Chapter 82

Chapter 82

Translator: Yonnee

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“It’s not that bad. Still, it would be better if everyone retired today. My body is reaching its limit as well.”

As soon as I heard Albert say that, I quickly got up from my seat, so did Liam and Schubert. The two of them bowed towards him, and he waved his hand gracefully to dismiss them.

“Go now. Good job today.”

“Thank you, Your Highness.”

“Thank you, Your Highness.”

Liam and Schubert left first. I bowed politely to Albert last.

“Then, Prince, I’ll leave as well.”

The moment I tried to follow after the attendant—

“Rosé, there’s something I have to tell you, so let’s go back to my room together.”

Albert caught my arm.

Yep. If the boss calls, I go right away. With a somewhat sullen face, I followed behind Albert. In my arms, Blanc was snoring cutely as he had already slipped off into dreamland.

* * *

Before entering the room, Albert told me to wait outside while he’s changing clothes.

After a while, I soon faced Albert, who was wearing nothing but trousers and a loose robe.

“Come in.”

“…Yes.”

Flustered, I looked at him with wide eyes because it’s my first time seeing something like this in my entire life. I mean, it’s not like I’ve watched only one drama series just once or twice! If you show a seductive face here, I’ll definitely lose!

But it’s difficult not to look.

Through his gray fringe, his eyes as red as rose petals could be seen clearly. And those eyes were looking straight at me.

When I tried to lower my own eyes to avoid his persistent gaze, I was greeted with a breathtaking sight between the loosely tied robe—his clearly defined abs. Oh, hello…?

I’ve seen him work out not just once before this. But why was it that, compared to seeing his entire upper body unclothed, this was a heck ton more sensuous?

For Albert to wear something like this, seriously, why…? Is there a reason you’re trying to suffocate me, dear Prince? If I suddenly have a nosebleed here, would I still be innocent?

Without realizing it, I took a step back. But behind me was already the closed door.

Albert’s low chuckle rang in my ears as he looked down at me with my back against the surface. With shadows dancing over his face, a smile could be seen.

“You’re trying to run away.”

The smoldering voice as hot as the sun was lower than usual.

“O-Of course not.”

I coughed and tried to clear my throat. If my voice were to tremble here, he’d definitely think I’m some weirdo.

“I see you’re wearing something different.”

“I know I’ll sweat a lot in my sleep, so I asked for a robe I could wear since I thought wearing this would be better. It felt like a lot last time.”

“Ah…”

Wasn’t it kind of a stroke of luck that the original Rosé didn’t know that Albert could wear something like this? If Albert was dressed like this every day, I don’t think I’d be able to face him properly day after day—even with the shamelessly thick iron plate over my face intact.

I decided to just finish my business here quickly.

“Why did you call me, Prince? Is there something you need me to do, or…”

“From now on, don’t bring up black magic.”

Albert’s words were simple and succinct. And I accepted it right away. It’s true that any mention of black magic would just reflect on me badly.

But there’s one thing I’m worried about.

“But shouldn’t it at least be revealed that I was a dark mage before? The fact that the present king could have manipulated some things behind the scenes might be key information…”

Albert smiled gently as I expressed my concern. However, this smile was bordering on the cold smile that he sometimes gave.

“Don’t say anything about it. It’s better to just talk to me.”

At the sudden change in atmosphere, I turned my thoughts over. I wondered if I should just stop talking here—but it’s something that I couldn’t avoid. Even if it was something that the past Rosé did, her actions were mine to bear now.

“The fact that I was a dark mage is a bigger problem than I previously thought.”

“Yes. A dark mage is executed as soon as they’re found out.”

Executed. Standing on a precarious line between life and death, it made me realize just how serious black magic was.

The casual way Albert said it also made goosebumps rise over my skin. For a moment, I was shocked frozen by his heavy words, but I soon breathed out a sigh of relief.

If it wasn’t for Albert, I would have probably already died.

In fact, I’m more worried about Albert now. As he was being blinded by love or affection, he might not be seeing things clearly right now. He was covering for me, and he was even treating the side effects of black magic that had been left on my body. I was grateful for all that, but I couldn’t help but be concerned.

Sooner or later, he was going to rise to the highest position and rule this country. He should know how wrong it was to cover up things while thinking only of personal feelings.

In this case, my conscience—which usually didn’t rear its head—prickled and made my chest hurt.

“Don’t you think you’re favoring me too much, Prince?”

“You’re not the only one I’m taking care of, so don’t worry like that. You seem to be scared I’ll become a tyrant.”

“You caught me.”

Grinning, I meekly agreed to his words. Smiles were always the best tool to smooth over a bit of awkwardness.

“Your Highness’ sensitivity to other people is as sharp as always, so there’s nothing I can hide from you.”

“Rather than sensitivity… It’s more accurate to say that it’s only because I’ve been observing you now for a much longer time and even more closely.”

Ah, he’s coming onto me again like this. His words were making my face heat up. I glanced up at him and asked him mischievously.

“Prince, what if I’m actually a bad person, what will you do? You’re letting me know everything.”

“A bad person?”

Albert stroked his chin as he was momentarily lost in thought. His silence did not go on for long.

He leaned down towards me. His face came closer to me in an instant, and his lips stopped by my ear.

“Then I’ll follow you to the depths of hell.”

A voice as low as a cello’s melody resounded and tickled my ears.

“I tend to hold grudges for a very long time, Rosé.”

“……”

“So, the moment you run away, you’ll have to think about what excuses you can tell me the next time we meet.”

Please tell me that’s a joke. I’m dying here.

I could feel beads of sweat flowing down my back.

It’s not like I’m actually going to run away.

If I was, then I had a hunch that something huge would really happen.