Published: September 6, 2025
As I was about to leave the archive, entrusting everything to the dependable Magdalena, Hannelore timidly called out, “Um, Lady Magdalena?”
“Yes? What is it, Lady Hannelore?”
“Wouldn’t it be better, rather than continuing to work in the archive, to hide—well, to avoid crossing paths with Lady Dietlinde? Since we are still minors, it’s probably best that not many people know we’re helping out here, right?”
Magdalena paused thoughtfully at Hannelore’s suggestion, recalling what had happened during lunch.
“We don’t know how many guards Lady Dietlinde has or what her intentions are here, so staying inside the archive is safest. But your point is certainly valid, Lady Hannelore.”
No matter how many knights Dietlinde brought, only she could enter the archive. While it was safest inside, it would be best if she didn’t even know we existed from the start.
“I think the most dangerous place to run into her would be on the stairs…”
Leone’s words made everyone fall silent. At that moment, Ordnance flew in. The white bird perched on Magdalena’s wrist and began to speak. Using Solange’s slightly hushed voice as if wary of the surroundings, Ordnance relayed a message.
“This is Solange. We are about to register Lady Dietlinde of Arensbach’s entry at the office. If you prefer to avoid being seen by minors in the noble academy, please hide deep inside the closed stacks. I will assist you with exiting through another door later.”
Solange knew we even ate lunch in the underground archives and had gone out of her way to inform us. If she was buying us time and helping us get out, that was all to the good.
“Lady Magdalena, it might also be better if you avoid being seen too. Shall we hide in the closed stacks together?”
I suggested this, but Magdalena shook her head.
“No. It would be odd if this archive was open but no one was inside.”
“Besides, I need to investigate when and how Lady Dietlinde learned of the archive’s existence.”
After the political upheaval, the royal family members remaining did not know about the archive, so Dietlinde shouldn’t have known either. If she had known earlier, she surely would have registered in the library during her student days, Magdalena reasoned.
…Now that she mentioned it, that made sense.
“It’s still early after lunch, and most people haven’t moved yet. Even if Solange guides you out, please avoid the central building. Once Lady Dietlinde leaves the library, I’ll dispatch Ordnance.”
I nodded at Magdalena’s words, handed her the text I had translated into modern language, tidied up my writing tools, and prepared to head out. I’d been expecting to spend the whole day in the archive, so it was a bit disappointing.
I sent Ordnance to inform my attendants who had gone to clear away lunch to not return to the library until further notice.
“Hildebrandt, make sure not to cause any trouble. I will speak with Lady Dietlinde here.”
Magdalena smiled and entrusted Hildebrandt to the guard knights, then urged us to hurry to the closed stacks. We quickly ascended the stairs. The door between the closed stacks and the underground archives was unlocked so the attendants could come and go, so entering the closed stacks was no problem.
Brother Cornelius stood by the door from the reading room, directing us on where to hide so Dietlinde wouldn’t see us.
“Prince Hildebrandt, hide behind the bookshelf at the very back. Dunkelfelger, please stay just ahead of him. Lady Rosemine, please be careful not to come out in front of this bookshelf.”
Sending Hannelore and Hildebrandt—who had many close aides—further back, we took cover behind the nearer bookshelf. The closed stacks had backing on the shelves, so if we hid behind the bookshelf, we wouldn’t be visible.
“...Is she still not here?”
Even though we were completely hidden, Dietlinde hadn’t come. Maybe Solange was still buying time, but remaining completely still like this was agonizing.
“The door is unlocked for the attendants to come and go. We don’t know when she’ll enter, so please stay quiet.”