History at the Library

Chapter 10

“That is true. Um, I’ll lend you the book you chose.”

“I would be grateful.”

Ray put down the book and said.

“Since there is medicinal water that is good for sleeping in the sitting room for servants, please have a sip. If you have a drink, the quality of your sleep will increase.”

It was said with politeness towards Vivian, who appeared to have just awoken from a nightmare.

How polite. Is he like that to everyone?

To be honest, it was the first time Vivian had seen a scholar approach a stranger and converse with them. Even then, she couldn’t help but feel that the interaction was formal and almost scripted. His generous actions appeared to only firmly construct a wall between them.

He said he was a commoner, but his aura screamed aristocrat.

It’s like an onion –  even after you peel back layers, you still have much to discover.

But she wanted to peel off more layers.

According to the data from the many people she had observed and analyzed, such people were better left alone since it was hard to predict what kind of beast laid underneath all those layers.

Indeed, I can’t. I shouldn’t.

Vivian reminded herself that she, herself, had gotten into one hell of a fix, and suppressed the impulse to bother him. That’s that, first, let’s handle my bloody nose. Vivian pressed the aromatic handkerchief to her nose and lowered her head.

“Hm?”

She couldn’t help but let out an exclamation of astonishment when she saw the cover of the book that Ray wished to borrow. It was a romance novel that had once drawn the popularity of numerous young aristocratic ladies.

It was also the novel that Vivian read every night as she dreamed of becoming the author of a romance novel. The novel was the textbook definition of romance.

“R.. romance?”

Oh my, how could it not befit its reader to this extent?

Though she knew it was impolite, Vivian couldn’t help glance at the book then at Ray then back at the book again. She couldn’t possibly understand his preference in books. He always picked books without consideration of genre or level of expertise.

“Yesterday, you borrowed <The History of Art and Sculpting>. Did you discuss the trend of Berouche’s method of Vollplastik in the Empire’s 439th year?” asked Vivian as she stamped the lending slip.

“The day before that the theological book <The Road to Salvation>, and then before that the partly religiously inclined <God is Dead and Gone>.”

Ray stared at Vivian who attempted to sound like it was no big deal. It was hard to read his expression due to the mask that covered his face. However, he snorted and laughed.

“How detailed.”

“My memory is rather exceptional.”

“Hmm.”

Ray smiled crookedly. He didn’t speak, but he seemed to be asking And it’s not because you’re interested in me?

Well, of course, I’m able to remember all those books because I am interested.

An innumerable number of people entered the library every day, so one had to be rather exceptional to remember all the books that had been lent out per person.

It was the reverse psychology of wanting to know more the more they hid. Ray’s desire to not be known made her observe and scrutinize him even more.

Vivian avoided his gaze out of guilt and pretended to be indifferent.

“If it is the scholar who researches the truth, it isn’t strange to prefer diverse and objective arguments.”

“It seems you find it strange I borrowed a romance novel.”

Though Vivian had predicted that he would beat around the bush and draw a line like usual, he generously continued the conversation.

Vivian’s face lit up and she nodded. That’s right, why would Sir scholar choose the novel that had the greatest impact on my life out of the many novels out there?

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“It is my first time reading a romance novel.”

“Was there something that served as momentum?” She asked with two eyes sparkling like a cat who found fish. Ray shrugged his shoulders lightly in response to her aggressive interview.

“The reason to read a book is always the same. In order for me to obtain knowledge and experience and project emotions indirectly.”

“Isn’t it usually due to curiosity towards the novel?”