"princess!"
With the Duke's panicked voice, I felt a warm sensation envelop my body.
At the same time, I saw a huge bookshelf collapse behind him.
Shatter!
Fortunately, the bookshelf fell onto another bookshelf across from it, freeing up space underneath. But the real problem was something else.
Knock, knock.
Thick, hard books fell from the slanted bookshelf like rain.
Every hard blow seemed to cause pain, and I could see the Duke's forehead twitching in discomfort.
“That must hurt.”
Even a person without empathy can feel how monotonous and heavy the voice is.
What was supposed to be a fleeting moment seemed to stretch on forever.
When I regained consciousness, I found myself lying on a soft carpeted floor, staring at the Duke who was lying on top of me.
“Ah…”
I stared at him blankly.
Even though the situation wasn't right, I couldn't help but be more aware of the unnaturally close physical distance between us than the pain he would feel.
As our bodies were almost touching, I could feel his breathing so close, it was as if his body temperature was rising.
'What is this?!'
This can't be allowed, right?
It looks like a scene from a low budget drama series!
Of course, his face was flawless, even in close-up, unashamedly perfect, just like the hero of a Duke of the North novel. But if I had been the one lying under it, things would have been completely different.
It was like something you'd see in a historical drama, where the king rushes to protect a maid.
“I hope the Duke does not come to his senses later and order my assassination...”
Damn you.
While I was immersed in these ridiculous thoughts, the barrage of books seemed to stop, and the surrounding area calmed down.
“Oh my god, princess...”
After the Duke turned his head to check my safety, he slowly rose to his knees.
When I saw the books that fell from his back, I couldn't even imagine how heavy and painful they were for him.
'I'm so sorry...!'
If I had known this would happen, I should have asked for help.
But as a bastard who is not even treated as a member of the royal family, how can I give orders to a duke in this rigid class society?
I mumbled excuses in my head as I closed my eyes tightly.
But then the Duke's voice came, and I couldn't help but be startled.
Didn't you say you knew acupuncture points or something?
"Excuse me?"
“Ask if there are any acupuncture points that can relieve the pain.”
“Ah…”
I did not know how to respond, and stared at him in astonishment, when the Duke stretched out and, with a completely calm face, extended his hand towards me.
It was clear that he meant for me to take it and get up, but I couldn't bring myself to do it.
“...I'm sorry. I think I caused you trouble by interfering.”
He didn't reply.
However, I couldn't ignore his outstretched hand, so I carefully grabbed his large hand and lifted myself up.
In the awkward silence, she whispered very lowly.
“And thank you.”
“Well, you'll repay me later, won't you?”
"pardon?"
“Didn't you promise to be a loyal, unpaid slave? I can't let such a valuable person die because of a blow from the books.”
Huh, this guy...
...Is he a worse employer than I thought?
* * *
After the unexpected book collapse incident, I no longer visit the library.
As a result, I lost touch with the Duke, but I knew that he would come to visit me again soon.
Why?
"I'll be going to the magic tower soon anyway. Think about it until then, princess."
At the time, I didn't want to believe it, but the Duke practically invited me to join him on his journey to the Magic Tower!
This was a clear opportunity.
I found evidence of how to destroy the nucleus...
But the problem was where to find the bartanium to use.
Recently, it has become very difficult to find weapons or tools made of bartanium.
But then…
"Why isn't he here? He should be here!"
“Are you talking about a bartanium weapon?”
“Sure. The Duke’s residence has it all. Hoho!”
Unexpectedly, it was Bonita, the efficient maid, who gave me the answer.
Bonita returned in the evening carrying a box, she declared confidently.
Surprisingly, the box contained… a hammer made of bartanium, neatly placed inside.
How did you know? The certificate that came with it listed all the materials, showing how expensive it was.
“Why…?”
I couldn't hide my shock as I stared at the hammer, but Bonita shrugged proudly.
“I found it in the storeroom. I thought it might be there. There is nothing that is not in our Duke's storeroom. Last time, I even found the spare mithril needles that Marina lost, and the watering can that the gardener, George, swore was one of a kind...”
“Ah, I see. Thank you.”
I interrupted her endless explanation, and slowly picked up the hammer.
The hammer, which seemed expensive at first glance, was very comfortable to hold.
“But… this seems expensive. Am I allowed to use it?”
"Sure! It's been parked there collecting dust. No one's using it!"
“…What if the Duke has the ball?”
I was naturally worried about becoming a thief stealing from the Duke.
Bonita hesitated for a moment, then smiled brightly and answered confidently.
"Well, there may be some things like that, but there's also a lot that isn't. The Duke's storeroom is full of random things. Last time, I found a rare watering can that George swears is the only one in existence…"
It didn't seem like a lie, and since Bonita was a servant in the Duke's house, she wouldn't steal things from him for my sake. So, I nodded.
But then…
“Where are you hiding it, hmm?”
Hahahahahaha!
Before I could finish my sentence, I heard a strange laugh coming from right next to me.
“Bonita…?”
“No one dares to examine a woman’s body. Hahaha!”
That's why I was walking with heavy steps now.
He staggered, staggered.
I walked slowly, like a newborn goat, towards the magic circle.
This is very painful...!
The hammer, attached to the inner part of my thigh with leather straps, caused constant discomfort as it rubbed against my sensitive skin.
I didn't want to reject Bonita's suggestion, hoping that I would look like a cool agent from a blockbuster spy movie… but at this rate, I was sure I would look even more ridiculous than usual.
“يا أميرة، لماذا تمشين هكذا اليوم؟”
asked the Duke, who was watching me silently.
"What do you mean?"
The Duke's face, as if he saw something unusual, made me feel an overwhelming sense of embarrassment.
But still, I couldn't stop walking in this strange position.
If I took the hammer out from under my skirt now, things would get worse...!
I had to pack a separate bag for women's items!
“I will end my life if this is revealed.”
There was no way out now, no matter how much she regretted it.
“…I don’t know what kind of folk remedy this is, but at least stand upright.”
“Why…?”
“You are holding on to my right arm with all your might.”
"Ah, ha-ha-ha... Ha-ha! I'm so sorry!"
When I realized I was clinging to his arm, I quickly stood upright in shock.
Ah, this is so embarrassing.
Heat rushed to my head as if my scalp was on fire.
“Ready? We're off now.”
The magician, checking the number of people, placed his hand on the magic stone, and a bright light surrounded us.
“Whew… ugh!”
For a moment, I forgot about the pain and looked at my body, but I couldn't even finish my sentence as I bent over.
The magic of teleporting over long distances is known to cause motion sickness, and I could already feel my body twisting uncomfortably, nausea rising from deep within.
It was like experiencing seven hours of motion sickness on a bumpy bus all at once.
The light dimmed, and I heard a voice announcing our arrival, but I could not regain my senses for some time.
“It seems like you're getting really dizzy?”
“...I think so.”
I grabbed my head, which was throbbing with pain, and looked up, only to find myself immersed in an unfamiliar scene.
The first thing I saw was the purple sky, filled with abundant magical energy, and a towering black tower.
The Black Brick Magic Tower, built with pure and complex magic, showed no sign of aging despite its long history.
I was stunned, immersed in amazement at the sight, when the Duke, who had been silent, gently patted my shoulder.
"Don't be nervous."
"Yes?"
Don't you see the science?
What knowledge?
Only then did I come back to reality and slowly started looking around.
Then I saw him.
Oh my God…
My flag, Salt, flutters in the wind.