“It seems that His Highness the Duke ate something wrong. It seems from your delirium that you do not understand what you are saying.”
I sneered at him and twisted the corner of my mouth, but Franz didn't bat an eyelid.
Even his violet eyes twinkled with curiosity.
“What a pity. I was hoping to see you shooting fire arrows and fighting the monster. Everyone was praising you, saying that you looked like a beautiful, powerful lady of war.”
He grabbed my wrist and lifted it.
I couldn't break free easily. I don't know where this strength came from in that weak arm.
He examined my hand deeply as if he were contemplating a work of art.
“This hand is the one that killed the monster? It is sad that I did not witness you slaughter the monster and smear its blood on your hands next time. You must definitely show me.”
What a crazy psycho! I grabbed my hand with all my might.
I almost gave in to the anger that was about to explode like a spark.
“Let me warn you next time, that arrow might be heading towards you.”
Franz looked at me defiantly, motionless.
As I was about to get up to leave, he squeezed my shoulder hard and held my chin, holding it up.
Without having a chance to respond, his pink lips moved closer to mine.
Franz's lips stopped in a dangerous place, with no opportunity to escape.
I stared at him without blinking, gritting my teeth.
Just like a cornered animal preparing for a counterattack.
Erika's face, full of hostility, was reflected in his ruby-colored eyes, like a mirror.
It's not me; The woman who loved him like her own in the original story.
The corner of Franz's mouth twitched in sarcasm.
“See? If I kissed you, you would definitely bite me.”
He grabbed a lock of my long hair and kissed it softly.
Then he looked at me with a look of intense possessive desire.
“Every strand of your hair is mine, so you must live for me, Erica.”
I was out of breath.
I felt like what he was holding was not my hair but my lifeline.
Do you mean that no matter how hard you try to resist, you will remain in your place?
Am I your manipulative puppet after all?
Despair mixed with anger until I was almost crazy.
I couldn't think rationally.
I gritted my teeth and pushed his shoulders violently.
“Don't make me laugh.”
Franz stepped back maliciously, as if he was deliberately condescending to me.
Then he placed his hand on his chest and bowed elegantly in greeting.
“I will wait for the day when I see you again, miss.”
Leave through the hallway.
I screamed silently towards the back of his head.
If this wasn't the place of the royal palace!
It was a hateful meeting, let's not meet again even in hell! You bastard!
I tried to calm my ragged breathing as I gripped the sofa seat so hard I almost broke it.
I heard a ringing in my head.
It was the sound of my heart beating like crazy.
With just a few words, Franz was able to mock me and try to control me like a puppet.
easily.
This was humiliating and terrifying at the same time.
I felt helpless, as if I was pressed under a huge, solid rock.
I wish I had at least bitten off his ear.
I closed my eyes and tried to slowly regulate my breathing.
I saw a yellow light going beyond the darkness.
It was like the exit of a dark tunnel.
To my surprise, just seeing that light calmed my jittery nerves.
Anger, fear and helplessness disappeared.
The light flashed slowly and then he faced me.
Those were… the eyes of a monster.
Why do I remember now, at a time like this, a dying monster?
The monster is talking to me.
No, he's been talking to me since the moment he first saw me.
But I still don't understand what he's saying.
What exactly do you want from me?
Why do they always appear when I am in confusion and pain, when I hate my helpless self and want to cling to any strength even if it is trivial?
Once again, I felt a tremendous force writhing beneath my body.
As if an unbearable force was positioned and lurking.
Over time, I came to feel this tremendous power clearly.
It's so tempting, it makes me want it.
I want to extend my hand and make her mine.
"Erica? What's going on?"
A voice like light came from behind the darkness.
A very familiar voice, low but soft and firm.
Carlex's worried face clearly filled my field of vision.
He carefully held my shoulder and looked at me.
“Your skin tone is pale. Are you okay?”
“…Your Highness the Duke.”
“It seems you need a healing spell. I will summon William immediately.”
Carlex hurriedly turned around, about to go get William.
I grabbed his hand suddenly and forcefully.
“No, I'm fine. I was just resting a little.”
I couldn't say what happened with Franz.
It would be difficult if a war broke out between the two families in the royal palace.
Carlex, whose hand I held, stopped as if frozen in a still frame.
He stared at my hand, which was barely holding his large one.
“This is the first time...”
"Mm? What do you mean?"
“To hold my hand.”
His serious tone of voice, as if the matter was of utmost importance, confused me and I tried to let go of his hand.
“Don't leave her.”
Carlex stopped me hastily and firmly.
“Mm? Well...”
As if drawn to him, I took his hand again.
I'm sitting on the couch, and Carlex is standing in front of me, holding only my hand, and we're facing each other.
We will be misunderstood in the royal palace as being in love.
Even if this physical contact is difficult to describe.
But that wasn't important.
Because the solidity and warmth I felt from his hand made the anxiety, anger, and helplessness I had just felt disappear.
Just in front of me, the knight with straight and strong black hair.
I wanted to act like a spoiled child for no reason and smiled at him.
“I now understand why you don't like coming to the Royal Palace, Your Highness. It's a really draining place. Let's go back to the Ducal Library. Perhaps Master Michael will be waiting for us.”
Carlex paused for a moment. His deep and beautiful eyes slowly closed. His smile looked like a warm spring day.
“I'm glad I can come back with you.”
He looked so beautiful that I couldn't take my eyes off him.
