PRKE 12

Posted by zahid, Released on November 26, 2025

CHAPTER 12……………………………………

“The Empire only sent two people, but since it includes the Prince of the Empire… it’s unusual. No one from the royal family has visited for decades, so this is a rare event. And…”

I flinched.

My cheek stung.

When he didn’t finish speaking, all eyes turned to me. I drank my tea as calmly as I could.

Pretending not to notice who was staring, pretending not to know anything. Showing a submissive demeanor.

The only day I had acted unusually had passed, and afterward, I behaved quietly and obediently as usual, so no one suspected anything strange about me.

“Do you want some more cookies, Egrain? I ordered them knowing what you like.”

Hubert’s voice was softer than the buttery taste of the cookies. Add to that the gaze so sweet it seemed like it could melt.

It almost looked like he was worried I had been hurt by Lady Emerne’s words.

‘I think I might choke…’

I shook my head with a look of being moved. Still, he insisted on placing a cookie in my hand.

His gaze didn’t leave me.

‘Persistent guy.’

I hesitated, then took a bite. His eyes curved as if to say, “Good choice.” Even though I couldn’t blush, I lowered my head shyly.

“There are no cookies with strawberries.”

At that moment, a small, sullen voice spoke.

Though quiet, it carried unusually well in the stillness of the living room. Hubert immediately turned his attention that way.

“Oh, what should we do? I saw that they were already sold out when I ordered.”

“Can’t be helped. The other cookies Hubert brought are delicious too.”

“Really?”

“Of course, the strawberry cookies are the best!”

Aris stuck her tongue out with a pouty expression.

Hubert smiled softly.

“I’ll make sure to get some next time.”

I chewed the cookie in my mouth, looking at the two of them indifferently.

Aris couldn’t stand seeing Hubert being kind to me.

I thought it was quiet this time, but her patience toward me, who was sacrificing herself in her stead, seemed to have reached its limit.

Seeing her act like a wife robbed of her husband, I sneered inwardly.

Night deepened. The chandelier’s candlelight flickered, casting shadows on the floor.

“The carriage is ready.”

Unlike usual, Jenny informed me with a stiff expression. I put down the teacup I had only half-drunk and rose.

All eyes turned to me. My elevated viewpoint allowed me to take in the entire living room at once.

Lady Emerne dipping biscuits in tea, Hubert holding a book with unusually slow page turns, Aris embroidering the Water Goddess.

These were the main members of the Lorenst family, except for the viscount who had gone to the brewery with friends.

“Then I’ll be going to the ‘Royal Library.’”

Hubert’s eyes changed subtly. I recalled our conversation from the previous day.

[Did you hear? A large number of new works by author Dupin have arrived at the Royal Library.]

[New works by Dupin?]

Which Dupin? I was puzzled by the sudden topic.

Because of the Prince’s welcoming party, Hubert seemed deep in thought. I was wary of what schemes that cunning mind might be plotting, and now suddenly Dupin?

Dupin.

A novelist and theologian. Popular, yes, but did Hubert like him too?

[Princess Laratu is a fan of Dupin. His Highness even pressured the Minister of Finance to buy them.]

[Then many will want to visit the library soon. Since they’re new works by Dupin, maybe we can borrow them leisurely in a month.]

[No need to wait.]

[What?]

Hubert’s arm reached out beside me.

Click.

The door opened slightly, and the stale, unventilated air of the room leaked out from the gap behind it. Before me were Hubert’s gentle green eyes.

[I reserved them through the librarian, so you should be able to borrow them first.]

Squeak. The door opened a bit more.

[Since we’re talking about it, how about going to the Royal Library tomorrow?]

[Tomorrow…?]

Isn’t tomorrow implicitly the day to meet the Prince? Why suddenly the library?

I met Hubert’s eyes. So kind, so deliberate—his green eyes were unnaturally striking.

‘Ah.’

I understood.

‘This guy is creating a way for me to slip away alone.’

Unlike in my previous life, I now had the status of a princess. I was no longer disposable.

The watching eyes were not just those of a mere viscount’s ward, so his intent to proceed secretly was evident.

If something went wrong and affected my family, the Royal Library would provide an excellent excuse.

