Chapter 28
Step, step.
The inside was much deeper and narrower—and at the same time wider—than I had expected.
‘What is this, some kind of cave?’
I had thought it would be a bit too much for that old man at the entrance to manage it alone.
‘Wow, judging by the dust, I guess he doesn’t manage it at all.’
I brushed a finger through the thick layer of dust covering the bookshelves and the books.
Then I kept walking, heading deeper inside.
It should be around here somewhere.
‘This is Section L, shelf 20, so the next is 21, then 22…’
Looking for the book felt almost like setting off on an adventure.
I said this world was like a fantasy as a joke, but now I wasn’t so sure it was a joke.
The dim and damp atmosphere made it scarier than I expected.
After walking for quite a while, finally—
‘Found it.’
I almost shouted Yahoo! out loud.
As I slowly pulled the book from the shelf, I couldn’t help but let out a sound.
“Ugh.”
Goodness, it was ridiculously thick!
There was no way I could read something this long in one sitting.
In fact, I’d never read a book this thick in my entire life.
It was the size of a college-level textbook, and I could only stare at it in dismay.
No, it’s too early to give up.
If there’s even a chance this book contains some answers, then I need to read it.
I laid out the cushion I had brought and sat down on the floor.
Since the space between the bookshelves was so narrow, I had to sit with my knees up in an awkward position, but I didn’t care.
As I turned page after page, I gradually became immersed in the story.
‘Wait a minute… it’s not just the name that’s similar… the content, too.’
The more I read, the more stunned I became.
The events described in the book were almost exactly the same as what I was experiencing now.
The only difference was that in the original story, the protagonist was Leonie, whereas in this book, her name was Renata.
And the woman tormenting Renata was named Libertá—just like me.
Then what about Jerlach?
His name was the same.
Looking closely, it seemed only Leonie’s name was different—everything else was exactly the same.
‘What the… what is this book?’
This was honestly terrifying.
It even described my current unease, how I was pacing and panicking, unsure what to do.
My heart was pounding, and I instinctively slammed the book shut.
What the hell is this…? I feel like I shouldn’t read any further.
I flipped the thick book around in my hands.
“The Tumultuous Life of Renata.”
No, don’t be scared.
It’s just a book.
I took a deep breath and slowly opened it again. It was so thick, and the text was small—reading all of it would take a long time.
I hurriedly flipped through the pages again and again.
‘No need to read everything. I need to see the end.’
I skimmed quickly, flipping pages faster and faster.
‘I have to know how this story ends.’
Just then, I heard footsteps in the distance.
I assumed it was just another visitor and ignored the sound. But the footsteps kept getting closer.
I was sitting in the middle of the aisle, so I figured I’d move if someone came.
The footsteps grew louder and louder.
‘I should stand up.’
As I started to close the book and stand, a hand suddenly reached out in front of me.
Such a polite person, I thought, as I looked up.
“Oh.”
And that’s when our eyes met.
My bangs fell forward as I tilted my head, and in the dim light, I saw pale, smooth skin and deep red eyes focused entirely on me.
It was Jerlach Cygnus.
“Your Grace…”
Since the ball, I had been hoping not to run into him again.
I’d overheard Oliver and Father talking—apparently, he had been swamped with catching up on work and preparing for the festival ever since arriving in Mütin.
I thought that was fortunate…
‘Why is His Grace here?!’
I hesitated, unsure whether to take the hand he offered.
Before I could decide, Jerlach grasped my hand and gently helped me to my feet.
“At this point, one might call it fate.”
No, I’d call it a curse.
Without saying much, I simply held up the book in my hand.
“Hello, Your Grace.”
I thought he would just nod in response—
“I didn’t expect to meet you here.”
“I was just… looking for something.”
I tried desperately to avoid his gaze as I spoke.
“But what brings you here, Your Grace?”
Wasn’t he supposed to be incredibly busy?
He shouldn’t be leisurely reading in a bookstore, should he?
Isn’t the Feast of Saint Obenly next week?
“There are things you can’t find in the palace but can find here. So I’ve come a few times.”
“Ah…”
“When I’m in this dark, gloomy place, I feel at peace. As if I’ve come home.”
His last words seemed to sink into the bookstore itself.
“Maybe even more so than in the palace.”
His voice sounded strangely sorrowful, and I couldn’t bring myself to say anything.
Then he looked down at me and asked,
“Where do you feel most at peace?”
I was about to say “home,” but for some reason, 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 away.
“I—I heard you were very busy…”
“I am. That’s why seeing you like this is a pleasant surprise.”
“……”
“Meeting you here feels almost…”
He tilted his head slightly and murmured so softly I could barely hear:
“…like fate.”
Thump, thump.
Yes, my heart was racing—but only because I was startled by the sudden meeting.
I swallowed dryly and averted my gaze.
Then I hastily folded the book in half and shoved it back on the shelf.
“Ah, I’ve seen enough. Haven’t read in a while, and now my eyes are all blurry. I’ll be going now.”
“Going? Where to?”
“I’m done. Just heading home.”
Huh? When I said that, Jerlach smiled faintly.
He’s smiling?
Somehow, that smile made me more nervous. I swallowed again.
“Are you alone?”
“Yes. No—I mean, yes, alone… not really.”
I’d told Ecla to come back in two or three hours—what now?
“Ecla will be here soon.”
“Soon?”
“Yes… very soon.”
“I’ll escort you.”
“No, no. You’re busy, remember? I can go myself.”
“I’m not busy.”
“Didn’t you just get here?”
When I asked, he glanced at his wrist and replied in a relaxed voice:
“No, it’s been about two hours.”
“Oh, I see. Actually, now that I think about it, I might read a bit more.”
I calmly changed my tone and pulled the book back out.
Can’t you take the hint and just leave?
“What book is that?”
Nope. Not happening.
“Just a novel.”
I showed him the cover.
“The Tumultuous Life of Renata.”
With a shrug, I quietly sat back down on my cushion.
“Well, take care. I’ll be reading for a while.”
“Perfect. There’s something else I wanted to check too.”
Then he randomly pulled a book from the shelf in front of him.
“You weren’t here for that.”
“True.”
With his usual languid expression, he leaned against the wall and began flipping pages.
“Are you really okay reading random books when you’re this busy?”
“……”
“Isn’t Saint Obenly’s Day the day after tomorrow?”
“……”
“Aren’t you the one overseeing the Grand Festival uniting the entire Erneberg Peninsula?”
“……”
“Everyone’s looking forward to it. It’ll be a perfect, magnificent event, right?”
When I said that, Jerlach closed his book and held it up so I could see the cover.
“The Life of Obenly.”
“Haha. Alright then, please carry on.”
I buried my face in my book, flustered. But I couldn’t read a single word.
This is driving me nuts.
Just a while ago, this place felt dark and cave-like.
Now I could feel the warmth from the right side of me, hear the occasional rustle of turning pages.
A refreshing yet rich scent slowly began to seep into the hem of my skirt.
There’s no way I can focus like this.
I slowly closed the book.
“My eyes are too tired. I’ll head out now.”
“I’ll walk you.”
Fine. I can’t avoid this.
And come to think of it, running away isn’t the answer.
I was caught off guard seeing him again without warning, but now I should take the time to speak my mind calmly.
“…Alright. Then I’ll leave it to you.”
