Did you really call this person here in that time?

“Excuse me, but who are you……”

Matthias asked with a puzzled expression. Although Matthias was not short, Cal was of a stature not easily seen.

As the massive man with a nasty impression stood his ground, Matthias seemed a bit intimidated. The man who already aroused protective instincts looked even more like a rabbit.

But even so, Matthias pulled me behind him as if to protect me.

Even knowing I was acquainted with him, he seemed to instinctively sense that Cal was a dangerous person. Cal’s eyebrows rose disapprovingly as he looked down at Matthias.

Watching the incomprehensible battle of nerves between the two men, I waved my hand between them.

“Sir Matthias, this person is the owner of this bookstore.”

“What? Ah!”

At my introduction, the wary expression on Matthias’ face immediately dissolved.

“I’ve never had the chance to meet you all this time. It’s a pleasure. We’re always receiving a lot of help from you.”

Cal stared down at the hand Matthias held out, then abruptly turned his head to me. I swallowed a hollow laugh.

‘Why are you acting so childish?’

“Why don’t you finish what you were saying? I’m also very interested in magic and fairies. They’re quite romantic beings, aren’t they?”

Cal spoke well of romance with a dry expression.

“Ah, fairies to humans……”

Matthias opened his mouth, looking embarrassed after being blatantly rejected for a handshake.

Before he could finish his sentence, I hastily grabbed his hand.

Startled, Matthias blinked and turned his head to me, his shoulders trembling. I had thoughtlessly grabbed his hand first to try to stop him from speaking, but I was so surprised that I felt embarrassed myself.

“It was nothing important.”

I didn’t want even the m in magic to reach the ears of Floria’s attendant.

Come to think of it, I had forgotten in the flurry of conversation, but this place was Cal’s territory. I inwardly rebuked my careless self, and Cal’s expression grew even colder.

“I’m asking what that nothing important is.”

Cal’s gaze was fixed on my hand holding Matthias’.

“Looks like you only offer that hand to me.”

“What?”

I realized Cal was referring to the day of the 1st prince’s victory banquet in the courtyard. We had argued for a long time when he told me to hold out my hand, saying he would give me a bracelet.

I wondered why he brought that up now, but I could feel Matthias beside me blushing and fidgeting. I turned my head to see him with his face bowed deeply, blushing profusely.

‘Is he really doing this just because I held his hand a bit?’

Is it because he’s a nobleman? Or is it because he’s such a timid man? It was both amazing and cute, so I kept looking at him.

“How long are you going to keep doing that?”

Cal tilted his head askew and spat out, sounding displeased. I don’t know why this person would be displeased, but I let go of Matthias’ hand for now.

“Sorry for suddenly grabbing you.”

“Oh, no, it’s fine.”

Matthias covered his mouth with the back of his hand, unable to raise his head. I was worried about how he would survive in this rough world, being so shy, even though I was a complete stranger to him.

“Hey.”

I turned my head at the low voice to see Cal frowning. He seemed angry that I wasn’t answering his question. I decided to keep pretending not to know until the end.

“We were just talking about books.”

Cal crossed his arms and looked down at me, holding his head high.

“If it’s about books, I know quite a bit as the owner of a bookstore.”

“If we get the chance next time, let’s have a deep conversation then. Right now, I don’t have time because I need to hurry and enter the palace.”

I pointed to my non-existent wristwatch.

Cal’s eyebrows rose crookedly. Regardless, I took Matthias and fled the bookstore as if running away. I could feel the gaze following me from beyond the glass window.

Only after getting far away from the bookstore could I let out a sigh of relief.

“Are you two close?”

Matthias asked cautiously after following me in silence.

“What?”

“You seemed to have an intimate atmosphere. I apologize if it was an uncomfortable question.”

No, how did that atmosphere look intimate? He was trying to devour me. I shook my head firmly.

“No. We just happened to meet a few times, that’s all.”

“Is that so?”

Matthias looked somehow pleased.

“Ah, about what we were talking about earlier.”

“Oh, yes.”

As the most important part interrupted by Cal’s sudden intrusion came to mind, I focused on Matthias’ words.

“There must be a related book. I’ll try to find it.”

“What? Really? Aren’t you busy?”

“Haven’t you helped me several times? It’s not a difficult task since I’m in the library all day.”

“If you can do that for me, I’d be truly grateful!”

