Chapter : 06
The Young Duke, Mikael
Rose’s once cold and dignified expression changed in an instant as she grabbed my hand like she was about to hug me.
“Thank you so much for coming! Lady Xenia got married and left her post, so I’ve been alone at the reception desk. I didn’t realize how lonely it was. Lady Erika, you’re a Book Reader, right? The Royal Library has gained a treasure. Hoho.”
“Huh? Ah… thank you. I look forward to working with you.”
W-what is this? Her movements were so big I thought she was about to hit me.
I calmed my startled heart and gave a slightly dazed reply.
Watching this quietly, William cleared his throat and drew everyone’s attention.
“Everyone, please. There is something urgent we must discuss. Shall we move to my office?”
“The reason I gathered everyone is about the whereabouts of the Lion’s Magic Primer.”
William got straight to the point the moment we sat down.
As soon as the title of the magic book Calix Reinhardt had been relentlessly searching for was mentioned, Madam Marian and Rose both looked troubled.
“Yes, that is the book Lord Michael has been searching for, correct? I immediately checked the records after the Director’s order.”
“But the borrower information… was missing. As the person in charge, I have nothing to say, Director.”
At that, I asked in shock.
“You mean you don’t know where the book is?”
“We deeply apologize. The staff member who handled the withdrawal concealed the truth, so our response was delayed. The book was borrowed a month ago, but the staff member responsible says they don’t remember anything.”
“Clearly just an excuse. They are currently detained for questioning.”
“Then… in the end, that book…”
No way…
I frowned at the bad premonition.
“It’s alright. Don’t worry.”
But as if to prove that “no way” does come true, William looked at me with full confidence.
“Now that the Book Reader is here, we can locate the magic book. Madam Marian, could you hand her what we prepared?”
Madam Marian handed me a thick book.
“It’s a map of the Kingdom of Ruberia. It shows the locations of noble estates and mansions. Since the library’s users are nobles, the book must be in a noble household.”
Her face was filled with both worry and apology as she held my hand.
“Lady Erika, you’ve been given an important task right after starting work. I’m truly sorry for dumping unfinished work on a new librarian. Please be careful.”
Just then, a small knock echoed. Everyone turned toward the door.
“Come in.”
At William’s gentle voice, the door opened slightly. A flash of golden hair shimmered through the gap.
“Is Lady Erika here?”
A clear, youthful voice calling for me made me turn in surprise.
A beautiful boy with soft, wavy golden hair, large emerald eyes, and flushed cheeks stood there.
He looked about ten years old. Dressed in a white frock coat embroidered with gold thread, he was clearly a well-raised noble boy.
“Oh my, Lord Mikael, you’ve come.”
Rose greeted him first warmly, though she couldn’t hide her awkwardness. Mikael smiled brightly and greeted her politely.
“Hello, Rose noona. I hope you’ve been well.”
“Lord Mikael, it’s been a while. Welcome.”
William greeted him warmly as well, and the young duke bowed politely.
“Director, I hope you’ve been well.”
Madam Marian looked at him like he was the most adorable thing in the world.
“My brother told me to come pick up the librarian sister. I heard she’s a Book Reader.”
Rose stepped forward excitedly.
“Oh my, is Lord Reinhardt outside? He could have waited inside the library.”
A cute little blond boy who looked like a fluffy rabbit… was Calix’s younger brother?
Now that I thought about it, I remembered he had a younger sibling.
Unable to stay silent any longer, I awkwardly stepped forward.
“I’m Erika Diel. And… yes, I’m the Book Reader.”
“Really? I’ve never seen a Book Reader before. That’s amazing.”
Mikael’s eyes sparkled like a child expecting a gift.
“I’m really excited that you’ll help find the magic book. Can I come with you?”
His jade-green eyes shone as he looked at me eagerly.
Seeing his bright, sun-like smile made my heart drop for a moment.
I’m glad I’m alive. I’m glad I got possessed…!
I suddenly felt a burning sense of duty as a librarian—no, as a “sister”—who would find that book no matter what, even if I had to search the ends of the earth.
“Is Mikael not ready yet?”
At that moment, the office door swung open without hesitation.
Through the wide-open doorway, backlit by blazing light, Duke Calix Reinhardt stepped in.
Light spilled behind his broad shoulders like wings. A dramatic entrance befitting a male lead.
Our eyes met as he strode forward. His cold gaze softened like melting snow under spring sunlight. My heart skipped.
What? Why are you suddenly looking at me so gently?
Calix stopped in front of Mikael and spoke in a silky voice.
“Let’s depart. With Lady Erika here, we’ll find the book quickly.”
“Brother, you’re here. I was just greeting Lady Erika.”
Calix gently patted his younger brother’s head with affectionate eyes.
Isn’t this out of character?
Is he the type who is cold to everyone except his little brother?
“Haah, as expected of His Grace…”
Rose sighed dreamily, gazing at Calix with enchanted eyes.
“I’m so happy to be a librarian. When Lord Mikael visits, His Grace comes too. To see the kingdom’s most handsome man up close like this… I wouldn’t mind staying at the reception desk forever.”
