Chapter 11: The Villainous Young Master
“Eh!?”
A quiet voice from behind made me flinch.
I turned around cautiously, and there stood Lord Keith, expressionless, while Berne quickly stepped back.
“Lord Keith…! G-Good day.”
Flustered, I clutched my book to my chest and gave a small bow.
“Lady Lilibelle, are you studying? If you need assistance, I can help.”
His offer warmed my chest slightly. At the same time, I hesitated for a moment, wondering how I should explain my purpose.
“Y-Yes. There’s something I want to learn, so I came to the library.”
I answered as naturally as I could. Keith took a step closer and glanced at the bookshelf.
“…I see. You were looking for books on pharmacology and medicine, weren’t you?”
“Eh…?”
I couldn’t help the foolish sound that slipped out; I hadn’t expected him to see through me so easily.
“Do you have a particular goal in mind?”
His words were soft, but those golden eyes of his looked straight at me—so piercingly direct that it made my heart skip.
Keith Tim Winterhalter.
In the novel, he was the villainous young master who turned against the royal family. Cold, emotionless, and unyielding, he trusted no one… or so it was supposed to be.
“I just want to properly gain knowledge,” I said.
Keith lowered his gaze slightly and paused, as if pondering.
“Indeed. You have been growing medicinal herbs for some time now, haven’t you?”
“Eh? Y-Yes…”
Even his gesture of thoughtfulness looked natural. At the same time, I let out a small, surprised noise. Keith actually knew that I had been growing herbs in that palace.
“In that case, I’ll bring you a suitable book.”
“R-Really…?”
My voice cracked without my noticing. It was too natural, too kind.
“That thick medical book might be rather inefficient. You could end up learning something incorrectly.”
He said this while heading deeper into the shelves. I just stood there, dumbfounded.
(Could it be… Keith is actually this… kind?)
Keith returned and handed me a book.
“This should be suitable. It covers both the basics of medicine and knowledge of medicinal herbs.”
“Thank you very much.”
I hugged the book to my chest instinctively. With this, I felt I could learn more thoroughly.
“…Do you plan to study under someone?”
“No, I wanted to learn properly, but it seemed difficult. I’ll do my best with this book!”
I was truly grateful that Keith was here to help.
Then, unexpected words came from him.
“If you like, I could teach you myself.”
“Eh?”
I froze mid-motion while pulling out a chair to sit, completely surprised.
“If my knowledge is sufficient, that is. I think you’ll learn faster than studying alone.”
He said it so calmly, yet I felt a warmth in his words.
(Could Keith really be a good person…?)
There was no reason to refuse. This was exactly what I needed!
“Yes, please! I would be grateful.”
My voice came out louder than intended, and the library’s silence pressed against my chest. The librarian from earlier looked at us with a puzzled expression.
Keith glanced around calmly, then looked at Berne and me in turn.
“…Lady Lilibelle, if you don’t mind, shall we continue your studies in my office?”
I blinked in surprise.
“Eh… your office?”
“Yes. This place has many people coming and going, and conversation is generally prohibited.”
True enough, although the library was quiet, servants and scholars passed by intermittently. Studying properly while being taught might be difficult with so many eyes on us.
“Then, if you don’t mind, may I accompany you?”
“Of course.”
With that simple reply, Keith took the books Berne and I had been holding.
“Then, I will guide you. This way, please.”
“Y-Yes…”
Somehow, I ended up being taught by my favorite person.
Keith’s office had large windows, through which warm sunlight softly poured.
On the heavy wooden reception table were the thick medical books and herb encyclopedias we had borrowed from the library.
Keith and I sat across from each other.
“Then, let’s start with this chapter today: the classification of herbal components and their effects.”
His voice was calm as always, but carried a soft undertone.
“Yes, please.”
I straightened my back without realizing it.
The orderly bookshelves and strategically placed plants created a peaceful atmosphere, as if the room itself was designed for studying.
I couldn’t help glancing around, apologetically.
“Look here. The difference between ‘Fahne leaves’ and ‘Fornia herb’ is subtle, but you can distinguish them by their scent and leaf thickness.”
Peering at the diagram he pointed to, I diligently took notes.
“Lady Lilibelle, you grasp things quickly. Imagining how you would use them in practice helps the knowledge stick even better.”
“I see…”
“Perhaps you could also find the herbs you’ve been growing in this book. I’ve advised that the springs and gardens remain untouched by construction.”
“Ah, really!”
That explained why my herbs were completely undisturbed. I had thought they were neglected, but that wasn’t the case.
(He even knew about the herbs earlier…?)
I was increasingly unsure about this man named Keith. Even now, his eyes seemed somehow kind when looking at me… though perhaps I only wanted to believe that.
“I’ll review in the herb garden when we return to the palace.”
I nodded, and Keith’s eyes narrowed slightly, almost forming a smile.
“…Previously, Lady Lilibelle, you would never have come to a place of study like this. Why do you wish to learn pharmacology and medicine?”
I shivered at his words.
That’s right. Even after the matter with Emma and the others, I hadn’t left the palace of my own volition. I had been terribly afraid of being seen by others.
“…As I said earlier, I want to gain knowledge.”
“I see. However, it seems there’s more to it than that.”
His golden eyes narrowed, quietly searching me.
(He’s sharp, after all…)
But I couldn’t tell him the real reason.
Even if I said, “I want to change the future where I die of illness in the world of the novel,” no one would believe me. Not even my brother.
“If something happens in this country… perhaps having knowledge will allow me to help in the future.”
I smiled as naturally as I could.
