Chapter 6 (Part 8)

Venable walked away from the library door with light steps.

Inside the library, Meia was astonished by the enormous scale and the vast number of books.

Although the library in Hatzbellua Ducal Residence was very large, this place was incomparable in size. Naturally, she was delighted with the vast number of books.

She realized that Lady Jasmine’s words about it being comparable to the Imperial Palace Library were not an exaggeration.

“This is amazing….”

Meia quickly approached the nearest bookshelf. She looked around.

Not only were the books well categorized, but they were also very well maintained.

“There are sofas and tables over there.”

Following Theodore’s gesture, she saw delicious-looking cookies, tea, and drinking water on the table.

Is it customary to place such simple refreshments daily?

Meia felt a bit uneasy but didn’t pay much attention.

Meia picked up a book and took a seat on the sofa indicated by Theodore. Theodore also sat right next to her.

“Do you like the Grand Ducal library?”

“I like it very much. The books are well-maintained. I feel like I want to live here.”

“You’re welcome to live here.”

‘Forever.’

“If I have nowhere else to go later, please let me stay at the Grand Ducal residence.”

Theodore’s heart skipped a beat at her words about living in the Grand Ducal residence.

“You’re welcome to stay forever.”

Although he said ‘forever’ jokingly, Meia felt a sense of anticipation. She felt her heart growing and shrinking, and a smile kept creeping onto her face.

However, Meia didn’t respond directly to Theodore’s words, instead smiling and focusing on her book. But the words didn’t register. She kept reading the same line over and over.

She pretended to be unaffected, but she knew she was stirred by his words.

“I mean it, my lady.”

Theodore thought as he gazed at Meia, who was quietly reading her book, wishing that those blue eyes reading the book would only look at him.

Feeling slightly embarrassed by Theodore’s sweet gaze, Meia’s heart was wrapped in an inexplicable flutter.

Unable to bear his gaze, Meia turned to look at Theodore. Meeting his somewhat dazed yet sweet eyes, she called out to him.

“Grand Duke?”

“Yes.”

“Isn’t it a bit too close to sit like this?”

“Does it make you uncomfortable?”

She could smell his scent next to her, making her want to move closer to him and inhale more of that scent. Is this what discomfort feels like? No, rather than discomfort, she felt at ease….

“It’s not uncomfortable, but….”

Hearing Meia’s words, Theodore immediately looked dejected.

Is it wrong to sit close? Could it be that she’s annoyed?

He only wanted to make her happy.

His mind and heart were in turmoil. It felt like a big hole had been punched in his chest.

Worst had told him, ‘If you love someone, you desperately want your hearts to connect and you might get hurt by every word that person says, so you need to be strong-hearted.’

Meia reached out and touched Theodore’s cheek.

“Why do you have that expression, Grand Duke Theodore?”

“…I thought you didn’t like me sitting next to you.”

“You still don’t know me. If I dislike something, I don’t stay in the same space.”

Every time she spoke such enchanting words with that mesmerizing voice, Theodore felt as if she was stabbing a knife into his heart. It hurt, but it was sweet, and it was so good that it felt like he could die…

“They say when a man and a woman sit this close, they develop feelings for each other…”

“I am fine with that.”

Meia couldn’t take her hand off his face, nor could she shift her gaze away from him.

Theodore, who used to avoid her eyes and run away shyly, was not here now.

“Then, that would be nice.”

At that moment, they both felt their cheeks flush.

When their gazes met, it seemed natural that something would happen next.

“Grand Duke Theodore.”

“…Yes.”

Staying here any longer felt like it would lead to something strange. She kept wanting to get closer to him, to hug him.

“I think I should take this book and read it in my room. I’ll leave now.”

“Understood.”

Though Theodore felt disappointed, he smiled in satisfaction seeing Meia’s blushing face.

“Let’s go, Lady Meia.”

Theodore followed her out, smiling as she got up somewhat flustered.

He recited the spell to open the library door, just as he had when they entered.

“Open.”

But something completely unexpected happened.

“Open!”

The library door did not open. No matter how many times Theodore recited the spell, the door remained shut. Naturally, the door wouldn’t open because the activation word had already been changed.

“Why isn’t the door opening…? The activation word can’t be wrong…”

Theodore was flustered by the unresponsive activation word.

