Princess Reincarnation
"Library"
The loud sound of my footsteps resounded throughout the not-so-wide room.
This was one of the libraries in the palace, but it was more like an extension. The total volume of books stored here is not much.
But, there were many precious books that the main building did not have inside the palace. Moreover, only those who have permission are allowed to access, so I don't have to worry about being observed.
Between the shelves and the stairs, there were many blind spots so Klaus had to get out of his mind with worry, but the security was tight so it would be difficult for suspicious people to sneak in.
The dimensions of the window are not large enough for people to use as an entry point.
Safe, and most importantly, calm. As a place of concentration, it is a good place.
I stopped in front of the shelf and picked up a book. It was already quite old, but the maintenance was definitely right because there was no fungal smell.
I climbed the short stairs, advanced inside. Now with two volumes in my hand, I explore even deeper.
An atlas, medical journal, and last …
“…………?”
I heard a small clattering.
The only thing in front of my eyes was the bookshelf, so I turned towards the direction of the voice. A small window has been placed at the end of the wall to prevent damage to the book.
In front of him stood a single man.
"!"
I didn't notice his presence, so I instinctively retreated in fear.
However, without sending a single glance at me, the man quietly turned the pages in the book.
He ... is not a brave intruder. With his face in sight, he looked very familiar.
The platinum blonde hair that I originally thought was white at first shone from the narrow light that flowed in. Different from my curly hair, fine hair without its own inclination forms a shadow on the beautiful forehead.
His eyes, framed by long eyelashes, were the color of a bright winter sky. In profile, from the bridge of his clean nose to his thin lips, his facial features were perfectly matched but lacked fragments of emotion.
"Are you here to read?" He asked, not even bothering to look at me.
“……”
Although it was not a reproach, I choked for a moment.
"Why are you here…"
Without answering it, I asked him a question in return. My voice came out by itself from my throat, but although it was not hoarse, it was quite stiff.
“……”
After a few seconds, he closed the book.
Even if it wasn't too hard, my shoulders were tense from nervousness. He slowly raised his face to look at me. His brightly colored eyes reflected my shadow.
"Is it strange for me to be in my own palace?"
Even a light movement tilting its head to the side seemed like it was straight out of a painting. Although he was in his mid-30s, there was a slight flaw or frown on his face.
Receiving a sharp glare from this man whose appearance seemed impossible for real made me want to run away while shouting, but I retracted my heels and shook my head.
"No, dad. ”
"I saw . ”
The name of the man standing before me was Randolf von Werfald.
His Majesty the King, the current ruler of Nebel. My Dad .
I called him my father, but there was practically no connection between us as parents and children.
We had no relationship where I could freely meet him, nor did I ever feel affection. More than anything else, I find this person difficult to deal with.
It's not that I don't have any questions about heads of state wandering around in a place like without a friend, but frankly, I don't want to get involved.
Let's find out what I came here for and left without delay.
I decided to concentrate on finding the books as I originally planned.
… but.
“…………”
What I missed and the shelf I was looking for couldn't possibly be in front of that person, right?
If I remember correctly, material related to history should be at the end.
I stole a side view.
Father did not move to get out of the way, and slowly turned the pages of the book. Hey, you gotta feel me telling you to get out of the way.
Move, make way, please step aside. I tried to send my thoughts to him, but it was ineffective.
He moved with his own sweet steps. Everything about him, from his expressionless eyes chasing characters all the way to the thin and pale bones flipping the pages, seemed to say there was no one else beside him.
Her indifferent profile, which greatly irritated me, was none other than a pretty face.
"You're gonna burn a hole in me staring like that. ”
"!"
I remember his fingers going back and forth four or five times. I didn't count after that so I'm not sure, but a terrible sound came out of me.
"If you have business with me, say it. What's your mouth for? ”He asked without feeling.
“…………”
The words he spoke made perfect sense. But it really pisses me off.
********. Mentally clenching my hands, I put a smile on my face.
"Excuse me . I want to read a book on history, ”kataku, impliedly told her to move, but my father seems to be unbothered.
It seemed that he had no intention of giving up his place. He looked at me and the shelves, and after a while he opened his mouth.
"Which one?"
“……?”
“I tell you to state the subject you want to investigate. ”
Why would he ask about that?
I'm stumped. When I didn't answer him, he asked expressionlessly, Are you slow?
ARGHHHH! I'M SOOOOOO EMPTY !!!
"Master Darkness!"
As I yelled at him in annoyance, my father stopped moving for a moment.
Those unique eyes with a color like thin ice reflected my shadow. His emotions could not be read, and I wavered under his gaze.
"Do you want a fairy tale?"
"…no . ”
His low voice was flat as usual. Anger and excitement were absent; no fragments of emotion could be detected.
But for some reason, I was afraid. It was as if a knife was pushed to the back of my neck, and my heart trembled in fear.
Perhaps unwittingly I brought the anger of the dragon upon myself.
However, I could not help but negate it.
“The Prince of Darkness is not a character in a story. She doesn't exist as a fairy tale to put a child to sleep who keeps sleeping hours late. ”
"You want to say that he's real? Something that is no more, and remains only in the description of ancient texts? "
“Documents are living proof of our ancestors. Several hundred years passed, but even after the memories of the people faded, the reward that our ancestors left behind was a method we could use to fight against the darkness. ”
Unintentionally, I started working when talking back to him.
I can't back down because I know the Dark Lord is in this world.
How terrifying were the people who fought against the Dark Lord? How much did they suffer?
They witnessed the opposing forces of science, that alone squandered everyone. But even as they constantly lost their homes, were killed, and trampled on with their feet, they fought without giving up. I am so impressed and appreciate those people.
For their military success, for a miracle proof. For the way they live they keep fighting.
A descendant of the kingdom that sealed the Dark Lord, the ruler of that kingdom, was not allowed to mock him as a fairy tale.
“I said I want to read a history book. Please, don't misunderstand me. ”
From below I glared at him as if I was facing him.
Clamping my panic, I somehow put on a brave face, but my father was not angry or surprised.
All he said was, “I understand. ”
………Huh? That that?
Even tricks have limits. Earlier, you seemed angry enough to instantly execute me if I made the wrong comment.
The intimidating air disappeared. After a while, there was nothing left and I even thought it was just an illusion.
Closing the book in his hand and returning it to the shelf, my father passed me by.
Really, what just happened!
“If that's the case, you should stop by my room later. ”
"Huh…?"
I got a delayed response to her words falling on the left, before rounding my eyes in surprise.
Confused, I turned around. The legs moved without pause, my father continued as if we were exchanging gossip.
"The books relating to the Dark Lord are in my control. If you want, I'll show you. ”
I just stood still, unable to say a word in response to her farewell.
