Prologue

“Are you all right, Grand Duke?”

I slowly approached the man who collapsed. In the midst of silence, the sound of footsteps rang exceptionally loud.

He was breathing pitifully in the middle of the burning Royal Library. The uniform, which was usually plain white, had long been stained with the blood of the beast.

“Erika, why…?”

His cobalt, blue-colored eyes trembled lightly. Shock, disappointment, doubt, betrayal…a look of all kinds of emotions stabbed me.

“Why did you…betray me.”

It was a bloody cry at the betrayal of the woman he loved and trusted at the same time, so his eyes were covered with black despair.

I wish I was an extra with no name.

If I hadn’t met you in the first place…

His cry became a sword that poked my heart.

I smiled bitterly and carefully caressed his black hair.

“My faithful knight, Carlix.”

I slowly swept down his sweaty jawline while whispering sweetly.

When I raised one hand, there was a familiar black energy. Soon after, the called creatures appeared one by one over the broken wall.

Among the scorching smoke, flames, and broken walls, the creatures knelt down to me all at once.

I smiled brightly with my back against the red flames that danced and flickered.

“Where is the last spellbook?”

Unfortunately, I am the last villain in this story.

Chapter 1. Running away from kidnapping and marriage

“There she is! Get that girl right now!”

An angry shout echoed through the alley. I grabbed the hem of the cumbersome dress and ran with all my might.

We were currently in the capital. Fortunately or unfortunately, the back alley is wide.

I pretended to be fitting a dress at the dressmaker and then sneaked away through the back door, but they were quick to notice.

Do you think I’ll get caught?

Passing through the maze-like alleys, I quickly ran towards the shortcut. The road was clear enough to go even with my eyes closed, having learned it through the map dozens of times.

If there’s a problem, it’s Erika’s poor stamina. I was already breathless and my legs started to stagger.

I’ve never really wanted to be possessed like this!

Not long ago, I was just an ordinary librarian.  A newcomer to society in Korea who was more accustomed to the fatigue of working overtime rather than the freshness of youth.

That was until I read that book, .

A romance fantasy novel in which the Northern Grand Duke Carlix, called the Sword of the Kingdom of Ruberia, and a beautiful girl overcome adversity and achieve love.

The moment I closed the book thinking it was okay to relieve my boredom during a forced overtime, a dazzling glow burst out.

That was my last memory of my real life…

When I opened my eyes again, I had already become the supporting actor, Erika Diel.

It’s not just any supporting actor, but an extra who participates in a big affair with the head of the rebellion forces and disappears due to a prison sentence.

Wasn’t it common sense in the industry that if you become possessed, you’d at least be a rival villain?

There was no time to vent resentment towards the sky, I was now busy trying to avoid Erika’s fate.

Her only family, her father, has long passed away from a chronic disease.

There was only a nanny, an old butler, and a young maid who had raised her since childhood.

To make matters worse, there was no eldest son in the Diel family.

Her cousin, Verdi, who used Erika’s misfortune as an opportunity, took possession of Diel’s property and territories, and even took away her Viscountess title.

When he first came to her family, he pretended to be nice to her, saying he would take care of her like a sister, but he soon changed his attitude.

He tried to marry her to an old baron, saying he found a good marriage for her!

He said that Erika, who was weak, needed a guardian besides him to rely on. I heard that he even received a large dowry behind her back.

What the hell! If the marriage is so good, he should have gotten married himself.

I was thinking about whether I should get poison in the glass, but then my nanny secretly suggested something else.

“Lady, don’t you remember? You told me to ask William of the Royal Library for help if anything happened.”

Erica had a connection with William, the second male lead of the original work and the ruler of the kingdom. She didn’t appear in the main text, so she didn’t even know there was such a relationship.

“And, there is also something like this…”

What the nanny held out to me was a sheet of paper.

A treasure trove of human wisdom, a center of learning and knowledge.

The Royal Library is recruiting young children to study liberal arts and knowledge.

Target: Young children of the nobles of the Kingdom of Ruberia over the age of 17

※ Work earnings every month will be sent to the official residence and accommodation is also provided on a monthly basis.

It was a perfect condition for escaping.

Above all, immunity is granted to everyone belonging to the Royal Library.

A tremendous right to avoid punishment for treason, that is, execution.

Because the Royal Library is a sacred place of knowledge, records and investigations are always threatened by powerful people.

It’s not absolute though. In order to actually use it, several conditions must be met, but this is somewhere I could actually go to.

So to ask William for help, I lied to Verdi that I would marry the old baron.

