now, I don’t think it would be as perfect as that hot bod over there.

Suddenly, I got curious.

…Did all the eggs I had boiled for him help? I did my best to cook those, y’know.

“Stop staring and go get changed.”

Albert smirked as he wiped off the sweat on his forehead with a towel. With beads of sweat trickling down the sides of his face, there was a hint of color blooming over his skin. The way his face was heated up lent itself into a languid, sensual atmosphere around him.

“I apologize, Prince. I don’t think I can look away.”

“From my body?”

“…If I say ‘Yes, that’s the case,’ would that put you in a bad mood?”

Praise for his body was something he considered another problem, but when asked, Albert just shook his head in response.

“It’s alright when it’s you. Then, I guess your answer is yes.”

“Yes.”

I’m an honest, straightforward woman, so I spoke without beating around the bush. Albert sheathed his sword into its scabbard and wiped his sweat away with his towel once more.

“You don’t have to stare so intently right now. You can continue looking later, so there’s nothing for you to worry.”

Albert promptly smiled at her with his eyes, then he went and hid in the bathroom.

…I can continue looking later, he said.

Look at what!

I shut my eyes while thinking about what he meant by that. My body temperature grew hot. Not just my face heated up, but my entire body as well. I got nervous in a significantly different manner compared to before.

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After taking a calming breath, I barely managed to rise to my feet. As I did, I found Blanc right next to the bed. I didn’t even realize that he was inside the same room while Albert and I were talking.

…Then he must have heard their conversation, must have seen the way I stared at Albert’s body, and must have witnessed how my expression changed in an instant.

I’m a bit embarrassed and ashamed that he had to hear that, but, like, I mean, he’s practically even older than any human being’s grandfather, but to me, Blanc has always been a child, that’s why…

“Rosé…”

I looked at him and tried to act as normally as I possibly could.

“When did you wake up, Blanc?”

“A while ago…”

“Why didn’t you sleep more?”

“Because today’s an… important day… But Rosé, I guess you really like that kind of figuuure…”

“…What do you mean, that kind of figure.”

My dear little Blanc, please don’t say such nerve-wracking words. Why have your eyes grown so round as if you’re actually amazed.

“Don’t worryyy… When I become an adult dragon, I can show you that form when I polymorph.”

Blanc declared this very determinedly, though his words were from the left field as he was oblivious. No, Blanc, please. I don’t want to see you like that.

“But Blanc, I like the way you look right now.”

“No… I’ve never seen Rosé so shy and happy, that’s why I gotta…”

It seemed like Blanc had already made up his mind. Ah, ah, my head started throbbing. But that’s not important right now.

“Right, okay, I should change my clothes first.”

I got up and changed into a clean set of clothes—a dress, in particular. All of the original Rosé’s fancy dresses were thrown away through the help of Albert’s magic, and so I picked out a modest dress fit for a maid. The stitching was a bit crude, but it’s still a sturdy dress.

While Albert was washing up, I looked out the window. Compared to yesterday, the tower’s surroundings were quickly filled by so many more people. All the soldiers were standing upright while they held their weapons.

“…Whoa.”

It really was starting.

I held onto the wand that Albert had handed to me. I only knew the basics of magic, and I’ve never cast a spell properly, but I was ready to do so anyway.

“Mercy sent a signal. She’s almost here.”

I heard Albert’s voice behind me. Startled, I stuck close to the wall and spoke.

“Oh god, you surprised me. When did you come out, Prince?”

“A little while ago. I hid my presence, so I guess it works.”

“…Have you taken a look outside?”

“Yes, I took a peek earlier.”

Albert looked out the window together with me. But even the sight before us wasn’t enough to change his expression.

Still, the languid look in his eyes and the confident smile on his lips remained.

“His Majesty brought all of these people here while thinking of me especially.”

With the way he stroked his chin, he looked kinda happy, even. He’s laid out his perfect revenge against Rosteratu, so it’s only natural. The ease in which he carried himself was something that only the strong could emulate.

Soon, his red eyes flashed. With the corners of his lips curled up, he let out a low chuckle.

“The barrier spell has been lifted.”

Blocking the view outside, Albert closed the curtains.

“Now, Rosé. It’s time for us to welcome our guests.”

Only now did I notice what kind of outfit Albert was wearing. He was wearing a different style than he usually did. On his neck was a cravat, and the fabric of his clothes was soft silk. Then, on his back, he had a cape that was embroidered with the royal crest depicting lilies. But even as he was all decked up in luxury, it absolutely didn’t look over the top at all.

It was as if those clothes were made for him and him alone.

With his sword fastened to his waist, he looked like the very image of the noble and beautiful god of victory.

Looking at him now, it was impossible not to say that he was destined to be king.

“Let’s go.”

Albert held out a hand to me. As though bewitched, I took that hand. We went down the stairs towards the kitchen.

Before we could even descend entirely, I started hearing that sound—the door was being opened. At this, I felt myself freeze up. People were starting to come in. Who could it be? Mages? Soldiers? If not them, then maybe Rosteratu himself?

“There’s nothing for you to worry about.”

Noticing how nervous I was, Albert comforted me and held my hand tightly.

“You don’t have to be afraid of that person.”

“Huh? But the door opened…”

“It’s someone you know.”

“…Huh?”

I was so busy studying magic that I didn’t hear the details of the plan from Albert, so I didn’t know anything about how the coup would be carried out. Left confused, all I heard from him were vague things that confused me.

But as soon as the kitchen door was opened, I immediately realized what Albert meant.

“I’m hungry. Can’t we have breakfast first before we get started?”

Right there, Mercy spoke casually with a nonchalant expression. Her entire demeanor made it seem like she was here just to hang out at a friend’s house.

“…You came here alone, Mercy?”

At my bewildered question, Mercy shrugged.

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“No way. There’s a ton of people eagerly waiting for His Highness outside.”

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