TVWRL 02

Chapter : 02

I’m Not a Book Thief

“I’d say you’re rather brazen for a thief.”

Only after that sharp voice pointed at me did I snap back to my senses.

Calix—commonly known as Grand Duke Reinhardt.

The greatest commander and warrior, the sword of the Kingdom of Ruberia, who had lived on battlefields since the age of eighteen, the one who conquered the northern frontier and was called the Grand Duke of the North.

And the man who sends “Erika” to the execution platform.

It’s an honor to meet you like this, but—no, why is the male lead here?

In the original story, Erika was never supposed to meet him directly.

First, calm down. I’m not part of the rebellion right now, so I should be fine.

Just as I was trying to steady my nerves, he shot me a cold glance… and then—

click.

He locked the archive door.

…Wait, why are you locking the door?

“You seem to be misunderstanding something. I’m not a thief.”

I hurried to explain, but Calix approached me with overwhelming pressure. I backed away, but before I could take even a few steps, I was blocked by a bookshelf.

As if determined not to give me even a chance to escape, he extended an arm and blocked my path.

I was shoved against the bookshelf, completely trapped within his arms.

His icy blue eyes stared down at me coldly.

“The Magic Archive is restricted to royalty, high-ranking nobles, and the library director. Did you not know that unauthorized entry is punishable by law?”

Seeing that perfectly sculpted face up close left me momentarily speechless.

“Are you listening?”

His dissatisfied voice snapped me back.

No, this is not the time for this…

I cleared my throat and faced him seriously.

“I am not a thief, Grand Duke Reinhardt.”

A flicker of interest appeared in his eyes.

“You know me.”

Well, of course I know you—you’re the male lead of the original story. I can’t say that out loud though.

“The name of Grand Duke Reinhardt, the kingdom’s supreme commander, is famous enough that even small children know it.”

“Is that so? Then I’m curious about the name of the young lady sneaking into this place like a thief.”

What a sarcastic nobleman.

Suppressing my irritation, I maintained a polite smile.

“I apologize for the late introduction. I am Erika Diel of House Diel. I came to meet Director William.”

I did it! A proper noble greeting at last! My nanny would be moved to tears.

When I first got possessed into this body, I didn’t know any noble etiquette at all, and people looked at me strangely. The kind-hearted household had chalked it up to trauma from losing my father.

“And… why are you here to see the director?”

“It’s a private matter, so I cannot disclose it.”

I avoided his gaze awkwardly. Saying I was trying to escape a forced marriage was too embarrassing.

“You can’t state your purpose, yet you claim you’re not a thief?”

Suddenly, Calix shoved my shoulder roughly.

My back hit the hard bookshelf, pain shooting through me from the stacked books. I frowned and glared at him.

“You’re highly suspicious. And also…”

His gaze slowly dropped to my right hand. With his elegant fingers, he grabbed my wrist firmly.

He lifted the object in my hand—the compass—and looked at me with contempt.

“You even tried to steal the Book Finder. Isn’t this enough evidence?”

Book Finder? This compass?

“I was just looking at it out of curiosity. I was going to put it back.”

“Lies to the end.”

He scoffed and reached to snatch it, then suddenly stopped.

His eyes had locked onto the compass needle, which was spinning faintly.

His cold gaze shifted.

“…A Book Reader.”

His voice softened slightly.

He gently took my hand and the compass from me.

“I apologize. I wasn’t aware you were unfamiliar.”

The moment the compass entered his hand, its light vanished and the needle stopped.

“What is a Book Reader?”

“Isn’t that why you came to see the director?”

Instead of answering, he placed the compass back into my palm.

Strangely, the moment it touched me again, the needle started spinning.

“A person who can use the Book Finder to locate magic books.”

Magic books? Did Erika even have such an ability?

Why did an ability that didn’t exist in the original story suddenly appear?

The original was strictly a romance between the heroine Frisia and Calix, so I couldn’t be sure of anything.

Getting dragged into this possession was already unfair enough—now I even had useless abilities? A library search system would’ve been way better.

More than anything, I had a bad feeling this would just create more work for me. My office-worker instincts had never been wrong before.

Time to run.

I smiled politely and bowed.

“Oh, I see. I’ll report this to the director then. Excuse me.”

Just as I tried to slip under his arm, his voice stopped me.

