Chapter 48
After I Die, the Little Groom
A deathly silence hung between the three of them.
Nadia wanted to say something, anything, but she was not Rivenya—she was Nadia.
She might have dared speak if they were alone, but with Grand Duchess Baldwin and Duke Baldwin before her, she was not in a position to break the silence first.
Eventually, the Grand Duchess set down her teacup and stood.
“One shouldn’t interfere with a grown man’s courtship. Do not worry, my lady. I hope you find your stay here comfortable.”
“…Thank you, Grand Duchess.”
She had already said “thank you” so many times she had lost count.
While Nadia bowed her head, the Grand Duchess left the parlor.
Nadia exhaled deeply, relieved. Her heart pounded, but she didn’t feel she had acted improperly.
By leaving a hint that she had no intention of marrying Heinrich, the Grand Duchess would likely not worry excessively.
Heinrich remained in the Grand Duchess’s chair and asked,
“Did my mother ask any awkward questions?”
“No. She was quite polite. It’s just… I didn’t feel right lying to her. Could I write her a letter later to explain that it wasn’t ill-intentioned?”
“You are well-versed in etiquette, and she will like you. She’s been bored lately, so she’ll likely respond.”
Heinrich answered without any hesitation.
Recalling their first reunion, it truly felt like a miracle.
Once her goal was accomplished, she would never see him again. So, Nadia decided to honestly enjoy this moment.
Simply being able to converse with Heinrich face-to-face, as before, brought her joy.
Smiling gently, Nadia took the book she had entrusted to Vivian.
“What is this?”
“It’s a book from Yuria Crimson, now the Crimson Count. She said she found it separately kept by the Count himself.”
Heinrich skimmed the book and said,
“It’s in an ancient language.”
“Yes. In an era when even ancient magic texts are translated, the fact that this hasn’t been translated means either it’s not worth translating… or…”
“…It’s a book that would do no good if read by others.”
Nadia nodded.
“I doubt the Crimson Count would keep a worthless book separately. I want to try translating it myself, even if it takes time.”
“You mean personally?”
“Yes. It would be troublesome if it really contained dark magic. But I have no book that could be of help to me. If it’s alright, may I enter the Duke Baldwin’s library? You may assign a supervisor if necessary.”
Every noble family’s library contained historical records. Diaries of past heads of the family were surely included, so access was restricted.
Heinrich met Nadia’s gaze steadily.
His golden eyes looked kind and sincere. From all he had seen of her, he did not suspect Nadia of wrongdoing.
But that was his personal feeling.
Heinrich ordered a maid to bring Allison.
“Allison will assign someone suitable.”
“Thank you, Your Grace. I will report the results once I have them.”
Nadia bowed with a slightly wider smile than usual.
Heinrich watched her until she left the parlor, and even after she walked away, he continued thinking of her.
She usually seemed burdened by her thoughts, yet today she appeared like a twenty-year-old girl.
Her lively smile when he promised she could borrow the ancient text amused him more than ever.
He recalled a woman who always sought to learn something new.
In his memories, Rivenya never stopped reading. She was skilled in languages, interested in political science, economics, and even military studies.
Rivenya was clever, but not a genius in all those fields. She simply loved stepping into unknown territory.
On rare occasions when Rivenya shared her true feelings, she confided to Heinrich a dream she had told no one else.
“Heini, if I could, I wanted to become a professor.”
“There is no one better than you, my lady. What field were you interested in?”
Heinrich was thrilled to know more about her and asked eagerly.
Rivenya looked far out the window, smiling like a breeze.
“Many things. I couldn’t choose just one, so I decided not to become a professor.”
Young Heinrich at the time regretted not being able to discover what truly interested her.
But shortly after entering the academy, he realized: there were no female professors anywhere.
Even though Rivenya’s papers were recognized by all, she could not teach.
The professor was respected socially, but not a position suited for someone of noble rank.
Usually, third or fourth sons who would not inherit became professors. By that logic, noblewomen were too exalted to ever stand on the lectern.
The woman most passionate about knowledge became the most honored duchess in the empire. Did that make their reasoning correct?
Heinrich shook off his lingering thoughts.
He allowed Nadia to access the library not because she reminded him of Rivenya, but because he did not want to obstruct someone who could find joy so easily.
In front of the library, a familiar face awaited.
‘Bern?’
Nadia almost called out his name, but restrained herself, seeing he was now a proper adult.
Unaware, Allison introduced Bern to Nadia.
“My lady, this is Bern, the librarian. He’s quiet but knowledgeable about books, and will be of help. Bern, this lady is the guest of His Grace, Baroness Hesse. Treat her with courtesy.”
Bern placed his hand on his chest and bowed respectfully.
His neat haircut and spotless glasses stirred memories of Nadia.
When Rivenya first met Bern, he was a twelve-year-old boy. A servant who cleaned the library, he secretly read the books.
Eventually caught, it was Rivenya who made him the librarian.
‘Too young to punish, yet I wonder if he saw something important. If I let him live, will he spend his life here?’
Bern’s face lit up so brightly, Rivenya felt as if she had handed him a gold bar.
In any case, Bern had been a wonderful guide for Rivenya in books.
Because Bern carefully selected the books, Rivenya could read even while busy with family matters.
Meeting Bern again filled Nadia with joy.
Hiding her excitement, she followed him into the library.
Each step into the library brought the scent of paper and ink, filling her lungs.
Passing between the shelves felt like walking through an immense forest.
Bern moved confidently toward a specific shelf, as if he belonged there.
“Books on ancient studies are this way. History is here, languages over there. Tell me which book you wish for, my lady, and I will fetch it.”
Frequently read books were within reach, but ancient texts required climbing a ladder.
Nadia tilted her chin, looking up at the shelves.
“Do you have any books on basic grammar? I already know the letters.”
At her request, Bern climbed the ladder and retrieved several books.
Reviewing them overall, Nadia found the selection satisfactory.
Sitting down, she said to Bern,
“As long as you don’t forget your role, you may read too. Preferably from these books here—I want your advice. If you’re not interested, that’s fine too.”
Without waiting for an answer, Nadia opened a book.
After that, the library fell silent.
Only three sounds could be heard: the scratch of Nadia’s pen, Bern turning pages, and finally Vivian dozing off, resting her head on the table.
Three sounds, and no more.
Three days later, a change occurred.
After finishing the books she had taken out, Nadia looked up, ready for Bern’s recommendations.
On the desk were already five waiting books.
Bern stood silently, offering no explanation.
The scene felt oddly familiar. She had seen Bern standing like this in the Duchess’s office many times…
Nadia smiled and pulled the books toward her.
With such an excellent teacher, she thought, she could happily stay a month longer.
