Chapter 10

The library lounge was noisier than usual. Librarians from the upper floors had gathered in the lounge to listen to Julia’s story.

Even the male civil servants, wondering what difference there could be between them and the soldiers, were keenly listening to Julia.

“He seemed much nicer than I thought. I’m talking about Manager Lance. Before I even said I was cold, he took off his coat and draped it over me, you know?”

Julia went on at length about her dinner last night. She even chatted during work hours, secretly from the director, because break time wasn’t enough.

“I thought he was from a noble family because of his formal manners, but he’s not. Isn’t that amazing? He rose to that position solely through effort.”

The seniors who were listening to Julia envied her.

The good atmosphere last night wasn’t just for Julia. Stories from Georgia and Katrina, who work in the administration office, also spread.

They said Lieutenant Finn, though young, was responsible and mature, and Captain Elvin was so affable and humorous that there was never a dull moment. It was a satisfying dinner for everyone. Except for one person.

“Vivi, how about you?”

“You were with Sir Costance, weren’t you?”

From the beginning, the seniors were curious about the day she was with Sir Costance. Yet, they didn’t approach her first because of her dark expression.

Another reason was that Sir Costance, who visited the library daily, hadn’t come.

For those two reasons, the seniors assumed the atmosphere between Sir Costance and her last night wasn’t good.

“It was just okay.”

When she replied curtly, the seniors’ curious eyes deepened. They seemed curious about what was lacking in the seemingly perfect Sir Costance.

“Why? Was he someone who relied solely on his looks? Did he always boast? Well, being the heir of a Marquisate, what wouldn’t be impressive?”

“…That’s not it.”

“Or was he blunt and cold? Did ordinary citizens not satisfy him?”

“That’s not it either.”

When she didn’t give a clear answer, the seniors began to speculate among themselves.

But they were all wrong.

Sir Costance was someone who could humble himself and only spoke the truth.

Though he was blunt and cold, it wasn’t intentional. In retrospect, he was kind and considerate in front of her. If his demeanor wasn’t just a facade to seduce her, he was quite a decent man.

“Then? Surely he wasn’t violent, was he?”

“What? Why would you say that?”

She had zoned out for a moment, but then she heard something alarming. Startled, she asked, and the seniors pointed to her elbow.

“You hurt your other elbow. It wasn’t there when you left work yesterday.”

“What? I got hurt? Where?”

“Here, see? Why are you pretending not to know when it’s bandaged?”

At the seniors’ words, she raised her arm to look at her elbow. Last night, her arm was spotless, but now a large pad and bandage were neatly attached. Judging by the size, it wasn’t a small injury, but she couldn’t remember how she got hurt.

“What? Why are you tearing it off, Vivi!”

As she peeled off the tape, the seniors around her were horrified. Under the pad was a wound that wasn’t yet healed, with blood pooled in it.

“Ugh, that must hurt. Are you okay?”

“The wound is severe. I told you not to remove it.”

As the seniors said, the wound was much more severe than expected.

It wasn’t just a scratch. It seemed like something sharp had pierced deeply into her flesh, tearing it. There must have been a lot of bleeding, but the area was clean, as if it had been disinfected.

“…It hurts.”

She murmured softly, and the seniors looked at her strangely. She hadn’t realized she was injured. It was only after discovering the wound that she felt the pain.

“Go to the hospital later. You might need stitches.”

“I guess I should.”

She answered instinctively. What was troubling her mind wasn’t the wound. It was Sir Costance. The memory of the previous night’s events was hazy due to the alcohol. She didn’t even remember how she got to the hotel.

But after seeing the wound, the events that happened while she was asleep last night played out in her mind like a picture.

‘The blood on the bed was from this elbow.’

Sir Costance took her to the hotel because he couldn’t leave her drunk. And also to treat her injury.

Although the luxury hotel was a bit much, it was the closest to the jazz café. The reason her skirt was off might have been due to my sleeping habits.

“By the way, tell us about Sir Costance, Vivi.”

The seniors, undeterred, kept asking.

