Chapter 11. Midnight Meeting 2

“What? Confidential?”

Wait, I need to think about it.

‘Extras, who hear an important secret, must die.’

It’s a definite cliché in movies and dramas.

I sneakily glanced at William.

“Do I have to listen to it?”

William looked at me with a pitiful look.

“I’m sorry. I put too much pressure on Miss Erika.”

“No. It’s not to that extent.”

“If you’re having a hard time… You can quit. I don’t want to make Miss Erika suffer anymore.”

For a moment, I doubted my ears.

I’m fired after my first day at work? Isn’t that a violation of the labor law?

“Do you want me to quit being a librarian?”

A guilty expression crossed William’s face.

“If I hadn’t appointed Miss Erika as the librarian of the Royal Library, we wouldn’t have had a dangerous accident like today. I will help you stay comfortable at our official residence even if you don’t work as a librarian. As a guardian, nothing is more important than your safety and happiness.”

Carlix, who was waiting leisurely on the sofa, straightened up.

The arrogant blue eyes under the thick and straight eyebrows face me like a sharp sword.

“You saved my brother. If you quit your job as a librarian, I will provide you with a comfortable residence. That way you can only do what you want to do.”

Their sudden suggestion complicated my mind.

A life of living comfortably without having to live as a librarian.

A peaceful life without being entangled with rebels or beheaded must be the life I dreamed of.

But those eyes looking at me are a bit uncomfortable.

Their expressions were calm, but their intentions to test me was hidden behind those expressions.

They’re testing me before telling me the secret.

To see if I can keep the secret till the end.

If I turn around scared, they will take the Bookfinder back and kick me out of the library, no matter how much the existence of a book leader is needed.

There was one thing they didn’t know.

I want to go back to reality.

I can’t die of old age in this book for the rest of my life.

Perhaps because of the tension, I was thirsty so I drank the rest of the wine.

After slightly licking the wine on the side of my mouth with the tip of my tongue, I smiled.

The eyes of the two men shook.

William’s ears turned red and hurriedly avoided my gaze. However, Carlix’s indifferent gaze persistently chased me.

The movement of my tongue, my wine-soaked lips, and even the corners of my lips that draw lines.

“I want to continue working as a librarian at the Royal Library.”

“Your life can be in danger. Won’t it be scary?”

Carlix’s eyes changed like hunters chasing their prey.

“The weirdos have already seen my face. It’s too late to run away. Wherever I hide, they’ll find me. Above all…”

I paused for a moment and smiled resolutely at the two men whose gaze can almost pierce me.

“I like working in the library. I read in a book that confronting rather than avoiding danger is the best defense and attack.”

As soon as I finished talking, Carlix burst into laughter. I was surprised because it was my first time seeing him laugh so loudly.

He bowed his head gracefully to me with a satisfied look.

“That’s the best answer, Miss Diel. I would like to express my sincere respect for your courage and spirit.”

William sighed a mixture of relief and worries.

“As expected… I knew you’d answer that.”

I crossed my arms and glared fiercely at the two men who tested me.

“You just tested me, right? This is upsetting. Do you guys not trust me?”

“Ah, that was the director’s idea.”

Carlix shamelessly attributed the blame to William. William shook his hand in embarrassment.

“I didn’t mean to do that. I hope Erika doesn’t have a hard time… I’m sorry if it was unpleasant.”

William, whose face turned red, bowed his head to me and apologized.

A wizard with a pure and upright mind seems to regard himself as trash just by testing others.

I laughed because it was pitiful and cute.

“I understand. Director. It’s not easy to tell the secrets of the kingdom. I know you said that because you were worried about me.”

“Thank you so much for your understanding.”

William looked at me with eyes wet with emotion.

It’s time to turn the arrow to Carlix.

That high-ranking person who is guilty of being a good friend and drinks leisurely alone.

“Don’t you have anything to say to me?”

Carlix put the glass down on the table and moved towards me.

A perfect face similar to a sculpture is now suddenly around the corner. I almost avoided it for a moment, but I had a hard time, so I stared at him without blinking.

“As long as I am prepared for danger and declare to be the leader of the North, I pledge to keep your safety to the end as the commander-in-chief of the Kingdom of Ruberia.”

Carlix’s voice was deep, but had a strong echo. My whole body trembled and my heart beated by the oath that seemed to imprint in my heart.

Deep cobalt blue eyes burned hot as if trying to light up the darkness.

If you are attracted to that light for a moment, you will look like a moth jumping into the fire.

“Thank you. I’ll do my best as a librarian at the Royal Library.”

I answered in an office-like manner to hide my agitated mind.

There was only suffocating silence in the drawing room. Only the sound of firewood burning, which quietly lit in the fireplace, was occasionally heard.

It was William who broke the silence. He coughed low and opened his mouth.

“Miss Erika, have you heard of the boundary of dimensions located in the Kral Mountains?”

I remembered reading it from the original. The boundary of dimensions in the Kral Mountains across the continent. I heard that it is a huge boundary that balances the world.

