Chapter 7.1 – The Magic of Falling in Love (1)

The blue magic stone Marianne received from Sylvester absorbed the light of the lamp, emitting a mysterious glow. Thinking that Sylvester’s magic resided within it, she found it fascinating. She thought that ordinary people like herself, who didn’t possess even a trace of magical power, would never imagine that this jewel-like object was actually a magic stone.

While Marianne lay on her desk, staring at the magic stone, memories of the previous day flashed through her mind.

“I wanted to share this success… with you first.”  

Sylvester, whom she thought had forgotten everything after the spell was broken, still remembered Marianne. It was something she hadn’t expected. In that sudden moment, Marianne couldn’t hide her overflowing joy.

But soon, the thought that the ending wouldn’t change came to her. A little while later, Marianne was consumed by considerable confusion and sadness.  

And after more time passed… she became afraid.  

Marianne wanted to confide everything honestly to Peter, who would never forget what had happened between her and Sylvester. But at the same time, she also wanted to keep everything that had happened to her a secret. 

After much anxious deliberation, Marianne ultimately chose to postpone the dinner she had planned with Peter, using the excuse that she wasn’t feeling well.  

To be honest, it was because of fear. What if Peter, upon hearing her story, immediately undid the spell on Sylvester as if it were no big deal? What would she do then?  

“I can’t keep this a secret forever.”  

Marianne muttered to herself. It was a statement directed at her own heart.  

“That magic… it doesn’t help Sylvester at all…”  

As she continued speaking, Marianne abruptly closed her mouth. The love spell that was of no benefit to Sylvester was, to Marianne, an enormous gift. And for some reason, that made her sad. A myriad of conflicting emotions tapped at her heart.  

Just one more day, just one more day. 

With that thought, Marianne let another day pass by meaninglessly. But she couldn’t keep ignoring this problem forever.  

‘Tomorrow, I’ll definitely go see the mages.’  

The wind that slipped through the open window caused the lamp’s light to flicker. Watching the magic stone change colors in response to the wavering light, Marianne resolved herself. 

But the next day, and the day after that, Marianne still couldn’t bring herself to visit the mages. Marianne’s “one more day” kept trailing behind Sylvester like a long tail of hesitation.  

For the past fortnight, it had been the same. Marianne met Sylvester, and the two laughed and chatted together. Sometimes they strolled beneath streetlamps, other times along roads bathed in the glow of the sunset, holding hands.  

And then, they embraced each other—sometimes in front of the darkened clothing store beneath Marianne’s home, and other times on the second floor where Marianne stayed. In Sylvester’s arms, Marianne forgot her fears and doubts. Eventually, she even forgot her selfishness.  

But the slow, overlapping days were shattered into pieces in an instant. The day came when Marianne met Sylvester’s father, Duke Eirn Amadeus of Derma.  

* * *  

“At the Chancellor’s office…?”  

“Yes.”  

In response to Marianne’s question, Anna nodded.  

“But why me…?”  

Looking at the book in front of her, Marianne trailed off.  

“I don’t know either, but they specifically said they wanted you to come. I don’t know why the Chancellor’s office wants a library book, or why they specifically requested you to deliver it. Ah, it’s really baffling.”  

Anna scratched the back of her head as she spoke, adding that it felt unsettling. Book delivery errands for those who frequently visited the library were fairly distributed among all the librarians, ensuring fairness.  

However, the areas each librarian was responsible for were implicitly divided. The senior librarians handled the daunting task of delivering books to the Imperial Palace, while newer librarians like Marianne were assigned the more cumbersome trips to the Knight Order Fortress.  

Because of this, most of Marianne’s book delivery duties had been concentrated within the Knight Order Fortress. But now, she was suddenly being sent on an errand to the Chancellor’s office in the Imperial Palace.  

“Why is the Chancellor asking for you? Do you know him?”  

Anna asked Marianne. Instead of answering, Marianne shook her head. She didn’t know the Chancellor’s face, name, or even the smallest rumor about him.  

“Then how does he know you and ask for you? That’s what I don’t get… Should I go with you?”  

“No, it’s fine.”  

Marianne smiled and shook her head. Truthfully, she wanted Anna to accompany her. But a vague, cold premonition brushed past her. She couldn’t shake the feeling that the Chancellor’s summons might be connected to Sylvester.  

