CHAPTER 12
A few days after construction began on the tavern, Everett received word that it would take about two more weeks to complete.
While waiting, Everett rarely let go of her tarot cards.
She needed to become more skilled before opening her tarot shop.
In the meantime, Pan contacted her to say he had found a craftsman for the job, and she ordered more tin cups.
“Miss, are you going to the library again today?”
In addition to her already somewhat busy routine, Everett had taken up reading.
To do consultations, she needed to understand the situations and traits of the people in this world.
Since Daisy was the only one she currently spoke with, reading books was the method she came up with.
“I finished the book I borrowed yesterday, so yes, I’m going again today.”
Daisy pouted.
“Ugh, what’s so fun about books full of tiny letters that you read them every day?”
“They’re actually really fun. Yesterday’s was about the history of the empire—want me to tell you about it?”
Daisy waved her hands and backed away.
“No thanks! Just hearing the title gives me a headache.”
The imperial library, built by the royal family for the people, stood atop a low hill known as the Forest of Intellect.
To get there from Everett’s estate, she had to pass through the central square.
It was a short trip by carriage, but Everett always walked.
Partly to observe the square’s atmosphere, but mostly because the road to the library was perfect for walking.
Tall trees lined both sides of the straight path, looking like something out of a painting.
‘Spending all my time cooped up in a tiny shop chasing money feels like a dream now.’
The rich scent of grass brushed past her nose.
Before she knew it, she had arrived near the imperial library.
“What book should I borrow today?”
Humming to herself, Everett walked up the hill toward the library.
Then she spotted a familiar figure—soft, curly light brown hair she wanted to run her fingers through.
“Oh, it’s Jan! Fancy meeting him here.”
He wasn’t in full ceremonial robes, but his white outerwear still marked him as a priest.
“Is Jan here to borrow books too?”
Jan Keller, who had been talking to someone, disappeared into the library.
“I wonder what kind of books our charming priest reads.”
Everett quickened her pace.
The imperial library wasn’t particularly large.
The first floor was arranged like a book café where patrons could enjoy drinks, while the second and third floors held the reading rooms.
Bookshelves lined the walls of the reading rooms, and sunlight from the arched windows above bathed the space in warm light.
‘The first time I came here, it felt like I was visiting an old European castle.’
She’d been here several times, but the library’s old-fashioned charm still amazed her.
‘First, I should return my books and then look for Jan.’
Everett headed straight to the second floor and returned the books she had borrowed.
The first time she visited, she had looked for books about the goddess Anisch.
Even though there was a temple built for her, strangely, there were very few books about Anisch.
So she had started reading about the empire’s history instead, which naturally piqued her interest in the first emperor.
‘Maybe I’ll borrow books about the Bartman royal family today.’
After picking a couple of easy-to-read volumes, she headed up to the third floor.
While the second floor held books on a variety of subjects, the third was mainly focused on magic.
Her visits to Pan’s Magical Tool Shop had sparked her curiosity.
She was skimming a basic magic book between tightly packed shelves when—
‘Hm? What was that?’
She suddenly felt someone’s gaze.
Everett looked up and scanned the area—but saw no one.
Magic was a fascinating topic, but perhaps because of its scientific nature, few people came up to the third floor.
‘I could’ve sworn someone was watching me…’
As she stepped out from between the bookshelves and looked around, she spotted Jan Keller.
‘Oh… right. Jan said his dream was to become a magician. But he’s still in his priest’s outfit—can he be reading magic books like that?’
Their eyes met, and Jan Keller looked as though he had just seen a ghost—his eyes wide in shock.
‘Why’s he making that face? Do I look like I can’t read? Is it really that surprising to see me reading in a library?’
She waved at him, annoyed by his stunned reaction.
Startled, Jan nearly dropped his book and fumbled awkwardly before quickly returning the book to the shelf and walking toward her.
Now that she was about to face him, Everett’s mind grew more conflicted.
