After becoming Rosaline’s personal maid, breakfast ended with her not knowing if the food was going to her mouth or her nose.
After a brief return to her room to retrieve materials from the Rahan Temple and her writing tools, Elena headed to Duke Levi’s reception room. The reception room on the first floor of the palace was rarely used for guests in the early morning and had become something of Duke Levi’s study.
She thought she had moved quickly, but when Elena arrived at the reception room, she could already hear Rosaline’s feminine voice coming from inside.
“She’s really shameless…”
It was clear that she had planned to enter first and make a good impression on Duke Levi. Elena also quickly entered the reception room.
A luxurious sofa was placed in the center of the reception room, and of course, Duke Levi was sitting in the most prominent seat. Elena had read descriptions of Duke Levi’s appearance in books, but the actual Duke Levi exceeded her expectations, just like the other main characters did.
“Your Royal Highness, Duke Levi, I am Elena, an intermediate priest of the Central Temple. I offer you the blessings of Rahan to Your Highness.”
After exchanging the formal greeting commonly used by priests, Elena raised her head and took in Duke Levi’s appearance at a glance.
The eight-year-old boy with dark blond hair reminiscent of a golden lion, the symbol of the imperial family, sat there with a rather solemn expression on his face. Like his father, the former emperor, and the current Emperor Vakran I, Duke Levi’s dark blue eyes, which slightly slanted upwards, seemed to reflect his dignified nature, but they were also quite adorable.
Elena’s gaze barely reached Duke Levi’s feet, dangling above the ground. His chubby, rosy cheeks, and short arms and legs, which had not yet gone through adolescence, were no different from those of any other child.
“Have a seat.”
Duke Levi gave an order and pointed to the seat next to Rosaline. Rosaline seemed displeased, as evidenced by the twitch of her lips. But what could she do? Elena could only follow Duke Levi’s command.
As Elena obediently took her seat, a middle-aged woman who appeared to be Duke Levi’s servant brought in a cup of clear tea. In front of Duke Levi was a piece of cake that made one’s mouth water just by looking at it. Elena had to make an effort not to smile as she saw Duke Levi, who had been pretending to be composed, getting excited.
Just as Duke Levi was about to take a bite of cake after setting down his teacup, Rosaline opened her mouth from the side.
“Your Highness, if it’s not too impolite, may I inquire about your study plans going forward?”
Duke Levi’s face crumpled at being interrupted at such a crucial moment. But as a duke, he couldn’t reveal it and reluctantly lowered his fork, nodding his head.
“I heard that the Duke has studied mathematics, astronomy, imperial history, and theology?”
Rosaline’s tone was so gentle that it sent shivers down Elena’s spine, who knew her true self. But Duke Levi, who was already in a bad mood, simply nodded his head.
“If that’s the case, may I pose a few simple questions? In order to proceed with your lessons in the future, we need to assess the progress of your studies…”
“It’s not necessary. There are lesson records left by the teachers so you can refer to them and prepare accordingly.”
Duke Levi’s abrupt dismissal seemed to make Rosaline uncomfortable, and she awkwardly forced a smile. Perhaps this was the first time she had been treated the way Duke Levi did. After all, she was the type to easily win favor with anyone.
As Elena enjoyed watching Rosaline’s dilemma as if watching a sports event, Duke Levi sharply asked her,
“What about you? Shouldn’t you test me before we can proceed with the lesson?”
Unable to say, ‘Actually, it would be better not to waste time by taking a test,’ while looking at Duke Levi with wide-open eyes, Rosaline instead pointed to the cake and tea placed in front of the duke and said,
“Your Highness, the tea is getting cold. How about enjoying the tea and pastries first and then having a detailed conversation?”
Rosaline turned her head in surprise at Elena’s sudden words.
She had simply thought that a little sweetness would make Duke Levi’s mood a little better and make it easier for them to talk. But Elena quickly added something.
“It is also very important to enjoy it with a grateful heart so that the food imbued with Rahan’s grace is not wasted.”
