TVWRL 03

Chapter : 03

I Will Definitely Pay You Back, So Please Get Lost

Marian looked at me with a face full of disbelief.

“How can an outsider enter the Magic Archive? There’s a barrier spell—visitors can’t even see the door. How did you get in here?”

Calix glanced at me briefly, then—rather kindly—explained.

“I caught her because I thought she was a thief.”

…No, that was an entirely unnecessary kindness.

At his words, Marian turned to me with a frightening expression.

“If she’s a thief… does that mean she tried to steal magic books?”

“No! That’s not it!”

I hurried to explain, but Calix cut me off.

He walked over to Marian and exchanged a few words before stepping back.

“She said she came to meet Director William.”

“Oh my…”

It was easy to tell the conversation was about me. Marian looked at me—and my hand—with an emotional expression.

I went down the stairs holding the Book Finder. Marian’s gaze was fixed on the compass as if she couldn’t look away.

When she saw the needle moving, her eyes even welled up with tears.

Huh? Was the book-finding function really something that emotional?

“Oh my goodness! The Book Finder is working. It’s truly been a long time since a Book Reader appeared!”

Marian murmured in an emotional voice, then walked toward me like an excited girl.

“May I ask your name, my lady?”

“I’m sorry, but I’ll tell you later. I have something urgent to take care of right now.”

I felt bad, but introducing myself wasn’t important at the moment. I gave her an apologetic smile and quickly headed toward Verdi’s men.

Perhaps because of Calix’s attack, one of them was slumped over, breathing heavily like a sick bird.

I got straight to the point.

“Where is Viscount Verdi right now?”

The man, still red-faced and coughing, glared at me.

He seemed unwilling to answer and tried to spit on the ground instead.

In that instant, anger shot through me.

Trying to ruin someone’s life, and that attitude?

I grabbed his neck and slammed him against the wall.

“Cough—!”

His eyes widened in shock.

“Be quiet in the library. I’ll ask again. Is Verdi here?”

“Out—outside… he’s…!”

He barely managed to choke out the words.

I released him like throwing something away.

When I turned around, I saw Marian covering her mouth and a staff member quietly avoiding my gaze.

I’m supposed to be non-violent. I’ve just gotten a little rough because of this possession.

But who wouldn’t be angry in this situation?

Only Calix was watching me with interest. Like he had found a kindred spirit. Not comforting at all.

“Lady Erika, what order will you give me now?”

Calix tilted his lips upward slightly in a teasing tone.

“Just stand there like a wall. That’s enough.”

“What are you planning to do?”

“You’ll see.”

The back of my head felt uncomfortably prickly.

Of course it did. The great and mighty Grand Duke was walking right behind me.

As soon as we left the Royal Library, countless gazes gathered on us.

Young noble ladies in particular looked like they were silently screaming, staring at Calix with sparkling admiration.

Why are even the male nobles blushing?

With so many eyes on us, I felt a little uneasy—but that worry was completely pointless.

Even walking beside the Grand Duke, people seemed to see me as nothing more than a maid or a passerby.

Good thing I’m a side character.

After walking for a while, a carriage came into view waiting neatly ahead.

And in front of it stood Verdi, twisting his face in annoyance.

He spotted me and glared.

“Erika, how dare you run away—!”

But he immediately shut his mouth when he saw Calix beside me. As expected, he was quick to read the situation.

“I-I didn’t expect such an honored guest to be here…”

Verdi approached with a business-like smile, then subtly pulled me to his side like a caring older brother escorting his sister.

“Get in the carriage.”

He smiled gently, but his teeth were grinding as he whispered low enough only I could hear.

Before I could respond, Verdi stepped forward and bowed deeply to Calix.

“It is an honor to meet the great Grand Duke Calix Reinhardt. I am Viscount Verdi Diel.”

Calix didn’t even look at him. Instead, he kept his eyes on me, as if asking what I would do.

I stepped forward.

“Stop it. I’m not going anywhere.”

Verdi’s face twisted as he turned toward me.

“How many times have I told you to speak properly to a viscount? Do you forget whose hands your life is in, Erika?”

He grabbed my wrist tightly and whispered in a chilling voice.

“Don’t test my patience any further. Get in the carriage if you don’t want things to get worse.”

I shoved his hand away with all my strength—and slapped him across the face.

Smack!

Verdi’s cheek turned bright red. His hand froze midair.

Then he started trembling.

“You… insane bitch…”

He raised his hand again in rage and swung at me.

“So this is what happens when I’m too lenient!”

I stared back at him without flinching.

You hit me once, I’ll take one hit back. After that, it’s war.

But then—

Calix grabbed Verdi’s arm.

“How dare you raise your hand in front of me?”

“T-This is a family matter…”

“Are you saying I should stay out of it?”

Calix’s cold gaze pressed down on him.

Verdi immediately shrank under that pressure.

“N-no… of course not…”

Calix turned his eyes to me.

Now it was time for me to use the Grand Duke’s authority.

“Viscount Verdi, let me formally introduce you. This is Grand Duke Reinhardt, my patron from now on.”

Verdi’s eyes widened in disbelief.

“Y-You mean the Grand Duke is your patron?!”

Calix glanced at me briefly, then lifted his chin slightly.

“Are you implying I’m lying?”

Verdi immediately bowed.

“N-not at all! It would be an honor if the Grand Duke became her patron!”

I lifted the hem of my dress and smiled gracefully.

“Then everything is settled. I won’t need to marry. The Grand Duke will take very good care of me.”

I casually brushed dust off Verdi’s expensive uniform.

Just seeing him waste family wealth made my anger rise.

I grabbed his ornate scarf tightly, like tightening a leash.

“What are you doing—ghk!”

Verdi choked as I tightened my grip.

“Disappear from my sight. Don’t ever come looking for me again. You should enjoy hearing the word ‘viscount’ while you still can.”

I smirked.

“I’ll be coming back to take it all soon anyway.”

Verdi’s face turned pale as ash. I let go of the scarf like tossing trash.

He collapsed, gasping for breath, before scrambling into the carriage and fleeing.

Pathetic, even for someone of my bloodline.

As I clicked my tongue watching the carriage disappear, Calix spoke with interest.

“Lady Diel. Why didn’t you order me to eliminate him?”

…Do you enjoy this or something? Why do you keep asking me to kill people?

“I thought I might be bothering you.”

“If it helps you find the magic book, that level of work is nothing to me.”

A bad feeling crept in.

“…You weren’t actually planning to kill him, were you?”

“Not impossible. If he inherited your father’s estate, removing him would leave no head of the household. You could take control of the territory until a successor is appointed.”

So the male lead can just casually suggest murder now?

And getting entangled with him like this felt disgusting. Like taking out a loan from a loan shark you can never repay.

“I will handle my family matters myself. And I apologize for using you as a cover earlier. I will keep my end of the deal and find your magic book.”

I didn’t thank him. It was just a transaction.

Calix suddenly stopped in front of me and looked down at me with intrigued blue eyes.

“How interesting. Many try to borrow my power, but you are the first to refuse my help. I’m curious why you act so confidently.”

For a moment, I was speechless.

Is this… that cliché? “You’re the first woman who hit me” type trope?

No thanks. I really don’t want to be more involved with someone who will eventually send me to an execution platform.

At that moment—

Mounted royal guards arrived in front of the Royal Library in haste.

They dismounted and saluted Calix.

“Commander!”

“You will investigate the intruders who caused disturbance at the Royal Library. Find their backers.”

“Yes, sir!”