However, since it was my only wedding, I wanted to wear a pretty dress and asked him to send me to a dressmaker in the capital city, pretending to be pitiful.

Verdi readily agreed and gave me the carriage, but two of his men followed to watch over me.

After arriving at the dressmaker in the capital, I took the measurements of my dress and slipped out of the back door pretending to be resting.

“What are you doing if you can’t even watch over a woman!”

“Looks like she went that way!”

The sound of footsteps chasing me got closer and closer as if they were about to reach my hair.

With my shoes in hand, I ran barefoot. On the rough stone road, the soles of my feet were sore, but there was no time to worry.

After running until I was about to vomit, I finally saw the Royal Library.

Built with pure white stone, the Royal Library with a grand and elegant atmosphere shone like an oasis found in the desert.

I hurriedly opened the huge door and entered. In an instant, the bright light blinded my eyes.

I blinked slowly and my vision returned.

The first thing I saw was a lot of books. Huge bookshelves lined within the walls of the library. A cloud of dust swam in the warm light which poured through the glass ceiling.

The tension was finally relieved. I flopped down on the floor.

I felt more at ease when I came to the library.

After taking a few deep breaths, I got up and put on my shoes.

Now was not the time. I never knew when Verdi’s men would come. It’s a bit strange that there are no staff, let alone visitors, but once I find the office…

“Is she really here?”

Then, the library door swung open. I quickly hid behind the bookshelf.

Verdi’s men were coming in with a frown on their faces.

“Yes, she definitely went here.”

“What are you doing, stupid? Find her now!”

Those tenacious guys.

I lowered myself and climbed the spiral staircase to the second floor. When I passed the second floor and looked at the third floor, there were quite a few doors. From the 3rd floor onwards, it didn’t seem like a normal reading room.

“Lady, why don’t you come out while we’re still asking nicely?”

A shrill voice echoed up to the high ceilings. As I glanced down to the first floor through the railing, a man who seemed to be a library employee hurriedly approached Verdi’s men.

“Gentlemen, please be quiet in the Royal Library. You must not run.”

“What? We’re here to find our precious lady.”

“Why do you care? If we can’t find her, will you take responsibility? Huh?”

The men became more and more noisy with fiery anger, and the staff was embarrassed by their actions and words.

Taking advantage of that time, I recklessly went up to the 4th floor.

The fourth floor was filled with silence that had accumulated over the years. Even the air felt heavy and solemn, as if it would not allow anyone to approach.

At the end of the long, wide hallway was a door adorned with antique carvings and gold.

However, the most striking thing was the suspicious pattern engraved on the door.

In the form of a blooming flower, it flickered faintly like a firefly.

I walked towards it as if possessed. If you look closely, you can see that there are text-like things written along the border of the pattern.

Even though it was the first language I had ever seen, it was not unfamiliar. It was a feeling that my body remembered and understood.

As if attracted to a magnet, I stuttered and read along the language engraved on the door.

“Books are doors to a new world.”

At that moment, I wondered if the words would glisten in golden light, but then they quickly faded away.

That was the exact description of my current situation. Being possessed by a book and falling into another world.

Maybe, beyond this door, I can find a way back?

As if possessed by something, I grabbed the doorknob.

Click.

The lock turned and the door opened as if waiting.

Beyond the door was a library full of luxurious furniture, ceramics, and ornaments.

The only bookcase had dozens of thick leather bindings. The windows had thick velvet curtains to prevent the books from changing in the sun’s light.

I hurriedly closed the door in fear that Verdi’s men would follow me. I pulled back the curtain since I couldn’t see ahead. The dazzling sun shone all over the room.

I glanced around the room and stopped while looking at a small table in the middle.

On top of the soft cushion, a small gold compass shined.

“Why is this here?”

Unconsciously carved on the rim of the compass, the two snakes smoothed each other’s tails. The needle in the middle was studded with green jewelry.

“Pretty…”

When I muttered, a light burst out of the jewel.

“Wait, what?”

Now even the needle that had stopped was spinning like crazy.

I was scared that I might have broken the compass for no reason. I was going to put it back, but then I heard the door open behind my back.

Don’t tell me, did those persistent men chase me all the way here?

“Magical libraries must be off limits to outsiders.”

But what I heard was the voice of a low, deep-pitched, cynical man.

I turned my head slowly, frozen.

“A thief stepped in.”

A man in a purple coat was staring at me while leaning against the door.

I intuitively realized who he was.

Dark hair and sharp eyes in cobalt blue. Clear features and an aristocratic atmosphere.

Above all, a heavy presence and arrogant pressure like he was the center of the world.

