A day passed. Psyche was enjoying some free time when the Archduke’s words suddenly came to mind, prompting her to take a step forward.
The Library.
Psyche had never been to the imperial castle of the Sigar Empire, but as far as she knew, the royal family’s residence was always bustling with people and open to the public.
“I heard the library is open to everyone.”
Rumor had it that the palace library held many rare volumes—some even said you could stumble upon books over a hundred years old. Anyone could read them, but if a book were damaged, you would be held responsible.
Psyche began walking toward the library, then suddenly paused.
The weather was unusually pleasant: warm sunlight streaming through the windows and a gentle breeze at just the right temperature. The thought crossed her mind naturally—
“It would be nice if my parents visited on a day like this.”
“But the journey is long for Father…”
Though she had asked the Grand Duke to invite them, the distance from the Grand Duchy was vast. The trip had been hard for Psyche—how much harder would it be for her ailing father? Still, she longed to show her grieving parents that she was doing well.
She finally arrived at the library and looked up at the towering bookshelves.
The entire building was like a warehouse for books, the ceiling so high she had to bend her head far back just to see it. It might have been even grander than the Sigar Palace library. Psyche’s heart started to race.
“First, I need to study the Grand Duchy.”
She had another reason for coming here: now that she had decided to stay, she was no longer just a guest.
Having been trained by her father as the family successor, she had some experience, though ruling a state was far beyond managing a household. Still, she decided not to fear. There’s no end to learning, after all.
She approached the librarian, who was dozing at a desk near the entrance.
[Absent]
A small sign was placed in front.
There were too many people around for the librarian to truly be “absent,” but not wanting to wake him, Psyche walked past quietly.
Standing before a massive shelf, she felt dizzy.
But the books were clearly arranged by category and title. Psyche began reading the spines and, luckily, found a thick volume detailing the history of the Grand Duchy—so hefty it could be used as a weapon. She gripped it tightly and pulled it out with some effort.
> [78 AD. His Majesty Hephaestus brings a child from outside. The child has blue eyes and silver hair. He declared him his heir, calling him his son. He resembled His Majesty so closely that no one could object.]
This was the first page she opened to.
“78 AD…”
The Grand Duchy measured years from the day it gained independence from the Sigar Empire—102 years ago—so this record was over 20 years old.
She turned the page to read more, but the rest was disappointing. Important sections were torn or missing, and what remained had been written long ago.
As she raised her arm to return the book, something gently tugged it from her hand. Warmth lingered on her fingertips from where they briefly touched.
“Do you enjoy reading?”
“…Sir Aster?”
“It’s been a while, Miss Psyche.”
The man smiled softly. His face, which she hadn’t seen in a while, appeared sharper—perhaps he’d lost weight. His lips curled up gently.
“Yes, it’s been a while.”
As she responded, his eyes brushed over her neck, filled with curiosity.
She had chosen to keep the ring. After losing it once, she didn’t want to go through that again.
“The ring you gave me last time—I’m still wearing it. By the way, do you like to read, Sir Aster?”
“Sometimes.”
Aster looked at her with interest, intrigued that she had spoken his name so casually.
“If you’re researching the Grand Duchy’s history, there’s a better book. …Here, take this.”
He seemed to know exactly what book she’d pulled out. Gently, he returned it to its place and retrieved another with elegant hands. His broad shoulders leaned close as he reached.
“This one’s easier to follow.”
The cover had the title printed in bold:
[History for Children]
“Thank you. That certainly makes it easier to understand.”
She flipped through the book. Unlike the old memoir-like text, this one was user-friendly, listing key events by year and including illustrations.
“…Hmm. Looks like I have a lot to learn.”
“Are you curious about the Grand Duchy’s history?”
When she smiled awkwardly, Aster’s eyes lit up in surprise.
But something about his gaze felt strange. His eye color—once deep like the ocean—had lightened to a clear sky blue.
“Yes, I am. I’m worried whether I’ll be able to support His Highness properly. I was born and raised abroad, and I don’t know much about the Grand Duchy’s customs. I also have no experience with high society, so that concerns me too.”
“So you came to study?”
“It’s embarrassing, but yes.”
Psyche smiled, closing her eyes.
“I must do my best to fulfill my role.”
Her blue eyes trembled slightly. Aster, who had been watching her, slowly moved his lips.
“…You’ll be a fine leader, Miss Psyche.”
She responded with a bright smile. Then Aster began moving quickly, selecting books from the shelves with ease.
“If you’d like, Miss Psyche, I can arrange excellent tutors for you.”
Psyche hesitated at the offer.
She didn’t know how palace education worked, but she doubted someone like him—a knight—had the authority to assign teachers.
Then, as if reading her doubt, Aster added:
“Oh, I heard the Viscount and his wife are visiting the Grand Duchy soon.”
“Yes, they are. But I’m worried. My parents are not in good health. The journey will be difficult.”
But if Psyche truly wanted it, her father would come running.
She could have asked the Grand Duke for permission to visit the Empire instead.
Still, she wanted to show her parents that she was thriving in the Grand Duchy.
Just like in her letters, she wanted them to see the castle with golden pillars and the warm, spring-like interiors.
To her surprise, Aster had a solution.
“Is that really a problem?”
He tilted his head in disbelief.
“Yes. Especially the path called the Butterfly’s Trail…”
It was known to cause hallucinations—like a waking dream.
While it may have been manageable for someone like him, it was an ordeal for Psyche.
“That won’t be an issue for His Highness. Once you reach the border of the Grand Duchy where magic works, you can open a portal and instantly arrive at the castle.”
“Por… what?”
“It’s called a Portal. A magic spell that allows long-distance travel in a flash.”
“I can’t believe something so unbelievable exists,” Psyche said, stunned.
Of course, such magic would make things easier.
“But I don’t think Miss Psyche would want that. Your parents aren’t familiar with magic.”
He had pinpointed her worries exactly. Psyche remembered how she felt when she learned the Archduke’s true identity.
“If it’s not presumptuous, I’d like to bring them here myself—without going through the Butterfly’s Trail.”
“Is that possible?”
“Maybe… by sea.”
“I hope we can bring them here safely,” he added quietly.
“And if you ever have questions about the Grand Duke—or ‘him’—I’ll be happy to help, Miss Psyche.”
“…Thank you.”
Even as she thanked him, she couldn’t shake the feeling that his kindness was excessive.
But when their eyes met, she caught herself.
Ah.
There was a familiar emotion in his gaze.
Psyche smiled faintly.
It was clearly sympathy.
As she lowered her gaze, her eyelashes trembled softly.
