Chapter 80

Chapter 80

Translator: Yonnee

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“Prince, there’s something I would like to ask.”

“What is it?”

Albert was picturesque as he asked, even while he laid down his spoon back on the table.

“May I know what kind of person I’m known as here? Everyone here’s treating me like a noble lady…”

“Hmm, right. The fact that we’re confined to a tower together or the fact that I’m here, no one else knows unless they’re close aides.”

“Then all the servants…”

“They’re not any regular servants. They’ve been serving His Highness since he was young.”

So that’s the reason why there weren’t many servants in this large castle. I also noticed that there weren’t many people who greeted us when Albert and I first came here.

“For now, you’re known as a distant relative of Liam’s. Is there anything you want to do inside the castle?”

“If there’s a library, I would like to read some books.”

I don’t want to just ask Albert—I also want to solve things on my own. I need to look up some information about Blanc, and also about black magic and mages that were like Albert and Rosé.

“I don’t know what kind of book a maid would want to read.”

Sitting next to me, Schubert muttered and tilted his head to the side. It didn’t sound like he was being sarcastic, just genuinely curious.

“I’d like to read up on magic and black magic… And I’m also curious about dragons. May I borrow books on these subjects, Your Grace?”

“And books on black magic are considered to be forbidden, so there are only a few of them here. Still, there are some.”

Although he was blunt, his answer wasn’t scathing. What did he mean by ‘forbidden’ though? Then how did Rosé learn black magic?

I noticed that Liam’s expression was much more relaxed than I thought it’d be. The sujebi seemed to have matched his tastes better than I expected.

Good, good. Even if my food isn’t as delicious as Seo Ina’s, I can try to garner the favor of the people around Albert…!

“Then may I borrow a book on the origins of magic and a book on the history of dragons? It’s a shame about black magic, but…”

“I’ll have them sent to you tomorrow.”

“Thank you very much.”

I don’t intend to stay in the library for too long. Starting tomorrow, Albert was going to be lying down all day, and I’d need to stay beside him.

But I think I can read a book while I’m there, right? And I can ask Albert questions if he can answer.

Though would it be too much to ask a sick person questions like that? I’ll have to gauge his condition first.

As if he suddenly just remembered, Liam spoke again.

“I don’t know how you were placed under black magic, but you’re under our charge now. Do not worry, I’ll make sure it’s solved.”

Dazedly, I blinked back at him and tried to wrap my head around the words he just said. Worry? Make sure it’s solved?

“All dark mages have committed illegal magic, and they deserve to be put to death.”

“…I see.”

So, if a dark mage were to be found, they’d be killed at once.

In my head, it felt like everything was floating. Dark mages deserve to be put to death. Rosé’s a dark mage. And Rosé is…

Me.

If he knew this, would he try to overpower me now?

What would have happened if someone other than Albert found out that Rosé was a dark mage?

I could now imagine a little just how big of a risk it was that Albert made in bringing me here.

I’ll have to ask Albert more about black magic later. I’m not using black magic now, but I thought I should still learn how to wield a little of it for emergencies.

The center of the story was always Albert. Indeed, he was the male lead who had everything.

I turned to Albert. And, I gave him a look of infinite trust and respect.

“Prince, do you like the shrimp? Would you like some more?”

Transferring my huge king prawn from my bowl to his was a sign that I really—as one human being to another—like him!

“Never mind, you should just go ahead and eat.”

At my words, Albert chucked. At one glance, it seemed like his sujebi bowl was still full.

“Then, I’ll dig in.”

I took some hand-torn noodles into my mouth. It was worth doing all that to knead the dough. And the seafood mixed into the soup were also perfect.

After the short conversation, the atmosphere became much lighter. And I guess I’m not the only one who felt it.

“But where is this recipe from? I didn’t expect the noodles to be this good, but… It’s amazing.”

Schubert cleared his bowl next to me as he asked.

Earlier, he was giving me suspicious looks while probably thinking, ‘what the heck is this’. His changed demeanor made me shrug.

But for a moment, I really couldn’t say anything and paused my answer at that shrug.

I don’t even know where Rosé was from.

In the end, I moderately mixed some lies with the truth.

“It’s a dish that I used to make a lot before I went into the tower… I learned it a long time ago, so I don’t know who I learned it from…”

“It tastes delicious. I think it’s the kind of dish I’d be craving for now and again.”

Liam also praised the dish.

“You mentioned that you’ve cooked to suit His Highness’ tastes… That’s an admirable skill.”

“Certainly. The chefs have been changed around a lot before.”

The two men smiled lightly and praised me. Meanwhile, I smiled awkwardly back, scraping the bottom of my nearly empty bowl with the spoon in my hand.

…I must never let it be known that I, more often than not, cook spicy food for Albert.