Chapter 97

The title has been cut off midway to prevent spoilers.

There is not enough information.

There is also not enough manpower.

One more move is not enough.

I keenly feel that until now, I have been helped by the people around me to make up for that missing move.

I also looked up various books at the royal library, but as expected, there is no easy-to-find floor plan of the castle. There were a few entries about the establishment of the country, but as expected, I did not gain any more information than what I had already heard.

What remains are the forbidden books and the special shelves that only the royal family can access in emergencies. However, these are items that are not to be taken out, and are only accessed in extraordinary circumstances.

If I were to say I want to see them, it would likely reach the ears of the librarians and the king. It would be a departure from the general education of a royal.

Historical examples include major disasters, the midst of a great war, or intense succession disputes, or when the direct royal family was wiped out by the Megil flu, leading to the establishment of a distant royal family and special ceremonies.

Incidentally, according to legend and mythology, the sacred beast of our country is a turtle.

That's why there were so many turtles in the pond in the garden. The green turtles swimming around are said to be sacred turtles.

They looked no different from the turtles at the festival stalls, though.

Chappy, as always, peered into the water and had his nose bitten. Then he came crying to me. In a sense, it has become a beautiful routine.

Perhaps something can be learned from mythology and legend.

The establishment of the Sandis Kingdom is said to have been the result of a battle between a sacred green turtle and an evil dragon. The land is often said to be made from the bodies of the dragon and the green turtle. According to the legends, the victory could have been a draw, or the dragon might have fled, mourning the fallen turtle, which led to the creation of the country.

The Sandis royal family is said to be able to handle barrier-specialized magic because they made a contract with the sacred turtle.

And in honor of that green turtle, the Sandis royal family has green eyes, which are the mark of the legitimate royal family. This is the Sandis Green, and the royal color.

As I became completely absorbed in reading, someone touched my shoulder.

"――!?"

"Oh, my apologies. There's no need to be so frightened... Princess Albertina. It's a pleasure to meet you in such a place. You look well."

"…Do I look well? It's rude to approach someone so suddenly."

Regardless of my circumstances, I am still the crown princess.

It is improper for someone of lower status to directly address someone of higher status—unless they are close acquaintances, which we are not.

At the very least, one should go through a lady-in-waiting or a page. It is common courtesy to announce oneself before approaching. Especially for a first meeting.

I glared at him with a hint of suspicion, but the unfamiliar middle-aged man was smiling in a way that seemed both lecherous and suspicious.

He appeared to be a noble, but his clothing taste was not good. The clothes seemed expensive, but the design was rather outdated.

"Forgive me, I am Owen von Maximilian.

My family, the Maximilian Dukes, is the head of the branch family of the Latitche Dukes, the royal family of Princess Albertina!

I came to offer my condolences for the recent misfortune of Lady Grail and to introduce myself!"

Maximilian? I believe this is the family Kistaria told me to avoid.

Despite being a branch family, he is trying to push forward despite my obvious dislike.

I cannot escape; my back is against a fixed window, and tall bookshelves tower on either side. In other words, I am in a dead end. The only escape route is where Duke Maximilian stands.

Duke Maximilian's robust voice resonates loudly, for better or worse.

Despite the noise in the library, no guards, maids, or even librarians have come. Moreover, this is supposed to be the general bookshelf area, yet there is no sign of other patrons.

I have been set up.

"Very well. Then I will take my leave."

"Come now! Don't say such things! I would like to introduce you to my proud son!"

Proud son... Is he praising him? Or belittling him?

I feel nothing but disgust at his overly excited face. If I had a fan, I would hide my face and turn away.

However, I have entrusted it to Anna... All I have is a handkerchief.

As a form of protest, I use the handkerchief to cover my mouth and avoid facing him directly. I can see the wrinkles forming between my eyebrows.

He seems to have no understanding of the basic etiquette of being quiet in a library. His manners as a noble are also terrible.

"I do not need it. Step back."

"...So you reject me. We will have a long relationship ahead."

Every time I take half a step back, he takes a step forward.

The chill that spreads across my back. I have no intention of getting along with this man, or his son.

Does this man have no concept of disrespect, the class system, or manners?

Behind Duke Maximilian stands a man in a black robe. At first, I thought he was a palace magician, but the embroidery on the hood framing his face is slightly different, though similar. The fabric is also quite thin and lacks the weightiness. It is likely of much lower quality. I have only used Sir Vania's as a reference...

The man in the magician-like attire is holding something. It is covered with a black cloth and is about the size of a large goldfish bowl or a birdcage. It seems large enough for a medium-sized bird.

However, it does not feel like something so harmless is inside.

The duke, with his sticky smile, takes it excitedly and brings it in front of me.

The thick black silk is suddenly removed.

I gasp.

Floating in a faintly pale yellow liquid is a human head.

The ash-brown hair, which moves slightly as if framing the white face, sways in the water. The intelligent eyebrows, the long lashes framing the eyes, the closed eyelids that hide the color of the eyes. But I know the color is a gem-like aqua blue. The straight nose, the tightly pressed lips. Rather than being difficult, the beauty is so striking that it evokes a sense of mystery and awe.

I recognized the face.

It is impossible to forget, the face of my dearest.

"...Father..."

Thank you for reading.