5

Posted by Fatoma, Released on July 14, 2025

“Grace, that’s all for today’s work.”

It was an afternoon like any other.
Just as she had nearly finished her tasks for the day and was about to prepare for tomorrow,
Ivan, the director of the Imperial Library, suddenly summoned her to his office and said something unexpected.
Grace asked back with a puzzled look.

“What do you mean by that?”

“Exactly what I said.”

Her large green eyes, fixed on Ivan, slightly stiffened with tension.
Seeing this, Ivan chuckled softly.

“No need to be nervous. His Highness the Crown Prince has assigned you to the West Library.”

“What?”

Her long lashes fluttered charmingly as she blinked in surprise.
“But I’m still just an apprentice. How could I handle the West Library…?”

“The job itself is much easier and lighter than here. What concerns me is the fact that His Highness personally selected you.”

Personally selected?

Grace couldn’t believe her ears.
He had let her go after the tea party and even the great scholar Ivan Astor had assured her that he wouldn’t seek her out again. That had been a relief.
And now, not even a week had passed and she was being summoned again?

Suddenly, the image of the Crown Prince flashed through her mind.
His sharp, piercing blue eyes seemed to read people’s inner thoughts. His expression always unreadable.
Just the thought of him made her nervous; she swallowed dryly.

Reading her troubled expression, Ivan cleared his throat quietly.

“Normally, His Highness doesn’t summon people without a reason. There must be another purpose.”

The last time, he had invited her to a tea party to test a potential Crown Princess.
But this time?

“I… I can’t refuse, can I?”

“Unfortunately, not this time. The Imperial Library is directly under His Highness’ jurisdiction.”

So she was being used again… without even knowing the reason?

“I’m sure it’s nothing serious. The West Library’s been without a librarian for some time, so he probably picked you because you’re competent.”

She hoped that was all.

Grace sighed.
Facing the Crown Prince was definitely uncomfortable.
But it wasn’t something she could avoid.
If she wanted to work as a librarian in the Imperial Library, she had to get used to the stares and questions from nobles — even the Crown Prince.

If she could just do her job as a librarian, it would be worth it.

Grace steeled herself.

“Understood! I’ll do my best.”

“Good. Then let me explain the duties.”

Ivan smiled as Grace’s determined green eyes sparkled.
He briefly explained the duties of the West Library.

Sure enough, the work was simple.
All she had to do was keep the books in line with the Crown Prince’s preferences.

“Simple, right? With so little work, you’ll get used to it in three days.”

“So I start there after my apprenticeship ends?”

“No, from next week. Tomorrow’s a holiday, so you’ll report to the West Library in three days.”

“What? Already next week?”

Grace’s eyes widened again, moving side to side with worry and confusion.
Ivan laughed heartily and continued.

“His Highness said he’d send someone familiar with the West Library. Since there’s not much work today, you can visit the place with him.”

Someone familiar? Don’t tell me it’s the Crown Prince himself…

Knock knock—

“Come in!”

Just as Ivan finished speaking, the office door opened and a stranger stepped inside.
Ivan stood up, looking pleased.

“Oh, Sir Jack Moore. You’re here.”

“It’s been a while, Viscount.”

The man, dressed in a sharp black uniform and with a stern face, greeted Ivan with courtesy.

“Grace, this is Sir Jack Moore, a royal guard who serves His Highness. He’ll guide you through the West Library.”

“Jack Moore of the Cold Black Order.”

Unkempt dark brown hair and eyes.
Slightly tanned skin and tightly sealed lips.
His upright posture and disciplined steps made it obvious — he was a knight.

“And this is Grace, an outstanding apprentice librarian at the Imperial Library.”

“Grace Blodin. Nice to meet you.”

⚜ ⚜ ⚜

“That’s enough introductions. Now, off you go to the West Library.”

Rolling up his sleeves, Ivan gently nudged Grace and Sir Jack Moore out.
Arriving at the door connecting the library to Trion Palace, Ivan handed Grace a small envelope.

“A letter for you.”

The name written on the envelope was familiar.

Count Theodore Blodin.
Her uncle.

“You share the same surname. A letter from your family?”

Ivan’s voice was filled with curiosity. Grace slowly nodded.

“Yes, he’s my uncle.”

“Seems like you’re on good terms, exchanging letters like this.”

“……”

Grace silently stared at the letter.

After the accident that took her parents, her uncle and aunt had taken her home and title and practically abandoned her.
She had cut ties with the family while chasing her dream of becoming a librarian.
There was no way they were on good terms.

“Anyway, Grace, just take a look at the West Library and head home afterward.”

“What? But there are still two hours left.”

“Two hours is plenty of time to go home. Take it easy for once. Think about your family, too.”

“……”

Grace fell silent at the mention of family.

“Sir Jack, take good care of our Grace.”