Although it was a hastily made remark, it unexpectedly sounded convincing, causing the nursemaid and Duke Levi to nod their heads.
“Then let’s do that.”
Since Duke Levi had wanted to eat cake anyway, he quickly accepted Elena’s suggestion and started eating the cake.
What else could be as effective as delicious food for a child? It was evident that the Duke’s mood lifted with each bite of the cake.
After eating all the strawberry slices that were perched on top, the Duke asked with a very satisfied expression,
“So how will you teach me from now on?”
“I don’t really have a plan. How about we start by reading the scriptures together and having a conversation about it?”
Indeed, despite the words, Elena didn’t have grand speeches prepared like some of the other priests during their catechism class.
Elena heard Rosaline quietly chuckle beside her. That’s all there was to it. But Duke Levi seemed to quite like Elena’s proposal.
“Good idea. Let’s do it.”
Children loved everything except studying. Duke Levi is the same.
Taking comfort in the sight of Rosaline sitting next to her with a scowl on her face, Elena gulped down her lukewarm tea. The bitter taste of the tea felt somewhat sweet.
* * *
After briefly enjoying the sweetness of victory, Elena returned from the reception room to her bedroom and had to face her own situation. It was because Rosaline had called her to her room.
Knock. Elena knocked softly.
“Come in.”
Rosaline’s voice came from inside.
“You called?”
In response to Elena’s words, Rosaline tapped her finger on the desk by the window.
Calling me over like a dog! Elena momentarily winced, but she wasn’t foolish enough to rebel.
As Elena approached the desk, Rosaline tossed her a piece of paper.
“What is this?”
“It’s a list of books I wish Elena would borrow from the library.”
“All of these…?”
One book, two books, three books… Elena furrowed her brow as she counted the number of books on the list. It was a list of ten books in total.
“Yes. As you can see, I’m quite busy preparing for the afternoon classes. Sister Elena, who has no lesson plans, must have plenty of free time, right?”
It was clearly a form of revenge from earlier. Rosaline sneered spitefully.
“Don’t bother the busy librarians unnecessarily and bring the books yourself, Sister Elena. You can show that level of commitment, right?”
The part that said, ‘I’m keeping your secret,’ was omitted.
Elena realized that this was just the beginning. Now that her weakness has been exposed, she has to do everything Rosaline asks of her.
“These are the books that I need to use right away, so please go and get them quickly.”
With her shoulders slumped, Elena eventually left Rosaline’s room.
Fortunately, the library within the palace was not hard to find. It was located between the main entrance to the palace and the knights’ building, a large building dedicated to housing books and knowledge.
After asking a servant for a carriage, Elena was able to reach the library fairly quickly.
“Can you wait here for a moment?”
The coachman reluctantly nodded at Elena’s request. Elena thought she should quickly find the book before the coachman changed his mind and swiftly entered the library. And then…
“Wow… what a huge place.”
She was amazed by the enormous scale of the library. They said that if a book didn’t exist in the Imperial Library of Ifern, it didn’t exist at all. The endless towering walls were filled with books, and the shelves were arranged in a labyrinthine structure, making the most efficient use of space.
Elena knew it instinctively.
‘Rosaline is trying to set me straight.’
Just being able to not get lost in this gigantic library was an achievement in itself. While standing there, taking a brief sigh, Elena, who had a habit of exploring the interior by searching for the book search counter that was usually found in large bookstores, noticed a librarian organizing books.
‘Shall I ask her?’
Elena cautiously called out to the librarian and approached her from behind.
“Excuse me…”
“Yes, how can I assist you, Sister?”
Fortunately, the librarian seemed very kind as she adjusted her glasses as she asked.
“I need to borrow the books on this list. I’m feeling overwhelmed about how to find them in this vast library…”
“Oh, I see. In such situations, we have a compiled list of all the books at the Imperial Library. Please come this way.”
Seeing the woman leading the way to a designated area, as though familiar with such requests, Elena felt reassured.
“Could you show me that list?”
“Oh, here it is!”
Elena quickly handed over the paper.
“Please wait a moment.”
