Chapter 81

Chapter 81

Translator: Yonnee

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To be honest, I’m more nervous about Albert saying something about the spicy food, but he instead just agreed to the previous statement.

“I’m doing fine thanks to Rosé. It doesn’t feel like I’ve been locked away.”

Liam’s pupils shook as Albert said this. Even so, the ensuing silence wasn’t as awkward as I thought it’d feel.

“And the preparations?”

Liam grew tense again when hearing Albert’s question. Sitting next to me, Schubert unexpectedly opened his lips to speak first.

“Public opinion amongst the knights is well-maintained, Your Highness.”

“It seems only yesterday when you asked me, ‘Do I really have to join the knight order?’ But now you’re doing a good job.”

Albert spoke proudly. I was rather surprised at what he said about Schubert—he looked to be the type who’d say that he wanted to be a knight ever since he was young, but it seemed like that wasn’t the case in the beginning.

“That’s because I’m not as dignified as my liege, and I have not been educated well.”

Schubert scratched the back of his head in embarrassment. His title of ‘baron’ was somewhat like an honorary position. Seeing Schubert’s attitude now, he must not have been a noble from birth.

He must be greatly loyal as a knight serving Albert. I’ll ask how you guys met later.

“But the general public’s opinion is not very good,” Liam said.

Albert nodded as though he already expected this.

“Isn’t there a countermeasure that’s already finalized? Use that.”

“…Your Highness will allow that method?”

Liam frowned.

“We have to use everything in our arsenal. Don’t ask me again.”

It’s new for me to see Albert working hard from behind the scenes. This enough told me that he was doing so much more without me knowing.

After that, the conversation flowed between them. They didn’t seem to be bringing up anything that was top secret in front of me, but I could understand why.

As the tension in the dining hall eased little by little, the conversation became more natural. It’s also fun to talk to more people. No matter how much I liked being a homebody, staying home voluntarily was different from being confined against my will.

I wondered at first why Albert made me sit here, but now I think that he was right to do so.

But, you know, it’s still kinda awkward to introduce me to his retainers when they’re talking about usurping the throne during this nice meal.

Albert was now almost certain that I’m a dark mage, and one who actively engaged in confining him to the tower. Removing the spell on me before officially leaving the tower was practically a gamble for him.

He couldn’t really be sure that I’ve changed, or am just pretending to have changed.

Even so, Albert was giving me such good treatment and was now even introducing me to his retainers.

I could feel no hesitation whenever Albert made a decision. And his decisions usually led to good results. Maybe it was his intuition, maybe it was a well-thought calculation.

Either way, it’s obvious just how great of a man he was. The fact that such a person was being so considerate to me made the corners of my lips unconsciously curl up.

Then, my eyes met with Albert’s.

Gracefully, he held the spoon in his hand, and slowly, his eyes turned towards me in languid ease. Even his slightly opened lips looked unrealistic. It felt like that even more so because I don’t think his beauty was something that existed in the real world.

As he met my gaze, the look in Albert’s eyes deepened.

“Is there something you want to say?”

“As I’ve said many, many times before, Your Highness is very han… Never mind.”

I was about to say something I usually said, but I clamped my mouth shut when I felt Liam’s narrow gaze directed towards me.

It’s a bit embarrassing to repeat the same line of ‘Prince, you’re so handsome’ over and over again when Liam and Schubert were also here.

I guess the thick iron plate over my face had become thinner since I hadn’t met other people for a while now. I need to get used to them quickly. So, I smiled, hoping that next time would be smoother.

“It’s a pity.”

Albert murmured tacitly. I understood what he wanted to express, but unfortunately dear prince, I can’t continue and say something like that at a place like this.

Setting down his spoon onto the table, Albert rested one elbow on the surface and rested his chin on a closed fist. The eyes that resembled crescent moons curved beautifully.

“I was looking forward to what you were going to say.”

It’s something you hear everyday anyway? But when he said it like that, it’s difficult to tone down the heat that I could already feel blooming on my face in an instant.

“Oh, goodness me. It’s getting late.”

I hurriedly changed the subject. Let’s cut off that conversation right there.

“Prince, aren’t you feeling tired? It would be better for you to rest now.”

“Ah.”

Albert replied briefly, as if he remembered something because of what I said. It was suspicious how he did that. Then, he wiped his face with a handkerchief that Schubert had handed over, then he muttered.

“Come to think of it, I’m sweating a little.”

…That’s not something you should brag about though?

It’s not like he’s sweating because of the hot food, it should be from pain. It’s almost like he’s not even sick right now.

I could unconsciously tell that he was enduring the pain. At this, my voice became sharp as I spoke again—this was because I was to blame for the pain he’s feeling.

“…Don’t you think it’s better to go and rest now, Your Highness? I’ll go back to my room now, too.”

I already knew that Albert couldn’t be completely honest here, but why was that making me sad? I could feel my chest tightening up distinctly.