Chapter : 14
The Uninvited Guest
Franz Spehren.
He was a tall, slender young man with silver hair.
Amethyst-purple eyes that shimmered like gemstones, pale skin so white it almost lacked blood, and red lips that looked as if they could enchant anyone—man or woman alike.
His expression carried a languid, almost seductive charm.
He was the eldest son of the Spehren Ducal House, a family with centuries of prestige, immense wealth, and high standing in aristocratic society.
And at the same time—
The leader of the rebel faction that once attempted to seize the Kingdom of Ruberia… and the man “Erika” had once loved.
I bit down hard on my lower lip without realizing it.
I wanted to stand up immediately and report him to Calix as the rebel leader, then call the royal guards.
Then I wouldn’t end up at the guillotine.
I know it’s insane. There’s no evidence, and Franz hasn’t actually done anything yet. Yet.
I don’t understand. Why did Erika fall in love with someone like him?
In the original story, Erika was quiet, timid, and gentle.
She couldn’t even resist properly when Verdi took her inheritance and status. She only wanted to live quietly with the person she loved.
And that same Erika… chose love even if it meant betraying her country?
Franz smiled gracefully and bowed slightly toward Calix.
“Grand Duke Reinhardt, I hope I am not disturbing your meal. I trust you have been well.”
His voice was soft, languid, and sweet.
Calix shot him a sharp glare, clearly irritated by the voice alone.
“I don’t recall inviting the Spehren heir.”
Despite the clear dismissal, Franz simply smiled like a cat.
“I merely wished to greet a man I greatly admire. I have heard of your achievements on the battlefield and your return to the capital. His Majesty praises your strength greatly.”
Calix silently sipped his tea, clearly refusing to engage.
Franz, however, casually pulled out a chair and sat down across from him.
Calix’s brow lifted slightly.
Franz only smiled meaningfully.
“I hear you are troubled by the recent theft of the grimoires. If you require assistance, feel free to call upon House Spehren.”
“Your intelligence network is impressive. So palace secrets reach the Spehren heir that quickly… perhaps I should clean out the rats.”
Calix’s tone was razor-sharp.
But Franz looked almost pleased.
“Too kind. It only proves that many within the palace trust and support our house.”
Calix let out a cold laugh.
“I’m reaching the limit of my patience, Franz Spehren.”
“Oh dear, how careless of me. I interrupted your private time with the lady.”
In some sense, he was impressive.
He didn’t flinch even under Calix’s pressure.
What surprised me more was Erika’s taste—how did she fall for someone this shameless?
I couldn’t understand it, so I ended up staring at him.
As if sensing my gaze, Franz slowly turned his amethyst eyes toward me.
“A beautiful young lady I have not seen before. May I ask your name?”
I hesitated, unsure if I should answer—
“I refuse. Do not speak further to my guest.”
Calix cut him off instantly.
His face remained expressionless, but his blue eyes flickered with restrained anger.
Franz looked at me like a cat discovering a new toy.
Hey. I think I just got mentally scanned from head to toe.
I stared back at him without hiding my discomfort.
This guy… he even looks like a fox. A nine-tailed fox.
“How charming. The Grand Duke of Reinhardt dining secretly with a beautiful lady… the capital’s social circles will be in chaos.”
“The moment my guest becomes a topic of gossip, I cannot guarantee your safety. Behave yourself, Spehren heir.”
“Oh my. The Grand Duke is personally protecting her. To think she could capture the heart of a man untouched by countless noble ladies…”
Franz’s gaze fixed on me again.
Those violet eyes felt like they were swallowing everything whole—like a cursed gemstone.
I quickly turned my head away.
Don’t look at him. Don’t talk to him.
Every instinct in my body was screaming: danger.
Calix stared coldly at Franz.
“An uninvited guest is my enemy. I do not warn twice. Leave.”
Franz smiled faintly and stood, bowing with perfect noble etiquette.
“I look forward to seeing you again, Your Grace.”
Then, as if it were the most natural thing in the world, he took my hand.
He tried to kiss the back of it.
A chill ran through my entire body. I should pull away—but I couldn’t move.
It felt like my body was wrapped in invisible threads of instinctive fear.
