Chapter 47

This special episode consists of 2 parts.

"Once again... congratulations on your engagement, Wendy."

In the lounge of the royal library where we work.

Spring has arrived, and the days have grown longer, with the sun quietly setting at the edge of the still blue sky. The beautiful light filters through the window, tinting the room a rosy hue.

While getting ready to leave, I spoke to Wendy. She, too, was preparing to leave and turned her face from the mirror to me, giving a shy smile.

Seeing her like that, I couldn't help but smile as well, but I suddenly felt a strange sense of déjà vu. Puzzled, I searched my memory... Yes, it was still winter, and the cold was severe. I had told Wendy in this very lounge, while getting ready to leave, that our engagement might be broken off. Since then, the seasons have changed, and I have changed in many ways. If I had told my past self that I would end up engaged to Noah, I doubt I would have believed it.

"Thank you. It's a bit embarrassing to hear it so formally."

Wendy's cheeks, blushing like the sunset, were the same color.

I had heard a few days ago that Wendy's engagement had been finalized. Today, her official engagement to Sir Sirius Radine, the knight commander, was announced with the royal family's blessing.

Wendy's ring finger was adorned with a beautiful ring. It was a wide band with a rose crest engraved on it, and the stone set in it was a large padparadscha sapphire. The pale pink gemstone, mined in the Radine territory, was a memento from the commander, Wendy told me. The gemstone, which changes its luster with the light, matched Wendy's peach-colored eyes, and it seemed to convey that the commander had chosen it with her in mind.

Wendy apparently gave him a pin brooch. When I asked what color and shape it was, she blushed and wouldn't tell me. She said she wears it on the collar of her knight's uniform every day, so I plan to take a peek when I see him next.

"Will you continue working, Wendy?"

"Yes, I will. But when Sir Sirius retires from the knight order and moves to the territory, I will have to quit."

I untied my hair and brushed it. I carefully detangled the knots and tied it up high. After stroking the purple hair accessory and putting it back in its case,

"I'll miss you. Even though it's not for a while."

"It's not like it's happening right away. We still have time to work together. Alicia, you'll continue working, right?"

"Yes, Noah said it's fine for me to continue."

I decided to keep working even after marriage, after discussing it with Noah.

Noah, who has no intention of engaging in social activities as a noble, has decided to spend his life as a knight. The Einhardt family seems to be fine with this, and I won't have to participate in social events either.

After changing, I slipped into a light spring coat. As I struggled to wrap a thin scarf around my neck, Wendy gently adjusted it for me. I thanked her, and she smiled brightly. Her smile seemed to shine even more than usual, and I could feel her happiness. It made me smile too.

"By the way, did you know? More people are applying to become librarians."

"Really? That's good since we've been short-staffed. I haven't heard of anyone applying before."

"Well, apparently, most of the applicants will be turned down."

But if they're short-staffed?

I looked at Wendy, puzzled, and she smiled wryly. The pale green scarf she wore, along with her eyes, made her look as if she had plucked a piece of spring.

"Most of them are applying to get closer to the knights. Since you and I are engaged to members of the knight order, they think that even if a formal engagement through family connections is difficult due to social status, personal engagement is possible if they like each other. They think that becoming a librarian will give them a chance... Not just the knights, but also the civil servants are targets."

"Hmm... I see."

I could understand the reasoning.

Most of the knights and civil servants are from noble families. Even if getting close to them is difficult, working with them would certainly increase their interactions.

"I was also looking for someone to marry for love, so I understand their feelings. But in this library, there is no distinction of rank or status, right? It would be nice if people who understand that come in."

"I would be happy if people who love books come in. ...Did the applicants mention that reason in their interviews?"

"It seems so."

That would explain why the boss has been looking particularly tired lately. Wendy and I exchanged glances and chuckled.

Looking out the window, the sun had already set. The distant ridgeline was tinged with a faint gold, and the sky was already twilight.

"Are you ready? Shall we go?"

"Yes."

I nodded after checking my earrings in the mirror.

On the way to the entrance, a few people, including our boss and the director, were still in the only lit office. They always see us off with tired but smiling faces.

As we stepped out of the library, the spring breeze tousled our hair. Under the gentle night sky, Noah and Commander Radine were waiting for us.

The Radine family's carriage, which usually waited, was not there. The commander was leaning against a fence, and Noah, with his bangs down and glasses on, was crouching nearby. They seemed to be chatting, and their laughter carried faintly on the wind.

Glancing at Wendy, she blinked her pink eyes curiously.

Yes, the Radine family's carriage usually waits to take Wendy home.

"Good work, both of you."

Ignoring our confusion, Commander Radine greeted us with his usual gentle smile.

"Taking a cue from the Einhardts, I thought it might be nice to walk sometimes. If your feet get tired, I can send the carriage back immediately..."

"No, I'm happy. We can talk longer than usual."

The commander's smile deepened in relief at Wendy's words. It was the first time I had seen such an expression. It must be a face he shows only in front of Wendy. It was gentle, yet his gaze was warm and focused solely on her. A beautiful amber pin brooch adorned the collar of the commander's jacket.

"See you later. Be careful on your way home."

"Good work."

The commander waved, and Wendy bowed before walking down the spring evening path. Noah, who had come to stand beside me, watched her go. At his prompting, Wendy placed her hand on the commander's arm. Their laughter was infectious.

It made me inexplicably happy, and I watched them until they turned the corner. When they were out of sight, my sigh dissipated into the spring sky. Suddenly, my cheek was poked, and I turned to see Noah grinning mischievously.

I will post again at 8:00 AM tomorrow.

Thank you very much.