Chapter 91

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Chapter 91

Translator: Yonnee

—

“I will buy their sympathy.”

“……”

“People will be quite sympathetic once they realize that the person who is all the way up there is, in fact, not so different from themselves.”

I could guess what kind of story he’s going to spin.

Rosteratu looked down on Albert Grey. Albert lived as though he was dead and lowered himself, but that was because Rosteratu was using Albert’s unhappy family history against the prince.

He was a child who barely survived between his father and older brothers, who all betrayed their own family and lost their lives in the pursuit of higher status.

It was a story that was kept down to a hush even amongst the aristocrats, so of course this was never known among the commoners.

“I want to remain the perfect man in your eyes, even a little longer.”

As he murmured this, he looked particularly lonely.

If it was something that he didn’t want me to know but at the same time something that I would know eventually anyway, then I don’t want to rush him now.

“Then you don’t have to tell me.”

If it was that painful for him to let me know.

“I don’t want to force you.”

I know there’s a good reason why Albert was acting in this way.

He chuckled quietly.

“Thank you.”

The bowl was finally empty. I cleared the tray and carefully examined Albert’s condition. He was looking out the window with an expressionless face.

With his arms crossed while he looked out into the landscape, he matched the winter winds of the north perfectly. Albert’s countenance was as cold as the frost out the window whenever he wasn’t talking. His gray hair, which was devoid of any warmth, seemed to add to this atmosphere even more.

I went to the bathroom for a moment to fetch some water then came back to soak the towel in the basin. When Albert watched me do this, he asked with a clear voice.

“Is there anything more you want to ask me?”

“…Um, may I ask?”

“Ask away. I’ll try to answer what I can.”

Perhaps he was trying to lighten up the mood, but there was a smile hanging on his lips now. However, I couldn’t tell whether this was a genuine or a fake smile.

Nevertheless, I decided to go along with it because of how worried he looked just a moment ago.

“If I want to know Your Highness a lot more than your nanny, then I’ll have to ask you many questions, won’t I?”

I smiled broadly and responded like this in an upbeat manner.

“Yes, that would be very nice. Now and in the future, as long as there’s something you want to ask, just ask away. Don’t worry whether it’s something you’re allowed or not allowed to ask.”

“…Did you read my mind?”

“Not exactly. You just made it obvious enough that I could read your expression.”

Albert shrugged as he said this, and I couldn’t refute it. I felt sorry for him for a moment there, but my nerves shot up once again.

“If you really knew what I was worried about, then you wouldn’t be able to say that.”

Grumbling more, I purposefully placed the wet towel on Albert’s forehead crookedly.

“What you’re worried about is this—that you haven’t even received a confession yet, but you’re already mulling over how to turn me down.”

Wow, seriously. I got goosebumps on my back. I shivered, even.

“Prince, I’m asking you seriously. Are you just straight up reading people’s minds with a magic spell or something?”

“Not at all. Reading minds is not something that could be done by magic in the first place.”

I was being one hundred percent serious though. It’s embarrassing to watch Albert burst into laughter after hearing my very serious question, which he somehow interpreted as a joke.

While laughing out loud, Albert finally settled down when he saw the way I was glaring at him. Pfft. Still though, he let out a small noise that indicated just how much he was holding back his laughter, and at this, I just squeezed the other towel extra hard.

“Just don’t think about turning me down then. We can’t continue living together like we’re strangers anyway. And if I have anything I’m curious about, too, I’d like it if I can ask you as well.”

“……”

“I’m saying this as one person to another.”

I was suspicious of the way honey seemed to make his words sound more convincing. Otherwise, there’s no other reason out there that could win me over.

“Prince, I think you’re becoming more eloquent than you look these days.”

“I don’t know if that’s a compliment or not. You’ve got high standards after all.”

“It’s only because… Your Highness is exceedingly handsome.”

I admitted it honestly.

It always seemed like Albert got his way in the end, but it’s not bad this way since it’s not like I lost anything.

I picked up the towel and wiped off the sweat on his neck.

“Umm… Would you like to change your clothes?”

“I’ll change a little later. Ah, I just remembered. Did you find some books about magic and dragons?”

“Oh, yes. I found some.”

I nodded in response. Albert widened his eyes and continued casually.

“Magic is difficult to learn through theory alone, but… If you also found books on dragons, you’ll know well enough about them.”

“……”

“Especially about what that dragon fledgling you have by your side will have to go through.”

The way Albert said this indifferently made me uncomfortable. He might have been waiting for me to research dragons since he didn’t like Blanc in the first place.

Although Blanc was afraid of Albert, Blanc followed my words well and was also worried about many things.

I murmured softly.

“Until when are you going to call him a dragon fledgling… Rather than that, I think it’s better to use the term dragon cub.”

Whenever he said ‘dragon fledgling’, it almost sounded like he’s cursing at Blanc.

I know I was only talking to myself, but I’m sure Albert heard me. Still, he went straight to the point.

“So, when are you going to let him go?”

t/n: when Rosé pointed out that ‘dragon fledgling’ sounds like a curse word, it’s because the term dragon fledgling/드래곤 새끼 (literal tl: dragon baby) is close to 개새끼 (dog baby), which roughly translates to a very colorful phrase that starts with ‘son’ and ends with ‘itch’.