Making a contract with Crown Prince Karl didn’t change anything immediately.
It was said that it would be best to go about her daily life as usual until the ball hosted by the Grand Duchess of Grikel in a few days.
Grace continued working as a librarian in the West Wing’s library, carrying out the few tasks assigned to her.
“Oh? Aren’t you the librarian?”
At the sound of a cheerful voice, Grace looked up and saw a familiar face smiling brightly at her.
“Miss Casey?”
“That’s right! Wow, you even remembered my name.”
Grace pushed aside the documents she had been working on and stood up.
“I heard there was a new librarian in the library, but I didn’t realize it was you.”
“It hasn’t been long. Sorry for the late introduction—I’m Grace Blodin.”
As she held out her hand, Casey put down the feather duster she was holding. She wiped her hands on her apron and then eagerly grabbed Grace’s hand, shaking it with a laugh before letting go.
“This place was a bit scary with all the books, but now I feel like I can come in without fear.”
“Scary because of the books?”
“This is the smallest room in the West Wing, and it’s all the way at the end. Plus, the books reach all the way up to the ceiling, so light barely gets in.”
Casey grumbled and moved in front of the bookshelf with her duster.
“Do you like it here, Librarian?”
“I like anywhere that has books.”
“You really do love books, don’t you?”
“That’s why I became a librarian.”
When Grace smiled softly, Casey joined her in smiling and started cleaning.
Even while cleaning, Casey chatted endlessly, and Grace, now back in her seat, responded occasionally to keep her company.
“I’ll bring sandwiches next week when I come. My friend’s in the kitchen team, and I’m in the cleaning team.”
“You’re going to bring them, as in…?”
You’re not going to steal them, right?
Reading the suspicion in Grace’s eyes, Casey frantically waved her hands.
“No, I mean the leftovers! They’d throw them out anyway. Better to eat them than waste them. I was going to bring some today, too, but I couldn’t.”
“Did you get caught?”
“No, there’s a banquet tomorrow here in the West Wing.”
“A banquet?”
“Yep! The kitchen’s in chaos trying to finalize the menu. Madam Johnson’s going all out.”
Madam Johnson was the head maid in charge of the West Wing.
“It’s the first banquet hosted by His Highness the Crown Prince since his return. And the Grand Duchess of Grikel is on the guest list. So not just the kitchen, we’re all on high alert. If she catches even a minor mistake… snip!”
Casey made a slicing motion across her neck.
It was a gesture that showed just how formidable the duchess was.
Grace understood too well.
She remembered how the Grand Duchess had come unannounced and bombarded her with questions about Prince Karl.
Shaking her head at the memory, Grace sighed.
Casey said she was going to get the mop and stepped out, while Grace turned her attention back to the list of newly arrived books.
There were many interesting titles on politics, literature, and economics.
Which of these would Crown Prince Karl like?
These were the first books to enter the West Wing’s library since his return.
Four years ago, the library had a wide variety of books, but they all had one common trait:
They were all about the Empire of Diarc.
Before leaving the country, the Crown Prince had read all kinds of books on the empire in this very place.
It was strange.
He said he had no interest in the throne.
Was he forced to read them? Or had the previous librarian deliberately curated the collection that way?
Click. Creak.
As she pondered, the sound of a door opening reached her ears.
But no footsteps or presence followed.
If it were Casey, she’d be chatting away.
Did the wind blow it open?
“Your Highness…?”
She looked up to see Crown Prince Karl standing there.
The West Wing was his residence, after all.
That meant the West Wing library was essentially a personal library for him.
But until today, he had never once visited.
“What brings you here, Your Highness?”
“Are you busy?”
Was it because of their contract yesterday?
Karl no longer felt like just a crown prince.
A comrade, perhaps?
No, that didn’t sound quite right. Maybe the difference in their status?
Frowning briefly in thought, Grace replied,
“No, not particularly… Why do you ask?”
“Do you have any plans this evening?”
Evening plans?
She had never had any.
Though surprised by the sudden question, Grace answered calmly.
“No, but… why do you ask?”
“There’s somewhere I’d like to go with you. If you’re not busy, it’d be best to go now.”
“But it’s still working hours.”
“Didn’t you just say you weren’t busy?”
“Still, going out during work is a bit… Can’t we go after I’m done?”
“Why should we?”
“What do you mean why?”
Karl looked at her with innocent confusion, as if he truly didn’t understand.
Grace found herself in the second biggest state of confusion in her life.
Why can’t he understand this? We’re not speaking different languages…
“I may still be on probation, but I’m a librarian. I work for the Imperial Library and here at the West Wing’s library.
Even if Your Highness tells me to go, I can’t neglect my duties and working hours.”
Karl stepped fully into the room and tapped on Grace’s desk.
“You’re far more responsible than I expected.”
Though his tone was calm, his slightly sharp gaze said otherwise.
Was that irritation she sensed? Maybe she was imagining it.
“Fine. It’s good to have pride in your work.”
Karl nodded, not changing expression at all.
But he didn’t look convinced at all.
Does he really mean that?
“You’re affiliated with the Imperial Library. Your superior would be Viscount Ivern Astor, right?”
“Yes, that’s correct…”
Wait—don’t tell me he’s going to ask the Viscount for a favor?
