Chapter 37

The wind was cold.

I shivered and pulled the thick shawl around me tighter with both hands.

I had just delivered some reference books to a civil servant in the palace and was hurrying through the square behind the library. It wasn't a long distance, so I hadn't thought it necessary to wear a coat. But now, I was beginning to regret not having one.

Fine snowflakes fell from the gray sky, dancing in the wind and dampening my hair.

I'll have to fix my hair when I get home. Today is the day I'm meeting Noah at the Lisette Café. And I had made a decision.

I wanted to tell Noah how I felt.

I wanted to tell him that I liked him and that I wanted to be with him. Not because he had feelings for me, but because I wanted him to accept my feelings. I owed this to Wendy, and perhaps it was the courage that had grown in me, as Emma had once said.

My steps were halted by three women who stood blocking my path.

Seeing the woman in the middle, arms crossed, I swallowed the sigh that threatened to escape.

Her honey-colored hair was curled adorably, adorned with a ribbon. The green eyes that had seemed anxious the first time I saw her were now sharply glaring at me – it was Kiera Fritsch, the baron's daughter.

"Is everything all right, Alicia Bloom?"

"...Is there something you need?"

"Please. You destroyed that man's life, and yet you can stand there so calmly."

Kiera's exaggerated sigh was echoed by the two women standing behind her, who nodded vigorously. Glancing at them, I saw them whispering to each other, no doubt about me. It wasn't going to be good.

"I haven't done anything," I said.

"You drove Lord Felix to disinheritance, and you can say that? You're a truly terrifying woman."

"I haven't done anything. I was told it was the result of discussions within the Tostmann viscount's household."

"Hmph, you won't admit it no matter what. That's why I can't stand common women – they have no pride."

Her tone was as condescending as ever. It would be foolish to react emotionally.

I decided to remain expressionless and endure it. My fingers, gripping the shawl, were numb, and I wished I had worn gloves.

"I'm on duty, so if you'll excuse me—"

"Wait, we're not done talking."

Kiera brushed the hair from her shoulder with one hand. The light pink cape, dusted with snow, shimmered as the snowflakes danced.

"You have a connection with Lord Einhardt, don't you?"

"Yes, that's true. But—"

Kiera had been reprimanded by Lord Einhardt for bothering me before. She wasn't talking about my relationship with Noah, but about the connection between a librarian and a knight.

"Introduce us to Lord Einhardt."

"Excuse me?"

"It's simple. Just say you know some lovely young ladies who would like to be introduced."

No, you... you've been seen bothering me.

And you're known to be a lady without principles, even to the man you're engaged to.

As I stood there, stunned, Kiera frowned. The young ladies behind her crossed their arms and complained about my lack of consideration.

"That's—"

"I won't accept 'no.' You've torn me and Lord Felix apart. You owe me compensation."

"Well, I don't think I have anything to do with it."

"Are you going to talk back, commoner? I could ruin your shop, you know."

I didn't think she had that kind of power.

No matter what I said, it wouldn't get through to her. Should I argue that it would be disrespectful, or should I just run through them?

Alright, I'll run.

Just as I thought that, Kiera and the others turned their gaze behind me. Following their gaze, I saw Noah standing there, with his thick bangs and hunched posture.

"What are you doing?"

His voice was calm but drawn out, and I could sense the edge in it.

"Who are you?"

This is Lord Einhardt, whom you said you wanted to be introduced to.

Thinking this to myself, I looked up at Noah, who stood beside me.

"Your hands are red. Were you detained?"

Noah took my hands and rubbed them to warm them. It was kind, but we didn't have time for that...

Noah's lips curved into a mischievous smile, as if he could see through my unease.

"Hey! Don't ignore us!"

"She's on duty. It's not right to stop her with trivial talk."

"Trivial? It's none of your business, so go away."

Kiera glared at Noah, lifting her chin and making a dismissive gesture with one hand.

Noah, seemingly unfazed, continued to hold my hands.

"I can't stand by and let Alicia be troubled. I suggest you all go home before this gets back to your families."

"Do you have a thing for this woman? A common woman who is so unrefined and slovenly. You two are a perfect match."

I understood her hatred towards me, but Noah was uninvolved.

The anger that had been simmering inside me flared up, and my vision turned red.

"You can't measure a person's worth by their appearance or wealth. It's sad and disappointing that you can't see what a wonderful person he is."

"Y-You're being disrespectful! How dare you, a commoner!"

"Commoners shouldn't be disrespected without reason. Your families have no business with commoner shops. I will advise my father to sever all ties with the Bloom Trading Company."

I was borrowing my father's authority, but I couldn't just smile and take the insults and ridicule.

The two women behind Kiera looked flustered. I could find out their families later by asking Wendy or my sister.

"Hmph, I don't need to understand the charm of such a man. And I don't need your shop, either!"

Kiera walked away without paying attention to the snow under her feet. She might trip, but she wasn't wearing heels, so she should be fine.

The two women who followed her glanced back at us nervously before hurrying after her.

"...Unrefined man, huh."

I muttered, and Noah burst out laughing, clutching his stomach and occasionally choking on his laughter.

"Before that, she was asking you to introduce her to Lord Einhardt..."

"Haha, that's... hilarious. She didn't even notice him right in front of her."

"I can understand why. By the way, why are you dressed like that?"

As I brushed the snow from his head, Noah, who had finally calmed down, was taking off his glasses. He touched the corners of his eyes, perhaps because he had cried from laughing so much.

"I'm off duty today. I just stopped by the station and was waiting for you to finish work."

"You should have taken it easy on your day off. But I'm glad you were here."

"Right? I'll wait for you in front of the library when you're done."

"Thank you."

Noah brushed the snow from my shoulder and smiled warmly. He pushed up his newly placed glasses, and the evening star seemed to look at me through the mist.

He didn't follow me as I walked away.

But he stood there, watching me until I entered the library. The thoughtfulness made me feel a warm light in my chest.

Just a little more until the end of my shift.

I wasn't sure if I could hide the excitement in my heart for our meeting.