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Chapter : 15
A Kiss on the Back of the Hand Is a Common Greeting
Calix gently lifted the back of my hand and personally bent down.
His lips settled like a butterfly.
I reflexively tried to pull my hand away, but his grip held me like a shackle.
I forced myself to calm down, telling myself that a kiss on the back of the hand was just a common greeting for ladies.
But his long eyelashes fluttered softly. When his cobalt-blue eyes met mine after opening, my heart throbbed painfully.
“What was that all of a sud—”
Still holding my hand, Calix looked down at me quietly.
His gaze was soft and ticklish, and I couldn’t bring myself to meet it for long.
“What’s the problem? It’s just a formal greeting. I heard that it’s proper etiquette in high society to kiss a lady’s hand after escorting her safely back. Michael said so.”
“Oh, I see. Well… I think you don’t have to do that anymore.”
I spoke while staring at his shoulder, unsure where to look.
“Why is that, Erica?”
His gaze sharpened, cold like ice. It felt like I’d be punished for saying the wrong thing. Cold sweat ran down my back.
“We met in an official capacity… so there’s no need to follow social etiquette.”
“Ah, I see.”
Calix nodded indifferently, as if accepting it.
“Then I’ll take my leave.”
I tried to turn away quickly, but realized my wrist was still held.
“Your Grace? Holding someone’s wrist for too long is also quite impolite.”
“What I just said was a lie.”
“Pardon? I don’t quite understa—”
Before I could finish, he once again pressed his lips to the back of my hand.
A warm, soft sensation branded itself onto my cool skin like a seal.
“Your hand was shaking.”
“…!”
“I wanted to stop it.”
Calix looked at me quietly. Our gazes lingered in midair for a long time. It was the first time we had ever faced each other like this.
“I don’t know if it’s fear of your duty as the Book Leader… or something else… but I don’t want you to tremble in front of me.”
My heart pounded violently, leaving my mind in chaos.
Something inside me warned that I shouldn’t stay close to him anymore.
Honestly, Calix frightened me. I was afraid I might get drawn in and forget the path I was supposed to return to.
“I wasn’t trembling. You must have seen wrong. Well then…”
Before he could grab me again, I quickly opened the manor door and rushed inside.
I kept my head down and hurried to my room, avoiding anyone’s gaze.
When I peeked out the window curtain, the carriage had already departed. Calix, riding his horse, looked back at the manor briefly before following it.
Only then did the tension finally snap and release. I collapsed in front of the dressing table, gasping for breath.
In the mirror, Erica’s unfamiliar flushed face stared back at me.
The sensation of his lips on my hand still lingered vividly.
Why did my heart feel so ticklish and unsettled?
✦ ✦ ✦
Until the library’s closure ended, I stayed locked inside the manor, thinking about what to do next. Intensely.
Originally, I planned to work as a librarian and report the rebel faction first—an easy way to prevent my execution route.
But unexpectedly, Franz, the future leader of the rebellion, appeared openly. And even Calix was already suspicious of him.
According to the original story, the Spähren Ducal House was a prestigious family of scholars who produced excellent prime ministers and contributed greatly to the kingdom’s stability.
In other words, they enjoyed generations of wealth and honor.
So why would such a family attempt rebellion?
Franz didn’t seem like a greedy or ambitious man either.
The most troubling part was that that cunning fox already knew my identity.
Should I just resign before he even visits the Royal Library?
It would be better to live quietly in the countryside than get involved and end up executed…
No, what if I never return at all?
I spent sleepless nights repeatedly switching between quitting and staying.
Finally, on the morning the library reopened, I prepared to go out with dark circles and a drained face.
At the dining room, William was drinking tea while reviewing documents.
Noticing me, he smiled gently.
“Good morning, Erica. Come have breakfast.”
Warm soup, freshly baked bread, and fluffy scrambled eggs were prepared on the table.
We ate while exchanging light conversation.
William, busy with both library and court duties, often returned late at night, yet still insisted on sharing breakfast with me.
He was a guardian far too kind for me—almost like family.
“Unfortunately, I can’t accompany you to work today. I must meet His Majesty. I’ll go to the library in the afternoon.”
“It seems His Majesty’s condition is still poor.”
William, a healing mage, served as the royal physician.
I had heard healing magic consumed a great deal of stamina, so I worried he might collapse first.
He looked especially pale today.
“Please don’t push yourself too hard, Director. You look exhausted.”
“I’m fine. You should also rest instead of overworking yourself… Ah, would you like me to show you a good place to rest in the library?”
He smiled kindly, still worrying about me instead.
“That’s not something a supervisor should suggest. Skipping work spots are best found secretly. I’ll find one myself.”
“Haha, I look forward to seeing where you find it.”
After the pleasant breakfast, William left for the palace first.
I took a small open carriage to the Royal Library.
The capital city of the Kingdom of Luberia, Artemia, was filled with the vivid colors of early summer.
Elegant mansions, tall spires, and orange rooftops shimmered under the sunlight.
The streets were neatly arranged like a web, filled with people and passing carriages escorted by knights.
“It’s so beautiful…”
I couldn’t help but admire it. Compared to the suffocating subway life before, this felt like traveling through Europe every day.
The carriage stopped in front of the Royal Library.
Guards armed with spears stood at the entrance. Seeing my librarian uniform, they saluted and let me pass.
Since the theft incident involving the magic books, security had been tightened after reopening.
Visitor identification checks were now strict.
Inside the entrance hall, a familiar face greeted me—Lloyd of the Reinhardt Ducal House’s Shadow Knights.
“Lady Erica, you’re early today.”
He wore a serious expression, unlike his usual playful self.
“I didn’t know you could look so proper, Sir Lloyd. It suits you.”
“Haha, Your Ladyship flatters me. I am, after all, a knight devoted to you.”
He opened the door for me.
“His Grace will visit the library this afternoon after the council meeting.”
“I didn’t ask…”
“I thought you might be curious.”
Ignoring his unnecessary commentary, I entered the library.
The library remained as beautiful as ever—towering shelves of ancient books, marble pillars with golden trim, and priceless manuscripts.
What made it truly special was its vast collection, including rare texts, illuminated manuscripts, and even books written with gold dust instead of ink.
But despite its beauty, there was one thing I disliked.
It was accessible only to nobles.
A place meant for all knowledge, yet restricted to a privileged few.
Someday, I should seriously discuss opening it with William.
As I prepared my duties at the central desk, a bright voice came from behind me.
“Oh my, Erica! You’re early today!”
Lady Rose Madison greeted me with a radiant smile.
As always, she wore an elaborate pink dress and moved gracefully like a noble painting.
“Lady Madison, it’s been a while.”
She soon invited me to a tea table already set with desserts and fine tea.
“Let’s have tea together as a celebration for your return.”
Despite my mild guilt about working hours, one bite of dessert erased all hesitation.
After some casual conversation, Rose suddenly asked:
“What happened between you and Duke Calix during the carriage accident?”
I smiled politely.
“Shouldn’t you first ask if I was injured?”
Rose laughed softly behind her fan.
“Now then… tell me. What is your relationship with him?”
