Madam Queen, this is a statement that could cause serious misunderstanding!
As if I was the one who curbed the whims of the Crown Prince!
I would like to say very clearly: Nothing has happened between me and the Crown Prince, and I do not intend for anything loud to happen in the future.
...But the rank is overwhelming, so how dare a book reader respond rudely?
“Haha, what do you mean ma’am?”
I laughed harshly and only drank cold tea.
Over the teacup, I examined Carlex's expression, and found his face as serious as someone witnessing a disaster for the kingdom.
“Hmm, Her Majesty seems to be very joking. I have something to say to Your Majesty.”
Ludwig turned the conversation to politics after a slight cough.
“At today’s National Council meeting, the project to establish a new cavalry division was approved.”
Fortunately, the method was effective, and the Queen smiled satisfied and looked at the Crown Prince with admiration.
“I heard that from the court assistant. His Majesty will be very happy.”
“It is not my credit that Duke Reinhardt was the one who suggested it first. He said that we needed an elite force to prepare for monster attacks.”
The Crown Prince showed humility by giving credit to Carlex.
Truly amazing! In the original story, he longed to kill him, and now he's giving up the credit even to his mother!
The Queen nodded, then motioned to her maid to pour the tea again.
Hot steam rose and the strong aroma of red tea spread.
The Queen stared at the white smoke rising from the teacup.
“The rejection of the nobles will be severe. They will see the creation of the new knightly division not as a means of defending the capital, but as a means of strengthening the authority of the throne.”
An ambitious smile hung on Ludving's lips.
“Their judgment is correct. By establishing the Knights, I intend to kill two birds with one stone: protect the capital and strengthen the authority of the throne.”
“Heh, I expected so. You've been greedy since you were young.”
The Crown Prince smiled with satisfaction in response to the Queen's smile, and continued speaking:
“I expected that the Duke of Sberne’s family would be the most strongly opposed, but they announced that they would provide support without hesitation, and the neutrals and those close to the throne all agreed.”
The Queen's hand, which had been elegantly raising the teacup, stopped in the air.
“The Spirn family? I heard that Young Duke Franz is currently acting on their behalf.”
"This is correct."
When Franz's name was mentioned, my heart skipped a beat again.
Mixed feelings of fear and anger swirled like tea sediments at the bottom.
“Unlike the Duke of Spirn, his senior heir is said to be flexible. It seems that the general assessment was not wrong, even if only on the surface.”
Indeed, the Queen of the Kingdom's foresight in judging people is amazing.
In the original story, she is said to be an unfortunate queen who lives confined in the palace, cut off from the world and drowning in grief.
The Queen raised her head after a moment of contemplation.
Her emerald eyes stared directly at me.
“Miss Dale, how do you intend the Royal Library to handle this? I would like to hear your perspective as a librarian.”
"Yes…?"
The Queen's sudden question confused me and I didn't know how to respond.
Because the actual library management and planning falls to Director William and Lady Marian, I have nothing to say.
“Oh, my question was brief.”
The Queen added kindly:
"At the Royal Palace, we will establish a knight squad to prepare for the appearance of monsters. The capital's security will be strengthened and people's security will be stabilized. What preparations is the Royal Library responsible for Ruberia's culture and knowledge making?"
The question has evolved into a more profound and difficult question!
I organized my thoughts in my mind for a moment.
Seems like it's time to talk about what I wanted to try while working as a librarian in this world.
“I don’t have immediate knowledge of this… but if I could express a personal wish, the library has always dealt with problems such as the appearance of monsters or the theft of magical books by closing. Of course, this may be a necessary measure as the Royal Library is an important place for managing magical books. But I hope that we will also strengthen the original role of the library in the future.”
I spoke calmly and steadily.
The Queen smiled and nodded.
Carlex and Ludving were listening intently with curious expressions.
“The original role of the Royal Library... explain it to me in detail.”
“In times of crisis, shouldn't we allow visitors to come normally? I want people to be able to study science in the library, enjoy seeking wisdom, and develop the strength to overcome their fear of monsters and maintain their daily lives.”
I took a deep breath and said:
“So, as part of that, I would like to start a book club geared toward young noblewomen.”
The queen's eyes sparkled.
“Why a book club specifically for young noblewomen?”
“I heard that the academy, as an educational institution, only accepts noble boys, while young noble women receive education from private tutors, but I heard that young noble women from poor families do not even get a basic education. I want to offer them the opportunity to learn in the royal library.”
I remembered once when young noblewomen crowded into the library.
I was complaining about the Holy Bookstore being turned into a social salon, but the manager, William, said he was happy with the transformation into a lively atmosphere.
I then realized that I had a bias against them.
I had the prejudice that young noblewomen were always dancing at balls or drinking tea at tea parties and only talking about dresses or potential husbands.
There were young noblewomen pursuing the Crown Prince, but many of them were seriously picking books from the shelves and eagerly enjoying reading.
As Erica was in the original story.
When her father, the head of the family, suddenly died, her status and honor were robbed by her relative and she was reduced to marriage as if she were being sold.
