IGMDSML 28

 Chapter 28

And the book slid smoothly from the shelf.

“Thank you, Spen…cer—?”

I praised Spencer silently for his sense of timing, even though I hadn’t called for help, and turned around.

“Whoa.”

It wasn’t Spencer.

“W-why… Your Highness…?”

I was so shocked that I almost lost my balance and bumped into the bookshelf, but before that could happen, he wrapped his arms around my waist and pulled me toward him.

“Uh… uh…”

I pressed against his chest from the momentum.

A firm chest. The cool menthol scent tickling my nose.

A dangerously thrilling atmosphere lingered.

‘Uh… this is too dangerous.’

“Ah, t-thank you, Your Highness.”

I tried to step away from him while offering thanks.

Still, he didn’t let go of the arms around my waist.

‘Why won’t he let go? He’s too close.’

I looked up at him in confusion.

“Are you alright?”

A gentle voice reached my ears.

Our eyes met.

‘What… why are his eyes so kind…?’

My heart started pounding helplessly.

‘No, look away! Quick!’

I turned my eyes down. His gaze was too deep and gentle, almost hypnotic. It was dangerous.

“I-I’m fine. And th-thank you.”

I averted my eyes and replied, looking down.

“Isn’t it proper to say thanks while looking at someone’s face at least?”

The soft voice reached my ears again.

“And sorry, it’s not Spencer.”

“Huh?”

I looked up reflexively, surprised by the gentle but teasing tone.

“I only expected Spencer. There’s only the young master, myself, and Spencer here, so naturally, I thought it was Spencer.”

“Now you’re finally looking at me.”

“…?”

‘Could it be… he did that on purpose because I wasn’t looking at him?’

He smiled as if he had finally received a satisfactory answer.

“By the way… Your Highness, could you… let go of your arm?”

Being unnecessarily this close for so long was making me anxious.

But he just grinned and pressed even closer.

‘Whoa… why is he dangerously getting even closer?’

I was so flustered that I couldn’t speak.

“No.”

“Huh?”

What does that mean now?

“You’ve almost fallen in front of me twice now. Isn’t this already using chivalry as a trick?”

“Huh?”

‘What… what kind of absurd statement is that?’

Could he really be thinking that I’m seducing him, that I wobbled on purpose?

Ridiculous. Outrageous.

I took a deep breath. I couldn’t stay silent—I had to protest.

“Your Highness. I—”

At that moment, he placed a hand on my waist and extended his index finger to press gently against my lips.

“Shh. Stop. I know what you were going to say. Don’t speak.”

He raised one eyebrow and blocked me.

‘No… how could he know what I was about to say?’

I felt a surge of injustice.

I wanted to bite that naughty finger covering my lips.

“Were you really that upset? Alright. Let’s say you weren’t misunderstanding.”

He chuckled softly and gently wiped the corner of my eyes with his fingertips.

‘Could it be… I even had tears?’

I was so upset…

But then he just said let’s not misunderstand.

Why is he playing the drums and cymbals as he pleases?

And he calls it a trick even though he’s the one doing it?

I silently scolded him in my mind.

Wait. Trick? Could it be… he actually likes me?

Even if that’s true, it changes nothing.

Liking me now doesn’t mean forever. It could just be a passing fancy.

He has a powerful, fated love in the original story.

Who can resist a force that destiny pulls toward?

‘Forget it. No matter how much he likes me, it’s unreachable.’

I shook my head firmly to prevent even a slight possibility from taking root in my mind.

“So shaking your head means you want me to say it’s true, not a misunderstanding?”

“Huh?”

Sigh… what terrible timing. I couldn’t help letting out a sigh.

“Ah, no. By the way, Your Highness, did you come to find a book too?”

“I came to the library to find books. What other reason would I have?”

“Ah… yes… of course…”

A hesitant voice escaped my lips.

‘Of course.’

I felt strangely relieved by his teasing.