I nodded slightly.

“Yes, I’ve heard of it.”

“Dimensional boundaries hide a huge force that balances the world. The sorcerers of the guardians are guarding the boundary. I also took on the duty of protecting the boundary in the Kral Mountains.”

William continued to explain with a gentle look.

“This is a story that anyone who is a Ruberian knows so far. However, there is a hidden secret. The great power in the boundaries of dimension is contained in the five magic books. The five major magic books have the power of Phoenix (fire), Undine (water), Terra (land), Anima (air), and Ignis (light). These magic books have been designated as national treasures of the Kingdom of Ruberia and are each kept in secret places. One of them is in the Royal Library.”

William paused for a moment and threw his eyes at Carlix.

“The Grand Duke is in charge of protecting the spell books.”

Carlix replied with a look of great annoyance.

“His Highness forced me to do it.”

William looked at his friend with a trustworthy look.

“The Duke of Reinhardt’s family has devoted hundreds of years since the founding of the kingdom. His Highness trusted Duke Reinhardt deeply and secretly gave him a critical mission of protecting the five magic books.”

“Hey, what powers do the five magic books have?”

William’s expression hardened seriously.

“According to ancient records, if you create a magic circle with five magic books, you can use powerful magic. Power that is enough to destroy the nation.”

“What?”

I doubted my ears for a moment. Is it possible to ruin a country with books?

“However, there is a fatal problem with the power of the five books.”

“What’s the problem?”

“If you create a magic circle with five magic books, the balance that forms the dimensional barrier is broken, and demons will appear. These demons are cruel beasts that only lust for slaughter, and they slaughtered thousands of people.”

When the word “demons” came out, the flames of anger and hatred were reflected in Carlix’s eyes and then disappeared.

Pls read only at pink muffin tl.

William continued to talk.

“It’s thanks to five magic books that other countries asked the Kingdom of Ruberia for peace and the war between countries ended. If you wanted, you can use a magic book to destroy a country in one day.”

“Then, their goal to take away the bookfinder is…”

I couldn’t say the answer that passed by like lightning through my head.

Carlix replied as if he had read my mind.

“It must be a rebel or enemy trying to take over the Kingdom of Ruberia with the power of the books.”

Rebel forces… Why are they coming out?

I was going to risk my life to avoid the beheading route, but what if I get involved?

Shall we return the Bookfinder and go live in a deep mountain that no one knows?

In the midst of confusion due to internal conflict, William comforted me with a gentle smile.

“We’ve only talked about serious and heavy things, right? It’s because even in the kingdom, only a few people know about it. Miss Erika just needs to be faithful to her duties as a book leader and librarian.”

“Yes, I see. Do I just keep going to work?”

“The Royal Library will be closed for a week. I think I will be busy preparing measures to prevent the stealing of the magic books and reporting back to the royal palace. In the meantime, Erika can rest comfortably.”

A week off as soon as I got to work?

I tried to keep a calm face, but…

William added with a bright look.

“Don’t worry about the problem of personal protection. The guards will be increased at the government offices and libraries, and the Knights of Duke Reinhardt will protect Miss Erika. Carlix has pledged to take responsibility and keep you safe.”

“Oh, it’s an honor. Thank you.”

It felt like I was hanging gunpowder on my feet to hear that Carlix was protecting me.

I had an ominous feeling. I couldn’t believe I’m going to be protected by the one who put Erika by the guillotine in the first place.

Carlix frowned because he was displeased.

“Don’t I get any thanks?”

“What are you talking about?”

“Why did you say thank you to William and not say anything to me who will actually protect you?”

For a moment, I rolled my eyes upward. The ceiling wallpaper pattern is so beautiful.

“Miss Diel.”

It was scary when the Archduke called me that.

I gave him a formal smile.

“I will say thank you after looking at the situation in the future.”

“What do you mean?”

Carlix asked sharply, but I stood up pretending not to hear.

“It’s late at night, so I’ll go first. I hope you two have a good time.”

I quickly headed towards the door.

Any more conversation will be beyond my brain capacity.

I was very tired and exhausted mentally and physically. My stomach hurt and I was falling asleep.

William hurried to his feet and saw me to the door with a soft smile.

“Miss Erika. It was hard for you today. Have a good night.”

The air was chilly, so I fastened my collar and hurriedly crossed the hallway. The butler guarding the door was nowhere to be seen.

It wasn’t until I reached the front door of my room on the second floor that I realized that the clothes I was covering were not a robe, but Carlix’s uniform.

If I return it tomorrow morning, it may be too late. He might leave in the morning.

Besides, the uniform of the male lead will be a sign or link of love for the female protagonist, but only an ominous item for the supporting villainess.

It was annoying, but I had to go down to the drawing room again.

The living room door was slightly open. With the warm light of the fireplace, the voices of the two men quietly leaked out.

I hung the uniform on the doorknob and tried to turn around, but the conversation I heard made me stop.