Then—
A large hand grabbed my wrist.
Calix had stepped in front of me without me noticing.
“Don’t touch her, Spehren heir. Learn manners before you inherit a ducal title.”
Calix looked down at Franz.
His expression was flat—only faint annoyance visible.
Like he was looking at a pebble on the roadside.
At that gaze, Franz’s elegant smile twisted for the first time.
His violet eyes burned with anger and humiliation.
But only for a moment.
He quickly regained his composure and smiled politely again.
“I apologize. I was careless.”
He bowed to me with perfect courtesy.
“Until we meet again at the Royal Library, Lady… no, Librarian Erika.”
Damn it. So he did know everything.
Franz left like a passing wind, taking Viscount Melter with him.
Soon after, Michael returned with a confused expression.
“What happened, big sister? That man who just left… wasn’t he the Spehren heir?”
Michael recognized him immediately.
“Nothing happened. Don’t worry about it, Michael. Come, have some tea.”
Calix casually offered tea as if nothing had happened.
Michael glanced between us in confusion. I pretended not to notice and hid my expression behind my teacup.
The enjoyable lunch with Michael had been completely ruined by the uninvited guest, Franz Spehren.
Even after ordering dessert again, I couldn’t eat. My stomach felt heavy and unsettled.
With Calix’s assistance, I returned to the library residence with Michael.
My mind was still tangled with confusion and concern about Franz, so I barely spoke during the carriage ride.
At the door, Michael waved goodbye.
“Take care, big sister. I’ll visit the library when it reopens!”
“Come anytime, Young Lord. Thank you for today’s meal.”
As I turned to leave, Calix approached me.
“I’ll walk you.”
“Huh? It’s just right there…”
Before I could refuse, he already started walking ahead.
He remained silent the entire way through the garden and into the entrance hall.
After a while, I carefully brought up Franz Spehren.
“Your Grace… do you think Franz Spehren realized I’m the Book Reader?”
I tried to sound calm, but my body kept trembling.
I don’t want anything to do with him anymore.
Calix’s gaze dropped to my hands.
He noticed.
I quickly hid them behind my back.
“Yes. He has likely confirmed that you are the Book Reader and that you possess the Book Finder. William and I believe the recent grimoire theft and the carriage attack are connected.”
“Is that true?”
Calix nodded calmly.
“Information about our search for the grimoire was leaked. The reason the Book Finder didn’t activate at the Hamilton estate is likely because its tracking device had been disabled.”
“Then the enemy is…”
“The Spehren Ducal House and the nobles supporting them are the most likely.”
He said it as casually as naming a dish on a menu.
As expected of a male lead—he already identified the mastermind.
But why is he so calm?
“So you didn’t act earlier because… there was no evidence?”
Calix looked at me with mild surprise.
“You are not very shocked. Almost as if you already knew he was involved.”
His cobalt eyes tried to see through me completely.
I forced myself to stay calm.
“One of my guesses was that someone powerful was backing Viscount Melter. The Spehren House was the most likely candidate. Today just confirmed it.”
I continued.
“A single viscount wouldn’t be able to steal a nationally controlled grimoire. So I assumed the real goal of the mastermind was the Book Finder and the grimoire itself.”
Calix’s eyes widened slightly.
“…Impressive, Librarian Erika.”
“Not at all. It’s just speculation.”
Why is he praising me all of a sudden? That’s embarrassing.
“No. Your judgment was correct.”
He continued calmly.
“If war breaks out over the grimoires, the Spehren House would be the first to move. But there is no solid evidence, and their power is currently weakened due to the Duke’s illness. The heir Franz alone lacks sufficient strength and authority.”
“What about The Magic Primer of Leon?”
“It’s a book without actual mana. It will be republished by the Royal Library. We will use it as bait to observe their next move.”
A dark smile formed on his lips.
Right now, the Grand Duke looks more like a villain than a hero…
I should probably stay on his good side.
“If that is all, I will take my leave. Please return safely, Your Grace.”
I bowed slightly and turned to leave—
“Lady Diel.”
A low, smooth voice stopped me instantly.
“Yes?”
He gently grasped my wrist.
Then his lips slowly moved toward the back of my hand.