I could tell at first glance.

Grand Duke Carlix Reinhardt.

He was the male lead of .

I’m not a book thief.

“You’re confident for a thief.”

It was not until a sharp voice was directed at me that I suddenly came to my senses.

Carlix, the Grand Duke of Reinhardt.

He has lived in battle since the age of 18, is the supreme armament and commander of the Ruberia Kingdom, and has defeated the northern frontier.

Plus, he’s the one who sends Erika to execution.

It’s an honor to meet you like this, but why is the male lead here?

In the original, he didn’t even run into Erika in person.

Let’s calm down. I’m not a rebel right now, so it’s okay.

I tried to calm down, but he was looking at me with a cold stare…

“I think you’re mistaken. I’m not a thief.”

No sooner had I hastened to bring up an excuse, Carlix came forward in a form of coercion. I stepped back, but was blocked by a bookcase before I could go a few steps.

He reached out his arms and blocked me as if he wouldn’t even give me a chance to run away. I was pushed to the bookshelf and was stuck in his arms.

The cold blue eyes stared at me.

“Magical library is not accessible except for royalty, high-ranking aristocrats, and library directors. Don’t you know that trespassers are punished by national law?”

Facing the perfect sculpture’s appearance closely, I was speechless.

“Are you listening?”

I came to my senses from his disapproving voice.

No, I know this isn’t the case. I coughed in vain and faced him with a serious look.

“I’m not a thief, Duke Reinhardt.”

His eyes flashed.

“You know me.”

I can’t say, ‘of course I know you because you’re the main character’.

“The title of Grand Duke of Reinhardt, the supreme commander of the kingdom, is so famous that everyone knows it.”

“Really? I wonder what’s the name of the young lady who hid here like a thief?”

He’s really turning it around with dignity.

I held back my irritation and maintained a polite smile.

“The introduction was late because I was in a hurry. My name is Erika Diel. I’m visiting Director William.”

I did it! I finally greeted according to manners! The nanny would’ve shed tears of emotion if she saw this.

When I was first possessed, people around me looked at me with strange eyes because I didn’t know how to behave as a child. The kind-hearted members of the Viscount family understood that it was probably because of the mental shock of losing my father.

“Why did you come to see the director?”

“It’s personal, so I can’t tell you.”

I hesitated a little, avoiding his gaze. It was embarrassing to say that it was to avoid a forced marriage.

“You’re not a thief without revealing the purpose of your visit?”

Suddenly, Carlix pushed me roughly on the shoulder.

The hard books on the bookshelf slammed against my back, causing pain. I frowned and glared at him.

“It’s a no-brainer. Furthermore…”

Carlix’s gaze slowly went down with my right hand. His elegant, straight hand grabbed my wrist strongly.

Holding the compass in my hand, he looked at me with contempt.

“I can’t believe you tried to steal a bookfinder. Isn’t that perfect evidence?”

Bookfinder? This compass?

“I saw it for a moment out of curiosity. I tried to put it back where it was.”

“You’re lying to the end.”

Carlix snorted, but then stopped trying to take the compass. He looked at the needle of the compass that was shining.

His cold eyes then have changed significantly.

“Are you the book leader?”

Speaking in a softer voice, Carlix gently grabbed my hand and took the compass.

“Excuse me, I’ve never seen you before.”

When the compass reached his hand, the light went out and the needle stopped.

“What’s a book leader?”

“Isn’t that why you were looking for the director?”

Instead of answering, Carlix put the compass back on the palm of my hand. Curiously, as soon as it touched me, the needle began to spin.

“Book leader refers to a person who can find the location of a magic book using a bookfinder.”

A magic book? Did Erika have that ability? Why did this ability not even exist in the original book?

I wasn’t sure because the original story was a romance between the heroine, Priscia, and the male lead, Carlix.

It’s already unfair to suffer while being possessed, but now to have such a useless ability. A book search system would be more convenient.

Above all, I had a bad feeling that things were going to increase more than anything else. Office worker’s instincts have never been wrong.

It’s best to get out quickly in times like this.

I bowed my head to greet him with a wry smile.

“Oh! I see. I’ll have to tell the director. Then excuse me.”

As I was trying to escape under the hard forearm that blocked me, his voice caught me.

“Well, that’s great. There’s a magic book I’m looking for.”

“Yes?”

Carlix’s face came so close to me that it was burdensome.

“Use the bookfinder to find it. Right now. I’ll give you permission later.”

“Wait a minute, Grand Duke. I don’t even know how to use it, but it’s also hard to do this all of a sudden.”

I frowned, trying to get away from him as much as I could.

