Chapter 6

My engagement has been... well, I'm not sure if I can say it was smooth, but it has been dissolved.

The Countess Tostmann apparently pleaded with me many times to reconsider, but as my brother said with a smile, "Felix-sama seems to have found true love, so I just kept repeating that, and they eventually gave up." It was a good smile.

I don't know what will happen to the Tostmann family, who have been spending extravagantly, but... well, it's probably foolish to worry about it, so I've stopped.

By the way, it seems that the branch of the trading company will be set up in the neighboring country. My father said that they should have opened a store there directly from the beginning, but I know how difficult that would have been. I feel bad for causing them trouble by having my engagement dissolved.

I had planned to resign from the library after getting married, but when I consulted with my supervisor, I was allowed to continue working, which was a relief. There is still a shortage of staff, and they said it would be a help if I didn't quit, but that's probably due to my supervisor's kindness. All I can do is work hard as a librarian.

It's been about ten days since my engagement was officially dissolved. There are some rumors, but as long as they don't reach my ears directly, I'm trying to ignore them. Eventually, people's interest will shift to something else, I think.

But that's not what happened.

Standing in front of the book lending counter with her hands on her hips, glaring at me, was Kiera Fritsche. I thought I would never see her again, but this unexpected turn of events made me want to hold my head in my hands.

"Alicia, may I have a word with you?"

"I'm sorry, but I'm at work, so I'd like to avoid idle chatter—"

"What did you do to the Tostmann family?"

She doesn't seem to want to listen to my side of the story.

The last time I saw her at the café, she looked timid, but now she has a completely different expression. But I think this is much better than when she was pretending to be weak.

"I haven't done anything—"

"Don't lie. Then why isn't my engagement to Felix-sama progressing?"

I don't know what to say to that.

"My engagement to the Tostmann family's son has been amicably dissolved. Since then, we have not been involved, and we have been avoiding any further contact between our families."

"That's a lie. You must be using your father's influence to interfere with our engagement. It's terrible that you still have feelings for Felix-sama. You weren't chosen because they saw through your mean-spiritedness."

"Even if you say that—"

Mean-spirited.

I don't have any lingering feelings, and I haven't been mean.

My forced smile is starting to twitch.

I can see that the patrons who have come to borrow books are looking at us, wondering what's going on. Of course, Kiera Fritsche's voice is loud and carries well... This is going to become more gossip.

"Make sure our engagement progresses properly. Understand?"

"I really haven't done anything. Perhaps you should confirm with the Tostmann family's son—"

"Felix-sama said it himself! He said you're interfering!"

She's calling me "you" and her voice is loud.

"I'm sorry, but could you please lower your voice? This is a library—"

"Are you saying my voice is loud?!"

Yes, it is.

What should I do? I should probably get her away from here.

Thinking that, I reached for the "Away from Desk" sign.

If I place this and the call button, people who want to borrow books can use the button to call another librarian.

"Excuse me, could you wait a moment?"

Before I could place the sign on the counter, a stern, low voice echoed.

Turning to look, I saw a knight standing there, dressed in the distinctive dark blue uniform of the knights, not in armor.

"Oh..."

Kiera Fritsche let out a small, high-pitched sound. It was very different from the angry, sharp tone she had just used with me.

However, I can't really blame her... I mean, it's understandable that her voice would get high. My heart was pounding too.

Joel Einhardt.

The handsome and popular knight, one of the most admired in the knight corps, was standing at the counter.

"I'm looking for a book. Could you guide me?"

"Yes, of course."

I placed the "Away from Desk" sign and the call button on the counter. Kiera Fritsche was looking at Lord Einhardt with a passionate gaze.

"Miss, this is a place where various people gather. Please refrain from raising your voice."

"Y-Yes..."

Despite being reprimanded, Kiera Fritsche's eyes were glowing with heat. Her cheeks were flushed, and she looked like a lovesick maiden. Well, that's to be expected.

If Lord Einhardt, the dream of the capital's women, spoke to you, you'd react the same way, even if the content was a bit off.

"Excuse me. Miss Bloom, could you show me where the tactical books are?"

"Yes."

I stepped away from the counter, bowed to Kiera Fritsche, and started walking.

Lord Einhardt followed me a short distance behind. The shelf for tactical books was in a slightly secluded area... Hmm?

While leading the way, I was puzzled.

Tactical books are often borrowed by members of the knight corps. Lord Einhardt is one of them and usually finds and borrows the books he needs on his own...

"Here is the shelf for tactical books."

"Thank you."

I stopped in front of the shelf and turned around.

Lord Einhardt nodded once and, as if he knew exactly where the book he wanted was, pulled one out without hesitation.

"Thank you very much."

"For what?"

Lord Einhardt's gaze shifted from the book to me. I shouldn't have made eye contact.

His well-shaped forehead is visible because his black hair is combed back. The two strands of hair that fall down give off a calculated air of charm.

His strong-willed eyebrows, straight nose, and thin lips—all parts of him are beautiful, but what stands out the most are his eyes.

His irises are a golden color, like stars fallen into a deep purple. I don't know who gave him the nickname "Evening Star Knight," but it must have come from these eyes.

"I thought you were helping me."

"Raising your voice in the library is a nuisance. It's not something you should be concerned about."

"But I was helped. Thank you."

He really did help me.

If I weren't at work, I might have fallen for him. Or rather, I'm telling myself that I'm at work.

"If you can't handle it yourself, you should call someone for help."

"Yes, I will do that next time."

"Good. I'll borrow this."

"I'll process the loan for you."

We walked back to the counter. The patrons' gazes were painful because we were walking side by side. Lord Einhardt is already eye-catching. If I hadn't been wearing my librarian's name tag, I might have been burned by jealous glares.

"...Miss Bloom, I want to read something else. Do you have any recommendations?"

"There's a new mystery novel by a popular author. It's usually borrowed quickly, but it was just returned."

"Then I'll borrow that."

"Understood."

It's unusual for Lord Einhardt, who usually only borrows tactical books, to borrow something else. Maybe I just don't know, and he's actually a big reader.

I found the mystery novel interesting, so I hope Lord Einhardt will enjoy it too.

When we returned to the counter, fortunately, Kiera Fritsche was gone. I sighed in relief and processed the loan for the tactical book and the mystery novel.

When I handed him the two books, Lord Einhardt smiled slightly.

"Thank you."

"You're welcome. I hope you have a pleasant time."

His graceful departure was dazzling. I almost wanted to collapse onto the counter in relief. I managed to hold back and looked around, seeing that all the female patrons were in a daze.