Chapter 155

Translator: Yonnee

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Blanc finished his very long bath and came back only after I was already laying back in bed.

It seemed like he had a great time bathing in crystal clear water infused with various perfumes where he could remain submerged.

[ So there’s a place like this, too. ]

The pleasant bath was another reminder for Blanc’s reason to live.

It’s actually not the big things that urge people to continue living. You just need a little thing to get by, one day at a time.

Delicious food that you get to eat tomorrow, or a pleasant bath today. Perhaps also a conversation with a friend.

I hoped that these small little pockets of joy would slowly pile up for Blanc. So that he wouldn’t regret entering a contract with me.

* * *

The next morning, Mercy visited me with a tray of food. She greeted me by putting the tray on the bed.

“Mercy! Have you finished your work?”

“Haha, of course!”

But unlike her energetic voice, which sounded like the usual, her face was pale.

The last time we saw each other was just yesterday, but what happened in the meantime?

Then I recalled the time Albert came running to me at the prison in an instant.

“Mercy, I didn’t get to explain the situation to the Prince properly…”

“No, it’s alright. It was wrong of me to send you there, Big Sis. It was my greed, so… Haha. I’m fine.”

But if she really was fine, what’s with the dark circles under her eyes that were much too dark!

Mercy smiled and pushed a bowl of steaming soup in front of me.

“Eat up. I’m also here to deliver the dress you’ll be wearing to see His Majesty.”

“…Dress?”

“Yes.”

She took out a dress from the spatial dimension pouch on her waist.

It was like the magic pouch that I used before, the one from Liam’s residence. The dresses upon dresses popped out from the small pouch.

“I didn’t know what style you like, so I brought everything.”

Forgetting to eat the soup, my mouth gawked open. She’s like a walking closet.

“It’s a pity that I couldn’t buy more because I didn’t have time… My standards are quite high, you know.”

I thought that she was just saying this out of courtesy, but it was evident in her expression that she was serious about this. Come to think of it, it’s true that Mercy dressed well.

Her red dress right now was stylistically accessorized with the right jewelry.

I wasn’t able to see it properly because she’s been wearing a robe for most of the time that I saw her, but she might be a much more fashionable person than I thought.

Gulping a little, I looked through the dresses. I think there’s at least twenty.

“Oh my goodness, how did you get all these dresses in just one day…”

“These are newly made ready-to-wear dresses, that’s why. I was supposed to go back to the tower to get some of your clothes, Big Sis, but His Majesty stopped me from going there… Anyway, I’m not sure which one of these will suit you well.”

I don’t know why His Majesty wouldn’t let me in. Mercy grumbled as she pressed hard on her temples.

Soon, her gaze turned to the wound on my neck.

“…Well, I did something wrong, so I’m accepting it all without any complaints.”

Hearing that remark, I was appalled.

But not just because of the fact that Mercy was willing to do this. Honestly, she played a really huge part with me and Albert making up. I took her side on this.

“You’re not the only one who did something wrong. And seriously, this shouldn’t even be considered an injury.”

“Thank you for thinking so.”

Mercy grinned. She sat at the edge of the bed, saying that she would wait until I’m finished eating.

Along with the savory cream soup, I was also given warm bread.

It had been a while since I got to eat freshly baked bread! I pinched a piece and brought it to Blanc’s mouth.

“Yummyyy…”

Looking blissful, Blanc mumbled while he chewed on the bread.

“I heard that you entered the contract.”

With her chin on the back of her hand, Mercy stared at Blanc as she muttered. I nodded right away.

“How are you going to prepare?”

“I’m going to self-study magic for a month while I’m away from the Prince.”

Actually, I wanted to ask Mercy for help instead of self-studying. Glancing at her furtively, I hinted.

“But I don’t know that much, so I’d be grateful if I can learn from a mage… I’ll be outside the capital for one entire month.”

“…Right.”

With a serious expression, Mercy contemplated for a while. Then she clapped her hands together once.

“Should I go?”

“…But you’re the Lord of the Magic Tower?”

Mercy blinked as though it wasn’t a problem at all. How long had it been since the rebellion ended anyway?

“It’ll be in His Majesty’s hands, well. If I say that I’ll stay with you, he might even welcome me with open arms.”

“But…”

“You don’t have to worry at all.”

Seeing the concern apparent on my face, Mercy smiled and explained carefully.

After Albert’s hidden magical abilities had been revealed to the mages, they seemed to respect and follow Albert just as much as they did Mercy, who was the tower lord.

“I think I’ll be alright if I just self-study.”

“It’s not just any ole mage helping you. I’m the Lord of the Magic Tower, you know. I’ve trained beginner mages more than once. Unlike our genius liege, I’ll be able to customize a study plan for you.”

…Was this what expensive tutoring felt like? I suddenly had a flashback to the time I convinced her in the same way. Instantly, I was enamored by the smooth words she was saying, which sounded like they’d been prepared in advance.

…Wait a darn minute.

This felt rehearsed.