Chapter 23

Chapter 23

After Kanter left, Riena became noticeably quieter.

Melance wasn't much of a talker either, but even he found the heavy silence uncomfortable.

"Your Highness?"

Riena was so lost in thought that she didn't even hear him.

She rested her chin in one hand with an empty look on her face.

Melance sighed, then picked up a cookie from beside him.

"...?"

Riena's golden eyes widened as she looked up at him.

He had personally placed the cookie in her hand.

Like a black cat bringing its owner a toy because it wanted attention.

"You want me to eat this?"

"Don't you like them, Your Highness?"

"Well... yes."

"When you're feeling down, sweet cookies help."

His voice was softer and gentler than it was during lessons.

"Who told you that? Cookies are always delicious."

"...My mother."

Ah.

Riena's eyes darted awkwardly.

"Y-your mother sounds kind! Mother doesn't really like me eating too many sweets. Haha...."

"Considering how much sweet food Your Highness already eats, I'm not sure that's true."

Did he always have to get in one last word?

Riena was about to complain, but then she saw a bright, boyish smile on his face.

Her words stopped.

"Melance, you look like the Grand Duke, but I think your personality takes after your mother."

She looked at him mischievously.

Her chubby cheeks were as cute as jelly, and her golden eyes shone like jewels.

Melance struggled to look away.

"No. My personality also resembles Father's."

"No, no. At first I thought, what kind of rude little..."

Riena suddenly clapped both hands over her mouth.

Too late.

Her true thoughts had slipped out.

Melance's violet eyes turned icy as he stared at her.

"Rude...! I mean, you had the personality of a sprouting spring day!"

"...Do you actually expect me to believe that?"

He snorted.

Riena continued shamelessly.

"No, really! At first you were cold like an early spring day, but the more I get to know you, the kinder you seem."

"Kind...?"

Had anyone ever called him kind before?

Even Grand Duke Jeremier, his own father, and the Grand Duchess, his mother, had never described their only son that way.

"Mm. Melance is kind."

"That can't be true. I merely treat Your Highness with proper courtesy. I've never behaved kindly toward you."

He drew the line with absolute precision.

But Riena's mischievous golden eyes continued watching him.

"No, no. You're really kind. So kind I almost melted~"

Melance abruptly turned his head away and flipped open the book.

"We've spent too long chatting today. Solve every problem from here to here. I'll check them tomorrow."

"What?"

That wasn't fair!

Riena stared holes into him, but Melance merely smiled.

"Wait! This is another abuse of authority, you know?"

"Of course I know. But it is an abuse absolutely necessary for improving Your Highness's abilities."

The curve of his lips was infuriatingly smug.

"We'll stop here for today."

"Are you going back to the library now? You should rest a little first."

"I need to review 241 books by the end of this week. I don't have time."

How could he say something so terrifying that casually?

No wonder the shadows beneath his eyes had grown darker.

Riena had thought his deep-set eyes and high nose simply gave him a decadent sort of beauty.

Apparently those were just dark circles.

He could easily have postponed their lesson for a day, yet he never seemed capable of putting off his responsibilities.

"That's not normal for someone your age."

"That is simply our fate. I should return to the library now. Don't worry, I'll make up any missed lessons on my day off."

Melance stood.

Riena immediately stood too.

"Lead the way. I'm coming with you."

"Pardon? No. This is work I'm supposed to do."

"Who said I'm helping? I just want to look around the library."

He hesitated, clearly unconvinced.

But there was no defeating Riena once she'd made up her mind.

"Romi, prepare lots of cookies and cocoa. Sweet things are the best cure for overwork!"

Riena chattered nonstop the entire way.

But the moment she entered the Imperial Library, she fell silent.

"Is this your first time here, Your Highness?"

Riena lightly nodded and looked up at the endlessly high ceiling.

Intricate murals covered it, detailed enough to make it seem as though the gods themselves might descend from above at any moment.

Massive pillars carved in relief supported the ceiling.

Below them stood rows of elegant statues with smooth, flowing curves.

