A cool plan ran through my mind. It felt like preparing a presentation for a training program in front of a superior.
Depending on the era and region, the royal palace has typically served more than just as the residence of the royal family. It has also been a place for hosting foreign dignitaries and conducting diplomatic affairs, as well as a venue for teaching the aristocracy and citizens about culture. From now on, following the spirit of the previous work, I will utilize the library…
However, my heart was just excited.
A library! A proper library with a real librarian!
They must have arranged the books not just in order of titles, but in a more fundamental, organized way than those disorganized libraries where books are tossed around haphazardly for convenience!
The library was on the second floor, tucked in a corner. From the outside, it looked like it extended up to the third floor. Was I really about to see a grand library, with spiral stairs like those you'd find in a high-end café or hotel?
With my heart pounding, I opened the door to the library—
"..."
I gasped in admiration for a second.
The view inside the library was truly beautiful.
In the center of the room, amidst rows of bookshelves that rose to the third floor like castle walls, a pristine white wooden staircase climbed up to the ceiling, just like the beautiful libraries you see in your dreams.
The large windows facing the open space between the shelves and the sunlight streaming through were even more stunning.
…But then, I realized the problem.
As soon as I noticed the large windows, an expletive almost slipped out of my mouth.
'Who on earth let sunlight into the library?!'
Windows are fine, but isn't it common sense that books shouldn't be exposed to direct sunlight?
Do they want to see the red ink fade and only blue remain on the pages? In this age, it's impossible to promote this through social media, so why is this all about display?!
I noticed that there was also indirect lighting between the bookshelves. So those windows were just for "decoration" to make the place look pretty.
The soul of the librarian guided my steps toward the curtains.
The curtains, which were probably about 4 meters long and thick, weren't easy to move. It felt like swinging a mattress to try and pull them open.
'Ah, I was feeling better from the smell of the books…'
After finally covering one window and glancing at the books I'd managed to save, I tried to gather some energy and turned back.
At that moment, a woman standing in front of the opposite curtain caught my eye. She looked to be in her mid-thirties. Her eyes widened, probably because she was surprised by my sudden curtain-pulling action.
Ah, my apologies. I thought the books might get ruined.
…I was going to say that, but…
"Ah, excuse me…"
Before I could finish the sentence, my body started to weaken and I began to tilt. Wait, low blood sugar? Anemia?
Then the woman who came rushing toward me… she was definitely someone I had seen before.
"Hey, is anyone here?"
***
After collapsing in someone's arms, I soon opened my eyes. I had to get up, even if it was forced.
Because I remembered who the last person I had seen was!
"Crown Princess!"
That weary look, like a 10-year civil servant (it's true), was definitely the Crown Princess I had seen on the day of the hunting competition!
However, as soon as the Crown Princess pushed my shoulder, my body leaned back onto the long chair in the library.
"Calm down. If you force yourself to get up and then collapse again, it won't be worth my help."
"Ah… I'm sorry."
"You're Miss Redfield, right? Tristan had an official schedule today, so if you came to meet your fiancé, unfortunately, you'll be disappointed."
Absolutely not! I'm not disappointed at all; in fact, it's a relief!
Just before I raised my voice, a maid handed me a glass of strongly brewed lemonade. I pressed my lips to the cool, tangy drink.
Ah, the taste made my blood sugar rise. Soon another maid handed me a mint candy, but before I could eat it, my mind cleared up.
"Ha… Thank you. And I came here for the charity concert practice. I just finished practicing."
"Oh, that event. Percival's in charge, right? Is everything going smoothly?"
It's a disaster!
…I wanted to say that, but my professional self suppressed it. She was just making small talk. I'd look strange if I suddenly snapped!
"The ladies are working hard. It's not easy, but I'm so impressed with their efforts."
"Percival chose some difficult songs this year. Don't push yourselves too hard. Your health is more important than the success of the performance. Was it the sunlight earlier that made you feel dizzy?"
"Huh?"
"I noticed you were trying to cover the windows quickly. If you were feeling dizzy, sitting in the shade would've been better."
