Chapter 16 The Person I Didn't Want To Meet
When Rhiannon arrived at the palace library, her eyes sparkled.
"Wow, this is amazing!"
"Lady Rhiannon, you look so happy!"
"Well, it's my first time seeing so many books."
The library was lined with books from across the country.
Even Rhiannon, who usually only read romance novels, was overwhelmed.
This library was only accessible to palace officials, the royal family, and their associates.
However, there were quite a few people around.
Rhiannon immediately started looking for romance novels.
As she traced her fingers along the colorful spines, she let out a deep, troubled sigh.
"This is tough. I want to read this and that. Even if I come here every day while I'm in the capital, I don't think I can read them all."
"I've been coming here since I was little, and I still get excited every time. They regularly add new books too."
"Do you like books, Halesia?"
"Yeah, I think I've read quite a few. I especially like myths and adventure novels."
"Myths and adventure novels, huh... I haven't really read much in those genres. ──Wait, huh?"
Rhiannon suddenly stopped searching for books and looked up.
Halesia had a puzzled expression.
"What's wrong?"
"That person over there... I feel like I've seen them before."
"Is it the tall guy with the thick glasses and brown hair?"
"Yeah. Oh, our eyes met. Oh no, they're walking this way."
A tall man with thick glasses and messy brown hair approached quickly and grabbed Rhiannon's shoulder.
"My lady, what are you doing here?"
"Oh, I knew it was you! Kaine... Ouch!"
"Shh, please call me Zeke here."
The man who introduced himself as Zeke quickly covered Rhiannon's mouth.
He looked flustered.
Rhiannon mumbled with her mouth covered, staring at Zeke.
Today, Kaine looked completely different from his usual self.
With fluffy brown hair and thick bottle-bottom glasses, his golden eyes were hidden behind puffy eyelids, cleverly pretending to be squinty.
He had even changed his skin tone, and instead of his usual sharp butler outfit, he wore oversized clothes that looked like they belonged to some low-ranking noble.
Rhiannon raised an eyebrow, looking suspicious.
(If I ask too many questions, he'll probably just say, "Disguises are a butler's specialty" and dodge the issue.)
Rhiannon, who saw Kaine every day, quickly recognized his disguise, but Halesia, who had hardly spoken to him, still looked like she couldn't believe it.
"Um, this Mr. Kaine I know is totally different. Am I imagining things? This library shouldn't let anyone in who isn't involved, right?"
"Good day, Lady Halesia. I'm, uh, working part-time as the prince's tutor."
"Part-time as the prince's tutor? That's not an easy job to get!"
"I'll explain later, but please, let's get out of here quickly, my lady."
With that, Kaine took Rhiannon and Halesia by the hand and escorted them toward the exit.
Rhiannon's face turned bright red when he suddenly grabbed her hand.
"W-wait, Ka──no, Zeke, wh-what are you doing? You can't just grab a girl's hand without permission, that's so shameless!"
"I apologize for my rude behavior. I'll explain everything later, so hurry!"
"W-what's going on here?"
Feeling pressured by Kaine's urgent demeanor, Rhiannon and Halesia followed his lead, quickly making their way to the exit.
Kaine's profile was drenched in sweat.
It seemed like something serious was going on.
Navigating through the gaps in the bookshelves, the three hurried toward the library's exit.
"Once we're out, you two should just go home quietly for today."
"You'll explain why later, right, Kaine?"
"Of course."
At Rhiannon's comment, Kaine nodded.
However, just as they were about to leave the library, a long leg suddenly appeared from behind a bookshelf, blocking their way.
They all came to a halt.
"Hey, isn't that the mean girl and the gloomy girl? Where are you in such a hurry to go with that pathetic guy?"
The arrogant voice echoed through the quiet library.
Everyone inside turned to look at Rhiannon and her friends, wondering what was going on.
Standing in their way, as usual, was the third prince, Werner.
He puffed out his chest proudly, wearing the same condescending expression.
Kaine whispered to Rhiannon.
"Lady Rhiannon, please ignore Prince Werner and let's just get out of here."
"I want to, but I can't. Everyone's watching us."
Since they were already attracting attention, Rhiannon couldn't just ignore him.
She stepped forward to shield Kaine and Halesia, facing Werner.
Cold sparks flew between Rhiannon and Werner as they glared at each other.
Behind Rhiannon, Halesia fidgeted nervously, while Kaine stood frozen with a face that looked like the end of the world.
"Good day, Mr. Werner. What do you want?"
Reluctantly breaking the ice, Rhiannon's icy blue eyes glared coldly at Werner.
He shrugged dramatically.
"Come on, you should be able to figure out what I want. I won't let you say you didn't get my letter."
"Are you talking about that rude letter full of orders? Do I really need to respond to that?"
"Of course you do! It's a letter from me, the third prince, Werner! I'm being generous and saying I'd be willing to get engaged again!"
"If you really want a response, you should learn some better lines to charm a girl."
"Ch-charm? Who would want to charm someone like you? Just because you're a little cute doesn't mean you can get cocky!"
Werner shouted with his face red.
But right away, Halesia fired back.
"Lady Rhiannon isn't 'a little cute,' she's 'incredibly beautiful!' I demand a correction!"
"Shut up, Halesia! You, an outsider, should keep quiet!"
Halesia puffed out her cheeks in dissatisfaction.
With Halesia silenced, Werner angrily inched closer to Rhiannon.
"Anyway, I've sent you letters more than once. Yet you haven't replied at all, so I came over to talk to you. Hurry up and respond! All you gotta say is 'yes'."
"Mr. Werner, this is a library. It's not a place for chatting. Could you at least lower your voice?"
"Ugh, you're so annoying! This is our royal library. I can act however I want; it's my right as the owner here. You have no right to lecture me!"
Werner leaned back arrogantly.
His voice echoed throughout the library, drawing curious glances.
(What a hopeless brat. Just because he's royalty, he acts all high and mighty, doing whatever he wants. And he doesn't even listen to me.)
Rhiannon let out a big sigh.
Werner, surprised by the obvious sigh directed at him, widened his eyes.
"W-why are you sighing?"
"Excuse me, Your Highness. May I say something?"
Rhiannon took a deep breath.
"I'd rather not become Sir Werner's fiancée, thank you very much."
"Wha...!"
Werner was left speechless.
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