“My librarian...Erica!”
It was the sound of Ludwig babbling with a tongue heavy with drunkenness.
Truly, this Crown Prince was a savior who came to disrupt my life.
Sometimes He makes my path in life chaotic, but at the same time He appears in the moments when I need Him most.
I sighed and looked towards the bar.
Ludwig was trying to leave the bar, and the Shadow Knights were blocking the door in front of him, willing to die to stop him.
“How dare you block my way!”
“Treason pays death. Your Highness! You cannot leave now.”
Gilbert shouted in a solemn voice as if he was ready to sacrifice his life at that moment.
While Lloyd was smiling slyly and trying to woo the Crown Prince:
“Your Highness, I will take you to a wonderful and unmissable place. Come with me.”
Ludwig seemed to be dying of curiosity, pressing their shoulders and trying hard to see what was outside.
“What the hell is going on? What are you hiding? What are just the two of you doing?!”
I got up hurriedly.
Honestly, I wanted so badly to run into the bar quickly.
“Let's get in quickly, before His Highness makes a mess. We must also get Lady Marian and Miss Rose back to their homes.”
“No answer to my question, Erica.”
Carlex said coldly, without moving from his place as he sat down.
I forgot again.
This Grand Duke is stubborn and has a tremendous ability to catch opponents.
I laughed loudly and began to take a step back.
“Haha, what were you saying the other day? I think I’m drunk and I don’t remember well...”
When I was about to run to the bar, he stood up and grabbed my arm.
I was drawn by a gentle but firm force into his embrace.
I held my breath for a moment as his handsome face approached.
Carlex smiled slightly and brushed a strand of hair across my forehead, then gently placed his lips on my forehead.
A kiss as soft and warm as a bird's feather.
Before I could protest, he looked at me with charming, smiling eyes.
“I will wait. Until you answer me. Consider this my reward for waiting.”
From the entrance to the bar, the sound of shouts and denunciations rang out.
I don't have to look back to know.
The Crown Prince screams, Rose screams a near cry of joy, and the Shadow Knights are in astonishment.
'Aren't you being too selfish?'
I wanted to protest, but why did my face keep turning red?
How much experience do I have in relationships?
I have long since passed the age of being ashamed of a kiss from the tax collector.
***
“Isn't that a little excessive? Cleaning up since the morning, Chief Librarian?”
It was a sharp sound that pierced my ears.
I felt an immediate threat, and as soon as I turned around...
I could hardly straighten my tired back to clean the floor with the mop.
I wiped the sweat off my forehead and turned around with a smirk.
Rose was holding the duster as a weapon, staring at me with a fierce look.
The day after that chaotic feast, I had an emergency meeting with Lady Marian.
We had to find a classroom to run the book club as quickly as possible.
Fortunately, there was an unused laboratory in the side building of the library.
The place was previously used by monks in ancient times and can accommodate about 40 people.
Since it had not been used for a long time, dust was covering the floor, and spiders were weaving their webs in the ceiling and walls.
So, I asked the library staff for help, and we've all been doing a big clean-up since the morning.
I rolled up my sleeves and was sweeping the floor and shaking off the dust.
I also cleaned the windows and mopped the floor until it shined.
Rose, a founding member of the book club, was also an almost compulsive participant in the cleaning.
Considering her nature, it was great that she could clean up by herself without asking the maid to do it.
In such situations, a quick apology is the best solution.
I quickly gathered my hands and begged her:
“I'm sorry, Miss Rose. There's not enough time to prepare for the book club opening. Help me, please.”
Rose, who was pleading, nodded coquettishly.
“Then you should definitely keep your promise.”
"Huh? What promise?"
Have I promised her anything before?
While I was tilting my head in surprise, Rose looked around to make sure no one was there and then whispered in my ear:
“Erica, isn’t it true that the sponsor of the book club is Her Majesty the Queen?”
“Yes, right. Why?”
“If Her Majesty is holding a tea party at the palace, go out of your way to be able to invite me as well, will you?”
Rose's gaze shone with a strong will that said no was out of the question, which made me feel a little afraid.
I nodded vigorously.
“Yes. I will do my best.”
Her once frowning face brightened.
As if suddenly excitement came from within her, Rose began waving the duster vigorously.
“For the sake of the Royal Library, I willingly sacrifice this body. Hoohoo.”
Rose enthusiastically led the staff as she supervised the cleaning.
“Come on, sweep and clean quickly. Let's try a little harder.”
Hmm, the goal is a bit impure, but anyway, I'm grateful for her cooperation.
Mrs. Marian, who was reviewing the sheaf of documents in the corner of the laboratory, called to me.
“Librarian Erica, shall we have a chat?”
"Of course, ma'am. What's going on?"
“We have a surplus of tables and chairs that can be placed in the lecture hall. As for the blackboard, we will have it custom-made. Oh, right, we also have to put new carpet on the floor. It will cost us some money.”
Lady Marian had readjusted her spectacles on the tip of her nose, and was carefully checking the items needed for the hall.
Indeed, she is the well-deserved lady of the Royal Library.
