Ascendance of a Bookworm

I passed all the lectures. Finally, I’m free to go to the library. With a confident smile, I proudly walked—this was my first time having free time in the library.

I was so excited that I jumped out of bed even before Richarda came into the room. Overjoyed, I shouted in the dark room, “Today is library day! Pray to the gods!” and sent out a blessing light, then hurriedly pretended to go back to sleep.

However, my attendants were already in the room where their tools were kept, preparing for the day’s arrangements when I cast the blessing. When Richarda entered the room right after I hid under the covers, she woke me with a wry smile and a hint of disbelief, saying, “Princess, the blessing light won’t disappear just because you pretend to be asleep.” Liselotte looked at me with an amused expression.

At breakfast, those who would accompany me to the library were selected. Basically, it was whoever had finished lectures and was free. Brother Cornelius asked everyone about their plans for the day as we ate.

Brynhildr, who had just finished her studies, said she wanted to start preparing for the musicians’ tea party. Liselotte had a final lecture because she was accompanying Schwarz and Weiss for measurements. Hartmut also had lectures, and most knight apprentices had classes today.

“I see. Then the companions for the library will be Richarda and Filine. Is Leonore the only Guard Knight free?”

“Cornelius, I’m worried about Lady Rosemine having only one Guard Knight, so I would prefer to prioritize guarding over lectures...”

“Angelica, make sure to attend your lectures properly.”

Leonore interrupted Angelica’s words and turned back to Brother Cornelius.

“Lady Rosemine is so happy to be able to go to the library that she has been praying and sending blessings since early morning. We can’t make her wait any longer. I’ll go alone.”

“Indeed, it seems impossible to make her wait any longer. Very well, Leonore, I’m counting on you.”

“There are still fewer students who have finished their lectures, so it’s fine, Cornelius.”

Leonore smiled, and after nodding once, Brother Cornelius looked at me with a face and tone as if admonishing a stubborn child.

“Lady Rosemine, for your safety, please promise to head to the library only after everyone’s lectures have started, alright? If you can’t keep such a simple rule, next time you will have to wait until the guards are available.”

“I promise, absolutely!”

...I can’t wait for Angelica’s schedule!

After seeing everyone off to their lectures and hearing the second and a half bell ring, I anxiously waited for Richarda's approval and then headed to the library.

Since the lectures had already started, the pure white corridors were completely empty, and behind the closed doors, lectures were probably underway, though no voices leaked out. The only sounds echoing down the quiet hallway were our footsteps and my cheerful singing.

“Library, library, the place of happiness, ru ru ru ru, la la ran.”

“...Lady Rosemine, didn’t the musician set a different tune for that song?”

“That’s that, and this is this—it’s fine as it is.”

The library at the noble academy was much larger and had more books than the one at Ehrenfest Castle. It was truly worthwhile to read there. I thought there was no better song to sing than one expressing the joy of this first reading experience.

By the way, the lyrics I made included “Pray to the gods, then give thanks,” but since randomly casting blessings is dangerous, I voluntarily deleted that line and covered it up with “ru ru ru” and “la la la.”

“Leonore.”

I looked up at Leonore, the only one among my Guard Knights recommended for her intelligence. She had an appearance like a civil official apprentice, and her sharp blue eyes gleamed.

“What is it, Lady Rosemine?”

“From what I saw, the knight apprentices seem to be mostly poor readers. Are you also bad at reading, Leonore?”

From observing the knights yesterday, it seemed none of them really liked reading. Maybe it’s because those good at physical activities tend to choose the knight course.