“No, never mind. The Imperial Library falls under my jurisdiction. I’m technically the top authority, am I not?”
“…!”
Karl smiled as he looked at Grace’s wide eyes.
“Then I’ll just order you to get off work.”
“Are you really going to order it?”
Though she already knew the answer, Grace asked to be sure.
Her tone was bold but not disrespectful.
Karl’s eyes gleamed at her challenge.
Even as a prince, he wouldn’t misuse power, would he…?
“Leave work. Right now.”
“…”
Caught off guard, Grace unconsciously touched her forehead.
“We’ll go out the back entrance. There should be a carriage waiting.”
“A carriage?”
“There’s somewhere I want to go with you.”
“Where exactly?”
“A dress shop.”
Dress shop?
Surely he wasn’t asking her to go shopping for his clothes.
Grace looked at him with discomfort she couldn’t hide.
Karl watched her with amusement and smirked.
“It’s not for my clothes.”
“…?”
“We’re going to buy your clothes, Grace.”
⚜ ⚜ ⚜
“Grace Blodin?”
“Yes. She’s currently a librarian in the West Wing of Trion Palace.”
At Stea McBury’s words, Grand Duchess Eleonora Grikel tried to recall.
“Oh, I heard a new librarian started a few days ago. But why are you bringing her up?”
“I heard His Highness the Crown Prince personally selected her. I thought perhaps Your Highness might know something.”
“Karl picked her himself?”
Eleonora trailed off, thinking.
“I heard she’s a librarian Viscount Ivern Astor values highly. That strict old man doesn’t give out praise easily.”
“Don’t you think it’s odd?”
Eleonora stared at Stea, who hesitated before speaking.
“His Highness even invited her to the tea party.”
“Oh, so that was the librarian he invited?”
“Yes. And if he chose her personally, it must mean he likes her. But she’s a woman.”
“A woman?”
Eleonora burst into laughter.
Even as the maids brought in the afternoon tea set, her laughter rang through the parlor.
Stea waited for her to calm down.
“You’re not suggesting Karl is interested in her, are you, Lady McBury?”
“…Your Highness.”
“Oh, you are. That’s what this is.”
After laughing heartily, Eleonora wiped away a tear.
“Karl has no interest in women. I guarantee it.”
“What if he’s just pretending?”
“Pretending? If that were acting, he could have a brilliant career on stage, my brother.”
Eleonora didn’t seem the least bit concerned about Stea’s suspicions.
So Stea shifted her approach.
“That’s not my only concern, Your Highness.”
“Oh? There’s more?”
“The librarian’s name is Grace Blodin. She’s from the Blodin family of Lagrass. She’s a relative of Countess Blodin, who visited recently.”
This got Eleonora’s attention.
“Hm, a noblewoman working as a librarian… In any case, we should keep an eye on her.”
Eleonora slurped her tea loudly and set it down.
“By the way, Lady McBury, have you gotten closer to Karl? If you were to become Crown Princess, things would be easier for both your family and me.”
“Things are going smoothly.”
“Oh? What makes you say that?”
“He asked me to be his partner for the upcoming banquet in the West Wing.”
Stea spoke with a smile and set her teacup down.
Eleonora raised an eyebrow at her and sipped her tea again.
Her face, hidden behind the teacup, was filled with sly amusement.
⚜ ⚜ ⚜
Is this really the capital? Is there seriously only one dress shop in the empire’s biggest city?
As soon as they stepped out of the carriage, Grace saw a familiar building and sign.
It was the same shop she had visited with Countess Blodin and Laura.
“What’s with that face?”
At the voice, she turned to see Karl looking at her with his bright blue eyes.
“It’s nothing.”
“Liar.”
Didn’t he say not to lie?
“It’s really nothing.”
Even though she was being honest, Karl didn’t believe her.
Must he hear everything going on inside her head to be satisfied?
“I’ve just been here before, that’s all.”
“So?”
“I was just thinking, ‘Is this the only dress shop in the capital?’ The owner must be losing her arms sewing all these dresses for nobles… That’s all.”
Grace spilled her innermost thoughts.
Karl’s bright blue eyes shimmered like the sea, and his lips twisted into a strange shape.
“Your thoughts… are very creative.”
“…”
If it’s funny, just laugh already.
Karl glanced at her, bit his lower lip, then turned away.
What’s so funny, anyway?
After taking a deep breath and composing himself, he stepped into the shop.
“Welcome, Your Highness.”
The shop owner bowed deeply as the door flew open. Then, upon seeing Grace, she said:
“Oh?”
“Are you here to pick up Countess Blodin’s clothes?”
“No.”
Karl’s brow furrowed slightly.
“Aren’t you one of the Countess’s maids?”
“No.”
“But you were with her last time…”
Karl stepped forward, as if to block the space between Grace and the shop owner.
“Mrs. Castley. I heard you’ve designed some new outfits. I’d like to see them.”
“Those are for women, though…”
Mrs. Castley trailed off, glancing between Karl and Grace—then her eyes widened.
“Don’t tell me… You and the Crown Prince…”
“Mrs. Castley.”
She clamped her mouth shut. Karl smiled smoothly.
“I’d appreciate it if you kept your promise to protect all secrets related to me.”
