Chapter 47
Teowin, who had been glancing beyond the third bookshelf, gradually slowed his movements until he came to a complete stop. He had noticed someone making their presence known beyond the shelves.
Platinum hair, pale skin, and amber eyes looking up from the bookshelf. The sunlight made those eyes glimmer like stones by the lakeside.
“Ah…”
Startled by the sound that escaped his own lips, Teowin quickly hid behind the shelves as Agnes moved.
He hadn’t expected to encounter her here, especially since she had been avoiding him since the banquet.
No, he already knew. He knew that Agnes had been borrowing books from the library recently.
He hadn’t anticipated today specifically, but it would be a lie to say he had no expectation at all.
Still, he wanted to avoid a direct encounter for now. He didn’t want her to see him in a clumsy state, nor did he want to accidentally hurt her with his awkwardness.
He briefly observed her side profile as she browsed the books. This part of the library was slightly different from the history section of the Empire.
But, as expected, one couldn’t speak of this Empire without considering magic.
Come to think of it… hadn’t Marquis Riezern been coming to the knights’ headquarters to manage mana control?
Teowin paused for a moment, thinking that perhaps what she was looking for was exactly that.
Of course, history books were useful in assessing the crown princess’s qualities, but it seemed she wanted to fully understand the power of mana that threatened her father.
“I was very grateful that I could entrust my daughter to Your Highness. I even offered a bow to His Majesty.”
“Was that really necessary? You didn’t seem like a woman who couldn’t manage herself.”
“It was the environment that made her strong… she wasn’t born strong.”
Fathers all seemed to think alike. Even the Emperor had always cared for Teowin, having lost the Empress at a young age.
Now that he thought about it, he and she were in somewhat similar circumstances. With so many commonalities, he wondered if there might be some connection—call it fate—between them.
His thoughts lingered. Unsure how to approach this woman, he was about to turn and leave when she, scanning her surroundings, began to pull a heavy footrest from the corner.
Without noticing the lever that secured it to the floor, she pulled with all her strength. Teowin quietly observed her.
Judging by her determination, she wasn’t the type to leave everything to others and relax… But still, at that level, she could have summoned a servant.
Wait, that bookshelf…?
Focused on the footrest, Teowin suddenly realized something—she had already placed her foot on it and was reaching toward the bookshelf.
“Uh…!”
Her foot slipped instinctively. That bookshelf was the one Lady Mimoyette had warned him about recently—unstable due to a missing screw supporting it.
As expected, there was a creak, and the wood twisted. Books began to topple, and her footing wavered, threatening to send her backward.
Teowin instinctively dashed forward, catching her with his back and embracing her.
He withstood the cascade of books crashing onto him and steadied her. The sensation of her small, white hands clasping his, and her pale face beneath tightly closed eyes, struck him sharply, though lightly.
Once she stabilized, her eyes fluttered open.
Time seemed to slow. It felt like a full minute as her deep amber eyes rolled and locked onto his.
“D-Did I… survive?”
Her voice made his heart skip a beat.
Even though it was Teowin, as expected, Agnes nearly slipped again from surprise. His blue eyes were piercingly close, examining her.
“Phew, you survived. Thank goodness.”
Regaining her composure, she greeted him, and his blue eyes seemed to focus more sharply.
Though… she wished he’d lower her to the ground.
Her foot was on the footrest, but most of her weight rested on his upper body.
His broad shoulders and strong arms supported her steadily, but standing with her arms held and legs unsteady was quite exhausting. And he was far too close.
Whether he realized her discomfort or not, his focus returned, but his mind seemed not fully present yet.
“Thank you, but… I’m not in a position to stand on my own…”
At her calm voice, Teowin finally flinched, as if noticing what he was holding. What was this reaction?
“Ah, my apologies.”
He lowered the arms that had embraced her tightly around his waist, gently lifting her knees from behind and setting her softly onto the floor.
“One screw was missing from the bookshelf. That was dangerous.”
His low, gentle voice was very pleasant. Perhaps he had become unusually tender from the shock.
“Was this the book you were trying to get?”
With casual kindness, he handed her a book—it was indeed the very book she had wanted.
“How did you know?”
“It’s an advanced introductory book on magic… I heard it was piled up in a big book nobody would touch.”
A playful expression flickered across his face as he read the title.
“History first, then magic theory. In a way, you’re learning properly.”
He smiled faintly at the end of his sentence, handing the book to her. But since they were so close, the book only passed from his hand to hers.
A soft voice drifted down from above. Agnes accepted the book quietly and waited to step back.
“…Thank you.”
Even as she took the book, she felt slightly uneasy, unsure if he was really stern or kind.
“This is the imperial library. Technically for nobles, but as you can see, no one really comes here. You may consider it your personal library.”
“Then… may the maid use it too?”
“Hm…”
He seemed to have never considered that. But contrary to what she expected, he answered readily:
“If I said it’s for your use, I’ll leave that to your judgment.”
“If there’s anything else you want to read, tell me. Until now, this library was all mine.”
Agnes shrugged lightly.
“As you know, I’m studying the history of the Empire…”
Even Teowin couldn’t explain everything to her, though he nodded in agreement.
After answering roughly, Agnes bent slightly in greeting and moved to the desk and chair. He had things to do, and she was moving to do hers.
She sat with the two books she had chosen and the book the librarian retrieved. She skimmed through the contents before deciding which to borrow, turning the thick cover of the first book.
As she read, she felt a presence across from her.
It was obvious who it was; looking up, Teowin had brought a book and pulled out the chair opposite her.
He must have no urgent matters today. Somehow, sitting alone in the vast, quiet space with him felt strangely different.
“I know this library well. Ask me anything.”
He spoke just as she began the first line.
After avoiding eye contact and conversation for so long, meeting him now felt like encountering a different person. It wasn’t just that they were alone in the large space—it was as if they had entered another world.
Yes, just as she had entered this world herself.
He opened the book he had brought. In the quiet library, the sound of their pages turning accumulated softly.
Agnes carefully examined the remaining books. All three seemed worth reading, so she decided to take them. When she closed the books and stood, Teowin followed suit.
“Oh, last time I just took the book out. Is there a borrowing procedure here?”
Following her, Teowin shook his head.
“No problem.”
She hesitated, wondering if she should ask about the banquet. She feared that once they left this space, he would resume his cold avoidance.
She knew they couldn’t prolong this moment with Teowin, but since he continued to avoid her, there was no other choice.
If he wouldn’t come, she would have to go. If he avoided her, she would have to continue presenting herself. She wanted to make him realize how much he had done wrong and accept his awkward apology.
Then she would smile and tell him it was okay.
But he turned and left first, without a word, like a mirage.