With that strange remark, Ivan personally closed the library door.
Even though the job wouldn’t start for another three days, he was in such a hurry…

“Shall we go?”

A deep voice brought Grace back to her senses.
Sir Jack Moore was already halfway along the path connecting the Imperial Library to Trion Palace.

“Oh, when did you get that far?”

She slipped the letter into her pocket and hurried to catch up with him.

“My apologies. I walked too fast.”

Jack Moore apologized first.
Grace waved it off with a bright smile, not wanting him to feel awkward.

“No, I’m just a slow walker.”

“You’re kind.”

His stiff expression softened a little.
He turned onto a leafy path and adjusted his stride to match hers.

“Excuse me, but are you from the North, Miss Blodin?”

“Huh? Oh, yes…”

“I thought so. Your speech is a bit different. Did you come to the capital for the librarian job?”

“That’s right.”

“Did your family come with you?”

Her real family — her parents — were already gone.
She had cut off contact with her uncle and aunt years ago.
Grace blinked slowly, hesitating before speaking.

“My family… isn’t in the capital.”

“So you’re alone?”

“Yes…”

“Isn’t it hard living alone in the capital? If you mention it to His Highness, he’ll help. He takes good care of his people.”

Despite his stoic looks, Jack Moore spoke gently.

But… the Crown Prince cherishes his people?

Who exactly are his people?

Grace looked at him, puzzled.

“What do you mean?”

“Now that you’re assigned to the West Library, you’re one of His Highness’ people.”

“But I’m just a librarian.”

“I know.”

Jack nodded, his expression turning serious.

“Still, you’ll be serving His Highness. Just choose books he’d like and occasionally engage in deep discussions about them.”

“Does His Highness like books?”

Jack nodded enthusiastically, almost proudly.

“Even while traveling abroad, he always kept a book in hand.”

The Crown Prince… and books?

A forbidden book he borrowed four years ago suddenly came to mind: The Prince and the Citizen.
A banned text designated by the Emperor himself, discussing political power and its influence.
Far too dangerous for someone like the Crown Prince to be interested in.

“Does he have a deep interest in politics, by any chance?”

Jack stopped walking.

“His Highness is the next Emperor of the Diark Empire.”

“Oh…”

He said it as if it were the most obvious thing in the world.
In hindsight, asking that question was almost silly, given his position.
Grace blushed and looked down.

“That was a foolish question, wasn’t it?”

Though her head was lowered, her ears turned red.

“N-not at all. It’s understandable. Some people within the Imperial Family don’t care much about politics either. I’ve seen that abroad, too.”

“I still have a long way to go… I wonder if I’ll be able to serve His Highness properly…”

“You can.”

Before she could even finish, Jack answered firmly.
Grace looked up at his confident tone.
Their eyes met, and the corners of Jack’s mouth lifted slightly as he continued.

“His Highness personally chose you. You’re the right person for this. I’m sure you’ll do well.”

It sounded like encouragement, but something felt strange.
Surely he meant she was suited for the librarian role.
Why did it sound like he meant something else?

“…Thank you.”

Grace forced a smile.

⚜ ⚜ ⚜

The West Library really didn’t have much to do.
After a relaxing weekend, she finished the day’s work in just three hours.
To kill time until she could go home, she even completed next month’s book list — and still had hours left.

“I’m bored…”

After finishing two books, Grace leaned back in her chair.
As she stared idly at the ceiling, she suddenly remembered the letter from Uncle Theodore.
It’s probably something trivial anyway.
With a visibly annoyed expression, she glanced at her bag and reluctantly took out the letter.

But its contents were unexpected.

> “Tomorrow, my wife and daughter — your cousin Laura — will arrive in the capital. We bring joyful news for you.”

Joyful news?

The mere fact that Countess Blodin was coming was anything but joyful.

> “I heard you work at the Imperial Library. I expect you to help Laura successfully debut in capital society. – Theodore”

Grace’s face hardened as tension gripped the hand holding the letter.

“Help Laura…?”

She could’ve debuted in the North just fine.
The reason she was coming to the capital was obvious.

“They’re trying to move into central politics.”

The Blodin family had always held strong influence in the North and neglected the capital.
But if Laura could build ties with wealthy, powerful nobles here, entry into central politics would be easy.

“And they think I’ll help?”

Not that she even could.
Working at the Imperial Library didn’t mean she had connections with the elite.
Grace’s green eyes darkened.

“Haa…”

Frustration boiled from deep within her chest.
She crumpled the letter into a ball and threw it in the trash.

Just then — the door to the study burst open.

Who would dare barge into the Crown Prince’s private study like that?

Grace narrowed her eyes, ready to scold the rude intruder.

“Miss Grace Blodin.”

“Your Highness the Crown Prince?”

She stood up in surprise, unable to hide her confusion.

“Did you come for a book?”

“No. I came to speak with you.”