"What is happening?"
From behind the shelves, Lady Marian hurried anxiously with her maid.
The lady looked shocked at the collapsed state of the shelves, but her eyes scanned me and Freesia first.
"Are you two okay? Are you hurt?"
“The librarian was injured in her arm by falling books. She stood up for me and...”
Freesia explained, her voice breaking from crying.
Her little white hands still held mine tightly.
“Oh my God, does it hurt so bad? The wound needs to be treated quickly.”
“I'm fine, it's just...”
I wanted to reassure Ms. Marianne that I was fine, but the pain made me frown uncontrollably.
As the tension subsided, the pain attacked belatedly.
As I was rubbing my left arm, which was swollen without knowing it, the lady's facial expression became serious.
“Oh my God, you've injured your arm. It needs to be treated immediately. Come to the workroom.”
Lady Marian, accompanied by her maid, assisted me.
Then she glanced worriedly at Freesia who was standing there.
“Ah, you're Count Rubel's daughter, aren't you?”
“A...yes...”
“You must be very upset by this sudden incident. Would you like to accompany us to my work room?”
***
As soon as we arrived at the workroom, Mistress Marian asked her maid to bring warm water and a towel.
She sat me on a comfortable chair and brought the first aid box.
Then, with doctor-like skill, she carefully examined to see if there were any cuts or fractures.
“Well, it looks like there's no serious injuries, fortunately. I'll treat your arm wound first. Did you get hit by the edge of a book?”
“Those books were deadly weapons! It seems they made them so durable that they would throw them instead of stones if enemies invaded.”
I rolled up my sleeve while making a deliberate joke.
Because Lady Marian's facial expression was as serious as a doctor in the intensive care room, and Freesia was on the verge of tears
I'm not dead yet, you know.
Librarian dies due to book strike? I don't want my name to be recorded in the library's records in this way.
The corners of Lady Marian's lips rose in a warm smile.
“I like your tolerance, Miss Erica. When the principal comes, I will ask him to use a magical cure. It will not leave any traces.”
I cleaned the wound on my arm with a wet towel, applied an herbal ointment to stop the bleeding, and then wrapped the bandage neatly.
Her first aid skills were amazing.
“You are very good at therapy. Have you received training?”
“My late husband was a doctor in the royal palace. I learned the arts of medicine by watching him while helping him.”
Lady Marian shared a gentle smile and then turned her gaze to Freesia, who was standing hesitantly watching the treatment process.
“Miss Rubel, you can rest assured that Librarian Erica will be fine.”
Freesia looked at me with a sad, guilt-ridden look.
"Erica...that was your name. I didn't even know the name of the person who saved me."
"Don't worry. It wasn't a good situation for dating."
“By the way, I think you called my name during the accident. Have we met before?”
What a smart heroine.
In the height of panic, I called her name first.
I can't say I know her name because you're the heroine of the original novel, right? Wait...this situation sounds familiar.
I felt a tingling sensation that I had felt before and was quick to make an excuse.
“I came across Miss Rubell's name many times while arranging book loans, and I remembered it.”
“I understand, but this is not the time to talk about it.”
Freesia elegantly lifted the hem of her skirt and bowed delicately like the flaps of a butterfly's wings.
It was a beautiful greeting fit to be in a book of social etiquette.
“I formally introduce myself, Miss Erica. I am Friesia of the family of Count Rubel. I thank you from the bottom of my heart for saving me. If you will excuse me, I would like to invite you to the Count’s house.”
“No, no need. I’ll repeat again, this was just my duty as librarian. Don’t feel obligated.”
I responded politely, but inside I shouted: “Of course I refuse!”
I have already taken over the role of the main hero, if I am invited to the heroine's house as well then a disaster will happen.
Her beautiful amethyst eyes were filled with tears.
Freesia looked at me, holding her hands together sadly.
“How could I be so ungrateful that I couldn't properly express my gratitude to my savior?”
The sight of her made me feel like an insensitive person.
Finally, I sighed and agreed with a nod.
“Instead of an invitation, how about you and I have a meal near the library when you have time?”
“You really let me do that? How nice! When your injury recovers, I will definitely invite you to eat.”
As if she had finally relaxed, Freesia wiped the area around her eyes and smiled brightly.
She was very happy.
Deep down, I felt uncomfortable with remorse and guilt.
Although it wasn't intentional, I did disrupt the dramatic first meeting between Carlex and Freesia.
What if she didn't fall in love with Carlex because of it?
Even if the events of the original story were changed... would I be able to return home?
Thoughts of regret for Freesia and worry about my future crowded through my mind.
At that moment, the workroom door opened violently.
William ran inside in a hurry, calling my name.
“Erica, are you okay?!”
His always neat hair was a mess, and his facial expression was stiff with worry and shock.
He came straight to me and examined my bandaged arm with a serious look.
Wanting to reassure him, I deliberately raised my arms forcefully.
“Director, I'm fine. It's not worth this.”
“I heard at the information desk that you were injured. The wounds from the carriage accident have barely healed, and now you are injured again. You should take care of yourself.”
In contrast to his scolding tone, his eyes were filled with regret and pity.
William quickly applied a magical treatment to my arm.
As the light left his fingertips, the pain disappeared as if it were a lie.
While I was in a daze, I suddenly remembered a fact and my face stiffened.