“Did you want to hear that I came looking for you?”

“Huh?”

‘What’s with this man?’

“No. I just noticed your voice sounded disappointed. I wondered if I should feel hurt too.”

He laughed softly, letting his voice resonate in his throat.

‘He’s teasing me.’

Had I now become a toy for him? Bitter feelings crept in.

“If you want to find something, should I help you?”

“No, Your Highness. I don’t think I can be of help. I should go bring the book you picked up to the adorable young master.”

“Why, am I not adorable?”

‘Why is this man acting like this?’

Hearing such absurd words left me speechless.

My face naturally fell into a frown.

“Don’t look at me like that. Don’t be scared. I wouldn’t be able to joke otherwise.”

Yet, contrary to his words, he chuckled quietly at me.

Then, he strode over and placed the book firmly on the long table where Fleur was sitting.

Fleur saw Morgan and jumped up excitedly.

“Uncle!”

“Yes. How have you been?”

“I’m good. Let’s go on another picnic next time.”

Fleur immediately brought up the picnic.

Morgan smiled warmly in response.

‘Good. Fleur’s doing well.’

I took Fleur’s desire to be with Morgan again as my signal to start.

“Your Highness? I have something to discuss…”

He turned his head toward me.

“Now? Here?”

“Oh, it’s a bit difficult here. If you could spare just a little time, even a very little… I would be grateful.”

He looked at me silently for a while, then spoke seriously.

“Then tonight at 11. In my office.”

I had been tense, worrying about him finding fault, but his cheerful reply made me relax suddenly.

“Yes. Thank you, Your Highness. I’ll see you then.”

“Very well. Fleur, enjoy the book.”

He gave a gentle farewell to Fleur and walked over to Spencer’s desk.

After a few words, he left. Spencer immediately began taking notes, likely making a list of books to find.

Once his figure completely disappeared, I returned to Fleur and focused on our original task, flipping through the book.

“Master, is there a rhinoceros here?”

“Hm? No. But there are other fascinating pictures. The rhinoceros will be found thanks to Maricel.”

“Yes… alright…”

Fleur, engrossed in the book, looked like a little scholar. A cute little scholar.

Following Fleur’s request, I quickly turned the thick pages, searching for the rhinoceros illustrations.

After passing half the book and nearing three-quarters of the way, I finally spotted what we were looking for.

“Found it!”

I clapped my hands in delight.

“Really? Where? Let me see, Maricel, quick~”

“Here.”

I pushed the book toward Fleur.

“Wow! So that’s what a rhinoceros looks like. Cool!”

Fleur exclaimed as he looked at the picture.

“I wish we could see one in real life…”

Realizing they couldn’t be seen in the empire, he murmured.

“When the young master becomes the proper ruler of the Grand Duke’s family, you’ll be able to see them. Once you reach adulthood, you could even go on a trip with your uncle to see them. Of course, you’ll need skills that your uncle deems sufficient.”

“I will train hard enough for my uncle to approve. I’ll see the rhinoceros and other amazing things too.”

“Yes. Then our young master can do it all. Absolutely.”

Fleur’s eyes glimmered with determination.

After Morgan left, we stayed for about two more hours before leaving.

That night, Fleur went to bed early, a smile like a traditional mask on his face as he slept.

Seeing that, I couldn’t help but smile too.

Leaving the sleeping child behind, I returned to my room.

Thanks to Fleur going to bed early, I had a little time to wash up.

I changed into a light dress, so I could easily sleep immediately after finishing the meeting.

‘Am I too bare-faced?’

My skin was good enough that it didn’t look much different with or without light makeup. But I wondered if going without makeup might be rude.

On the other hand, removing it and reapplying late at night would be cumbersome and tiring.

“Ugh. What am I worrying about? He probably won’t care if I have makeup on or not.”

I abandoned the mirror, citing lack of time, and headed toward Morgan’s office.