Calix briefly glanced at me, then immediately spoke.
“Lady Erika, are you ready? Let’s go.”
“Ah… yes.”
I already want to quit my job on the first day.
I had agreed to find the book, but going on a trip with the male lead? This feels like a business trip with a psychopathic boss. The difficulty is way too high for day one.
William seemed to notice my expression and stepped forward protectively.
“Your Grace, I am concerned about sending a new librarian alone. May I accompany her?”
“Director William, didn’t you say you had a cabinet meeting today? How interesting that you’re so short-staffed you must intervene personally.”
Calix sneered coldly. William met his gaze seriously.
“Lady Erika is an invaluable asset to our library. Please prioritize her safety.”
It felt like a clash between a sharp sword and a sturdy shield.
Rose, meanwhile, clasped her cheeks in delight.
“Oh my, what a wonderful scene. The Director and His Grace have been friends since childhood. Now they’re rivals for one woman’s affection! Ahh, my heart is racing.”
“Rose, that’s a misunderstanding. I’m just the compass for the book search.”
Rose ignored my firm words and continued shining eyes.
“Lady Erika, which side are you on?”
“Huh? What do you mean?”
“Come now, which one will you choose?”
“That question itself is wrong. I’m not interested in either of them.”
Suddenly, Rose pushed my back forward.
“Anyway, this fight started because of you. You should clean it up. Go on.”
“Why me? This is the most interesting show in the world.”
As I struggled with her, trying not to step forward, Mikael came into view.
The child looked helpless, caught between two immature adults.
Sighing internally, I stepped forward.
I placed my hands on my hips confidently.
“Director. I understand your concern, but this is my duty. I will take responsibility.”
“Are you certain?”
William looked like a father sending his daughter off for the first time.
To reassure him, I gave him a confident smile.
“Don’t worry. I will definitely retrieve the overdue book.”
I used to be called the “Overdue Book Hunter.”
In a small library, overdue books were a serious issue. They were purchased with citizens’ taxes, so every single one mattered. I personally visited borrowers’ homes and recovered more than a hundred books.
After that, my coworkers gave me the honorable nickname “Hunter.”
“Then it’s settled.”
Suddenly, a large hand grabbed my shoulder and pulled me back.
Calix lifted the corner of his mouth as he raised my hand.
Hey—he hates being touched but casually grabs other people?
“Let go of me, Your Grace. I don’t like being touched either.”
At my cold tone, Calix flinched. He looked more surprised than I was.
He immediately released my shoulder. The warmth that had briefly lingered disappeared, leaving a strange emptiness.
“You’re wasting time. Let’s go.”
Then he turned and walked out coldly.
What’s with him?
I glared at his back in disbelief.
Mikael hurried after him, then turned back and mouthed “thank you, sister,” which melted my heart.
Seeing off William, Marian, and a jealous Rose, I left the Royal Library.
A luxurious carriage was waiting outside, and Calix sat on a white horse, looking displeased.
Was it just my imagination, or was there a dark aura behind him?
Suppressing the urge to turn back and run into the library, I got into the carriage.
Mikael greeted me brightly.
“Welcome, sister. Sit here inside.”
A sweet, gentle boy like this being related to that cold-hearted duke… genetics truly are mysterious.
“Sister, where should we go?”
I held up the Book Finder and said the title of the book.
The needle began spinning rapidly.
Then it stopped, pulled by a strong force.
A beam of light extended in a direction.
“Head southwest.”
“Go southwest.”
At the command, the carriage set off quickly. Outside the window, the path of light stretched endlessly.
I had always wanted a compass—something that would lead me gently, without getting lost.
Reality had been mud and gravel.
And yet, absurdly, only after being possessed did I finally get a compass.
I sincerely prayed.
Please… let it also show me the way out of this world.
“Wow, sister, look at that view. Isn’t it amazing?”
“Oh, it’s a green field. Looks like a Windows wallpaper.”
“Huh? What’s Windows?”
“Ah… nothing. I misspoke.”
“Cows are eating grass! That’s amazing!”
“Yeah, nice and plump. Grilled cow must taste good…”
“Sister, what did you say?”
“Grass tastes good when grilled.”
“Wow, kids are swimming in the river!”
“……”
The sheltered flower of a ducal family, young Duke Mikael, was a tiring travel companion.
He kept marveling at pastoral scenery—fields, children, sheep, everything.
At first I responded enthusiastically. Later I barely managed empty reactions. Now I was silent.
As I stared blankly out the window, I saw Calix riding beside the carriage on his white horse.
He matched our speed, escorting us.
I admired his flawless sculpted face again. Truly the male lead—if only not for his personality.
His gaze occasionally checked on his younger brother with a gentle smile.
In the original story, it said: “Countless noble ladies fell ill with lovesickness at Calix’s smile.”
Well, I get it. Even I feel something when he smiles like that.
As I leaned slightly out the carriage window to watch him—
Our eyes met directly.