“Mr. Director, please don’t use magic treatment on me anymore.”
When she spoke firmly, a moment's hesitation crossed William's face.
Don't tell me that my words hurt his feelings?
Before I could start to worry, he quickly regained his gentle smile and asked again.
“Why shouldn't I use it?”
Recovery magic wizards were extremely rare beings in the Ruberia Kingdom.
Especially Director William, he was the best magic wizard on the continent.
So much so that he was the special magician treating the king's chronic diseases and nightmares.
“I heard that magic treatment drains a lot of energy. Don’t use magic on a trivial injury like this. It will tire you out.”
His gentle brown eyes stared at me silently.
Although the wound had healed, his warm hands remained on my arm.
“It doesn't bother me. Anything for you.”
Oh, my heart skipped a beat.
Please, Mr. Director, check if there are people around you before saying such statements.
Lady Marianne and Freesia look at us in amazement now.
“Mr. Director, excuse me.”
As if realizing the strange atmosphere, Lady Marian coughed softly.
Finally, William regained his composure and greeted Frisia politely.
“Ah, Miss Rubell. Are you hurt?”
“No, I'm fine because Librarian Erica protected me.”
Wait, I've seen this scene before.
I tried to remember and then opened my mouth a little.
Yes!
It's the first meeting between the secondary hero and the heroine!
In the original story, Carlex saved Freesia, and the two received first aid in the director's room, right?
At that time, William used magic treatment on Freesia and fell in love with her at first sight...
Oh! I was hit! I received the magical treatment too!
I grabbed my head and let out a silent scream.
The situation is getting more complicated.
It would have been better not to save the heroine… No, I should have called Carlex and run away!
"Erica, are you okay? Did you get hit in the head too?"
Lady Marian looked at me with astonished eyes.
Then William screamed as if he had been stung by fire.
"Did a book hit your head? I'll use magic right now!"
“No! I’m fine! Good! Don’t worry about me and keep talking.”
I waved my hand anxiously, but the more I did so, the more William looked at me like a mother who had left her child at the water's edge.
“Cough!”
“Oh, I apologize for interrupting you while we were talking.”
When Lady Marian coughed again, the director bowed politely towards Freesia.
“I sincerely apologize for your accident inside the library. I will pay more attention to safety inside the library from now on.”
Freesia waved her hands in confusion, not knowing what to do.
“No, Director. The accident was my fault. I will compensate for the damaged books. I caused a lot of inconvenience today.”
William smiled with kind eyes.
"It's okay. There's no need to worry. You're fine and that's all that matters."
“But...”
He glanced at Lady Marian.
“Ma’am, would you please escort Miss Rubell to the front hall? I would be grateful.”
“Sure, Mr. Director.”
Mrs. Marianne took Freesia and they went out of the workroom.
Until the moment they walked out the door, Freesia continued to look at me with a look full of guilt and regret.
When the workroom door closed, my stiff shoulders relaxed with tension.
I was more tired and exhausted from worrying about Freesia than from the injury, wow.
William also sighed softly, then lit a small stove on fire to boil water for the teapot.
William was different from ordinary nobles who left the preparation of refreshments to servants.
He seems to prefer making his own tea.
So much so that I always receive tea that he prepares himself.
“Honestly, why would you do something so dangerous? If the shelf is about to fall, you should avoid it, not sacrifice your body to block it.”
He faced away from me so I couldn't see his expression, but his voice was stern and trying to hold back his anger.
I felt like a student being reprimanded by her teacher.
“That's because patron safety is important as a librarian...”
“Your safety is more important.”
William's voice was firm without hesitation.
Well, it's a good thing he had his back to me.
My face got warm for no reason.
While I was trying to cool my face, William came towards me carrying a tray with tea utensils on it.
As I grabbed the cup of tea, I tried to smile guiltily in an attempt to placate him.
“I will be careful next time, Director.”
William looked at me for a moment, then his expression relaxed and he shook his head.
“Honestly, I can't get over you.”
The tea he prepared was so aromatic and warm that it hugged my heart.
We shared a look while drinking tea.
The time I spent drinking tea with William was relaxing, as if I was with a close friend.
Unlike the time I spend with Carlex.
The time I spent drinking tea with him was as uncomfortable as sitting on a bed of nails.
Because his gaze, which was watching my every movement and facial expression, was heavy.
It almost made me gasp while drinking tea.
“By the way, Miss Erica. Suddenly but I have a request, will you excuse me?”
William opened the conversation cautiously.
This was the first time he asked me something, which made me happy.
“I should gladly listen to my guardian’s request. What’s the matter?”
He had a slightly embarrassed expression on his face.
“A high-ranking noble in the Royal Palace who wishes to see your ‘Book Guiding’ abilities is scheduled to visit the Royal Library tomorrow.”
“Yes. So what should I do?”
“Use the 'book compass' in front of that person. If you don't want to, don't pressure yourself.”
"It's okay. I can do it easily. But, who is 'that person'?"
A dark cloud suddenly descended on William's face.
He looked as tired as an employee who was told he had to work overtime five minutes before the end of the day.
“Heir to the first throne of the Kingdom of Ruberia, His Royal Highness Crown Prince Ludwig von Bismarck.”
What?
I doubted what I heard.
He appears here?
“To be continued in the next chapter”
Loving translation