I was deep in thought inside the carriage going to work.
No matter how hard I tried to think, I couldn't find a solution, and I even felt like screaming.
But I couldn't because of William sitting right in front of me.
I let out a deep sigh and turned my gaze to him.
William was wearing his single-lens glasses and holding the papers with courteous elegance.
His brown hair was blown and blown by the wind, and between them appeared his forehead, which was frowning slightly in concentration.
Without a doubt, a hard-working man has his appeal.
I stared at his form, fascinated, until the cart shook and I regained consciousness.
Now is not the time to wander.
I spent last night thinking about the Crown Prince, and I didn't sleep well.
How can I stop that crazy villain?
Ludving, the first heir to the throne of Ruberia, was a love-mad villain.
Originally, he was a second prince away from the crown prince.
Even seven years ago.
On that day, a group of monsters suddenly appeared in the palace ballroom.
The first prince, who was present at the ceremony, was killed by monsters.
By pure coincidence, Ludwig was not present in that place, so he naturally became heir to the throne.
He was 19 years old at the time.
Ludwig, who had heavy responsibilities at an early age, began to drift apart.
No, it wasn't just the weight of that responsibility.
The problem was that most of those killed in that massacre were high-ranking nobles.
Carlex's father, Duke Reinhardt, also died at that time.
In any case, this tragedy caused great shock and deep horror to the aristocrats, and sowed great distrust in the monarchy.
They failed to prevent the monsters' attack, and allowed them to penetrate even into the palace.
Even the Crown Prince was killed.
The number of people who lost confidence in the incapable king increased, and their loyalty to the monarchy naturally weakened.
Royal power became in a precarious position like a candle before the wind.
Under the weight of the world's criticism and distrust, Ludving turned into an arrogant and cruel personality.
He mingled with scoundrels, and was famous for stalking women.
Thus, while living as a defunct crown prince, he met the heroine Freesia at a ball and fell in love with her.
He begged her to become his consort, but she immediately refused.
Because she really loved Carlex.
Crown Prince Ludwig was shocked, and committed all kinds of evil deeds to separate Frisia from Karlex.
Carlex was forced to join the army, or tried to exterminate his family for treason.
And here is this cruel and brutal villain visiting the royal library.
What if he met Freesia and fell in love with her at first sight?
Don't I need to get rid of the Crown Prince first for the sake of the hero and heroine's happiness?
Hmm...I'll go to the guillotine before I go home.
What power do I, the temporary librarian, have?
Or should I make him fall in love with me instead of the heroine?
Usually in possession stories, all the men just love the heroine, right?
no! No matter what, Erica is very ordinary compared to Freesia.
The heroine has heavenly beauty.
It can't be competed with at all.
“Haa…”
I sighed several times along the way in the carriage, as if I wished the ground would swallow me up.
William took his eyes off the papers and looked at me with a worried face.
“Miss Erica, the color of your face is not good. Do you have anything to worry about?”
Doesn't William yet know the evil face of Crown Prince Ludfing?
Should I tell him in advance? Or should I beware of Frisia from the Crown Prince?
“Ah, nothing. I'm just nervous because a high-ranking figure is coming.”
She smiled awkwardly and made an excuse.
William looked at me with a tender and careful look.
“Don’t be nervous, His Highness the Crown Prince is… a little outgoing, but he has a good nature.”
I can't even say that the Crown Prince is evil.
The level of trust in him is high.
“Oh, I almost forgot. Duke Carlex will also accompany him because His Highness the Crown Prince has great love for him and always accompanies him.”
William smiled without hiding his joy.
It's as if his facial expression says it's good to get rid of something annoying.
What? The Crown Prince has great love for Carlex? Is this very different from the original story?
Before I could ask more, the carriage stopped.
We arrived at the Royal Library without knowing it.
When I got out of the carriage, I saw Lady Marian, Rose, and the library staff standing in a line in the entrance hall with tense faces.
I quickly got down and joined the class.
Director William stood at the front, and I went to Rose's side.
Rose was wearing her formal librarian uniform and not her usual fancy dress.
Hmm, even she wears formal uniform on important occasions like the visit of the Crown Prince.
She was excited like a girl in love.
“Aren’t you feeling very nervous because His Highness the Crown Prince is going to visit us? I didn’t sleep all night.”
“Yes. I didn’t sleep well either.”
I responded with a small sigh.
At that moment, an elegant black carriage pulled by white horses appeared.
I first saw the golden eagle logo, the symbol of the royal family.
When the carriage stopped at the main gate, the door opened wide and Carlex came out, wearing a blue uniform.
His majestic appearance looked like a ruler controlling the continent.
After him, a man with hair red like raging fire walked out slowly.
He was Crown Prince Ludwig.
The young crown prince, with a long face, yawned long and looked around. Even in his lethargic movement, he radiated a feral charm.
Then he smiled broadly and brightly and walked slowly down the long corridor of the library.
He looked comfortable and confident, like a lion surveying its territory.
As if his life, where everything was placed at his feet since birth, was self-evident.
I didn't understand that before.
The reason for sanctifying the royal family's lineage or lineage.
All people are equal, right? Do nobles have special blood?
But unfortunately, when I faced the legitimate heir of the royal family, I seemed to understand what “lineage” was.
That feeling that there is no escape from bending and obeying?
When the Crown Prince approached us, everyone bowed in unison to greet us.
For no reason, I felt a sudden urge to rebel.