“I don’t know. This is the first time I’ve seen the door not open. Let me take a look.”

Meia examined the door but couldn’t find any specific reason. The only reason the activation word wouldn’t work was if it was spoken incorrectly. But Theodore’s confusion seemed genuine.

“Open! Open! Why isn’t it opening?”

Flustered, Theodore kept reciting the activation word and then said to Meia,

“It seems we will have to wait for someone to come, Lady Meia.”

Theodore tried his best to hide his excitement and nervousness. He looked down at her, who was shorter than him, with a deliberately miserable and helpless expression.

While secretly hoping the door wouldn’t open, he reassured Meia confidently.

“This is strange.”

Meia tilted her head, still puzzled about why the door wouldn’t open.

***

At that time, Agnita and Puring arrived at the large entrance of Grand Duke Florence’s residence by carriage.

As soon as they got off the carriage, Agnita dashed towards the Grand Ducal residence, unstoppable.

Naturally, Puring had a hard time keeping up with the running Agnita.

“This is Grand Duke Florence’s residence!”

“Oh! You rascal! Slow down.”

“I want to see the lady quickly.”

Agnita said, stamping her feet impatiently.

Unable to watch any longer, Juan sided with Puring and spoke to Agnita.

“Agnita! You need to take care of Puring.”

“Got it!”

After crossing the sea, climbing mountains, and reaching the Mage Tower, they finally arrived at Grand Duke Florence’s residence with Puring.

The knights guarding the entrance immediately reported to Venable about the arrival of Grand Mage Puring, Juan, and a new maid.

In the study of Grand Duke Florence, Venable and the staff were smiling happily, sincerely blessing the path of Theodore and Meia, who were not imprisoned but rather destined for each other.

“This operation was excellent. Thank you for your help, Lady Jasmine.”

Lady Jasmine raised her glass and smiled.

“The future of our Grand Ducal residence looks bright!”

“This is just the beginning. We, the staff of Grand Duke Florence’s residence, must do our best to make Lady Meia want to become our Grand Duchess.”

But the celebration of the successful operation was short-lived.

Knock, knock, knock, knock, knock.

The five knocks signaled an “emergency situation,” a signal used only by the staff.

Noticing this, Venable looked towards the door and said,

“What urgent matter has arisen?”

Deputy Butler Kelvain entered and reported the emergency.

“Grand Mage Puring, Juan, and a person named Agnita have come to see Lady Meia Hatzbellua…”

Hemann frowned.

“Juan has already arrived…”

“Why now…”

Venable put down his glass and pressed his temples, then spoke to the people.

“There’s no need to be nervous, everyone. As people of Grand Duke Florence’s residence, we must not panic or make a fuss over such matters. Let’s handle this calmly.”

Everyone nodded at Venable’s words.

Agnita, who had been guided to the reception room upon entering the Grand Ducal residence, was not pleased with the current situation.

She had said she wanted to see Meia, but Butler Venable had said she was in the library. That part she understood. Meia loved books, after all. But there was one thing she couldn’t understand.

The Grand Duke Florence was in the library with her alone!

A bad premonition kept overflowing in her heart like an unending spring.

“When did they go to the library?”

At Agnita’s question, Venable smiled and answered,

“Not long ago. About 10 minutes, I think.”

Venable lied with a natural smile. In fact, it had been over three hours since Meia and Theodore entered the library.

Agnita calmed herself by drinking the strawberry tea in front of her. Then she asked again,

“When will the lady come?”

“Hmm, she will come if you wait. She loves books so much.”

Hearing Venable’s words, Agnita turned to Juan and said,

“Brother, go into the shadows and find our lady.”

At Agnita’s words, Juan responded with a gloomy expression,

“My powers have been blocked.”

“What?”

The powers of the Shadow Clan could be blocked by the will of their master. A Shadow Clan member whose powers were blocked had to wait outside the shadows until their master called them.

“We have to wait until the lady calls.”

“Brother, what were you doing to get your powers blocked!”

“I went to pick you up!”

“Then you should have told the lady not to block your powers in advance!”

“I didn’t know my powers would be blocked, Agnita! And you know better than anyone that I don’t mind if the lady blocks my powers!”