"That's…"
At her words, I simply nodded. Let's stick to small talk.
…Or so I thought, until the librarian's spirit suddenly smacked me upside the head.
Yes, the sunlight made me dizzy! I was furious about who decided to put it there!
"Strong sunlight causes irreversible damage to the books! The bookshelves and spines get stained and faded, and the beautiful colored covers have the red ink disappear first!"
"Uhh, huh?"
"The library isn't just for collecting books for the public. It also serves as a historical archive for the palace, right? I couldn't stand to watch the books getting damaged when they might never be available anywhere else! I don't know how long the curtains have been open, but judging from the lack of visitors…"
"…Hmm. I guess it was probably because of me."
"Excuse me?"
"I had some business in the library, and a maid pulled the curtains for me to make it more comfortable. Looks like the manager wasn't around. I'll make sure to be more careful next time."
"Ah, no, that's not…"
I thought she might be mocking me, but there was no sign of that.
When I looked up, the Crown Princess's eyes, instead of being angry, seemed to have a slightly amused smile.
"That's interesting. I heard you were a quiet lady who loves books, but it seems you can raise your voice to protect what you love."
"I'm embarrassed… The royal family's property is for everyone. I couldn't bear to see it being destroyed out of ignorance."
Now it was my turn to ask.
"What kind of books are you looking for in the library, Your Highness?"
"There's a proposal from the central women's association for an event in collaboration with branches. The idea seemed good, so I accepted it, but when I saw the plan, I realized it wasn't something that could just be nodded at."
"Ah. Do you need materials for reviewing and improving the event?"
"Exactly. It's my first time handling such an event, and it's not easy. You don't need to feel burdened by this just yet, right?"
The Crown Princess looked at my expression and ended her sentence with a question. That's right. Right now, I'm not feeling the burden of my future work, but other emotions instead!
"Your Highness, would you like me to help you find the appropriate materials?"
"How… do you know how?"
"I don't have experience with events, but I do have some insight into preparing materials. I'd recommend preparing records of similar events from the past 10 years and religious and humanistic resources that could be useful for increasing persuasiveness when creating the budget."
"Hmm…?"
"However, since this is my first time at the royal library, if you could give me a little time to explore, I would appreciate it."
The Crown Princess tilted her head. Of course, she wouldn't believe me immediately. I just collapsed and then suddenly offered to repay the favor; she must have thought I was crazy!
But she didn't immediately doubt me.
"There's no reason to turn down the help of someone who loves books when a maid is needed. So, would you lend me a hand?"
"Yes, of course!"
This is the librarian's area of expertise. Helping with research materials that are filtered and organized in a system by the expert in a particular field.
It's called reference service.
Of course, I won't neglect my own work either.
"By the way, you must have a reason for being here as well. Do you have the time to help me?"
"I also have something I'd like to ask Your Highness about. I would appreciate it if you could spare a little time afterward."
When communication with a middle manager breaks down, what should you do?
You speak with the higher-up.
***
"Why do women keep fainting all the time?"
Percival, who showed up late to the meeting, threw out an absurd comment. Tristan frowned as he glanced at the brandy in his hand.
"Did you come here after watching someone faint, brother?"
"That would have been fun, but all I saw was maids rushing to get peppermint candies at the hub."
"If it was just candy, then it doesn't seem like anything serious."
That's nothing to worry about. It's not uncommon for young women visiting the palace to collapse due to the pressure of tight corsets and stress.
Tristan deliberately made a harsh sound to change the mood of the meeting, then unfolded the documents. But Percival, sipping his brandy, kept talking nonsense.
"Probably the ladies practicing for the concert fainted after straining their stomachs. Right, Redfield? Please tell me your cute fiancée didn't faint…"
"Who's cute and lovely? She's not that much!"
"…Did I say that?"
"Anyway, let's get back to the meeting."
Tristan picked up the meeting materials. The report on the training ground renovations almost made his face flush with embarrassment.
Calm down. Let's think of something less revolting. Something less revolting… taste. Taste, huh…
"And my fiancée won't faint. She's a very healthy woman who eats well."