After finishing her work on the first day, Martina left the Administration Department and made her way toward the Royal Palace Library, a place she had been directed to by Roland.
The Royal Palace Library houses many precious books, so it is located deeper inside the palace, and one has to walk a bit from the Administration Department to reach it.
“I wonder what kind of books they have. I’m looking forward to it.”
— Today has been such a lucky day. I was able to read so many new printed words during work, and now I get to go to a library with even more books after work.
When Martina opened the door to the Royal Palace Library and stepped inside, she was greeted with an overwhelming sight: countless books packed tightly together. The bookshelves inside couldn’t even contain them all, and bookshelves had been placed along the walls, reaching all the way to the ceiling, filled with books without a single empty space.
“…It’s a paradise.”
Martina couldn’t help but mutter to herself, and as she did, a man slowly approached her. His long hair was gathered into one, flowing over one shoulder, and he was so beautiful it was mesmerizing.
“Are you looking for a specific book? Are you a new official?”
“Y-yes! My name is Martina, and I just started working in the Administration Department today. I came here not for work, but to read for pleasure…”
At her words, the man smiled gently and led Martina deeper into the library.
“It’s nice to meet a fellow book lover among the officials. I am Sophian, and I serve as the librarian here. What kind of books do you enjoy?”
“I love all kinds of books! It’s not just books, but the printed words themselves that I enjoy. I love learning new things. Whether it’s stories, encyclopedias, biographies, I’ll read anything.”
“I see. That’s wonderful. In that case, would you mind if I recommend a book for you today?”
Martina eagerly nodded, and Sophian twirled his finger, drawing a book toward him with a swift motion.
“I-That just now was…?”
“It was wind magic. I am a little better at wind magic than most, especially at performing precise actions like that.”
“That’s amazing…”
“Oh, it’s not such a big deal. Now, Martina, please take this.”
“Thank you.”
The book that Martina received was titled How to Defeat Monsters with a Wooden Stick. It was a detailed guide explaining the weaknesses of various monsters.
“I’ve never read this one! I’ve read every book in the commoner’s library.”
“I see. In that case, I’ll select one that isn’t available there.”
“Thank you so much.”
From that point on, Martina was fully absorbed in the world of the book. The book was a treasure trove of new knowledge, explaining all kinds of monsters with illustrations—exactly what Martina had been looking for.
She became so engrossed that she stopped hearing the voices around her. It wasn’t until someone tapped her shoulder that she finally looked up. Before her stood Sophian, looking somewhat apologetic, his brows furrowed.
“Martina, it’s almost closing time.”
“…Huh? Is it already that late?!”
“Yes. If you’d like, please come back tomorrow. We won’t loan this book to anyone else, so you can leave it here.”
“Thank you for your consideration. If work doesn’t run late, I’ll come back tomorrow.”
Generally, books cannot be taken out of the library, so Martina, though eager to continue reading, closed the book and stood up from her seat.
As she stepped out of the Royal Palace Library and into the hallway, it was completely dark outside the windows.
“…It’s a little scary. I should hurry back to the dorm.”
She muttered to herself and, walking quickly, turned the corner of the hallway, but as she did, she ran into someone coming from the direction of the library.
“Ah, Sylvan…sir.”
The person she collided with was Sylvan Cadour, a man from the Administration Department who was her colleague. As soon as he realized it was Martina, he scowled, his brow furrowing deeply.
“It’s already off-duty hours, isn’t it? You should address me as Sir Sylvan.”
The Cadour family was a noble house that upheld aristocratic supremacy, believing that commoners should respect nobles and that they should not mix or become too familiar with one another.
As such, Sylvan was strongly influenced by this view and could not accept Martina as his equal, despite their shared status as colleagues.
“…I apologize. Sir Sylvan.”
“Hmph. That’s better. You’re a commoner, so remember to behave accordingly.”
At Sylvan’s words, Martina knelt down, and seeing this, Sylvan seemed to feel satisfied. He left the scene in a good mood.
“…It’s a little sad that just being a commoner makes people dislike you.”
Martina murmured to herself, her voice barely audible, as she watched Sylvan disappear down the hallway.
She stood there for a moment, but realizing she couldn’t remain upset forever, she shook off her feelings and took a step forward.
