Chapter 40
Thanks to Teowin’s efforts, the awkwardness between the two of them had eased a little.
At a glance, it might have seemed like they got along comfortably, since they could carry on light conversation well. But in truth, many of those conversations often started as a way to smooth over the long stretches of awkward silence.
“You can hold my gaze for quite a while now.”
“Ah… you’re right.”
The two of them were sitting in the study attached to his office. As always, a brief moment of leisure was quickly followed by work.
In the past, she would often catch herself staring at his handsome face filled with concern, only to hurriedly avert her eyes when he noticed. Now, she no longer felt the need to. She even smiled back when their eyes met.
“I’m trying not to be afraid anymore. It feels like a waste to keep missing things.”
He would likely think she meant him. And in a sense, that wasn’t wrong.
Her anxiety about mana still lingered. Unknown things could not be cut away or fade all at once.
Instead of staring at each other, they sat across the desk, each looking at the stack of documents in front of them.
“Is it all right? For me to be involved in the paperwork already?”
She picked up one sheet, studied it carefully, then set it to his left, before placing another at the far right corner.
“If classifying documents by subject and date is already a matter of interference in state affairs, wouldn’t that make our politics far too shallow? Even without documents, one could sense what’s going on.”
In fact, there weren’t many urgent documents, and they were spread across various fields. That suggested to him that the empire was running smoothly, with no single area suffering glaring problems.
If one sector had been struggling, there would have been more urgent requests and documents dated more pressingly.
“If everyone is working this diligently, the empire must be running very well.”
At her assessment, Teowin lifted his head slightly to look at her, then let out a soft chuckle.
She had a natural sense for governance. If she ever expressed a desire to take part in such matters, he thought he could entrust her with things here and there.
For now though… her heart was likely set elsewhere.
His gaze drifted to the necklace glimmering faintly just below her collarbone. The small blue gemstone sparkled against her pale skin.
It resembled his own eyes, steady and unshaken even under his gaze. His was the same. She had said both were bought from the same place, and to him, their attributes looked similar.
Noticing his glance, Anes looked up and curved her lips into a playful smile. Though still not entirely at ease, the mischievousness in her smile softened the air between them.
In their quiet study, time flowed calmly. The sound of rustling papers and scratching quills filled the silence, making the atmosphere even more conducive to focus.
“This is the Imperial Library! They say everyone in the palace can use it.”
Tarin pushed open the doors as she explained. Anes followed behind her.
“Everyone? So you can use it too, Tarin?”
Anes had never been fond of reading, but when it came to finding information, there was no place more reliable than a library.
After all, how could she possibly tell anyone that she was looking for a way to stop herself from destroying the empire?
“Huh? I never really thought about it… But probably ‘everyone’ only means nobles, right?”
Dressed in something more comfortable than a heavy gown, Anes followed Tarin as she guided her through the palace, showing her useful communal spaces. The library was their final stop.
Perhaps because Tarin had been diligently working around the palace, she seemed to know its layout even better than Anes.
Anes had already seen most of the palace’s luxurious spaces in a single day, but she had especially wanted to visit the Imperial Library.
The moment they stepped inside, rows upon rows of bookshelves stretched down both sides. A cool breeze drifted through the room, as if a fan were blowing.
“His Highness says you’ve always loved reading. You must have been frustrated not being able to lately, right?”
Tarin whispered with an almost insect-small voice as she scurried closer to Anes, who was scanning the nearest shelf.
“Y-yes. You don’t know how much I’ve missed it.”
It was a relief that Tarin accepted her answer so naturally. To Anes, the situation still felt painfully awkward—but apparently, she was the only one who thought so.
After passing about three shelves while studying the spines, a particularly dark and thick book caught her eye.
“The Foundations of Krofen.”
It looked like a history book. Since she needed to understand the empire itself, wasn’t this the perfect place to start?
There was no time to worry about hobbies or preferences. Until she knew how to protect herself, protect the empire, protect everyone—this was all that mattered.
Back in her chambers at the Crown Prince’s palace, Anes sat immediately at her table.
Tarin, when not at her side, was always busy managing the palace. The surroundings were quiet.
But now she had work to do. On the table lay the books she had brought from the library.
“All history books… there has to be something useful in them.”
The thick volumes gave her a heavy feeling, but she steeled her resolve.
Recalling the brief but peaceful time she had shared with Lizern, and unwilling to think more about the dreadful mana, she focused her eyes on the text before her.
This is to help him. To survive. For Father as well.
Letting out a deep sigh, she began reading.
It started with: “In the distant past, two gods were born and began to battle at once…”—a history of Krofen, almost like a textbook.
It told of the nation’s founding myths, the reign of each emperor, the laws established, their achievements, and political struggles through the ages.
“This is just like the Annals of the Joseon Dynasty.”
She studied for quite some time. The contents weren’t entertaining, but being alone and focused, she made swift progress.
“It’s… kind of interesting, but… it’s all just records. Nothing I’m actually looking for.”
After about three chapters, she realized the problem.
Given her background, she had never been close to books anyway. Of course, the knowledge would be useful for an empress—but when it came to magic, these texts focused too much on factual records.
Just then, a knock sounded along with Tarin’s bright voice:
“Your Highness Anes! It’s me, Tarin!”
“Come in,” she replied.
Tarin entered at once, nearly bursting with energy.
“My lady!—oh no, I mean… sorry, I still can’t get used to it.”
Though apologetic, her tone was high with excitement.
She carried something large and square in her arms, placing it on the far end of the long table. Then she launched into a cheerful account of how she had been cleaning a storage room, when the head maid suddenly appeared and praised her endlessly.
Tired of reading, Anes turned to watch Tarin chatter, finding it a welcome distraction.
“She said she’s been watching me work hard all this time! I got so many compliments! …Oh my! Look at me!”
Suddenly stopping mid-sentence, Tarin wiped her hands hastily on her skirt and left the room.
Most likely, she had gone to bring tea for Anes.
Within moments, the door opened again and a tray of tea ware was rolled in.
“Since you like tea, Your Highness, please enjoy this while you read. I’ll prepare it right away!”
As Tarin poured hot water into the teapot, a rich aroma filled the room. Just the fragrance alone made it clear this was an exquisite blend.
“Are you enjoying it? What’s that book about?”
Though Tarin wasn’t curious about knowledge, she was always eager about whatever Anes was doing.
“I’m just brushing up on basic history. I already knew much of it, but as a member of the imperial family now, I thought it would be good to learn the details more thoroughly.”
It was an excuse she had prepared—after all, it might look strange for someone like her to be absorbed in history books.
“Ehh, studying history? I think I’d rather clean than do that!”
Tarin took a careful sip of black tea, standing beside Anes. Anes had invited her, since she disliked drinking alone.
At first, Tarin had leapt back in shock and refused, but after Anes persuaded her, she compromised by agreeing to drink while standing.
“Oh, right!”
Her sudden exclamation startled Anes, though she didn’t show it. Smiling brightly, Tarin walked over to the square bundle she had set down earlier.
“This. They told me to give it to you, Your Highness.”
Her expression, even happier than when recounting her compliments, carried a strange, uneasy undertone.