At that moment, loud shouts were heard through the door and footsteps were coming up the stairs.

Have they really chased me all the way here?

It was the worst. Contemplating how to escape, Carlix frowned as if displeased.

“Why is it so noisy outside?”

As Carlix approached the door, I reflexively grabbed his arm.

Now, only Carlix is my hope!

He immediately shook my hand off.

“Do not touch my body recklessly.”

He was a complete iron-like man. He reacted harshly just from me holding his arm.

Well, I guess you might not like it. Even so, there’s no such thing as plainly speaking, is there?

According to my nature, I would like to say something, but I have to put out the lights in the hall right now.

“Please help, Grand Duke. They’re after me! They’re kidnapping me and trying to sell me to an old noble!”

I tried my best to play the innocent and pitiful miss who is in crisis.

Despite my best actress performance, he looked down at me with an expressionless face.

“What does that have to do with me?”

“What?”

There’s no such thing as a lost male character.

In this situation, can’t you help me out of compassion?

I was dumbfounded and stared at Carlix’s handsome face. He glanced down at me with a cold stare.

“Why should I help?”

“Ugh…”

Yes, you’re only warm-hearted to the female lead. I’m only a supporting actor, so it doesn’t matter if I’m kidnapped or not. Well, it would be funny if he did help someone he has never seen before, but…

The back of my neck was stiff because I was thinking about how to persuade him, and then I noticed the compass in my hand.

Well then, I’ll have to give him a reason to help.

I stood up straight and stared confidently at him with both hands on my waist.

“Make a deal with me, Grand Duke. I’ll find the book for you if you help me.”

“What if I refuse?”

“There’s nothing to lose anyway. We’re already in the worst situation. If you don’t help me, I’ll be kidnapped and you won’t find the book you want.”

“Are you threatening me?”

“Threatening? For something to come, something else needs to go.”

I looked up at the compass with a business smile. Carlix frowned uncomfortably and laughed briefly.

“It’s a deal. What kind of help do you want?”

“First of all, I want you to get rid of those guys.”

I quickly pointed to the door while singing joyfully inside.

Carlix bowed slowly to me. I could feel anger from his cobalt blue eyes under those long eyelashes.

I almost avoided it, but somehow I felt like I would lose, so I hardened my gaze.

Carlix whispered threateningly in my ear.

“Lady Erika, be honored. It’s unusual for me to move someone’s way.”

Carlix stormed out the door. I followed him in a hurry.

A young male employee and a middle-aged woman with a warm impression were trying to prevent Verdi’s men from climbing up the stairs.

“Why are you making such a fuss when I’m just looking for a girl. You want to get in trouble?”

One of them grabbed the male employee by the collar and shook him violently.

“Please, calm down. This is a sacred library.”

“I’ll shut your mouth first!”

One of the men tried to punch the poor employee in the face, and Carlix strode down, suddenly grabbed the man’s neck, and threw him down the stairs.

“What? Argh!”

The man rolled off the stairs screaming desperately.

Falling to the end of the stairs, he slammed his head on the floor and fainted with maybe one or two broken limbs.

“There’s a lot of bugs in the library.”

Carlix, who briefly glanced at Verdi’s other men, recited coldly.

The other guy tried to escape with a frightened face, but made eye contact with Carlix. The Duke looked down at him as if he were looking at a trivial bug.

“Who, who are you? Why are you attacking us…?”

He protested in a terrified voice, but Carlix responded with a kick instead of answering.

“Ahh!”

The man shuddered and collapsed, clutching his stomach. He coughed in agony and blood came out.

The library employee and the middle-aged woman, who were watching the scene, looked at Carlix with complex eyes mixed with gratitude and fear.

The middle-aged woman stepped forward and bowed her head to Calix.

“Thank you for your help, Archduke Reinhardt.”

Carlix nodded his head dryly to greet them.

“Mrs. Marian, where is Director William?”

“The director has entered the palace to cure the king’s illness.”

The corners of Carlix’s lips smiled cynically.

“It seems that his Highness has suffered from a chronic illness again. Do not report this to the manager. I will tell him later.”

“I will, Archduke.”

Mrs. Marian answered calmly.

Carlix frowned as he looked at Verdi’s fallen minions.

“Call the Capital Military Police right away. The Royal Library’s security system is the worst. What the hell is Director William doing?”

“I’m sorry, Archduke.”

Madame Marian, restless, bowed her head and apologized. She looked at her fourth-floor magic library with her worried eyes, and her eyes widened. She found me standing awkwardly in front of the library.

“That young girl…?”

