Chapter 1 – The Library is a Place to Read Books

“Ahng. Aaang. No, stop. Aang, someone will hear us….”

No matter how much she tried to ignore it, the moans that dug into her ears made the Imperial Library’s librarian, Aisha Lindberg, twitch her eyebrows.

She had lost count of how many times this had happened. Truly, it was too much.

‘What do those people even use their big houses and beds for?’

The Asherit Empire, proud of its long tradition, the sacred Imperial Library where history was alive and breathing—Aisha couldn’t remember when it had turned into a rendezvous spot.

‘No, doing it so openly can’t even be called a secret meeting. It’s just outdoor play!’

Her quill, which had been writing a list of rare books needing special care, snapped in half.

The scent of old books, the quiet atmosphere, the repository of knowledge accumulated over ages—she had waited so long for the chance to work here.

But on her very first day, Aisha’s fantasy was shattered.

‘So much for dignified and solemn work.’

It was a constant disaster, having to endure and ignore sounds she never wanted to hear.

Yet, her complaints about disrespecting the Imperial Family and disrupting work fell on deaf ears. Whenever she tried to warn those enjoying their indecent rendezvous, not only the senior librarians but even the director would scold her instead.

“Whatever the highborn do, pretend you didn’t see or hear anything. Don’t do anything you can’t handle later.”

Any noble who could enter the palace was surely from a powerful family. If she interfered and ruined the mood, there was no telling what kind of retaliation she might face.

So, everyone just turned a blind eye and watched, and the Imperial Library became a safe spot for nobles’ secret meetings. For Aisha, it was infuriating.

The absurdity continued even after the sounds stopped. After all the passionate cries, the man and woman would leave the library separately, acting as if nothing had happened. It was the very picture of “see no evil, hear no evil.”

“My workplace, once filled with dreams and hopes…”

She truly wanted to demand compensation.

***

In the Asherit Empire, where Aisha was born and raised, women had fewer opportunities for education than men. The prestigious Durendal Academy didn’t accept female students, and at home, girls were taught poetry, songs, and embroidery, but not academics.

But Aisha was different.

To be precise, only Aisha was different.

She studied against her parents’ wishes, even getting nosebleeds from the effort. It took a long time due to self-study, but she never gave up, and eventually entered a renowned foreign academy.

She believed that if she graduated from a famous academy in a neighboring country, she’d surely get a chance back home.

And Aisha’s prediction was both right and wrong.

When she returned with her diploma, she was showered with congratulations, but nowhere would accept her resume. The long-standing male-dominated culture was still strong. Even as equality swept across the continent, things didn’t change easily.

Aisha dreamed of becoming a librarian.

Ever since she started studying on her own, the library had become more familiar than home, and she wanted to work there. But not only the library near her house, but even those far away rejected her.

“No, we’re not comfortable hiring a woman…”

“Hmm, our visitors might find it uncomfortable.”

“Well, your credentials are impressive, but… please look elsewhere.”

Her once-bright dreams faded, and her days became filled with frustration.

She wondered more than once if she should have stayed abroad, where women had opportunities.

But she couldn’t leave her aging parents. Baron Lindberg and his wife had only one child, born late in life. Without her, who would care for them?

“Aisha. You should start thinking about your age now.”

“Yes, before it’s too late, you should at least get married, right?”

When her parents began persuading her, Aisha felt utterly hopeless.

‘Ah, whatever. If it’s not going to work, I’ll just apply everywhere.’

So, just before giving in to her parents, she sent her resume to every place she hadn’t tried yet.

Small bookstores, city shops, even private library manager positions in noble households. She wanted to try everything so she wouldn’t regret it later.

As it turned out, this changed her life overnight. Of all the places, the one that responded was somewhere she had never dared to dream of. Both she and her family were shocked.

“M-Mother! Mom! I-I…!”

“What is it? Why are you shouting so undignified in front of the servants…?”

“I passed! The Imperial Library! I got the job!”

“W-What?!”

She became a librarian at the Imperial Library…!

By chance, she had landed the greatest library job imaginable.

To add, the Lindberg Barony had never been close to politics. Her father, Baron Lindberg, had only ever visited the palace once in his life, and that was when the current Emperor was crowned and all the nobles were invited.

But now, not a son but a daughter would be working at the palace every day.

Baron Lindberg couldn’t stop grinning.

“Hahahahaha! Well done, my daughter! Truly well done!”

Aisha went from being the daughter who refused to marry to the family’s new hero.

Even distant relatives came to congratulate her. The daily worries about marriage disappeared completely.

There really is always a way, even when the sky falls. Hard work never…

‘…never betrays you. Or maybe it does.’

It didn’t take long for Aisha, full of confidence on her first day at the palace, to realize the harsh reality.

***

The Imperial Library was as magnificent as its reputation. The vast stacks were breathtaking, and the historical tomes brought tears to her eyes. The system that quickly provided new releases made her secretly rejoice.

But…

Sitting alone at the huge librarian’s desk in the Imperial Library, Aisha wore a faint smile.

There was a reason the Imperial Library hired a female librarian when everyone else refused.

First: There really aren’t any people here.

Despite the name, very few came to read. Fewer than a neighborhood bookstore.

But it made sense. Nobles with enough power to enter the palace had private libraries, and royals sent attendants to fetch any book they wanted.

So, the vast library was mostly empty, and with so few visitors, nobody cared about having a female librarian.

Second: There’s really nothing to do here.

With so few people, those who did come only had one purpose. There were no books to organize, no messy shelves. Sometimes she cleaned, but there was little physical work. Mostly, she just sat at her desk, managing visitor lists and book loans and returns.

So, even a woman alone was no problem. Sure enough, not only the director but even the few senior librarians would often skip work now that a new, easygoing female hire was here.

But even if she wanted to complain…

‘Not busy. Really not busy…’

She couldn’t get angry.

Even though everyone around her was slacking off, she never got overloaded with work. There was nothing hard, so what was there to complain about?

In the end, Aisha decided not to care about what others did. Nobody looked down on her for being a woman, so it was actually easier.

‘And this is why I put up with it.’

After finishing her work, Aisha quietly opened a book she had set aside.

Her eyes sparkled at the rare book she couldn’t easily find elsewhere.

Books had always been expensive, and rare ones were even pricier. Nobles might have one in their library, but public libraries and bookstores couldn’t afford them. But the Imperial Library was full of such treasures.

Before, she’d skip buying new clothes, repair old ones, tie her hair carefully so the ribbon wouldn’t break, and wear worn shoes and coats to save money. Sometimes, she’d even skip snacks or tea from her shopping list to save up for a used book.

Now, she could read any book she wanted, as much as she wanted, without restriction. Despite the clueless people treating the library like an inn, this was why Aisha always worked her full hours.

She quickly found where she’d left off the day before and began reading. Her displeased face softened as soon as she saw the print.

“…Hmm hmm.”

“…!!”

How long had she been lost in her book without interruption.

Aisha was startled by a shadow falling over her page and a quiet cough. Outside the window, dusk had settled.

“You’re still so focused, Miss Aisha.”

And in that twilight, the man’s appearance was like a painting.

Short, neatly trimmed blue hair, earnest eyes, a gaze without a hint of insincerity. His eyes were black at first glance, but looked blue-black up close. His nose was as straight as his personality, and his lips seemed never to have uttered a curse.

“Sir Raymore…!”

“As always, it’s wonderful to see you so devoted to your books.”

“Ah, yes. You always look wonderful too, Sir…”  

“Excuse me?”  

“No, I meant, your diligent appearance is inspiring. It sets a good example.”  

Oops, she almost spoke her mind aloud.