She pays attention to even the smallest details that I overlooked.
I felt like I had tremendous support.
“Don’t worry about the costs. Her Majesty has promised to fully support us. Of course, we shouldn’t waste money, but you can spend what you need without hesitation for necessary things.”
Lady Marian put down her pen for a moment and looked at me carefully.
It was a soft yet strong look, indicating long experience.
“Her Majesty is a sober woman. She does not engage in outside activities and usually does not interfere in politics. May I ask how you were able to influence her heart?”
I had already heard from Rose about Lady Marian's past.
She was said to have long served as a close maid of honor to Her Majesty the Queen in her youth.
She and Countess Demeter, Carlix's aunt, were Her Majesty's second-in-command and concubines.
After her husband died in an accident, she resigned from her position and retired to the countryside, then accepted the position of general director of the Royal Library at William's request.
“This is…thanks to the kind words you said to me, Madam Marianne.”
I remembered her warm words to me, and they automatically put a smile on my face.
“What did I tell you at that time?”
Lady Marian looked quizzical, as if she didn't quite remember.
“You told me that I was not expelled from the viscount's house, but rather was given the opportunity to live a new life.”
“Ah, I remembered. Yes, I said that.”
She seemed to remember now, so she let out a small sigh.
“I wanted to give the opportunity to young ladies who did not have the opportunity to be educated to live a new life as well. Your words to me, Madam, were a source of strength. I conveyed this sincere feeling to Her Majesty the Queen as well.”
I spoke calmly but honestly.
Only then did Lady Marian smile softly, as if she understood.
“But, Librarian Erica.”
Then she asked a sharp question with a serious look.
“Even ladies from poor families learn the basics of culture and knowledge such as community etiquette and housekeeping skills as a woman of the family. So, what will the book club teach them?”
“We will teach them nothing at all.”
I answered her question calmly.
“What does that mean?”
I felt a hint of confusion in her eyes.
I continued talking calmly while smiling.
“The real goal of the book club is for girls to learn for themselves, to find their way, and to form their own personal values. I want to help them so that they can get out of the family or social status and create their own lives.”
All through my speech, Lady Marian listened silently, and then she let out a deep sigh.
Is there something unsatisfactory? Did I make a mistake in speaking?
While I was anxiously waiting for her response, she suddenly grabbed my hand forcefully.
“…This is wonderful. Developing the strength to learn oneself and find the way, this is truly the spirit of the library. Thank you for making me regain something I had long forgotten.”
Lady Marian said in such an emotional voice that her eyes filled with tears.
“I will help with this matter with all my heart too!”
“Ah…thank you, ma’am.”
My hands were still holding hers tightly, and I thanked her in a slightly dazed state.
Lady Marian hurriedly gathered the bundle of documents and quickly got up.
“This is no time to slow down. I must immediately prepare a budget and find faculty! We must also determine the areas we will explore. Do you have a planned curriculum?”
“Yes? I will report tomorrow.”
“I'm going now because of the budget. I'll leave you to sort things out here.”
“Thank you, ma’am. But please don’t overexert yourself. I’m afraid it will harm your health.”
Mrs. Marian has recently been complaining of constant back pain.
I was worried that she would get sick from being overworked with club work.
She reassured me in a cheerful voice:
“I may not look like it, but my heart is still young. Thanks to you, Erica, I will be working with enthusiasm after a long hiatus.”
***
After the big cleaning of the hall was completed, Rose and I had a simple lunch of sandwiches at the information desk.
I was holding a sandwich in one hand and struggling to write a syllabus report in the other.
Rose was watching me intently as she asked:
“Have you done something like this before, Erica? I heard that you were at the viscount’s house before you came to the library, but the way you handle things is skillful.”
Maybe it was a passing question, but it was a bit sharp, which made me nervous.
“When I was at the viscount’s house, I started a reading group with some acquaintances and I think that experience helped me.”
“Oh, so.”
In fact, it goes back to my experience as a librarian in my previous life.
The days passed before me as quick pictures when I was organizing reading events, concerts, and cultural seminars to revitalize the local community and promote the culture of reading. I even sacrificed my vacations and refused to get married.
It seems that my destiny is to work like a bull, both in reality and in the novel.
I've realized this ever since they promoted me to chief librarian.
It is another confirmation of the fact that there is no free meal in this world.
...Although this is only half an expression of the misery of the librarian's work.
I quickly stuffed the remains of the sandwich into my mouth and focused back on the syllabus report.
“Okay, do I write invitation letters to the Crown Princess candidates?”
Rose fluttered the list of crown princess candidates I had given her like a fan.
I explained to Rose the task Ludwig had given me separately, and distributed the work among her.
As the eldest daughter of the Madison family, who has a high ability to analyze information and judge people, Rose will be able to objectively evaluate the candidates.
In addition, by relying on the vast information base accumulated by the Madison family, we can obtain detailed information about the candidates' families, which is a great gain.
Rose tilted her chin in her hand, looking deep in thought as she said:
“By the way, about Miss Eliade...”
Loving translation