I’ll pay you back, so go away

Mrs. Marian looked at me in disbelief.

“How can an outsider enter the magic library? There’s a magic barrier and the door can’t be seen, so how?”

Carlix glanced back at me and kindly explained.

“I thought she was a thief and caught her.”

No, it was useless to say it was kindness.

At Carlix’s words, Mrs. Marian looked at me with a fearful expression.

“If she’s a thief, you mean she tried to steal a spell book?”

“No! That’s not it!”

I was trying to explain, but Carlix cut me off.

He went closer to Mrs. Marian and lowered his voice.

“I heard she came to see Director William.”

“Oh my God…”

It was easy to see that the story was about me. It was because Mrs. Marian kept glancing at me and my hands with a face full of excitement.

As I went down the stairs with the bookfinder, Mrs. Marian’s gaze was nailed down on the compass.

Seeing the needle move, she was moved to tears.

What? Was the bookfinder that impressive?

“Oh my God! The bookfinder actually works! It’s been a long time since a bookleader has appeared.”

Mrs. Marian muttered in an emotional voice. Then, she came up to me with a girlish expression on her face.

“Excuse me, may I know the Lady’s name?”

“I’m sorry, but I’ll let you know later. I have something urgent to do right now.”

Now, there’s more to it than the name of the family. I smiled as if I were being excused and quickly headed to Verdi’s men.

One of them, who may have been hit hard from the stair attack, sat there like a sick chicken with short quick breaths.

I asked straightforwardly.

“Where is Viscount Verdi now?”

The man coughed with a red face while staring at me.

He ignored my words and tried to spit on the floor as if he didn’t intend to answer.

At that moment, anger soared to the top of my head.

You’re trying to ruin someone else’s life with that kind of attitude?

I grabbed his neck and pushed him against the wall.

“Wait, wait!”

He looked at me with surprised eyes.

“Be quiet, you’re in the library. I’m asking you again. Verdi, is he here?

“Ker, eek, ugh, outside the library…he is…”

The man managed to cough up some words.

I let go of his neck as if I were throwing him away.

When I looked back, I saw Mrs. Marian, who had her mouth covered, and an employee who dodged my eyes.

I’m usually not violent. It’s just that my fate got twisted because of this possessed spirit.

So who wouldn’t be angry in this situation?

Carlix watched me with an interesting gaze.

“Lady Erika, what order are you going to give me now?”

He then asked with sarcasm, raising the corners of his mouth.

“Just stay still like a wall. That’ll do.”

“What are you going to do?”

“You’ll know when you see it.”

~*~

The back of my head stung too much.

It makes sense, of course. Behind me was the great Grand Duke.

As soon as I left the Royal Library, all eyes were on me.

In particular, the beautiful young children were busy looking at Carlix with envious eyes while screaming silently.

I was a little scared because people were also looking at me, but it was a useless worry.

They seemed to see me as a maid or a passerby even when I walked alongside him.

It’s a good thing I possessed a supporting actor at times like this.

After walking for some time, I saw a carriage waiting in the distance with Verdi standing in front with a crumpled face.

Verdi, who was nervously looking around, found me and glared at me.

“Erika, how dare you run away!”

But soon, he closed his mouth. He obviously saw the Grand Duke with me. As expected, he was a cunning and quick-witted guy.

“What brings you here…?”

Verdi approached me with a salesperson-like smile, and gently pulled his ‘beloved sister’ to his side as if he were escorting me.

“Get in the wagon.”

He smiled softly with his eyes, but whispered low while grinding his teeth.

Before I could say anything, Verdi took a step forward and said hello to Carlix. It was a polite greeting.

“It is an honor to meet the great Grand Duke Carlix Reinhardt. My name is Verdi Diel.”

Carlix didn’t even look at Verdi, but kept an eye on me asking ‘what are we gonna do now?’.

It was one look.

I approached Verdi and said calmly.

“Stop it. I’m not going anywhere.”

Verdi, who turned his head to me, frantically distorted his face.

He gripped my wrist strongly and whispered threateningly in a dreary voice.

“Don’t test my patience, Erika. If you don’t want to suffer more, just get in the wagon.”

I shook off Verdi’s hand with all my might and then slapped him hard in the face.

Verdi’s face turned red. The hand that tried to grab me stopped in mid-air.

Soon, he began to tremble.

“Oh my God…”

He couldn’t control his anger and threw his hand to my face.

“Oh, no way am I going easy on you!”

I shot a look at Verdi without batting an eye.

Then, Carlix grabbed Verdi’s arm.

“How dare you slap your hand in front of me.”