I am a democratic citizen born and raised in a democratic society?
I moved my chin only slightly and raised my face, but unfortunately my gaze met directly with the Crown Prince's gaze.
Dark blue eyes as if studded with gold stars.
Those “golden blue eyes” were only passed down in the lineage of the Ruberia Royal Family.
His eyes became bright and the slack corner of his mouth rose as if interested.
"So you're...the famous librarian, Erica? I thought you were an old witch, but you're such a beautiful girl."
“Erica Diehl, it is an honor to meet His Highness Crown Prince Ludwig.”
I bowed politely, raising the hem of my skirt in a formal salute.
When the Crown Prince tried to approach me with a face full of curiosity, William elegantly blocked him.
“Your Highness the Crown Prince, we have repeatedly asked you to come and conduct research on the management of state affairs, and you have finally found the time. This pleases me.”
He greeted you with a smile, but his words were thorny.
If we interpret it, it means: “Why did you come to the library only now? Come often and think about state affairs,” right?
As soon as the manager's welcoming words finished, the Crown Prince frowned and took a step back lightly.
"William! We do this boringly in cabinet meetings. What do you want me to search in the library? What you are doing is not research, but rather a threat that I will read all the contents of the library."
The Crown Prince spoke complainingly, but William did not even raise an eyebrow.
“You must not neglect your duties as crown prince. Have you forgotten that the fate of the kingdom depends on you?”
Their relationship as governor and minister is not as rigid as I expected.
It seems that Principal William, typical of an ethics book, is teaching the Crown Prince as a teacher?
Crown Prince Ludfeng waved his hand as if everything was bothering him.
“Stop complaining, I came today to watch Librarian Erica’s show, come forward and say hello.”
William shook his head, greeted the Crown Prince, and entered the library first.
Lady Marian and Rose followed, and the other employees returned to their places.
“Erica.”
When I was about to follow them, Carlex had come to my side without my knowing it.
"How have you been during this period? The color of your face is not good. Didn't you sleep well?"
Carlex noticed my tired appearance with remarkable spontaneity.
I quickly hid my bandaged arm behind my back.
Fortunately, the sleeves are long so there is no need to worry about the wound showing.
If he saw him, he would definitely ask why I was hurt.
I felt strangely remorseful and could not say that I had saved Freesia.
Because that was originally Carlex's role.
“I'm fine. Thank you for your concern.”
Carlex looked at me steadily, as if he still had something to say.
His heavy lips moved, but the Crown Prince quickly called out to him.
“Duke Carlex, come quickly and protect me. My ears are hurting from the director’s complaining!”
He looked at the Crown Prince for a moment with a look as if he were looking at an immature child, then he whispered in my ear:
“Try not to attract the Crown Prince's attention as much as possible, Erica.”
"What do you mean…?"
Carlex's facial expression was serious and serious, and I immediately felt nervous without knowing it.
Did he notice the crazy villain's seed? He really is the hero of the story.
“If His Highness likes you, I will have to become a disloyal minister.”
What?
I wanted to ask about the meaning, but he had already gone to the Crown Prince with an expressionless face.
***
Director William guided Crown Prince Ludving to his office.
In the office, there was an elegant chair, a table, and a tea set prepared for the Crown Prince.
The Crown Prince sat in the main seat with his legs crossed, watching me with an appraising glance.
Carlex and William stood silently behind him, guarding either side of him.
I alone stood staring at the Crown Prince's gaze.
Haven't you ever seen a book reader? Oh, of course this is the first time.
If you keep looking at me like that, I might be making an intentional mistake.
For example, drop the book finding compass on your noble forehead.
Ludving drank his tea elegantly and smiled meaningfully.
Including his red hair, which left a strong impression, his features were noble, befitting the royal family lineage.
When will he reveal his true face? His acting is very natural.
She stared at the Crown Prince meekly with a look full of doubt. Ludving put down the teacup and snapped his fingers.
“Let's finish tea time now and get started.”
William threw an apologetic look in my direction.
“Librarian Erica, please make the presentation.”
"Yes."
I put the book finder in the palm of my hand.
My hands were shaking from tension, but I controlled them firmly.
Even though I had already trained yesterday, the tension in front of the Crown Prince was inevitable.
She took a deep breath, then spoke the title of the magic book.
“(Study Book of Magic Symbols of Ehern).”
A green light emitted from the book finder and the needle began to spin.
The tip of the needle pointed precisely toward the southeast.
Then the same green light emanated thinly like a thread in the same direction, and stopped at a small table in the corner of the office.
William opened the nightstand drawer and took out a thick, old book.
Shining gilded letters engraved on it: (Book of Study of Magic Symbols of Ehern).
Crown Prince Ludving marveled in amazement.
“Amazing! The Book Reader’s ability is amazing. Finding a magic book with such precision that if used well, can be used in a variety of ways.”
“What His Highness the Crown Prince said is true. The book finder tool can search for magic books more accurately than magic itself. The problem is...”
Carlex, who had been watching quietly, took over the conversation.
“There are very few people with the ability to read books. It is difficult to use them in practice.”
Ludving seemed to feel sorry and frowned.
“So practical application is still difficult, that's sad, so instead...”
The Crown Prince's golden blue eyes sparkled like a predator before he pounced on his prey.
“I can put that secretary next to me.”
Before he finished speaking, Carlex and William stood up as if they had agreed in advance to block me.
“To be continued in the next chapter”
Loving translation