What a stroke of luck. I felt overjoyed at the thought of not having to read all those damn 7,000 books.

I felt like hugging Matthias and jumping for joy, but it seemed like this man’s face would burst if I did that. Actions that were no big deal in the world I used to live in became a big deal in this world, so I had to be careful.

Instead, I gave him the brightest smile I could muster. Matthias, who had been blankly staring at me like that, smiled shyly.

I sighed upon hearing that Floria had called for me again today. For several days now, I hadn’t had a moment to rest, being summoned by her while cleaning not only the main palace but also the annex.

She must have intentionally sent a messenger only after I finished everything, not before I started cleaning. But as someone thoroughly beneath her, what could I even argue about? If she calls, I have to go.

I wondered what was left when we had already chosen the dress, picked out the jewelry, and decided how to proceed with the ceremony.

“Did you call for me, Princess Floria?”

“Come quickly, Unni.”

I followed Floria’s gesture and headed to the table where she was sitting. The table was strewn with messy stationery.

“I was in the middle of organizing the guest list for the wedding. I was also selecting gifts to give to the attendees. I tried my best to choose, but I’m afraid I’m a novice in this area, so I called you because I wanted your help, Unni. I hope I didn’t take up your time when you were busy?”

“Of course not, Princess. I’m always happy to help if it’s something I can do for you.”

Now the answers come out automatically. I inwardly shook my head and sat at the table.

She says she wants my help, but in the end, Floria will choose everything the way she wants. But if I’m half-hearted about it, I’ll look dislikable, so I had to show that I was doing my best.

As I was catering to Floria’s whims, mixing in appropriate praise and admiration, I hesitated upon seeing a familiar name on the guest list.

Isolde Blackbrick.

She was the princess of Etra, an ally of the Hilic Kingdom, and the character who marries Prince Cahirun in the original work. Come to think of it, Isolde’s first entry into the kingdom was because of Floria’s royal wedding.

I wanted to run away and retrieve my heart before Isolde appeared, but it seemed I was wrong.

“Phew−.”

As I let out a sigh without realizing it, Floria raised her head.

“Why the sigh? Do you have any worries?”

“Ah, that’s……”

Unable to tell the truth, I racked my brain and opened my mouth.

“It’s because of the Princess of Etra.”

“What about Her Highness the Princess of Etra?”

Floria’s eyebrows twitched.

“There are rampant rumors that His Highness the 1st Prince will marry the Princess of Etra. It’s a time when we should focus only on Your Highness’ royal wedding, but I think His Highness the 1st Prince is being too selfish. Well, his eccentric temperament is already famous.”

These past few days, I had been spreading gossip about the 1st Prince to gain Floria’s favor. Today, I naturally continued the conversation, and Floria’s lips curved.

“I don’t like the Princess of Etra attending the royal wedding either. Won’t it divert attention? Your Highness’ wedding should be focused solely on you.”

“But she’s the one who will soon marry His Highness the 1st Prince. It would be an honor for me if she attended.”

“Your Highness is too broad-minded. If it were me, I wouldn’t want anyone but myself to receive attention at my own wedding. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime wedding, so I should be the protagonist above anyone else.”

As I recited Floria’s inner thoughts from the original work, I could see her hiding her lips behind a teacup.

“By the way, has Your Highness ever seen His Highness the 1st Prince’s face?”

“No. He always wears a mask, so I’ve never seen it.”

“Rumor has it that he covers it with a mask because his face is so hideous. I pity the Princess of Etra, who will have to spend her life with such a person. In comparison, His Highness the 2nd Prince is so masculine and wonderful. Not only is he so wonderful, but he’s also kind, so I’m truly envious of Your Highness.”

As the days go by, the only thing that seems to grow is flattery. Well, what can’t I do to survive?

Floria, who had been silently listening to my words, put down her teacup and asked,

“Do you also want to get married, Unni?”

No. I want to answer immediately, but it would be strange to say no after saying I’m envious all this time.

“If there’s a good person like His Highness the 2nd Prince, I’d like to get married right away. These days, whenever I see the affectionate appearance of Your Highnesses, I feel that way even more.”

“Then shall I introduce you to a good person?”

“……What?”

A premonition that something was wrong ran down my spine. The memory of Floria and Shana mentioning my marriage in the courtyard suddenly came to mind. As if putting a period to the ominous premonition, I could see Shana smirking.