“Hey, this is our family’s problem.”

“It has nothing to do with me, so hold on. Is this your only excuse?”

Carlix stared at Verdi with cold eyes. Even though it was just a glance, Verdi lowered his head.

“Oh, no. How dare I do that in front of the Grand Duke. But… Why are you with Erika?”

Carlix turned to me instead of answering. It’s now time for the fox to borrow the tiger’s power. (T/n: It’s an expression; she’s referring to herself as the fox and Carlix as the tiger.)

“Verdi, I’d like to formally introduce you to Duke Reinhardt who will protect me in the future.”

Verdi opened his eyes in disbelief.

“Well, are you sure? The Grand Duke as Erika’s guardian?”

Carlix took a look at me and raised his chin a little.

“Are you saying she’s lying?”

I’m glad that the male lead is sensible.

When Carlix asked coldly, Verdi hurriedly bowed his head.

“Oh, no. It’s all because I was embarrassed. It would be an honor for my family if you would be her guardian.”

I lifted the hem of my dress and approached Verdi with an elegant smile.

“Then it’s settled. Even if I don’t get married, he will take very good care of me, who is weak. And…”

I pretended to dust Verdi’s uniform shoulder. It was a colorful uniform with gold embroidery on expensive fabric.

To waste the family’s property already, my anger rose.

I grabbed his scarf which was full of colorful lace like a leash.

“What are you doing?… Eek!”

Verdi, who was strangled, looked helplessly.

“Get out of my face right now. Don’t ever look for me again. Did you think I would listen to you for another day?”

I raised one corner of my mouth.

“I’ll be back soon.”

Verdi’s face was stained with dirt. I put down the scarf as if I were throwing something dirty away.

Verdi, who had lost his strength, curled up on the floor and breathed heavily.

I’d suffocate him if I could, but now is not the time.

Verdi ran away in the carriage with a frightened look on his face.

He shared the same blood as Erika, but he’s pathetic.

Clicking his tongue while looking at the fast-moving carriage, Carlix looked interested.

“Miss Diel, why didn’t you order Verdi to be killed?”

Grand Duke, are you enjoying this? Why do you keep telling me to give you orders?

“I think that will cause the Duke trouble.”

“If you can find the magic book, then that’s not a big deal to me.”

As Carlix spoke with a relaxed smile, I had a somewhat ominous feeling.

“Could you even try to kill Verdi?”

“There’s nothing you can’t do. Didn’t he succeed in inheriting the legacy of your father? When he dies, there is no lord, so you can claim the Viscount title for a while until a new successor is appointed.”

Can the male lead hurt people? Besides, it would be troubling if I got deeply involved with the male lead.

“I will deal with my family’s affairs on my own. I’m sorry if you were offended by me telling a lie earlier. Also I will retrieve the magic book since I made a deal with the Duke. I will keep my promise.”

I didn’t say thank you. Because it was a deal anyways.

Carlix suddenly stopped in front of me. The blue eyes that looked down at me, as if searching for something, stood out.

“It’s amazing. There were a lot of people who wanted to borrow my power, but this was the first time that someone refused my help. I wonder why you’re so confident.”

At that moment, I was speechless.

Is this a romance cliché?

No, I don’t want to be more involved with a human being who’ll send me to the execution table in the future. I just couldn’t help it earlier.

Please just go to the heroine.

At that time, the capital city police on horseback stopped in front of the Royal Library.

As soon as they got off the horse, they ran to Carlix and saluted politely.

“Unidentified people stormed into the Royal Library and made a scene. Thoroughly investigate and find out who’s behind it.”

“I’ll take your orders!”

“Commander, did you call me?”

Soon after, the military police gathered Verdi’s men, who had lost their minds. I checked them for a moment, and kept an eye on Carlix.

“Are you ordering them to reveal the person behind this, to investigate Verdi?”

“It’s just a natural investigation. It’s illegal for people to break into the Royal Library, where only aristocrats can enter, and a rude rat could be caught during the investigation.”

Recognizing my gaze, Carlix turned away with a cough.

Oh, you’re more loyal than I thought.

A smile came out of my mouth. Carlix looked at me and paused for a moment. He squinted and gave me a suspicious look.

“What’s wrong with you?”

In the novel, even if a female character smiles, the male lead will fall in love, but it doesn’t work for an extra.

At that time, an antique wagon stopped in front of us. The wagon has the same pattern engraved at the entrance to the library.

A young man in a silver robe got out. His long brown hair was tied together and he wore glasses. It was an intelligent and gentle appearance.

That’s a familiar description.

“Oh.”

That guy!

