IHRM 52

IHRM

Chapter 52 A Third Coincidence—or Fate

After finishing her morning duties, Ellua left the palace and made her way elsewhere, her face full of anticipation.

I kept putting this off because I was too busy… finally, I can go now.

Her steps grew quicker with her excitement, so much so that she didn’t notice the eyes that had spotted her.
Nor did she realize someone was quietly following behind.

At last, Ellua stopped before a large door. Without hesitation, she stepped inside. The door closed behind her, and silence immediately settled around her.

Wow.

Her destination was the library. Towering shelves filled the vast room, crammed with books from top to bottom. A number of desks and chairs stood to one side, offering places to read.

“It’s been so long since I came here.”

Even back when she was “El,” she hadn’t used the library often, so the place felt a little unfamiliar—but she liked this quiet.

Whenever her mind had grown tangled with work and training, she had come here on occasion, slipping away from people’s eyes to clear her thoughts in peace.

Ellua greeted the librarian politely and slipped deeper inside.

What should the children start with, something easy to learn?

Remembering the purpose of her visit, she hurried along the shelves, searching for books that were simple yet engaging enough for children.

They could already read and write, so it was time to start proper lessons.

Soon she had several volumes in her arms, but still unsatisfied, she moved to another section—and then spotted one she especially liked.

They’d probably find the Empire’s history interesting too.

Delighted, she stretched her hand toward it.

Huh?

She reached higher, straining, but her fingers barely missed the spine. Even standing on tiptoe wasn’t enough.

“What? I used to reach this easily… Oh, right. I’m not El anymore.”

As Ell, it would have been no problem. But now that she was Ellua, her smaller body couldn’t reach.

She glanced around for a step stool, but there was none in sight.
Too stubborn to call for the librarian, she reached again, giving it everything she had.

Just a little more, almost—

Then suddenly, another hand appeared in her view.

What—?

It plucked the very book she had been straining for, smoothly taking it down. The moment gave her déjà vu of something that had happened before.

Startled, she turned—and found someone standing right behind her.

Puzzled, she lifted her gaze to see the face—and froze.

“You—!”

As if knowing she was about to cry out, he quickly covered her mouth and whispered low:

“This is a library.”

When Ellua nodded in reluctant agreement, he let go. She hissed in a small, indignant voice:

“What are you doing here?”

“That’s what I’d like to ask. What are you doing here?”

Cheilen looked at her in astonishment. Why was she in the Imperial Library of all places?

Just earlier, he had left the council chambers after a conversation with Hisben, lighter now that his business was settled. He had been about to return home—when he caught sight of someone hurrying across the courtyard.

No way.

At first, he thought he was imagining it, seeing a ghost out of sheer longing. But when he rubbed his eyes and looked again, she was still there. The very person he had been yearning to see.

Cheilen quickly followed, trailing her all the way into the library—and there she was, among the shelves.

I wasn’t wrong.

Bathed in the shafts of sunlight, Ellua looked as if she herself glowed.
When he saw her struggling to reach a book, he couldn’t help stepping closer to help, smiling at this unexpected reunion.

Ellua couldn’t raise her voice in a library, but she was truly shocked. She had half-jokingly mentioned the possibility yesterday—and now here they were, meeting again by coincidence the very next day.

Could it really not be coincidence at all…?

Collecting herself, she reached for the book he’d taken down. But for some reason, Cheilen kept it out of reach. Annoyed, she reached again—and missed again.

Her irritation bubbling over, she whispered sharply:

“What are you doing? That’s the book I wanted.”

“Funny. You act like you don’t want me around, but you seem pleased I helped.”

He ignored her complaint, his gaze instead falling on the black handkerchief tied around her wrist.

Embarrassed, Ellua quickly hid her hand behind her back.

“There was nothing else to cover the bruise with, so…”

“So you don’t actually dislike it, then.”

The truth was, Cheilen didn’t dislike it either. Quite the opposite—he was secretly pleased that something of his was wrapped around her.

But Ellua felt she was falling into his pace again. To escape, she pressed on.

“Just hand it over already. Why do you always grab the books I reach for first?”

“Hold on. You’re being so insistent—it makes me wonder what kind of book it is. It’s not something strange, is it?”

As he teased, she decided she’d had enough. Waiting for the moment he let his guard down, she darted a step closer.

Caught off guard, Cheilen tried to back away, but the bookshelf behind him blocked his retreat.

Reaching up on tiptoe, Ellua leaned close to snatch the book. The sudden closeness stole Cheilen’s breath—her face was right before his eyes. His heart pounded, and his body refused to move.

Why am I reacting like this?

Thanks to his distraction, Ellua easily snatched the book from his hand. He still stood frozen.

“Finally got it. What’s wrong with you all of a sudden?”

Seeing him so dazed, she tilted her head. At last, he found his voice, a little shaky:

“If you suddenly come that close…”

“Then maybe you should’ve just given it when I asked. Why be so stubborn?”

Deciding she couldn’t read in peace with him around, Ellua went to the librarian and checked the book out instead. She walked out of the library—and Cheilen hurried after her.

She was about to head back to the palace but grew irritated by his persistent following. She stopped and turned.

“Why are you still coming after me? Shouldn’t we just go our own ways?”

“Did you forget something?”

“What?”

When she blinked in honest confusion, Cheilen could hold back no longer.

“You promised. Next time we met, we’d exchange names.”

“Oh…”

At his words, the memory returned. And she cursed her past self for saying such a thing so carelessly. She had hoped he’d forgotten—but of course he hadn’t.

I was a fool to bring it up.

She had tried so hard not to get entangled with this man, and yet here she was again, caught in her own words.

Trying to change the subject, she asked, “By the way, what brings you to the palace? Judging from your attire, you must be here on official business.”

“Don’t change the subject. I can see right through you. That can wait until after introductions. Now, tell me your name.”

No use, he won’t let this go.

Resigned, Ellua gave in. After all, it was their third chance encounter—it was beginning to feel less like coincidence and more like fate.

She even found herself smiling at the thought.

“Why are you laughing?”

“It’s just… funny. I said it offhand, but we really did meet again. Three times now, all by chance. At this point, I might as well give in.”

“Which means you’re curious about me now?”

“Not exactly.”

Still, Cheilen liked this better than the last time, when she had desperately tried to push him away.

And Ellua, too, felt a flicker of curiosity. Who exactly was this man who kept appearing before her?

“No one’s ever taken this long just to exchange names with me.”

“Same here. Now hurry—I’ve been waiting long enough.”