TBKBS 16

Chapter : 16

This is a total disaster.

I mean, what are these books even worth that knights—and even the Crown Prince—have barged in, causing a huge commotion, arresting people?!

And of all times, it had to be right when I’d chosen carefully, paid for the books, and was just about to leave!

I couldn’t believe how utterly unlucky I was.

But there was no way to escape.

The narrow alley was already packed with knights.

With a fading voice, I muttered,

“Your Highness, Crown Prince! I only wanted to take two books….”

“Only two books? Do you even know what might be written in those two books?”

Oh my god!

Do I know what’s in them?

Of course I do. That’s why I picked them.

And you—do you know what’s written or drawn in them while demanding them?

They’re full of sexy stuff… good stuff… incredible stuff.

But how am I supposed to just hand them over to you?

So please, just go. I beg you, Crown Prince.

This was the moment I most wanted to cry since arriving in this world.

Not even when I thought about losing my life had I wanted to cry this much….

“I don’t know! I didn’t even look at the contents! I just picked any random books!”

I’d seen them all.

I’d carefully chosen the two most outstanding works.

Please, just let me go.

“Caelin Brockburke. So you’re choosing books without even knowing their contents. Not realizing how dangerous they might be. Or… do you already know everything?”

“Dangerous? What’s dangerous? They’re just… and it’s not like I’d know everything….”

I know. Of course I know.

I’m not some underage kid—how could I not know?

Even if only theoretically, I know plenty.

And I’m an adult, so why is this dangerous?!

But I barely swallowed the words that were about to burst out.

Calyx frowned.

“I can’t understand why you’re even here.”

And I can’t understand why you’re here, why you’re arresting book merchants, confiscating books, and even trying to take the two in my hands!

“Well, to buy books….”

At that moment, one knight who had been listening to our exchange leaned in close to Calyx and whispered something.

I know that guy.

He’s the one who fought Grand Duke Leon in the joust.

He’s the commander of the knights… Rel, I think?

As I was recalling his name, Calyx’s frown deepened at his words.

Why the serious face?

I had no clue what was going on.

But one thing was clear: the atmosphere was getting dangerous.

My hands began to tremble.

Finally, Calyx spoke again.

“Caelin Brockburke. If you don’t hand over those books right now, I’ll arrest you on the spot for leaking imperial secrets.”

“Whaaat???”

A strange squeak popped out of my mouth.

What did he just say?

Imperial secrets?!

What nonsense is that?!

Since when are 19+ books classified as state secrets?!

Wasn’t this just about cracking down on illegally distributed books?!

I felt like my eyeballs were about to pop out.

Arrest me?

Me?!

By the Crown Prince himself?!

Hey, Calyx!

Do you even realize the person you’re threatening so scarily right now is Caelin?

That’s me, Caelin.

Why are you treating me like this?!

My breathing grew erratic.

“Y-Y-Your Highness….”

I somehow forced the words out.

He only stared down at me without answering.

“S-secrets? I only bought these books… no, I was about to buy them….”

“You’ll know once you hand them over and we check.”

“Check what, exactly—”

“Hand over the books.”

His voice was a firm order, with no explanation.

In that instant, I realized.

This wasn’t just some illegal book raid—I was caught up in something far more serious.

Which meant I had no choice but to hand over the books.

Ahhh….

Why is it that since possessing this body, all I’ve faced are hardships?!

I absolutely didn’t want to give them up, but dying for resisting was even worse, so in the end, I handed them over.

The moment he received the books, Calyx flipped rapidly, as if aiming for a specific page.

Both Commander Rel and Rajif, who was blocking me, had their eyes glued to the book.

I wanted to shut my eyes tight.

But my eyes wouldn’t close, and instead they locked onto the page Calyx had opened.

To my horror, it was the exact climax scene I’d seen at the night market last time—the one that had “Warning: Rear View” written in tiny letters on top.

The very page Eden had seen behind me that time.

The page where a rear-view warning was absolutely necessary!

Ahh… I just want to drop dead in this life.

Right now, if I could!

My eyes slowly slid from the page to Calyx’s reaction.

He scanned both pages with a grave expression. Then suddenly, his eyes widened in shock, and his body stiffened so visibly even I could see it.

“Welcome to adulthood!” …is that what I should say?

Watching his dilated pupils and frozen body, I felt like my soul was evaporating in sheer embarrassment.

His head started to tilt toward me, then stopped mid-motion as he flinched.

Dear god, why are you putting me through this trial?!

