Chapter 4

She sat on a bench in front of the lake. It was a quieter and more leisurely place than the library.

“Ah…”

“Does it sting?”

Sir Costance paused his hand movement. He had been applying medicine to her arm and stopped to look at her.

“I can bear it.”

“Let me know if it hurts.”

He resumed his hand movements. His touch on her wound was more cautious than ever. To an observer, it might seem as if he was handling an explosive. Watching his focused expression, she couldn’t help but smile.

“Ouch.”

It still hurt, though.

Once he finished applying the medicine, Sir Costance wrapped her wound with a pad and medical tape. His actions showed he had done this more than a few times. She admired the neatly applied pad.

“Thank you, Sir.”

“Apply the medicine regularly, and go to the hospital if it hurts. The wound is deep and might scar.”

“Yes. I won’t forget to apply the medicine.”

She examined the medications Sir Costance had bought, including antiseptic with sterilizing effects, alcohol, and hydrogen peroxide.

“If those guys come again, let me know.”

Was he talking about the protesters?

“To you, Sir?”

“I’ll handle it.”

“Isn’t that usually the police’s job?”

“The military does it too.”

Then what do the police do? 

She wanted to say this, but held back.

She looked at the vast lake. She hadn’t had time to leisurely sit and watch the lake due to her busy schedule. It had been a long since she had such a leisurely moment.

By now, the director might be waiting for her at the library, biting her nails… but was that something she should worry about? If the director interrogated her about where she had been, she could just say she went to the police station.

“Please, please let me know.”

At Sir Costance’s firm words, she finally nodded. Only then did he relax his stern expression.

“I owe you.”

“You were impressive, Vivi.”

“…”

“I was a bit pleased to see a new side of you. Though the wound makes me angry.”

The conversation ended there. And then a long silence.

“Please… forget about today’s incident.”

Thinking back, it was all embarrassing. She had fallen in front of him, and if that wasn’t enough, she had raised her voice.

“It seems like something I’ll remember forever.”

There was a hint of laughter in Sir Costance’s voice. When she glared at him, he outright laughed. The sound was clearer and more pleasant than she expected, and her faint anger disappeared.

“Vivi.”

Even when he just laughed, it was like a pictorial. She was once again impressed by his looks.

Well-groomed black hair and gray eyes. Both his hair and eyes were dark, making his impression more distinct. His slender and long hands were more delicate than a woman’s.

He must manage his body regularly, as his shoulders were the broadest she had ever seen among men. Not just his shoulders, but the chest hidden beneath his clothes caught her eye.

She could imagine how impressive his chest was. His shirt couldn’t fully contain his upper body and seemed a bit strained.

“…Vivi.”

“Ah. I’m sorry. It’s just… you must hear this often, but Sir, you’re really handsome.”

She wondered if she had said something too obvious.

When he didn’t respond, she slowly raised her head. She expected him to be indifferent, but his expression was strangely tense.

“Uh, Sir?”

Seeing his odd state, she leaned in closer. As her face drew near, Sir Costance quickly turned his head to the side. Then she noticed his earlobes had turned completely red.

“You, Vivi.”

His lips parted slightly.

“You’ve always been beautiful.

With that one sentence, she felt heat rise in her face and body. Just like him, she became stiff and couldn’t respond, just stammering.

“I’ve always thought so while looking at you. That you’re very beautiful.”

“…”

“Your light brown hair, your blue eyes, all of it.”

Sir Costance drove the point home. She recalled his gaze on her in the library. 

Had such thoughts been mixed in his straightforward gaze?

This was… strange.

Though not as much as Sir Costance, she had often been told she was beautiful out of courtesy.

However, the voice he used just now made her feel like she might be the most beautiful person in the world. Even knowing it wasn’t true, it was a voice and gaze that made her fall for it.

Dong.

The clock tower’s bell rang, signaling the hour.

“Shall we get going now?”

After packing the medicine, she stood up. Sir Costance followed her.

“Are you going to the library too, Sir?”

He nodded. She hesitated and then spoke again.

“Sir, you come to the library often these days. You must like books.”

She asked the question she had been wanting to ask. She phrased it indirectly, but the underlying meaning was why he came to the library every day. She patiently waited for his answer.

“I do.”

After a pause, Sir Costance responded. Though short, the firm answer made her hold her breath for a moment.

Since earlier, she felt as if the temperature of her heart was gradually rising. As her heartbeat quickened, even breathing became difficult.

Her body naturally stiffened, making it hard to walk. She awkwardly forced a smile while silently blaming the sunny weather.

“I mean the books.”

Sir Costance spoke a beat later.

“Oh, oh… you mean the books.”

Sir Costance really, truly, very much liked books.

When she awkwardly laughed, he looked at her and smiled too.

Could Sir Costance be teasing me right now? 

Sir Costance always wore a serious face, pretending nothing was amiss, even when he smiled.

“But I don’t come to the library just because of the books.”

“Pardon?”

“But aren’t you running late?”

So he was teasing me.

Feeling deflated, the strength in her body drained away. Sir Costance looked at her and spoke naturally.

“It would be better to hurry, Vivi.”

* * *

Three days later, the library was still busy. As the youngest, she was responsible for various tasks along with her regular duties.

For example, making coffee for the director every morning, or taking everyone’s orders and packing sandwiches or simple bread if work was busy during lunchtime.

But those were relatively easy tasks. The hardest part was taking the heavy books to the storage room and organizing them.

“Vivi.”

As soon as she stepped out of the reading room with a box, Sir Costance appeared.

Not only did he come to the library every day, but he also knew all the tasks she did. Yesterday, he had helped with the box, and today, he appeared again to take it from her.

Though it made things easier, she was conscious of the attention from others. She quietly followed Sir Costance, who naturally headed for the storage room, after scanning the silent corridor.

“You don’t have to help!”

She had said this yesterday too. Probably the day before as well.

“It’s fine.”

This was also what Sir Costance had said yesterday.

“It’s not fine!”

“This box is too heavy for you, Vivi.”

“…That’s true, but.”

She couldn’t rely on his help forever.

Even if the box was taken, she had to at least carry some of the books inside. She couldn’t just do nothing like this.

“Ah!”

Sir Costance, who had anticipated her thoughts, lifted the box high.

“Sir.”

“Vivi.”

Neither gave in.

With determination, she stretched her arms, and Sir Costance lifted the box higher. As their playful struggle continued, they drew closer. Sir Costance turned his back to her, trying not to let her take the box. As a result, she ended up hugging his back tightly.

Realizing their situation, they looked into each other’s eyes. To an outsider, it might seem like a tender lover’s quarrel.

Knock knock.

It was then.

Someone knocked on the window right next to them. Naturally, their gazes turned to the source of the sound.

Three unfamiliar men were grinning at them through the window.

“What the!”

“Sir!”

Startled, Sir Costance dropped the box he was holding. There was a loud noise. Fortunately, it didn’t seem to reach the reading room, as no one came out to check.

“Sir, are you hurt? Huh?”

She was startled by the unexpected appearance of the men, but she was more worried that the scattered books might have injured his foot.

However, Sir Costance was looking at the men waving enthusiastically beyond the window. 

Did he know them?

He furrowed his brows deeply.

“…Damn it.”

Hearing Sir Costance’s rough words for the first time, she doubted her ears. He glared at the men as if they were a nuisance.