Once she realized nothing happened with Sir Costance, her mind was also in turmoil.

She recalled the morning when she acted awkwardly due to her misunderstanding. The shame made her face flush red.

Is that why he didn’t come to the library? Sir Costance must have lost all affection for me.

‘Not only did I get drunk and injure myself, but I also left without even thanking him for treating my wound.’

I was the one at fault.

“Vivi?”

“…He probably just got tired of me.”

The words slipped out without her realizing it.

“Why, what’s wrong?”

“Like you said, Sir Costance doesn’t suit someone like me.”

What am I saying?

The Sir Costance who had bothered her was now gone. Strangely, her heart felt bitter.

The self-reproach from the contradictory feelings weighed on her shoulders.

“L-let’s get to work now. It’s almost lunchtime, and we still have a lot to do.”

Julia tapped the seniors on the shoulder. The seniors returned to their seats, glancing at her.

“…”

Pretending not to notice their gaze, she silently organized the piled-up chores.

She thought to herself that she was just like anyone else. She might have enjoyed the attention from someone so well-known.

Finally, she returned to reality. She needed to pull herself together and resolve not to repeat this mistake.

Yes, I’ll learn from this experience and never make the same mistake again. Never…

‘I should go to the hospital later.’

The constant stinging in her elbow was painful.  To endure the pain and continue working, she picked up a pen, but the reading room door opened.

For some reason, her head turned naturally towards the door as if drawn by a magnet.

“…”

There stood Sir Costance.

‘This can’t be happening.’

She was dumbfounded.

She thought he wouldn’t come here after yesterday.

Sir Costance appeared in even neater attire than before. He even gave a small smile when he saw her. She clearly saw that fleeting smile.

Sir Costance picked up a book and sat in his usual spot.

Why, why did he come here?

“Vivi. Are you sure nothing happened with Sir Costance yesterday?”

Julia nudged her waist and asked.

“…Nothing happened.”

“Don’t lie. Just tell me secretly.”

“Really. I made a fool of myself. I spoke rudely to him under the influence of alcohol.”

“What?”

Julia was taken aback by her excessive honesty.

“I think I might have fallen clumsily in front of him. I might have even thrown up.”

“What exactly happened yesterday?”

“That’s really all that happened.”

“Okay, okay. I won’t ask anymore, so cheer up.”

Julia watched her closely before returning to her seat.

There wasn’t a single lie in what VIvi had just said. 

But why did Sir Costance come here?

* * *

VIvi headed to the restroom to gather her thoughts. In front of the mirror was her reflection, looking as serious as Julia had said.

If she didn’t wash her face immediately, it might catch fire. Vivi splashed her face with cold water several times. The suddenly reddened cheeks were bothersome.

‘Let’s not overthink it.’

He might have come just to read a book. This is the largest library in the village…….

After regaining her composure, she opened the reading room door, only to find Sir Costance standing right in front of it.

Her startled body stiffened.

“I-I’m sorry.”

She slowly turned her body to the side.

“Vivi.”

“Yes? …Oh. Is there something I can help you with? Just say the word.”

She didn’t want to talk about personal matters.

“Could you help me find a book?”

He also didn’t bring up anything personal. Relieved, she nodded slightly.

“O-of course. Which book?”

Sir Costance mentioned one of the philosophy books, and she immediately went to the shelf and looked at the third row. Finding the book was easy.

“Here you go.”

When she found the book and handed it to him at once, he looked slightly dissatisfied.

“Ah… Is this not the book you wanted?”

“You’re very quick at finding books.”

“Well, I also frequently read this philosophy book.”

“Could you find me another book?”

“O-of course.”

Sir Costance, without hesitation, told her the titles of three books.

The three books were all of different genres: one was a famous mystery novel, another was a history book, and the last had an absurdly long title, likely related to dynamics.

“Where is that book…?”

Pretending to busily search for books, she glanced at his face. He was looking at her intently.

“Are you feeling alright?”

Her hand froze in mid-air. He brought up the events from this morning.