I’ll pay you back, so go away

Mrs. Marian looked at me in disbelief.

“How can an outsider enter the magic library? There’s a magic barrier and the door can’t be seen, so how?”

Carlix glanced back at me and kindly explained.

“I thought she was a thief and caught her.”

No, it was useless to say it was kindness.

At Carlix’s words, Mrs. Marian looked at me with a fearful expression.

“If she’s a thief, you mean she tried to steal a spell book?”

“No! That’s not it!”

I was trying to explain, but Carlix cut me off.

He went closer to Mrs. Marian and lowered his voice.

“I heard she came to see Director William.”

“Oh my God…”

It was easy to see that the story was about me. It was because Mrs. Marian kept glancing at me and my hands with a face full of excitement.

As I went down the stairs with the bookfinder, Mrs. Marian’s gaze was nailed down on the compass.

Seeing the needle move, she was moved to tears.

What? Was the bookfinder that impressive?

“Oh my God! The bookfinder actually works! It’s been a long time since a bookleader has appeared.”

Mrs. Marian muttered in an emotional voice. Then, she came up to me with a girlish expression on her face.

“Excuse me, may I know the Lady’s name?”

“I’m sorry, but I’ll let you know later. I have something urgent to do right now.”

Now, there’s more to it than the name of the family. I smiled as if I were being excused and quickly headed to Verdi’s men.

One of them, who may have been hit hard from the stair attack, sat there like a sick chicken with short quick breaths.

I asked straightforwardly.

“Where is Viscount Verdi now?”

The man coughed with a red face while staring at me.

He ignored my words and tried to spit on the floor as if he didn’t intend to answer.

At that moment, anger soared to the top of my head.

You’re trying to ruin someone else’s life with that kind of attitude?

I grabbed his neck and pushed him against the wall.

“Wait, wait!”

He looked at me with surprised eyes.

“Be quiet, you’re in the library. I’m asking you again. Verdi, is he here?

“Ker, eek, ugh, outside the library…he is…”

The man managed to cough up some words.

I let go of his neck as if I were throwing him away.

When I looked back, I saw Mrs. Marian, who had her mouth covered, and an employee who dodged my eyes.

I’m usually not violent. It’s just that my fate got twisted because of this possessed spirit.

So who wouldn’t be angry in this situation?

Carlix watched me with an interesting gaze.

“Lady Erika, what order are you going to give me now?”

He then asked with sarcasm, raising the corners of his mouth.

“Just stay still like a wall. That’ll do.”

“What are you going to do?”

“You’ll know when you see it.”

~*~

The back of my head stung too much.

It makes sense, of course. Behind me was the great Grand Duke.

As soon as I left the Royal Library, all eyes were on me.

In particular, the beautiful young children were busy looking at Carlix with envious eyes while screaming silently.

I was a little scared because people were also looking at me, but it was a useless worry.

They seemed to see me as a maid or a passerby even when I walked alongside him.

It’s a good thing I possessed a supporting actor at times like this.

After walking for some time, I saw a carriage waiting in the distance with Verdi standing in front with a crumpled face.

Verdi, who was nervously looking around, found me and glared at me.

“Erika, how dare you run away!”

But soon, he closed his mouth. He obviously saw the Grand Duke with me. As expected, he was a cunning and quick-witted guy.

“What brings you here…?”

Verdi approached me with a salesperson-like smile, and gently pulled his ‘beloved sister’ to his side as if he were escorting me.

“Get in the wagon.”

He smiled softly with his eyes, but whispered low while grinding his teeth.

Before I could say anything, Verdi took a step forward and said hello to Carlix. It was a polite greeting.

“It is an honor to meet the great Grand Duke Carlix Reinhardt. My name is Verdi Diel.”

Carlix didn’t even look at Verdi, but kept an eye on me asking ‘what are we gonna do now?’.

It was one look.

I approached Verdi and said calmly.

“Stop it. I’m not going anywhere.”

Verdi, who turned his head to me, frantically distorted his face.

He gripped my wrist strongly and whispered threateningly in a dreary voice.

“Don’t test my patience, Erika. If you don’t want to suffer more, just get in the wagon.”

I shook off Verdi’s hand with all my might and then slapped him hard in the face.

Verdi’s face turned red. The hand that tried to grab me stopped in mid-air.

Soon, he began to tremble.

“Oh my God…”

He couldn’t control his anger and threw his hand to my face.

“Oh, no way am I going easy on you!”

I shot a look at Verdi without batting an eye.

Then, Carlix grabbed Verdi’s arm.

“How dare you slap your hand in front of me.”

