Ascendance of a Bookworm

After spending some time in the library before noon reviewing several materials, I came to the conclusion that it would be best to go and talk to Hilsure. There were many things that were difficult and beyond my current understanding.

“Liselotte, do you know when would be a good time to visit Professor Hilsure’s laboratory?”

“Professor Hilsure’s lab? I wouldn’t really recommend Lady Rosemine going there, but may I ask what the matter is?”

I thought Liselotte might know, since she was aware of Hilsure’s schedule for changing Schwarz and the others. When I asked, Liselotte made a troubled face and showed some slight reluctance.

“I want to talk about the magic tool I’m currently thinking about.”

“I see. If it’s about magic tools, it might be better to go directly to the lab.”

Liselotte, who had been pondering with her head slightly lowered, then looked up.

“…I think you should have your conversation with Professor Hilsure before Schwarz and the others change. Once Hilsure’s mind is fully absorbed in research, I don’t think she’ll entertain any other matters.”

Knowing how Hilsure immersed herself in research, I nodded deeply at Liselotte’s words and asked her to arrange an appointment for me as soon as possible.

I spent the afternoon at the library again, going over books and materials related to magic tools. I wanted to ask about improvements and whether the magic circles I had drawn were correct. I also wanted to inquire if there were any magic tools useful for running the library.

“Rosemine, did you make contact with the royal family again this year? What did you do!?”

“Huh? Royal family’s magic tools? …Are you talking about Schwarz and the others?”

At dinner, Wilfried suddenly asked me that, and my mind was so occupied with magic tools that I couldn’t respond immediately and just tilted my head.

“Lady Rosemine, Wilfried is referring to Prince Hildebrandt. You met him at the library this morning, right?”

…Oh, now that you mention it, we did greet each other.

I clapped my hands lightly at Filine’s words, but Brother Cornelius peered at me with a very worried expression.

“Lady Rosemine, surely you haven’t forgotten…?”

“Well, it’s the royal family. There’s no way I’d forget. The memory just rolled off to the back of my mind for a bit.”

Cornelius whispered a small reproach, hinting that I had forgotten, but I ignored it. I hadn’t forgotten, I just wasn’t very interested, so the impression was faint.

“I didn’t do anything special besides greeting him. I quickly hid my presence so as not to disturb the prince, who was supposed to be incognito. Prince Hildebrandt seemed to be moving around when there were no students, and since I declared I’d visit the library daily, I don’t expect to meet him again.”

There was no way a prince who wanted to remain hidden would casually come to the library after I said I’d be there every day. I insisted it was an unavoidable coincidence. Wilfried frowned deeply.

“I feel like last year too, you increased contact with the royal family by sheer accident…”

“Brother Wilfried, Flutlene and the healing of Lungschmel are different things.”

Last year was last year, this year is this year. Anastasius and Hildebrandt are different, I said firmly. Wilfried sighed.

“You met a royal family member who said they basically never left their room. Something might happen again in the future.”

“Maybe, but maybe not. No matter how much we think about it, it depends on the royal family.”

I shrugged at Wilfried’s serious expression. No matter how much you try to avoid trouble, it will find you. It’s useless to worry about things that haven’t happened.

“Anyway, let’s talk about the upcoming schedule. The day for Schwarz and the others to change clothes was set for the afternoon three days from now. This time, they said they’d lend a room inside the library. The girls who helped with the embroidery will take priority to assist.”