“Oh, you hurt my feelings by saying that, Librarian Erica. Do you hate the Royal Palace that much?”
The Crown Prince, who I don't know how long he had been standing, was leaning against the wall and giving a swaying smile.
“I was wondering a little while ago, why are you just holding hands like you're two children playing?”
I felt embarrassed late and quickly let go of Carlex's hand.
Carlex's eyes sparkled at my quick response.
As if he was a child whose hand had escaped from his mother's.
Why do I feel like I made a mistake?
“I felt a little dizzy. His Highness the Duke was just supporting me.”
“It seems that attending the State Council meeting was stressful for you. You should have told me sooner. If I held you in my warm, wide embrace, you would feel better.”
Ludving straightened his chest and knocked confidently.
Where is the charismatic crown prince who was in the meeting room? All that's left here is the playboy lover.
“I will apologize for that.”
Carlex took a step forward, as if to protect me.
“Librarian Erica has been working hard since last night, so she needs to rest. I'm leaving now too.”
I felt a strong will to reject any rejection from his firm expression.
I was sincerely impressed.
This is Carlex for sure.
He expresses his opinion confidently, announcing the end of the shift.
But the Crown Prince was a cunning fox, no less cunning.
"What's the rush? No monster has appeared again since you two came to the palace after a while, so have more fun and we should also celebrate today's victory, right?"
The Crown Prince smiled happily and pretended to open the cork of the bottle.
This is a typical statement from a CEO.
Whenever something happens, he wants to throw a party.
Carlex's facial expression suddenly changed and turned cold.
“To be precise, it will only be Your Highness’s victory. Do you know how complicated the preparations are, such as securing the budget to establish the Knights Division, expanding the number of members and the training plan? In the end, the task of dealing with the consequences falls on William and me.”
Okay! I shouted internally in agreement.
Only the Crown Prince has the charisma and does all the wonderful things, while the subordinates bear all the tremendous work.
The Crown Prince seemed to have a little conscience, as he patted Carlex's shoulder with a shy face.
“That's why I trust and rely on you both. You always know what I mean, right?”
Carlex mercilessly pushed the Crown Prince's hand away.
“I don't really want to know that.”
“Oh, why are you acting like this? You were the one who suggested establishing the Knights Division first.”
Carlex's forehead wrinkled again.
His handsome face will become wrinkled like this.
Although he would still be handsome even if he became wrinkled.
“I suggested this because an elite cavalry squad is necessary to prepare, as the appearance of monsters will likely increase in the future but...”
Carlex suddenly stopped and looked at the Crown Prince with a serious look.
The color of his cobalt blue eyes bowed gently.
“It was a great move for you to appropriately use that to secure your influence.”
My God, the arrogant Carlex is praising the Crown Prince. Isn't this the first time?
Ludving looked surprised as well and his eyes widened.
With a shy facial expression due to the unexpected compliment.
"Oh, hmm. I didn't know you respected and admired me so much."
“Don't over-interpret, it's just an observation about today's State Council meeting.”
Carlex announced this seriously and drew a clear line.
Oh, you can simply compliment him frankly.
Why are you being so tough and talking like a soldier?
I showed a bright smile with the utmost customer service mentality and gave me a thumbs up.
“Your Highness, you were truly wonderful today! For the first time, I felt that you were a prince from the royal family.”
“Hmm, thank you for the compliment, but what did you think about me all this time?”
Ludving grumbled, frowning.
Carlex turned his head slightly, and it was clear that he was stifling a laugh.
“Your Highness, can’t you postpone the victory celebration for later? The director is busy today as well.”
“That's right. We should be celebrating Librarian Erica's promotion as well, so I'll set a date later.”
Oh, I've been promoted.
Franz seems to have really made me lose my mind.
“By the way, this is your first time coming to the Royal Palace, right? Since I showed you my secret place in the library, I will show you my secret place this time. Aren’t you excited?”
Ludving's facial expression was like a seven-year-old wanting to show off his toy.
My facial expression clearly showed my discomfort.
“That's a little unfair.”
“Why?”
“Because you drank tea, slept, and played in my secret place, while I could only watch your secret place.”
“Hmm, you are right when you listen to it.”
Ludving pretended to think while holding his chin, then as if he remembered something and snapped his fingers.
“Ah! If you become my personal librarian, you can freely roam anywhere in the royal palace. Then you can drink tea, take a nap, and play in my secret place as well.”
I broke out into a real sob.
I suddenly got up from the sofa and bowed at a 90 degree angle to the Crown Prince.
“Then, I will leave work now. Thank you, Your Highness the Crown Prince.”
I walked out into the hallway with quick steps before he caught me.
Carlex followed me at a pace, while the Crown Prince followed at the fastest pace.
"Erica, this is an order! Stop!"
What a cheap trick you're using here.
I will do what you say...
“Yes. Did you call me, Your Highness the Crown Prince?”
...You know how to play the game.
Yes, I am the head librarian.
I looked at the Crown Prince with a grumpy expression on his face.
He was surprised by my distorted face, then smiled evilly.
“I forgot to tell you this. Her Majesty the Queen would like to meet with both Librarian Erika and Grand Duke Reinhardt.”
“Her Majesty the Queen wants to meet me? Why?”
I was very surprised until I turned to Carlex.
He also had an embarrassed facial expression, as if he didn't expect this.
Even if it was Carlex, why me?
“To be continued in the next chapter”
Loving translation