It was a scene that showed how fragile the young noblewoman's position was in this world.
If they were commoners, they would work in agriculture or trade to earn their living, but the status of nobles prevented them from even doing so.
They were living like flowers in a greenhouse, being raised for their families and future marriages without having the opportunity to establish themselves.
With all my heart, I wanted to open the entire library so that any citizen of Ruberia could use it freely… but that was immediately impossible.
So first, I wanted to provide educational opportunities for young noblewomen.
With this first step, we can open the library doors to everyone little by little.
I originally wanted to discuss the matter with Director William, but I never imagined that I would talk to the Ruberia Queen first.
“We want to invite experts in politics, society and culture to give lectures and provide a space for discussion among young noblewomen. If there are participants, we also want to offer archery lessons.”
The Queen's eyes widened in surprise at the mention of archery lessons.
“Archery is for young noble ladies? Will there be anyone who wants to learn it?”
“A good idea, but didn’t you know that, Librarian Erica? In families living in the capital, they don’t teach young noblewomen martial arts as there are enough other means to protect themselves.”
Ludving added, furrowing his brow exaggeratedly.
Carlex was listening calmly and seriously to my words.
“I believe that young noblewomen also need strength to protect themselves. If I had not learned archery, I would not be able to fight against the monsters. I want to give everyone the courage to overcome fear.”
The expression of the Queen, who was quietly listening, was calm.
I was worried that I might be making the Queen uncomfortable.
The Queen tapped the tip of her fan on her palm and entered into deep thought.
He drew a beautiful line on her delicate lips.
“I like the Royal Librarian’s point of view. We will support you without hesitation from the Royal Palace as well. Let Miss Dale take the lead in establishing the book club.”
The Queen's decisiveness and quick approval were extremely puzzling.
But this is a golden opportunity.
This was a challenge I desperately wanted to take on as a librarian.
Helping people change their lives, grow their dreams and move forward through books.
I expressed my gratitude to the Queen sincerely with a nod.
“I sincerely thank you for your support of the people of Ruberia, Your Majesty.”
"You're welcome. I'm the one who says: Take good care of our people for me."
When I raised my head, Carlex and Ludwig applauded me.
It was a little embarrassing to see their proud and satisfied expressions, but my shoulders rose.
After that, we had a small talk.
After a long time had passed, the Queen stood first.
The Crown Prince held the Queen's hand and accompanied her on a slow walk through the Rose Garden.
Carlex and I followed them in silence.
As we passed the fragrant rose hedge, Carlex calmly stopped me.
“Erica, wait a minute.”
“What's going on, sir?”
His distinctive scent mixed with the scent of roses made me dizzy as he approached.
“He was disheveled.”
Calyx carefully arranged the rose flower in my hair.
His hands, which have only lived with a sword, move so innocently… It's so endearing.
“Thank you, Sir Duke.”
I looked at Carlex silently, and the Crown Prince who was walking in front of us stopped and turned to us.
His blue eyes, watching us, were as mischievous as the thorns of a rose.
At that moment, the Queen, who was strolling elegantly through the garden, stopped as if she remembered something.
“By the way, I would be happy to meet Miss Diehl and Duke Reinhardt again at the Royal Palace Ball.”
Ludving seemed somewhat surprised by the queen's words.
But soon his face lit up like a child happy to receive a gift.
“Are you coming to this party too, mom?”
“I must do my duty. I cannot remain immersed in grief forever. I will try to be brave for my loved ones, as the War Lady advised me.”
In the Queen's steady gaze at me, I felt warmth and sincerity.
I bowed politely according to protocol, and pleaded in my heart:
It's really reassuring, but can you stop saying 'War Lady'?
Every time I hear it, my whole body wrinkles.
***
Two days after the National Council meeting and the tea party at the Queen's Palace ended, I finally went to the Royal Library to officially work.
The reason was preparation for reopening.
Once he returned to the Duchy Headquarters, Carlex was busy preparing for the Crown Prince’s bombshell ‘Establishment of the Knights Division’.
The light in his office was always on until dawn.
I looked at him as he had no time to eat together, and I felt deep sympathy and compassion.
I work for the money, but this man works despite his wealth and fame.
Tttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttt.
Accompanied by my beloved Michael, I rode to the library in the Duke's carriage.
When the car stopped in front of the library, I was feeling nervous and, frankly, somewhat anticipatory.
Isn't there a rampaging deportation crowd waiting like last time?
I combed my hair and checked my clothes, then got out of the carriage as condescendingly as possible, but there was not even a single ant in front of the library.
The barren winds were just passing by, stirring up the dust of the soil.
Hey, it is said that popularity is as vain as the wind.
It's frustrating.
...This is unnecessarily embarrassing.
Let's just work.
Leaving behind the fleeting glory of the War Lady, I returned to my work as a librarian and forcefully opened the library door.
The moment the familiar scent of paper welcomed me, a large bouquet of roses flew into my lap.
“To be continued in the next chapter”
Loving translation