“Do you need any other books? I have a few recommendations.”

“I’d love that… but I’m worried I might be wasting your time.”

“It’s fine. Time spent helping someone who wants to learn about Grandia is never wasted.”

Ha ha, a gentle laugh spread. Despite seeming to be from a high-ranking family, he had no air of arrogance and made one feel at ease. He appeared to have a very good personality and was extremely kind.

‘And he’s handsome to boot, how nice.’

I briefly wondered if it was alright to accept his help, but it didn’t seem necessary to decline. I smiled brightly and responded to his offer.

“Then, would you help me?”

He walked around the library with me and recommended a few more books. As I talked about what I wanted to know, he quickly found books that could satisfy my curiosity.

“You must come to the library very often? You seem to know everything.”

I asked with wide eyes. Even a librarian might not know as much.

“I’ve been coming here since I was young. Is this your first time, my lady?”

“I’ve mostly been in my territory, so I haven’t stayed long in the capital.”

“I see. Do you plan to stay in the capital from now on?”

“Yes. That’s why I wanted to know more. I thought it would be helpful in the future, so I wanted to study a bit.”

“Ah, I see. By the way, my lady, do you know who I am?”

Hmm…. I thought we could pass this off as a casual encounter like a sudden rain shower while walking, but the moment has come when I have to reveal that I don’t know him.

“I’m sorry, but I don’t know.”

It seems you don’t know who I am either?

I wonder if he’d be surprised if I said I was the Duchess of Penvernon.

“We’re late with our introductions.”

He smiled softly.

Introductions, huh. What should I say? Can I honestly tell my name and status? There’s no particular reason to hide it, though.

As I hesitated for a moment, he spoke first.

“I’m Fernan.”

Just his name, without his family name or status.

Then I don’t need to worry either.

“Please call me Alisa.”

If one is familiar with noble society, they might recognize that I’m the Duchess of Penvernon just from this name, but not everyone keenly observes social trends. Men might know Rashid’s name but not mine.

‘I’m the same. Even after hearing the name Fernan, I don’t know who he is.’

I feel like I’ve heard it somewhere…. I tried hard to remember, but in Alisa’s memories, neither the name nor the face remained clearly.

But it certainly wasn’t completely unfamiliar, and it seemed like I’d seen him somewhere, so I stared intently at Fernan’s face.

“Is there a problem?”

“…No.”

I still can’t remember. Well, it’s not important, so it’s probably faint in Alisa’s memories too.

Fernan and I spent a long time walking around the library looking for books, and soon I was holding an armful of books he had selected. Even though we carefully chose only what seemed necessary, considering various factors, it was still a lot.

“Thank you, Fernan. Thanks to you, I found many good books.”

“Not at all. If you have occasion to visit the library again, perhaps we’ll meet then.”

“Yes, I look forward to it.”

“Or we might see each other somewhere else.”

“Ah, that would be nice. I’ll look forward to such a wonderful coincidence.”

After giving him a slight nod, I carried the books and headed outside.

* * *

It was late afternoon when I returned to the Duke’s mansion.

I spread the books out on the table in my bedroom.

《Complete Atlas of the Empire》, 《History of Grandia》, 《The World of Magic》, 《Illustrated Guide to Gems》, 《The Face of Art》, 《Continental Biological Album》…. I had brought back quite a number of books with interesting titles.

I stacked the books neatly and unfolded a piece of paper. I began to write down tasks one by one as if creating a document.

The process of documentation helps organize thoughts and clarify tasks. I liked that sense of clarity.

Doing this paperwork somehow felt like I was working on an assignment. The memory of studying for days, agonizing over writing reports, is still vivid.

Then suddenly, I wondered what would have happened if I hadn’t gone to the Han River that day. What if nothing had happened to me? If I hadn’t drunk alcohol? If I had maintained my balance and not fallen? If I hadn’t panicked and came out of the water?

It’s a useless assumption. Thinking this way usually leads to the thought that if I hadn’t been born, I wouldn’t have died either.

If it hadn’t happened, it would have been nice. But what can I do about my fate flowing to this place? I can only do what I can do now.

I let out a long sigh and wrote an impressive title on the paper.

<Methods to Achieve Goals (Focusing on Personal Activities)>

This really felt like writing a report or a short thesis.

I need to devise methods that can help me achieve my purpose while simultaneously not causing significant harm to myself. Thanks to this, there were many things to consider.

When everything is finished, should I not stay in the capital but rather go down to Legentia County or another province? Would that help me be less affected by troublesome rumors? It seems like it might be better in many ways.

While pondering various ideas, I picked up my pen.

The first method is….

「1. Financial Concerns」

I started by writing down the easiest things that came to mind.

「- Expected Effect: By using the Duke’s fortune generously in various ways, create an image of a glamorous celebrity in social circles and gain notoriety as an extravagant bad wife.」

I felt like I both understood and didn’t understand why the Imperial Family and the Temple wanted a quiet and inconspicuous Duchess of Penvernon.

Penvernon was a family with a more distinct presence compared to other ducal houses. There were also too many rumors related to Rashid. They probably wanted to suppress and not further inflate that.

They probably also disliked the idea of the Duchess having influence in social circles or throughout the empire. They chose Alisa because they didn’t want someone who would give Rashid wings. There might be other reasons I don’t know about as well.

I continued to write down the next item.

「- Action Plans:
(1) Purchase large quantities of expensive clothing and accessories, as well as jewelry」

I did this today, and it’s something I should continue to do occasionally. It’s considered very reasonable for a noblewoman of this era to be devoted to this. It’s a consumption that no one would question.

And next…

「(2) Buy real estate」

This is where I need to think a bit more…. This is why I bought the map.

「(3) Change interior decorations of the Duke’s mansion and increase the number of servants」

This is to spend a lot of money at once. To spend money, I need to hold parties, and to hold parties, I need to provide something for people to see. Replacing and supplementing furniture and artworks was essential.

After writing down a few more items, I briefly pondered what to read first while looking at the pile of books.

That’s when it happened.

“What are you looking at?”

My heart sank at the voice from behind. Startled, I quickly flipped over the paper first.

Turning around, I saw Rashid standing right behind me with his arms crossed.

“Ah, that… Um, what brings you here? Without any notice.”

“I clearly knocked and entered.”

This can’t be. I must not have heard because I was concentrating on my work. Why am I so insensitive? If I were to go to a battlefield, I’d surely be the first to die.

But this was also because Rashid created an unexpected situation.

Did Rashid ever seek out Alisa separately like this before? I don’t think so, what wind has blown this time? Is he trying to manage now that I’ve asked for a divorce? He doesn’t need to make unnecessary efforts. It will all be in vain anyway.

“Ahaha, I see….”

I laughed awkwardly and placed my hand on the books. I was thinking of picking up even one book to cover the paper.

“《Continental Biological Album》?”

Rashid pointed to the book on top of the pile. It was a book with pictures of various creatures and demonic beasts living on this continent, along with brief descriptions.

“I didn’t know you were interested in such things.”

“Well, I heard a strange story today.”

I quickly squeezed out something to say.

“What kind of story did you hear?”