Chapter 74

By evening, the work was finished, and I had managed to load the books onto a cart so they could be easily arranged on the shelves.

I tidied up the tools I had used and checked my wristwatch, which showed that it was almost time to finish work.

I took out my notebook and pen from my bag and squatted in front of the cart.

I should make a note of the books I want to borrow. If they haven’t been borrowed after being on the shelves for a while, I’ll take them.

With that thought, I traced the spines of the books with my fingers, checking the titles.

“This mystery in two volumes looks interesting... and the recipe book...”

Knock, knock, knock.

I looked up at the sound of the knock.

While closing my notebook and putting it back in my bag, I approached the door, and Noah’s short voice said, “It’s me.”

When I opened the door, Noah, still in his knight’s uniform, stood there, and his purple eyes softened when he saw me.

“Are you done?”

“Yes. Are you working after this?”

“A bit more. But I don’t think it will take long.”

The bell signaling the end of the workday rang. The library was already closed, but my supervisor had told me I could go home directly today without going there. He said he would check the meeting room and lock it when he was free later.

“Shall we go? Where is Mr. Mark going to meet us?”

“By the back gate.”

Noah, who nodded, offered his hand, so I took it after putting my bag on my shoulder. The warmth that came from his hand was endearing, and the pace he matched with mine was gentle, making my cheeks soften.

But I couldn’t just be happy all the time—

“...What about the princess?”

As I asked while walking down the corridor, Noah’s well-shaped eyebrows furrowed.

Just that alone made me understand what his answer would be.

“She’s still locked in her room. They can’t break in because they don’t know what she might do.”

“I see...”

“Prince Sieg said ‘a little more,’ but I think she still can’t do without her stomach medicine.”

I thought of Prince Sieg, who would rush over every time the princess did something. He probably didn’t get a moment’s rest.

Noah must have been the same. I really want him to take it easy after this is over. And if possible, I want to be by his side.

Noah opened the back door and looked around. His searching gaze was so serious that I couldn’t even speak.

“...No one’s here. You should go home as soon as Mr. Mark arrives.”

“Yes, I will. Can you go home too?”

“It’s less likely to be noticed if I stay at the station rather than returning to the barracks. I’ll stay at the station until the princess returns.”

“I hope you can go home soon.”

“Yeah. What about you, Alicia? What are you doing tomorrow?”

We walked from the back door to the back gate.

The sunset illuminated the stone pavement so brightly that it was almost blinding. The days had grown longer, and the signs of night were still far away.

The clouds in the sky were dyed golden, and I made a visor with my hand over my eyes.

“I was planning to go to work tomorrow... but it depends on what happens after this. If she doesn’t return, it might be difficult.”

“You might be better off taking a day off.”

“What about you, Noah?”

“If that happens, I’ll take a day off too. We can go somewhere.”

I felt a bit guilty about taking a casual day off, but I couldn’t immediately turn down such an appealing invitation. While lowering my hand from my visor, a sigh of frustration escaped me.

“Hmm... I’ll go.”

“I thought you would say that.”

“But if I have to take a day off tomorrow, I’ll do so. Otherwise, I’ll go to work.”

“I understand.”

Seeing Noah’s good mood, my heart also lifted.

Where should we go? It would be fun anywhere with Noah.

There was still no sign of Mr. Mark at the back gate.

But there was a figure—oh, that’s Mr. Johann.

“...You’re a civil servant from Anheim, right?”

“Yes. He often visited the library and became good friends with Lars...”

“So he’s not a troublemaker, then.”

Noah, who had been a bit wary, seemed to relax a little when he heard Lars’s name.

Mr. Johann smiled in relief when he noticed us.

“Alicia! You’re just the person I was looking for! The main gate is... hmm? You must be Einhardt! Our princess has caused you so much trouble...”

Mr. Johann bowed repeatedly.

Noah raised a hand to stop him and stepped forward protectively in front of me.

“This is the back gate. The main gate is on the opposite side. Why are you here?”

“I was trying to go to the main gate but got lost... I’m so embarrassed.”

“...Mr. Johann has a bit of trouble remembering directions.”

I hesitated to say he was directionally challenged, but Noah seemed to understand. It might also be because he’s good friends with Lars.

“If you go straight from here, you’ll reach the back of the library. If you go around the library, you’ll be closer to the main gate...”

“I’ll be fine if I can get to the library! I’ve caused you so much trouble, I don’t know how to apologize. But just a little more...”

Just a little more.

I had heard these words before... right, it was what Prince Sieg said to Noah. Something must be happening that we don’t know about.

“Thank you. Alicia, the library was so much fun! If possible, I would have stayed to read everything, but maybe another time.”

With that, Mr. Johann waved and walked down the path Noah had indicated. I was worried he might get lost, but he seemed to be doing okay.

“...What a strange person.”

“He seems to really love books. He even got along well with the librarian. But... Mr. Johann also said ‘just a little more.’ What’s going on?”

“Hmm. But—”

“Ainhardt!”

Noah’s words were cut off.

A voice tinged with urgency echoed in the quiet back gate. Looking over, I saw Lars running towards us.

He seemed to be in a hurry, but what had happened?

“Run!”

A disturbing word reached my ears.

From what, and why? Many questions raced through my mind, but Noah’s actions were swift and decisive.

Without hesitation, he picked me up in his arms and started running.

But—soldiers burst through the back gate, and we were quickly surrounded.

“Damn... we’re too late.”

On the other side of the crowd, Lars was panting.

The soldiers surrounding us were... soldiers from Anheim.

“Do you know this is the palace grounds and still cause such a disturbance?”

“Oh, what a scary voice. I thought we would meet again after so long, but to run away like that is terrible. And you, knight, to tell them to run is quite a bold statement.”

A chuckling voice echoed.

The soldiers parted to make a path, and Camilla, the princess, walked through, followed by a maid.