CHAPTER 03
Dianu had been living in Oak Palace for a week.
Life was not uncomfortable.
Meals were always delicious, and the maids made sure Dianu did not have to remove a single hair from her clothes herself.
Whenever she wanted, she could enjoy fragrant tea and desserts so beautiful that it was a shame to eat them in her private reception room.
It was a life every lady dreamed of.
But Dianu could not feel happy.
“Has Her Highness not appeared today either?”
The Oak Palace maid, Kora, bowed her head.
Dianu forcibly relaxed her frowning brows that trembled with irritation.
Everything was perfect, except that the princess had not appeared for a week.
The day after the move, Dianu had carefully dressed herself, and Viscountess Ornin left her with only two instructions.
1. Teach the princess Arasus language and etiquette in the library from after breakfast until before dinner.
2. Do not offend the princess.
The first instruction was reasonable.
It was especially good that there were no detailed directions.
It was as if she had been recognized as qualified to plan the lessons and conduct them herself.
But for a week, the princess had not appeared in the library.
Even when asking the maids, all they could do was look apologetic and not reveal their mistress’s whereabouts.
‘I cannot just sit around eating palace meals.’
The emperor had commanded Dianu to teach the princess.
Even without specifics, an imperial command was still an imperial command.
The emperor must have known the princess would refuse the lessons.
In that case, Dianu had to carry out his command, even if it meant preparing everything herself.
“Sir Roisen.”
Dianu called to the knight standing near the library door, restraining the rising irritation.
Sir Marek Roisen had been following Dianu wherever she went for the past week.
He had stayed with her while she waited for the princess in the library from morning until evening.
At first, the presence of the knight had been uncomfortable, but now Dianu had grown completely accustomed to it.
“Do you need something, Miss Ortensa?”
“You’ve surely met Her Highness before, haven’t you?”
Sir Roisen did not answer immediately.
He scrutinized her, and just as Dianu was about to burst out in irritation, he spoke.
“Of course. I have been the princess’s guard since her debut and have always served by her side.”
It was an unexpected answer.
Why was someone who had been the princess’s personal guard now following a mere tutor?
Sir Roisen seemed to notice her puzzlement and explained.
“His Majesty the Emperor has placed high expectations on you, Miss Ortensa.”
“…Yes?”
“He said that if I stay by your side, I might also protect the princess along the way someday.”
“Someday…? Along the way…? Wait, does that mean the princess has no guard now?”
“Yes. Her Highness refuses both attendants and guards.”
“Then who knows where she is now?”
“Hardly anyone.”
Dianu was utterly dumbfounded.
She forgot manners and stared at Sir Roisen, mouth agape.
Sir Roisen nodded seriously.
“It is indeed a serious problem.”
“You mean… His Majesty is just letting it be?”
His answer was hesitant and vague.
“It is a situation he can only watch.”
“What do you mean—”
“I’m sorry. I cannot presume to speak for His Majesty’s mind.”
Seeing his regret, Dianu did not ask further.
Instead, she stood abruptly.
“Since she probably won’t come to the library today either, I’ll go look for her myself.”
“Where will you go?”
“Please assist me, Sir Roisen. Where does Her Highness like to go?”
Sir Roisen thought for a moment.
“She especially liked the hunting grounds.”
“…Hunting grounds? Her Highness? Never mind, no need to explain. Anywhere else?”
“She also liked the library. His Majesty built it to celebrate her debut.”
“Then let’s go to the library first. The hunting grounds are too far to go immediately.”
Sir Roisen guided her without complaint.
The Oak Palace library was smaller than the Erbinjel Grand Duchy library but no less luxurious.
The scent of paper and ink filled the air.
Even the dust in the sunlight seemed romantic.
The emperor’s love for the princess was evident, building a new building just for her and filling it with books from floor to ceiling.
Even irritated, Dianu could not hide her admiration.
Owning a private library like this had been a long-time dream she’d never achieve in this life.
“What a magnificent library. There must be a librarian to manage it.”
“Yes. There is a resident librarian. He will find any book you need.”
“May I use this library?”
“Of course. His Majesty instructed us to accommodate your convenience as much as possible.”
Dianu could not hide her excitement.
For a moment, she forgot about the princess and the purpose of her visit.
Sir Roisen spoke gently to the excited Dianu.
“I will wait here. Come out when you want to return to the main building.”