‘I keep running into Jan… Should I just tell him the truth now? Or is it better to stay quiet?’
The closer he came, the brighter his smile grew.
‘No. I can’t forget—Jan Keller was called a two-faced angel. That smile reassured people… but if he thinks I was mocking him, something might happen. Not three years later—maybe right now.’
Jan Keller stood before her and gave a slight bow.
“Good day, my lady.”
He looked down at the book she was holding, smiling softly.
“Oh, you’re reading a magic book. That one is easy and fun—it’s great for beginners. I didn’t realize you were interested in magic, my lady.”
He raised his head, and their faces were suddenly very close.
A flush quickly spread across his cheeks.
“Ah, I apologize.”
He stepped back in a fluster, raising his voice without meaning to.
“Shhh! Please be quiet.”
A passing librarian scolded him gently.
Jan glanced at Everett, clearly still eager to continue the conversation.
After returning the book to the shelf, Everett pointed downstairs.
“Shall we go to the café on the first floor?”
He nodded and took the lead.
‘We’re only running into each other like this because I’m free now. Once I open the tarot shop, this won’t happen anymore. So there’s no need to start anything unnecessary.’
Watching his bouncy curls as they descended the stairs, Everett firmly sealed her lips.
He returned with two cups of hot tea—the café’s signature menu item.
“The tea here at the imperial library is quite good. Please try it.”
Everett nodded slightly and took a sip.
‘Ugh… it’s awful. I could really go for an iced Americano right now. What’s the appeal of this stuff?’
She wanted to put the cup down immediately, but Jan looked at her expectantly, as if asking, Isn’t it delicious?
Forcing herself, Everett took a few more sips before setting the cup aside.
“My lady, were you… here to borrow books?”
Everett took out the books she had checked out and showed them to him.
“You’re very interested in history. I don’t know any other noble ladies who read these kinds of books… It’s quite rare.”
People who love books tend to want to talk more about them when they meet fellow readers.
Jan recommended other books on similar topics, as well as some he personally enjoyed.
After taking another slow sip of tea, he asked cautiously:
“Um… if you don’t mind me asking, may I know your name? We’ve run into each other quite a few times, but I still don’t know what to call you…”
Everett pulled out her library card and showed it to him.
“Ah, Everett… Gronje. Everett Gronje.”
He repeated her name several times, as if trying to memorize it.
“Even your name is… very beautiful.”
Clearly delighted to learn her name, Jan launched into more talk about the magic books.
Then, lowering his voice suddenly, he said:
“Actually, I’m self-studying magic. It’s my dream to become a magician.”
Everett’s eyes widened in surprise—she hadn’t expected him to confess that himself.
Jan seemed equally startled by his own admission.
They’d only run into each other a few times, yet he had just revealed he was studying magic.
His brow furrowed slightly, clearly unsettled.
Very few people knew about his secret studies. It wasn’t something he could share with just anyone.
Jan Keller was the only son of the Penayo family, who had inherited the role of High Priest for generations.
If his father—the current High Priest—found out he was studying magic, the consequences would be obvious.
Just imagining his fiery-tempered father’s reaction was enough to make him shudder.
‘But… something about Lady Everett makes me feel like I can tell her anything.’
Every time he looked into her eyes, he felt like he was staring into the deep ocean.
Vast, calm, embracing everything.
It gave him the illusion that she might truly support him.
“As a priest, I’m not allowed to borrow books on magic from the library. That’s why I always pretend I’m here for books related to temple management. I even wear my priest’s robes for that reason.”
Passion unacknowledged becomes a burden.
That gentle, spring-like smile had disappeared from Jan’s face, replaced by a heavy shadow of worry.
“You’ve met him too, haven’t you? Duke Kyle. He also knows I dream of becoming a magician. That’s why I always say to him: if you—”
At that moment, someone approached them.
“Jan Keller! Fancy seeing you here.”
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