Life As A Tower Maid: Locked Up With The Prince

To be honest, I thought it wasn’t Mercy at first.

The Mercy I know had short hair and a rather cold countenance, but how she appeared now was a direct contrast to that image.

With her hair grown out long, her lusciously thick hair cascaded down to her waist. And, the smile on her lips was without even a single hint of a shadow.

Mercy, undoubtedly happy, was pointing towards the fireworks that had embroidered the sky. The tower lord was nodding his head with a kind expression.

“That man is exceedingly good at carrying himself according to his name. There is no end to human pretense.”

As Emmett was looking at those two as well, he murmured to himself. By his expression alone, I was taken aback by how palpably obvious it was that he loathed the man.

It was quite contrary to his usual attitude of brushing everything off in a playful manner.

With a deep breath, he patted Noir as though to control his thoughts. At this moment, Noir was nothing short of Emmett’s tranquilizer.

“This is why I don’t wish to be interested in humans.”

“……”

“I keep wanting to wipe everything out. Once I start finding out more, there’s no end to it.”

While gruesomely muttering such words, Emmett had on his usual fair smile.

In time, he spoke to Albert.

“Then, I’ll be back.”

“Master, please—”

“Don’t follow me, Young Count. If you come, I’ll stop you by force. And I might not teach you magic anymore.”

Albert flinched as Emmett gave this threat. Wasting no time, however, Emmett quickly weaved through the crowd.

“You never listen to me.”

While staring resentfully at Emmett’s back, Albert murmured under his voice.

“You have to trust your teacher, Albert.”

I could understand how he felt. But honestly, I wasn’t worried about Emmett at all.

What’s the use of worrying about a sage? Emmett must have lived quietly until now because that’s how he chose to live.

Unbeknownst to ordinary humans, therein lay a great power within him. It was clear enough from just how abnormally smooth his magic was.

Even though the future Albert himself was such a powerful mage, Emmett’s magic was of a different kind from what I witnessed before from Albert.

Emmett hid all this from Albert, and I wasn’t in the position to reveal this on someone’s behalf.

I decided to divert Albert’s attention instead.

“Albert, look at the fireworks. Aren’t the colors pretty?”

With his lips pressed together, Albert looked up at the sky and gazed upon the fireworks. He looked nervous, still, which was an unfamiliar sight to me.

In time, Albert took my hand. And, he spoke in a determined voice.

“Please stop my master.”

“Me?”

“You’re a mage, too. A great one.”

I was surprised by the envy behind his gaze now. It seemed like I still wasn’t aware of the extent of his faith in me.

But Albert, your master is a sage transcendental, and I’m just a wandering soul that’s undergoing an ordeal… If your master is a human being, then I’m just an ant crawling on the ground he walks on…

Although it was a direct hit to my self-esteem to admit that I was just an ant who’s standing in front of a human being, I brushed it off nevertheless. Emmett was a kind man, so there’s nothing to dwell on.

These were my true circumstances, but with Albert looking up at me with such sparklingly envious eyes, I couldn’t bring myself to burst his bubble.

I changed my mind.

Right. Even if I can’t use magic against him, I can at least see what Emmet’s up to, yes?

“Are you worried about him?”

At my question, Albert shook his head frantically.

“No! Why would I! He’s just busy taking care of that dragon every day!”

“It’s all over your face.”

“…No one else can read me as well as you do.”

“Because that’s how much I like you.”

Pausing for a moment, Albert pursed his lips. Red flowers started blooming on his cheeks.

In the end, Albert acknowledged his feelings.

“…You’re right. I’m worried about Master.”

It was a voice full of sincerity. Emmett must be someone he valued greatly.

It wasn’t a stretch to think so. At this time, Emmett was the only person who ever showed Albert any affection.

Albert’s pupils shook.

“…There’s not much time left either. He wouldn’t even tell me when he’ll leave.”

“Alright. Wait here.”

Albert’s pure heart for Emmett was so pretty that I just couldn’t refuse any longer. In a blink of an eye, I headed towards Emmett.

And, there, the tower lord and Emmett’s eyes met.

“Hello, Belfort.”

Emmett was not particularly polite towards the tower lord.

On the surface, Emmett looked much younger, so based on the current situation, the tower lord could be ‘justifiably’ angry.

However, Tower Lord Belfort instead looked at the people around them and slowly opened his lips to answer.

“It’s our first time meeting and yet…”

Briefly glancing at Noir, Belfort flinched the moment Noir growled at him.

“Aren’t the fireworks very pretty?”

“Yes, unlike the ugly Belfort.”

“Haha, you must think negatively of me.”

Raising his head, Emmett immediately got to the point.

“Wouldn’t it be more convenient for you if we continue talking in a place away from your daughter?”

“I don’t know what we could possibly talk about.”

Belfort laughed and continued to act clueless.

“Dad, what’s wrong?”

Blinking up at her father, Mercy was uneasy. She gripped her father’s hand tightly.

Emmett stared at her. Then, he spoke to her in a calm voice.

“The children who visit the tower often disappear, right? Would you like me to tell you where they went?”

“Huuh? How did you know…”

At Emmett’s words, Mercy tilted her head to the side in slight confusion, but Belfort’s face hardened in an instant. He yelled right then.

“What kind of discourtesy is this!”

“So, should I continue or not?”