Dianu headed straight for the bookshelves.
The arrangement made no sense to her.
It did not follow typical library order.
Perhaps it was tailored to the princess’s tastes.
‘She seems to prefer novels over practical or academic books.’
Browsing the reachable books, Dianu guessed the princess liked novels, especially chivalric and romance literature.
Even titles unfamiliar to Dianu caught her eye.
<Romeo and Juliet>
<Tristan and Isolde>
<King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table>
It was amusing that a princess raised in a knightly palace enjoyed chivalric literature.
Dianu chuckled quietly and reached for a book titled <Princess Oliana and Sir Giles>.
But before she could reach it, a hand reached from behind.
Dianu stepped back in surprise, nearly hitting someone’s chest.
“Oh… sorry. I meant to hand it to you.”
The voice was deep and commanding.
Dianu blinked and turned around.
The first thing that struck her was deep green eyes reminiscent of a summer forest.
“Are you alright? I seem to have startled you.”
The man’s honey-gold hair was stunningly beautiful.
His stature could cover Dianu completely despite her height.
He silently handed her the book: <Princess Oliana and Sir Giles>.
Dianu hurriedly adjusted her disheveled dress.
Anyone allowed in the princess’s library would surely outrank her.
She bowed politely to the man, keeping some distance.
“I apologize for the intrusion. Thank you for retrieving the book. It was hard to reach.”
The man silently observed her, a subtle expression on his face.
Dianu recalled Sir Roisen’s words.
‘There is a resident librarian. He will find any book you need.’
The man must be the librarian!
His casual shirt seemed odd, but the princess had stopped visiting, so the librarian might be idle.
Dianu’s eyes brightened.
“Are you the librarian of this library?”
The man did not answer directly, but she interpreted his silence as yes.
“Ah, I’m late to introduce myself. I’m Dianu Ortensa, the tutor of Oak Palace.”
It would not hurt to become familiar with the librarian.
More importantly, she needed someone to talk to other than Sir Roisen.
The man suddenly asked.
“How do you find life in the palace?”
Finally, someone who understands my situation!
Dianu sighed.
“It’s like a dream… and a nightmare at times.”
The man raised an eyebrow in curiosity.
“Which part feels like a nightmare?”
“I have nothing to do. Just eating palace meals feels like a nightmare.”
The Oak Palace staff knew the princess’s state.
At least the maids managed the palace, but the princess’s tutor had nothing to do.
The man in front of her could understand her best.
He asked surprisingly.
“If there is nothing to do, isn’t it comfortable and pleasant?”
Dianu was dumbfounded.
“If Her Highness avoids the library, is it comfortable and pleasant for you, librarian?”
The man realized and nodded.
Dianu shook her head in frustration.
“I’m not fulfilling my role, so even the delicious food isn’t satisfying.”
“Ah…”
The man nodded sincerely.
Dianu, excited like a child, finally released all her pent-up frustration.
“If His Majesty punishes me for this, I could not complain.”
“Punish…?”
“By the way, has Her Highness visited the library?”
“No… not for at least a month.”
“Then where did she go? I don’t know where to stake out to find her.”
The man raised a hand to cover his mouth.
It seemed like he was trying not to laugh.
Dianu narrowed her eyes.
“I am serious.”
“…Yes. Sorry. I was not laughing at you.”
“Have you met His Majesty the Emperor? Is he generous to incapable subordinates?”
The man looked up at the ceiling.
Dianu felt frustrated.
He kept observing her as if she were some curious creature.
‘Wait, her face looks familiar… but where have I seen it?’
Even if she wanted, she could not forget his face.
Yet the green eyes seemed familiar… she had seen them somewhere before…
Dianu frowned and tried to recall.
A familiar voice echoed from the library entrance.
“What… are you doing here?”
Standing across the bookshelves was Sir Roisen.
He looked flustered for some reason, his gaze fixed on the man beside Dianu.
Sir Roisen bowed to the man.
“Your Majesty.”
Dianu turned her stiff neck to look at the man.
The face that had been about to burst into laughter was now composed.
He extended a hand toward Dianu.
Following the ingrained etiquette, she instinctively offered her hand.
The man lightly kissed her hand.
His name was Rision Catalos e Catalos, ruler of the Catalos Empire.
“Nice to meet you, Miss Ortensa. Sorry I am not the librarian.”
Dianu wished she could faint.
