Chapter 63

The letter I wrote at night, when I let my feelings flow freely, ended up being quite thick.

I thought Noah would have a hard time reading it, so I picked out a few parts and rewrote them.

A thank you for coming to see me. A wish for him to stay well. A story about a book. And then... the fact that I like Noah.

There are endless things I want to write, but since I can write another letter tomorrow, it’s okay not to write everything at once. Besides... if I want to see him, I can always do so.

I can think this way thanks to Noah.

In the morning, a letter from Noah arrived.

A warm letter filled with his feelings for me. The red rose that came with it was so beautiful that I decided to press its petals and use them as a bookmark.

I decided to have Mark deliver my letter along with the book I promised to lend him.

Apparently, the knights don’t usually accept deliveries, but Noah said it would be fine since I’m his fiancée.

I hope this letter reaches you... I poured my wishes into it.

Seeing Noah always makes me happy, and that alone makes me feel better.

Wendy, who heard the details from Captain Radine, worries about me, but I can tell her that I’m fine. I’m not just putting on a brave face; I really am.

In fact, my mood lifted, and I felt like I could overcome anything... until noon.

“...Mr. Bloom, can you repair the books in the library? Some knights are here as well.”

“Yes. ...I’m sorry.”

“No, there’s no need for you to apologize, Bloom. It’s a tough situation.”

My boss, who has dark circles under his eyes, speaks with a comforting tone. The last part was whispered, but I heard it clearly.

I smile ambiguously and leave the counter. Wendy and my colleague who replaced me at the counter both look sympathetic.

The cause was a group standing near the new arrivals section right inside the library.

Princess Camilla and her attendant. One soldier from Anheim and two knights assigned as her guards. There are fewer of them than usual, but they still draw attention.

I see Princess Camilla everywhere today.

She doesn’t speak to me, but her gaze is directed at me. Despite her gentle smile, her eyes are somehow frightening.

Without looking at Princess Camilla and her entourage, I slip through the door marked “No Entry for Unauthorized Personnel” and lock it behind me.

This is a part of the library that hasn’t been inspected, so Princess Camilla won’t come here.

I let out a small sigh, aware of the help I’m receiving once again.

I take a basket of repair tools from the storage and head to the library.

Listening to the sound of my footsteps echoing in the quiet corridor, I descend the stairs to the basement. Even though it’s underground, the walls are lit at regular intervals, so it’s not scary.

At the entrance to the library, Lars and Johan, both in knight uniforms, are waiting for me.

My boss mentioned that some knights were here, and Lars is one of them... but what about Johan?

“Alicia, good work.”

“Thank you. Why are you both here?”

“I’m here to guard Alicia.”

“I wanted to see the library, so I came along. I have the director’s permission.”

Guard me?

Even without asking, my face must have shown my confusion, so Lars smiles and knocks on the library door.

“Let’s go in. You have work to do, right?”

“Yes, that’s right.”

I open the library door as prompted.

The room is cool and dim, but my body remembers where the lights are.

I take a candlestick from the shelf on the right, and Johan lights it for me.

There are three candlesticks in total, which should be enough for the number of people.

The cold draft from the ventilation is slight, so it doesn’t make the flames flicker.

“Can I start my work?”

“Of course. Just pretend we’re not here.”

“That’s a bit difficult...”

I smile wryly and look at the workbench. My boss has already gathered the books that need repair.

I place the basket next to them and take out the necessary tools.

“Why do I need a guard?”

“It’s an emergency mission. That crazy princess has been wandering around you a lot. We can’t have anything happen, you know?”

“I did notice her more today... but I didn’t think she would do something directly...”

“We can’t rule out that possibility. If something happens to you, Einhard will be scary.”

I can’t help but smile at Lars’s cheerful laugh.

I feel a bit guilty about having a guard, but I’ll accept it honestly. Being safe is important. I’ll apologize and thank them later when I’m more composed.

I nod slightly and sit down on the chair at the workbench.

I pick up one of the stacked books and read the memo that lists the repairs needed.

“Hey, Johan, don’t go too far!”

“I know, don’t worry.”

“You won’t know. It’s a pain to find you when you get lost.”

“I’ll be fine. There’s no way to get lost here.”

It’s a large room, but it’s one room, so I don’t think anyone can get lost.

I can’t help but laugh at their banter, but I suddenly wonder about their relationship. They seem quite close, but when did they become so?

“When did you and Johan become so close?”

“He often gets lost. I found him a few times, and we just kind of... got along. I was a bit wary when he came with the princess, but we turned out to be quite compatible.”

“I see.”

Johan had mentioned before that he is not a subject of Princess Camilla, and even though he is part of the Anheim delegation, there might be some complex relationships.

Lars pulls a chair from the wall and takes a book from the shelf.

It’s... a children’s book about a flower fairy traveling the world.

Johan’s footsteps and his voice of admiration are distant. He seems to have gone quite far, but I hope he’s okay.

While thinking about this, I apply glue to the torn edge of a page. I focus on my work.

The room, filled with the scent of slightly old paper, passes quickly until the end of my shift.