Chapter 291: Chapter 291
The message that followed was obvious.
[ That is my main purpose here today, Scholar Theodore. I have been curious to discuss this book you suggested to me with you.
Is it possible for us to take a seat to share our opinion? That is if the scholar is not busy. ]
Very Ladylike but right to the point with honesty, to tell him in my notes... Since we’re not going around in circles when it comes to novels buddy. So.
’Say f*cking yes, purple worm. Or I’ll hate you again... Maybe.’ — I thought, handing the note to him which his eyes read in a second to energetically agree.
"I am not busy! This way my lady!"
’Even the stutter disappeared!! As expected!!’ — As determined as him, I nodded to go down the steps he pointed with respectful reverence.
And all of us marched downstairs, totally serious. Or at least I was, since I truly know how important a meeting this is.
An invested reader thing... Sigh... Not anyone has the luck to understand the importance of a story’s theories... poor mortals.
*******
"My lady... What book did you read?"
’Huh?’
"These questions you ask... I see no relation to the book I lent the Miss before she left..."
’... You’re... Y–you’re kidding right? This is the book you gave me... isn’t it?’ — Sliding the book to the scholar through the table, really nervous about what he was saying, I begged for confirmation with my eyes.
Just imagine... What if I did read another book he has not even read... How will I clear all my doubts about it!!?!?!
He glanced at me for a moment. And eventually, at my stalking staring, he came to take the book in his hands to give it a glance.
"Then... Excuse me." — He flipped the book from side to side, almost being annoying at how much he scrutinized it. Until he finally opened it and turned some pages to see some of its contents. — "Hmm... This is indeed the book I gave you. ’The Seas Chronicles’."
’Pardon?... The what??’
"Nonetheless, these questions have no relation with the story told in this book..."
’Well duh! You bet they don’t! ’cause that’s not the title of the book I read! Tsk. Give me that!’ — Although it wasn’t strong to show my true mood, I snatched the book from his hands to look at it just as he did... excessively... Because I don’t want to look bad.
And I felt my blood fall again. Because indeed...
[ Water is not what fills the seas...]
’This isn’t the book I read. But... How? It– I–... This is the book I–.... Why...?’
This... what’s going on? I’m sure this is the same book I took to and from the Palace...
"... Lady Marianne? I–Is something the matter? Your hands..."
’Yeah... Of course, I’m shaking...’
D*mn it... It’s always one thing after the other!
"..." — Closing my eyes to control my inner conflict, I inhaled deeply and closed the book. Only to write feigning calmness to the anxious scholar.
[It appears to be the case that I mistakenly read another book. My apologies, good scholar. I have taken your valuable time in vain. ]
"A-ah... My Lady, it is... It is alright. P-please, do not ap-apologize..."
’Well. What else can I do? I have no explanation for this. I’m even shaking because it’s spooky.’
"Umh... S-seeing the Lady fairing well m-makes this scholar honoured."
’..... Ugh. I feel like crying... Him being nice makes it worse... But...’
[ You are truly kind. It also pleases me to see scholar Theodore doing well. May I take this with me once again? I do wish to read your suggestion. ]
"...o.. Of course, Young Lady! P-please feel free to take it with you–...? Ah. I-is the Lady leaving?"
"..."
I had stood from my seat after hearing him say I could take the book back with me. And to his question, I just stared blankly at him that also raised... Somehow dejected as he asked.
Honestly... I did intend to leave. But... Maybe... I shouldn’t.
I don’t know why, but I get this feeling that this guy likes me. As a friend of course. He gives me the same vibes as little Dioclecià when he was nervous to even approach me.
Hence...
’No, I’m not leaving... Since you’re not busy, I guess you have the time to give me a tour around your luxurious cave.’ — I answered inside, feeling less disturbed after deciding it.
I leaned on the table, still standing to write what I had thought, although more politely. Actually wishing for him to guide me around and see more of this library.
"! It will be my pleasure, my Lady. Uhm... D-do follow me."
Clearly controlling his excitement, Theodore started to guide me. We would start from below to the upper floors obviously. But even though I would have to stay one floor up from that one we started to leave the library, we made it so we would come back to the lower floor once the tour was done.
The reason was quite simple. And it was because at the very beginning of the tour...
"As you can see this floor is so any visitant of the library can spend time in the comfortable silence and available seats to relish in the letters of the various scripts and themes of every book residing here."
His stutter left completely as he happily commenced to tell me something I already guessed.
"It is slightly disorganised for I have been researching alongside my peers..."
’Slightly?’ — I thought, glancing at the distressing pile of papers he had at what used to be a desk.
"Nonetheless, it is not only here that you may spend your time. The weather of these seasons is appropriate for the door to the outside to be unlocked."
’Uh? Wait. You said there’s another door??’
Pointing at a wall of books he had said and I widened my eyes since I never found sight of it before... Or more like I never thought it could be a door even while staring at it.
"The bridge linking your Home here is no less but also a roof concealing the other side of this entrance. Crossing it, we can enjoy nature and read peacefully under the great trees the Dukedom has rooted."
We didn’t go to that door immediately.
Theodore did say we could but I asked to do it later.
I had had the idea of reading under those trees from the very first time I came to this Library... And I had thought there was no other way to get there but going around the huge castle we live in. Which I never got to confirm since I never went too far around.
After all, our health and resistance were a great restraint to freely go from one side to the other...
But knowing this... it makes things much easier.