“I’ll be back soon. What could possibly happen to an ordinary trainee librarian like me?”  

With two thick, nondescript books in hand, Marianne left the library under Anna’s watchful gaze. The distance between the Imperial Palace, the heart of the capital, and the library was too short for a carriage but too far to walk comfortably. 

Fortunately, there was no set time for her errand. She merely needed to return before sunset. Marianne decided to walk to the Imperial Palace, hoping to calm her unease.  

‘It’s really beautiful…’  

After registering her visit with the guards, Marianne entered the lobby of the east wing where the Chancellor’s office was located. She couldn’t help but think that to herself.  

She was nervous. Holding the books close to her chest, Marianne took a deep breath. The heavy atmosphere of the vast east wing, which seemed designed to intimidate visitors, made her feel small.  

Marianne took a step toward the stairs. But before she could take three more steps, a woman grabbed her shoulder.  

“Librarian Marianne Lane?”  

The middle-aged woman smiled warmly at Marianne, who quickly answered. Introducing herself as the Chancellor’s aide, the woman immediately led Marianne to the Chancellor’s office. Nervously, Marianne followed, keeping her eyes fixed on the woman’s back. She didn’t have the chance to admire the Imperial architecture, sculptures, or paintings that everyone praised.  

The Chancellor’s office was so large it occupied half a floor. The woman knocked on the inner door, which was beyond a carpeted area, and soon received permission to enter.  

Anna had mentioned that the Chancellor of this country was a member of the Imperial Family. Perhaps that’s why the office was decorated in gold and red, colors representing the Imperial Family. 

And in the midst of this opulent office, Marianne faced an elderly man with a calm demeanor that contrasted with the grandeur. He reminded her of Sylvester.  

“This is Librarian Marianne Lane.”  

The woman spoke softly. Marianne, who had unknowingly bowed to the man, followed the aide’s guidance and took a seat opposite him. At the same time, a male aide from outside the office brought in tea. The fragrant aroma tickled Marianne’s nose.  

‘As I thought… this wasn’t just a simple errand.’  

Marianne thought to herself as she looked at the gray-haired middle-aged man. The female aide who had guided her and the male aide who had served the tea left the room. In their absence, a heavy and awkward silence filled the space. Sweat dampened Marianne’s hands as she held the books.  

The middle-aged man’s gaze swept across Marianne’s face, her thick glasses, the eyes visible behind them, her worn clothes, and her tense hands.  

“As you may have guessed, I am not the owner of this office.”  

“…Yes.”  

Marianne answered briefly, watching his expression.  

“Duke Eirn Amadeus of Derma. That’s all you need to know.”  

Ah. Marianne let out a small gasp. Her already pale complexion turned even whiter. The man before her was Sylvester’s father.  

“There’s no need for you to answer, as I already know about you.”  

Eirn continued, letting out a small sigh.  

“…It’s a bit ridiculous, but you probably don’t know how much nobles, especially those who leech off this capital without purpose, love gossip.”  

“…”  

“Because of that gossip, I called for you. And because of that gossip, I’m sitting here, intruding on a friend’s workplace to meet you. It’s quite improper.”  

Marianne couldn’t bring herself to say anything and kept her lips tightly shut.  

“If Marquis Velarc finds out that I summoned you… he’ll cause an uproar. You wouldn’t know what kind of uproar that would be. Just imagining it is exhausting. I don’t know what turned him into such a madman…”  

Eirn’s final words scattered into the air like a sigh. His eyes met Marianne’s. The man had the same straight brows, sharp gaze, and beautiful gray-blue eyes as Sylvester. Even in this moment, as she thought of Sylvester, Marianne sighed inwardly. It all felt unreal, like a dream.

“How could he possibly… with a woman like this…?”

As she saw Eirn frown while looking at her, the reality of the situation finally hit her—it wasn’t a dream. Another silence followed, accompanied by the man’s long sigh.

“I didn’t summon you here to torment you, so don’t look so intimidated.”

Eirn’s words, which sounded almost like concern, made Marianne smile bitterly to herself. “I’m not doing this to torment you.” That’s what everyone who had ever tormented her had said.