“My younger sister went to the library, you say? Did she do something wrong?”

I could imagine him saying it with a pleasant face, without batting an eye.

Suddenly I felt both contempt and admiration.

Hubert might truly be a child of his mother. The blood of a trickster was inherited by him, not me.

[That works too.]

[There will be someone to guide you when we arrive at the palace.]

[…]

[It’s your first time at the Royal Library, so you’ll need help.]

[…]

[You understand what I mean, right?]

[Yes. I understand. Don’t worry. I’ll do as you say.]

Wearing the mask of the perfectly obedient family member, I smiled coldly.

‘I didn’t lie. I understood. That I need to go to the library.’

“Have a good trip.”

Lady Emerne wiped her fingers with a handkerchief. Yet her lips still glistened with oil.

Those lips were as clumsy as those of the common women she despised.

Aris waved brightly.

“Have fun, unnie. If you find any interesting books, bring me one too! Oh, and take Georgiana with you.”

She spoke as if she really thought I was going to the library.

“Why Georgiana?”

Aris stuck out her tongue.

“Why? You’re not seriously planning to fetch the books yourself, are you? That heavy thing?”

“How considerate, Aris. Good idea.”

Hubert chimed in. It seemed he needed Georgiana along to feel reassured.

“If it’s Dupin’s book, I want to read it quickly too, but I’ll let you go first. I have other books to read anyway.”

I knew Aris only used books for stacking games. There was no way she liked Dupin, whose academic style divided opinions.

Yet Hubert smiled, as if watching a generous child willingly give way.

“How kind.”

He ruffled her hair, and Aris giggled softly.

It was a clear display of affection, but did Hubert really find it that cute?

Strange, considering he wasn’t foolish.

Sometimes I even thought he deliberately doted on Aris.

No matter what I thought, the two of them were inseparable like white and sewer rats.

“I should make sure to get Dupin’s book, even for Aris’ sake.”

“Really? My friends will be so jealous. Hubert is really the best for me.”

Wouldn’t it be better to buy her the finest dress rather than a book?

I absentmindedly touched my elbow and was startled. Goosebumps rose on my skin.

They were too composed.

Too composed for offering a human as a sacrifice.

“How did you get here?”

“This is a visitor pass.”

“Ah, confirmed. The library is this way.”

The carriage passed the guards. Jenny, who had lifted the curtain slightly, quickly lowered it and took a deep breath.

“Are you okay, Jenny?”

She nodded slightly.

“But is this really okay? Me pretending to be the young lady…”

As she said, Jenny was wearing my clothes. Conversely, I was wearing hers. We had swapped as soon as we got into the carriage.

Her words made me smirk, thinking I must have once had the same concerns.

Could I dare take on the Lorenst family name?

A pointless worry.

“Did you prepare everything?”

“Yes. It’s all loaded in the bottom of the carriage.”

“Good.”

“What about Georgiana?”

I thought for a moment and said,

“When we get out of the carriage, you’ll distract Georgiana for a bit.”

“And after that? She’ll follow me, and she’ll notice something’s odd.”

“Order her to hand over the gift we brought to the Prince’s side.”

“Me?”

“Yes. Don’t forget. You are me. The viscount’s ward. Carry yourself confidently.”

“Yes!”

“It’s good to use the excuse that you can’t trust the royal staff. And then you’ll go to the Royal Library and pretend to keep reading. The royal staff assigned by Hubert? Don’t pay them any mind. They only guide the way and know nothing.”

“Should I ignore them like Georgiana?”

“No. Keep them close while stalling. They’ll be our witness.”

In my previous life, that became proof that I had been the Prince’s plaything.

‘This time, I’ll use it differently.’

Jenny got out of the carriage first.

“Georgiana! Come over here for a moment and help fix your dress!”

I pressed my ear to the carriage wall, listening to her do as instructed.

“Jenny is here, you know?”

“She’s been feeling unwell since earlier, so she’s lying down.”

“Goodness, truly a clumsy girl.”

It was night, and with Jenny mimicking my tone, Georgiana didn’t seem to notice anything unusual.

“Your movements are so slow. Stop being lazy and catch up quickly.”