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Chapter 37
Surprisingly, there was a part about elves in the back.
She wondered why such a topic suddenly appeared, so she read it carefully. It explained that elves were naturally very close to nature, which was why most spirit summoners were originally elves.
[Elves do not need to go through the previously mentioned process. They can summon spirits just by calling their names, and they can use their power without forming a contract. However, for some unknown reason, elves disappeared from the human world, and for a long time, spirit summoners did not appear. In addition, after mana was discovered and magicians came into existence, interest in spirits naturally faded.]
There was no explanation about that “unknown reason.”
Juhee had come to the library to learn more about spirits, but this was an unexpected gain.
Holding the book in her arms, she walked out between the shelves.
She planned to take the book with her and read more later.
She started walking to find the librarian she had seen earlier.
She needed to find books about elves, but the library was so large that she didn’t think she could find them alone.
Following the path the librarian had taken, she turned a corner—
—and almost bumped into someone coming from the other side.
She hurriedly stopped, but her foot slipped, and her body tilted.
However, she didn’t fall.
“Are you okay?”
“……”
Juhee blinked several times in surprise.
A large, firm arm was wrapped securely around her waist.
Her gaze slowly lifted upward.
“Did you hurt your foot? I will call a royal physician.”
“No, I’m okay. Thank you for catching me.”
“I’m glad you’re not hurt.”
The man smiled softly and released his arm.
The man who had caught her was Ian, the librarian she had seen earlier.
He glanced at the book she was holding and spoke.
“Are you planning to borrow that book?”
“Ah, yes. But… are there books about elves?”
“You mean other races? There aren’t many, but there are a few books with basic information.”
Ian spoke gently and walked deeper inside. Juhee followed him closely.
“But why are you looking for books about other races?”
“Ah… just curious.”
Juhee answered casually while glancing at his back.
It wasn’t exactly a lie, so it was fine.
It felt like they had gone deeper than before.
“Here we are. Ah, one piece of advice…”
“…?”
Juhee looked up at Ian expressionlessly. He smiled softly.
“I suggest you don’t let others know that you’re interested in other races.”
“……”
“People tend to reject those who look different.”
“……”
“Even more so if they are talented.”
Hearing that, Juhee felt like she understood the “unknown reason” that wasn’t written in the book.
Ian was smiling, but there was something cold about him.
After staring at her with a smile, he slightly lowered his head and disappeared.
Juhee stepped closer to the bookshelf and scanned it.
Just as he said, there were fewer than ten books about other races.
Running her fingers along the spines, she pulled out a book titled Types of Other Races.
She was about to read it, but when she glanced toward the window, the sun was already setting.
It seemed she had spent too much time earlier.
In the end, she decided to read in her room and carefully gathered two books.
“To borrow books, please write the title and your name here.”
Juhee picked up a pen and wrote on the blank paper.
After writing her name and putting the pen down, Ian smiled.
“The maximum borrowing period is two weeks, so please make sure to return them on time.”
“Yes.”
Juhee slightly bowed her head and left the library.
As the heavy door closed, Ian erased his smile and stared lazily at the door she had exited through.
* * *
Back in her room, Juhee decided to read the book about other races while waiting for Rowen.
The book wasn’t very thick, so she thought she could finish it quickly.
She sat down and had just opened the book when she heard a knock.
“Juhee, it’s me.”
“Ah, yes.”
She closed the book and stood up.
Just then, Lu came closer, as if upset she was leaving again, and wrapped his tail around her leg.
“Lu?”
Feeling the soft touch, Juhee looked down and met Lu’s eyes.
His yellow eyes looked just like the pleading expression of a certain cat in boots from a movie.
Seeing that look, she couldn’t leave him alone.
“Lu, do you not want me to go?”
Lu barked shortly, as if answering.
“I’m sorry for leaving you alone.”
At that moment, the door opened slightly and Rowen peeked inside.
“Juhee?”
“Ah, Rowen. Um… is it okay if I eat in my room today?”
“Of course.”
Rowen smiled and gave a small signal to the maid beside him.
He then naturally entered the room.
“Did you go to the library today?”
“Ah, yes. How did you know?”
“I saw a book I haven’t seen before.”
Juhee looked at the book about other races and asked,
“Rowen, can I ask you something?”
“Yes. I’ll answer anything I can.”
“Why did the elves disappear?”
Rowen’s eyes widened slightly at the unexpected question before returning to normal.
He sat down, and Juhee sat across from him.
After hesitating, he finally spoke.
“Simply put, the reason elves disappeared… is because of slavery.”
“Slavery?”
“It’s something shameful. They developed restraints that suppressed abilities, captured elves indiscriminately, and turned them into slaves.”
“…Why?”
“Because humans are selfish and unwilling to accept others.”
Juhee remembered what Ian had said earlier.
Because they looked different. Because they were talented.
Her brows furrowed slightly.
“But the slave system has now been abolished. Illegal slave auctions still exist, but they’re being controlled as much as possible.”
“…I see.”
The word “slave” sank deeply into Juhee’s mind.
She hadn’t expected that to be the unknown reason.
“The sad thing is that although slavery has been abolished, people’s perceptions haven’t changed.”
“……”
Juhee lowered her eyes silently.
“Do you have any other questions?”
“If I do… I’ll ask later.”
She remained lost in thought until the food arrived, and Rowen didn’t disturb her.
In truth, after reading about spirit summoners earlier, Juhee felt that her current state was very similar to that of an elf.
Of course, she needed to learn more, but that was how it felt.
At that moment, there was a knock, and the door opened.
“Sorry for the delay.”
Several maids entered carrying trays.
Food was placed on the table, and a plate of raw meat was set in front of Lu.
“Thank you for the meal.”
Juhee casually picked up the spoon but quickly corrected her grip, remembering Elizabeth’s words.
Rowen watched her with a pleased expression.
“Is it difficult?”
“Hmm… a little.”
She tried to copy Rowen’s hand movements but struggled, slightly frowning.
He chuckled softly, stood up, and approached her.
He took her hand and adjusted it himself.
Juhee instinctively held her breath and followed his guidance.
“It’s done now.”
“…Thank you.”
Her heart was pounding from how suddenly he got close, but she didn’t show it and began eating her soup.
The rich flavor spread through her mouth.
As always, the palace food was incredibly delicious.
Rowen, meanwhile, clenched and unclenched the hand that had touched hers, smiling faintly.
Part of him wished she would stay clumsy forever.
If she was clumsy, he could take care of her.
But according to Elizabeth, Juhee learned quickly, so that was a bit disappointing.
The sound of utensils clinking filled the room as Rowen observed her expression before speaking calmly.
“Juhee, you know there’s a ball during the New Year festival, right?”
“Ah, yes. Elizabeth told me.”
Rowen took a deep breath and spoke carefully.
“Actually… I have a favor to ask because of that…”
“A favor?”
Juhee raised her gaze and looked at him.
Unlike usual, his face was full of tension.
“You know that when attending a ball, it’s proper to go with a partner.”
“Yes.”
She nodded.
“As you may have heard, Lady Roberto, who has always been my partner, had an accident and won’t be able to attend this time.”
“Ah, I heard that from Elizabeth.”
It hadn’t seemed important at the time.
Rowen swallowed nervously and looked into her eyes.
“On the day of the New Year ball… will you be my partner?”
“…What?”
Juhee’s voice cracked slightly at the unexpected request.
She blinked several times in confusion and asked,
“Me?”
“Yes, you.”
“Why?”
“Uh… because I don’t have a partner?”
Juhee frowned and tilted her head.
She stared at him as if asking for the real reason.
But Rowen simply smiled, hiding his nervousness.
