Thud, thud.
The interior was much deeper and narrower than I had anticipated, yet simultaneously expansive.
‘This isn’t even a cave.’
I thought it would be somewhat difficult for the old man sitting at the entrance to manage alone.
‘Wow, judging by the dust, it seems he doesn’t manage it at all.’
I ran my finger over the thick layer of dust on the bookshelves and books.
Then, I continued walking deeper inside.
It should be around here.
‘This is section L, 20, so next is 21, then 22.’
Searching for the book felt like embarking on an adventure.
I joked about it being another world, but it wasn’t a joke, was it?
Of course, it was much darker and damper than I thought, and quite scary.
After a while, finally.
‘I found it.’
I almost shouted with joy.
I slowly pulled out the book from the shelf, and this time I really made a sound.
“Ugh.”
Goodness, it’s incredibly thick?
It’s an amount I can’t possibly read while sitting here.
Moreover, I’ve never read such a thick book in my life. It was as thick as a university textbook, and I felt utterly disheartened.
No, it’s too early to give up.
If there’s a way, I have to read it.
I placed the cushion I brought on the floor and sat down right there.
Due to the narrow space between the shelves, I had to sit uncomfortably with my knees up, but it didn’t matter.
As I turned the pages, I became more engrossed in the story.
‘Wait, it’s not just the name that’s similar… the content is really similar too.’
The more I read, the more bewildered I became.
The content of the book almost exactly mirrored the events I had been experiencing.
The only difference was that the original protagonist was Leonie, while in this book, it was Renata.
And the woman tormenting Renata was named Liberata, just like me.
What about Zerlak?
Zerlak’s name was the same too.
Upon closer inspection, everything was the same except for Leonie’s name.
‘What is this? This book is really… what is it?’
This is really scary.
The book even described my anxious heart and how I was pacing in confusion.
My heart raced, and I closed the book.
This is… I feel like I shouldn’t keep reading.
After closing the thick book, I turned it over and over.
“The Turbulent Life of Renata”
No, don’t be scared.
It’s just a book.
I took a deep breath and slowly opened the book again.
It was so thick and the font so small that it seemed it would take a long time to read it all.
I hurriedly turned the pages.
‘There’s no need to see more. I have to look at the back.’
I quickly skimmed down the pages.
‘I need to know how this story ends.’
That’s when I heard footsteps from afar.
I thought it was just another traveler passing by and ignored the sound.
But the footsteps were getting closer.
Since I was sitting in the aisle, I thought I should move aside if someone came.
The heavy footsteps were really close.
‘I should get up for a moment.’
As I was about to stand up and close the book, someone’s hand reached out in front of me.
‘What a gentleman,’ I thought as I looked up.
“Oh.”
But it was at that moment our eyes met.
His forelock spilled forward as he bowed his head, his fair skin shining like light in the darkness, and his auburn eyes focused solely on me.
It was Zerlak Signus.
“Your Grace.”
After meeting at the ball, I had hoped not to encounter Zerlak.
I overheard a conversation between Oliver and my father, saying that since coming to Mueton, he had been busy with backlogged work and festival preparations.
I thought it was fortunate.
‘Why is Your Grace here?’
I hesitated for a moment whether to take his offered hand.
In the meantime, Zerlak, who had made eye contact, grasped my hand and slowly helped me up.
“Is this really fate?”
No, it’s a complete misfortune.
I showed him the book in my hand without saying much.
“Hello, Your Grace.”
I thought Zerlak would just nod in response, but then-
“It’s really unexpected to meet you here.”
“I just had something to find.”
I desperately avoided his gaze as I spoke.
“But what brings Your Grace here?”
Didn’t they say you were too busy to spare a moment? It’s not the time to leisurely read in a bookstore, is it?
I know St. Oberli’s Day is next week.
“There are things here that aren’t in the castle. That’s why I’ve come a few times.”
“Ah.”
“When I come to this dim and dark space, it feels as comfortable as if I were back home.”
Zerlak’s last words seemed to seep into the bookstore.
“Perhaps even more than what’s in the castle.”
His voice sounded somewhat sad, and I couldn’t say anything.
Then Zerlak looked down at me and asked, “Where is the most comfortable place for you?” I wanted to say home, but somehow I couldn’t.
“I don’t know.”
“I didn’t expect an answer right away.”
Then he smiled elegantly!
I coughed awkwardly and turned my head slightly.
“I heard you were busy.”
“Indeed, it’s delightful to meet you amidst the busyness.”
“…”
“Meeting here is like.”
Zerlak slightly bowed his head and murmured in a very soft voice.
“It feels like fate.”
Thump, thump.
Yes, my heart is racing because I was startled by the sudden encounter.
I swallowed dryly and averted my gaze.
Then I quickly folded the book in half and put it back on the shelf.
“Ah, I’ve read enough. My eyes are blurry after reading for the first time in a while. I’ll be going now.”
“Leaving, where to?”
“I’ve finished reading. I’m going home now.”
Huh, when I said that, Zerlak showed a faint smile.
Smiling?
Somehow his smile made me more anxious, and I swallowed dryly.
“Are you alone?”
“Yes, no. Yes, alone… no.”
I told Eclat to come back in two or three hours. What should I do now?
“Eclat will be here soon.”
“Soon?”
“Yes, well… she’ll be here shortly.”
“I’ll escort you.”
“No, thank you. You’re busy. I’ll go.”
“I’m not busy.”
“Didn’t you just arrive?”
When I asked, he looked at his wrist and replied in a relaxed voice.
“No, it’s been about two hours.”
“I see. Oh, now that I think about it, I might need to read a little more.”
I calmly changed my expression and took out the book again.
Can’t you take a hint and just leave?
“What book is it?”
No, you can’t.
“Just a novel.”
I showed Zerlak the book.
“The Turbulent Life of Renata.”
I shrugged my shoulders and quietly sat back down on my cushion.
“Then take your time. I’ll read a little more.”
“Good. I’ve found something I need to look at again.”
Then he casually pulled out any book from the shelf in front of him.
“You don’t need to see that.”
“Right.”
He leaned against the wall with his usual languid expression and began turning the pages.
“Is it alright for you to be looking at any book here when you’re busy?”
“…”
“Isn’t St. Oberli’s Day the day after tomorrow?”
“…”
“Who’s overseeing the grand unification event for the entire Ernberg Peninsula?”
“…”
“Everyone’s looking forward to it, so it’s bound to be a perfect and splendid festival, right?”
When I said that, Zerlak closed the book he was reading and showed me the cover.
“The Life of Oberli”
“Ha ha, understood. Please continue.”
I buried my face in the book with an embarrassed look. But the letters didn’t enter my eyes at all.
‘I’m going crazy.’
Just a moment ago, I thought this place was dark and cave-like.
The lazy warmth from the right, the occasional sound of pages turning.
A refreshing and profound scent slowly seeped into the hem of my skirt.
‘With this, forget the book.’
I slowly closed the book.
“My eyes hurt, I can’t do this. I’ll be going now.”
“I’ll escort you.”
Yes, there’s no escaping it. And upon reflection, running away isn’t the solution.
I was too surprised to meet him unprepared, but now I should calmly speak my mind.
“Alright. Then I’ll ask for your favor.”
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