"Wow...."

Three-story bookshelves covered the walls.

Books were arranged neatly according to section.

"I greet Your Highness the Imperial Princess."

When Riena followed Melance toward the center of the library, she saw librarians sorting all kinds of books, maps, historical genealogies, and other records.

"You... manage all of this, Melance?"

"More precisely, I'm the one responsible for it."

How did someone have to be raised to handle such a massive responsibility at his age?

Riena slowly shook her head in disbelief.

"You've been teaching me while doing all this?"

He nodded as though it were nothing.

"Isn't that overwork?"

"I'm fine. Managing the Imperial Library is useful experience for me as well. Besides...."

Melance trailed off, unusually hesitant.

Then he continued.

"You don't need to worry about your lessons either."

"But you were sick last time and had to miss one. Getting sick alone somewhere away from home is miserable."

Melance slowly nodded and stared at her.

That sounded exactly like something an old soul would say.

"Are any of the books you're managing related to magic circles or Ancient Language?"

He gave a small nod and disappeared somewhere among the shelves.

The towering bookcases hid even his shadow.

But somehow, he returned quickly.

"This book covers practical applications of magic circles. It contains material that may be useful to Your Highness."

"Wow!"

Riena jumped in place and reached for the book.

Melance only smiled.

The book was nearly as large as Riena herself, so he couldn't exactly hand it over.

"I'll carry it to your room."

"Huh? No, then you'll have to make two trips."

Instead of answering, Melance headed straight toward the Imperial Princess's room.

He was still only a boy, but perhaps because he never neglected sword training, even his exhausting schedule hadn't affected his posture.

"Do you exercise regularly too?"

"Of course."

Well, it would have been stranger if the heir to a Grand Duchy didn't learn swordsmanship.

"I want to learn swordsmanship too."

"Then why don't you?"

Good point.

Riena thought for a moment, then brightened.

"I can ask Sir Antonio to teach me!"

If she was going to become Crown Princess, swordsmanship would be one of the basics anyway.

A self-directed Crown Princess curriculum, so to speak.

"You mean Sir Antonio, captain of the Imperial Knights."

"Mm. He accompanied me on the inspection of the Cartes territory during the heavy snowfall. That's when we got a little closer. He kept saying things like he'd offer his life for me."

"He would be a good connection to maintain. Sir Antonio is fully deserving of his position as captain."

"Sure, but it's a little stressful when someone keeps offering their life every time they talk."

Melance couldn't hold back a laugh.

Apparently her complaint was rather cute.

After chatting for so long, they had already reached the table in Riena's room.

Melance placed the massive book down.

Thud.

The sound echoed through the room.

"I'll return to the library now."

"Mm! Let's go."

He had tried to naturally leave her behind.

It failed spectacularly.

Melance knew how stubborn she was, so he didn't bother arguing again.

They headed back to the library together.

"If you become tired, you may return immediately."

"I'll decide that myself. And I won't get in the way of your work."

Only after making that agreement did they leave.

Unlike earlier, dusk had settled over the palace corridors.

The dim light gave the halls a strange atmosphere.

A terrible memory suddenly resurfaced.

Without realizing it, Riena moved closer to Melance.

She had lived as though she'd forgotten it.

But memories of that day still returned without warning.

And they were still terrifying.

"!"

A thick coat suddenly settled over Riena's shoulders.

Melance's long fingers brushed against her.

"You looked cold."

He offered the short excuse and immediately turned his head away.

Riena was about to thank him.

"Thank..."

"Oh my, I greet Your Highness the Imperial Princess. Young Lord Melance is with you too?"

Trinia's voice swallowed Riena's thanks.

An uncomfortable silence settled over the corridor.

"What brings the two of you out at this hour...?"

"Where did you learn your greeting etiquette, madam?"

Melance's sharp voice cut Trinia off.

"...Pardon? What did you just..."

"I asked because your manners appear to be severely lacking."

His violet eyes fixed on Trinia like those of a savage beast.