“Hey, this is our family’s problem.”

“It has nothing to do with me, so hold on. Is this your only excuse?”

Carlix stared at Verdi with cold eyes. Even though it was just a glance, Verdi lowered his head.

“Oh, no. How dare I do that in front of the Grand Duke. But… Why are you with Erika?”

Carlix turned to me instead of answering. It’s now time for the fox to borrow the tiger’s power. (T/n: It’s an expression; she’s referring to herself as the fox and Carlix as the tiger.)

“Verdi, I’d like to formally introduce you to Duke Reinhardt who will protect me in the future.”

Verdi opened his eyes in disbelief.

“Well, are you sure? The Grand Duke as Erika’s guardian?”

Carlix took a look at me and raised his chin a little.

“Are you saying she’s lying?”

I’m glad that the male lead is sensible.

When Carlix asked coldly, Verdi hurriedly bowed his head.

“Oh, no. It’s all because I was embarrassed. It would be an honor for my family if you would be her guardian.”

I lifted the hem of my dress and approached Verdi with an elegant smile.

“Then it’s settled. Even if I don’t get married, he will take very good care of me, who is weak. And…”

I pretended to dust Verdi’s uniform shoulder. It was a colorful uniform with gold embroidery on expensive fabric.

To waste the family’s property already, my anger rose.

I grabbed his scarf which was full of colorful lace like a leash.

“What are you doing?… Eek!”

Verdi, who was strangled, looked helplessly.

“Get out of my face right now. Don’t ever look for me again. Did you think I would listen to you for another day?”

I raised one corner of my mouth.

“I’ll be back soon.”

Verdi’s face was stained with dirt. I put down the scarf as if I were throwing something dirty away.

Verdi, who had lost his strength, curled up on the floor and breathed heavily.

I’d suffocate him if I could, but now is not the time.

Verdi ran away in the carriage with a frightened look on his face.

He shared the same blood as Erika, but he’s pathetic.

Clicking his tongue while looking at the fast-moving carriage, Carlix looked interested.

“Miss Diel, why didn’t you order Verdi to be killed?”

Grand Duke, are you enjoying this? Why do you keep telling me to give you orders?

“I think that will cause the Duke trouble.”

“If you can find the magic book, then that’s not a big deal to me.”

As Carlix spoke with a relaxed smile, I had a somewhat ominous feeling.

“Could you even try to kill Verdi?”

“There’s nothing you can’t do. Didn’t he succeed in inheriting the legacy of your father? When he dies, there is no lord, so you can claim the Viscount title for a while until a new successor is appointed.”

Can the male lead hurt people? Besides, it would be troubling if I got deeply involved with the male lead.

“I will deal with my family’s affairs on my own. I’m sorry if you were offended by me telling a lie earlier. Also I will retrieve the magic book since I made a deal with the Duke. I will keep my promise.”

I didn’t say thank you. Because it was a deal anyways.

Carlix suddenly stopped in front of me. The blue eyes that looked down at me, as if searching for something, stood out.

“It’s amazing. There were a lot of people who wanted to borrow my power, but this was the first time that someone refused my help. I wonder why you’re so confident.”

At that moment, I was speechless.

Is this a romance cliché?

No, I don’t want to be more involved with a human being who’ll send me to the execution table in the future. I just couldn’t help it earlier.

Please just go to the heroine.

At that time, the capital city police on horseback stopped in front of the Royal Library.

As soon as they got off the horse, they ran to Carlix and saluted politely.

“Unidentified people stormed into the Royal Library and made a scene. Thoroughly investigate and find out who’s behind it.”

“I’ll take your orders!”

“Commander, did you call me?”

Soon after, the military police gathered Verdi’s men, who had lost their minds. I checked them for a moment, and kept an eye on Carlix.

“Are you ordering them to reveal the person behind this, to investigate Verdi?”

“It’s just a natural investigation. It’s illegal for people to break into the Royal Library, where only aristocrats can enter, and a rude rat could be caught during the investigation.”

Recognizing my gaze, Carlix turned away with a cough.

Oh, you’re more loyal than I thought.

A smile came out of my mouth. Carlix looked at me and paused for a moment. He squinted and gave me a suspicious look.

“What’s wrong with you?”

In the novel, even if a female character smiles, the male lead will fall in love, but it doesn’t work for an extra.

At that time, an antique wagon stopped in front of us. The wagon has the same pattern engraved at the entrance to the library.

A young man in a silver robe got out. His long brown hair was tied together and he wore glasses. It was an intelligent and gentle appearance.

That’s a familiar description.

“Oh.”

That guy!