So, Crown Prince.

Satisfied now that you’ve taken and checked them?

Yes, you’re right about my reading tastes.

But why stop before looking me in the face?

Just look straight if you’re going to.

You’re making it more awkward for me!

Just as I was wishing for unconsciousness if not death, Commander Rel, who had also been staring at the page with a red face, coughed repeatedly, then cleared his throat and said,

“Your Highness, there’s nothing.”

What do you mean, nothing?

Nothing?!

Were you so stunned by the dazzling artwork that your brain short-circuited?

There’s plenty there. Gorgeous hyper-realistic illustrations with “Rear View Warning” written on top….

Wait.

Something felt strange.

I quickly glanced back at the open book.

Where was it?

It was gone!

The words that had definitely been there last time—“Rear View Warning”—were nowhere to be found.

Strange. They were definitely there before. Tiny, almost like handwriting.

Instinctively, I leaned in closer, pointing at the spot where the words had been, searching carefully.

Nothing! The words were gone.

Vanished…!

Snap!

Right in front of my face, the book was suddenly snapped shut.

“Eek!”

I stumbled back in shock, yanking my hand out from between the closed pages.

“Caelin Brockburke. Are you saying you chose this book—”

Calyx cut himself off mid-sentence.

Oh, please just let me die of shame on the spot.

And not just figuratively—I might literally die here.

Did I choose it?

Yes. Yes, I did.

I worked so hard to find it like buried treasure.

But it wasn’t over yet.

For some reason, Calyx handed that book to another knight, then picked up the second one he’d taken from me and flipped straight to another page.

And again, it was a scene bursting with bare flesh.

Not that surprising—every page of this book looked like that.

I mean, the title was Mary the Florist and Hans the Baker’s Endless Days and Nights. What else would you expect? Endless, indeed.

It was a page without a single piece of clothing.

Or any text.

“Nothing here either. These aren’t the ones!”

Calyx handed that book off as well.

What was he looking for?

Pictures with clothes on?

Or… wait!!!

Was he searching for writing?

Come to think of it, both times he had opened to specific pages, like he was trying to find something written.

My frozen brain kicked into gear again.

So he’s looking for some words hidden in these books.

Words that carry some kind of information.

Like the “imperial secrets” he mentioned….

Judging by their reactions, the books I chose didn’t have them.

In that moment, I realized I’d been blessed with incredible luck.

Sure, bumping into Calyx while buying these “gracious” works wasn’t lucky at all. But if my carefully chosen, high-quality books had contained what he was looking for, I might already be dragged away by imperial knights.

Of course, last time, the book The Duke’s Daughter’s Unforgettable Night had those words in it.

But I wasn’t stupid enough to bring that up now.

Right! The books they want aren’t mine.

So the best strategy here is to act bold and confident.

Whatever they’re looking for, whatever this situation is—it’s got nothing to do with me.

I only came to buy books.

With my resolve set, I lifted my chin high and said calmly to Calyx,

“Since you’ve checked, please return my books.”

My reputation was already in tatters—at least let me keep my books!

“Caelin Brockburke, these are illegal contraband books. I can’t give them back.”

His reply deflated my bravado instantly.

Ah… illegal contraband.

Right. I’d gotten too bold.

Even without his secret codes, these were still illegally distributed works.

I quickly switched gears.

In that case, the only thing to do was disappear from his sight as fast as possible.

“Understood. Then I’ll be on my way.”

It was clear now the Crown Prince’s group wasn’t here just to crack down on indecent contraband.

Something far more serious was at play.

But I didn’t know a thing about it.

I may be an author, but I didn’t write this plot.

So I’ll just vanish, thanks.

“Lady Caelin Brockburke!”

But just as I turned to leave, Calyx called me back.

And this time, he even used the formal “Lady.”

In this situation, did he have to call me that?

“Yes, Your Highness?”

“Were those books you chose earlier… your taste?”

“……”

“I asked a question.”

My taste?

Taste?!

When did I ever discuss my preferences with you?

What’s with this random question?!

I couldn’t comprehend his sudden line of thought.

Ah!

Could it be…?

I remembered what he’d said at the imperial banquet.

“Lady Brockburke, your tastes are unusual. I hope you find that kind of love.”

That was his reply when I had said I liked obsessive, possessive love.

So right now, his question is basically: ‘Is obsessive, possessive love AND explicit 19+ debauchery your taste?’

All I could do was sigh.

My inner turmoil was at its peak.

How was I supposed to answer this?!