“That works out well. There is a magic book I am looking for.”

“…Pardon?”

Calix leaned in uncomfortably close.

“Use the Book Finder and locate it. Now. I will grant permission afterward.”

“Wait, Grand Duke. I don’t even know how to use this thing…”

I frowned, trying to distance myself from him.

Then suddenly, loud shouting echoed from outside the door, along with footsteps rushing up the stairs.

They’ve already followed me here?

Worst-case scenario.

As I panicked over escape options, Calix frowned in irritation.

“As expected of the male lead, even that expression is annoyingly perfect…”

“Why is it so noisy outside?”

As he moved toward the door, I instinctively grabbed his arm.

Right now, Calix was my only lifeline!

He immediately shook off my hand.

“Do not touch me so carelessly.”

Wow, ice wall much?

Just because I grabbed his arm?

Fine, maybe he dislikes it—but still, was that necessary?

I wanted to snap back, but survival came first.

“Please help me, Grand Duke! They’re chasing me! They’re trying to abduct me and sell me off to an old nobleman!”

I performed my best distressed noble lady act.

Despite my Oscar-worthy performance, he looked down at me expressionlessly.

“What does that have to do with me?”

“…Huh?”

What kind of male lead lacks all humanity like this?

Shouldn’t there be at least some basic sympathy?

I stared at his absurdly handsome face in disbelief.

“Why should I help you?”

“…Seriously.”

Right. Of course. The kind of male lead who only cares about the heroine.

I’m just a side character. Whether I get kidnapped or not has nothing to do with him.

Still, I couldn’t think of a way to persuade him, and frustration built up.

Then I noticed the compass in my hand again.

Fine. I’ll give you a reason.

I straightened up, placed my hands on my hips, and met his gaze confidently.

“Let’s make a deal, Grand Duke. I’ll find your magic book—if you help me.”

“And if I refuse?”

“You lose nothing. This is the worst-case scenario for me. If you don’t help, I get abducted. And you won’t find your book.”

“…Are you threatening me right now?”

“Not a threat. Just mutual benefit.”

I held up the compass with a businesslike smile.

Calix frowned in annoyance, then gave a short laugh.

“Deal accepted. What do you want me to do?”

“First, deal with those intruders outside.”

Suppressing my relief, I quickly pointed toward the door.

Calix slowly leaned down toward me. Beneath his long lashes, his cobalt eyes burned with restrained anger.

I almost backed away, but refused to lose and met his gaze head-on.

He leaned in and whispered near my ear.

“Lady Erika, consider this an honor. It is rare for me to act on someone else’s request.”

Then he kicked the door open and stepped out.

…Did he just grind his teeth? Must be my imagination.

I quickly followed him.

On the stairs leading to the fourth floor, Verdi’s men were arguing with a young male staff member and a kind-looking middle-aged woman.

“We came to find our young lady—why are you making such a fuss?”

One of the thugs grabbed the staff member’s collar.

“This is a sacred library. Please calm yourselves!”

“Shut your mouth!”

He swung a fist—but before it landed, Calix strode forward.

Without hesitation, he grabbed the man by the neck and threw him down the stairs.

“Gah—AAH!”

The man rolled down the steps and slammed into the ground, unconscious.

“Too many insects in this library.”

Calix glanced down at him coldly.

The remaining thug tried to flee—but froze when he met Calix’s eyes.

“W-who are you… why are you attacking us…?”

Instead of answering, Calix kicked him in the stomach.

“Urgh!”

The man collapsed, coughing blood.

The staff and the middle-aged woman looked at Calix with a mix of gratitude and fear.

The woman stepped forward and bowed.

“Thank you very much, Grand Duke Reinhardt.”

Calix nodded slightly.

“Marian. Where is Director William?”

“He has gone to the palace to treat His Majesty.”

A faint, mocking smile appeared on Calix’s lips.

“So his chronic illness has flared up again. Do not report this incident to the director. I will inform him myself.”

“Yes, Grand Duke.”

Marian replied calmly.

Calix frowned at the unconscious men.

“Call the Royal Guard immediately. Security here is a joke. What is William even doing?”

“I apologize…”

As Marian bowed anxiously, her gaze shifted upward—and she suddenly noticed me standing awkwardly near the Magic Archive door.

“That young lady is…?”