Princess Bibliophile

Volume 01; Act 04 – Part 01

Act 04: After Getting Off the Stage

I remained in a daze as His Highness kept his hands on my waist, and we walked down the familiar corridor, which lead to his office.

His Highness heard more about the situation at the river from Sir Glenn, who looked tired and gave him further instructions. We joined up with Prince Theodore and Lord Alexei, who was waiting for His Highness half-way to the office.

I finally realised now that these two weren’t present at the stage play. Did His Highness’s close aides all appear because they were worried that it would have looked like a really well-devised plot? In the books that my aunt made me read to her, the main characters were always on the stage.

…… No.

When did this stage begin and what kind of plot was prepared?

Wasn’t my role 『Princess Bibliophile』? Did I misread the script somewhere?

My head was turning in chaos.

Prince Theodore, who was returning a book to His Highness, took a quick look at me in concern, “――― Elli? Are you alright?”

His ultramarine eyes, which were deeper than His Highness’s, looked at me with sincerity.

“I’m sorry. I’m sure Chris told you, but I kept you away from the archives because of the dangers. The staff also kept you away because we were worried about you. They were all worried that you might have been offended by this. There’s nothing to be concerned about anymore, so you can use the archives like you used to.”

This is the same Prince Theodore, whom I know from when we would discuss books. Without knowing, I relaxed and sighed in relief.

“… Okay.”

Prince Theodore suddenly let out a small mischievously laughter.

“Even so… You’ve done it, Chris. I didn’t think you would use that situation to press your marriage forward.”

They must have seen the whole thing from somewhere. His Highness’s changed entirely from somewhat displeased, and he smiled vividly.

“The early bird gets the worm. My last barrier, Viscount Casull, has also been removed. With this, old man Bernstein won’t have anything to complain about.”

I looked up at His Highness curiously when he said my grandfather’s name. Prince Theodore smiled somewhat sadistically.

“I thought it was almost time for the finale, so you should thank me for calling Elli, Chris. ――― Well, personally, I wouldn’t have cared if the situation got worse.”

His Highness suddenly dishevelled as if he was scuffed.

“I’m sure I’ve told you many times to stop acting as if you’re in love with your nephew’s fiancée… How much younger do you think Elli is from you?”

“You lolicon,” I think I heard words that sounded like something His Highness wouldn’t say. I’m sure it was just my imagination.

“It’s common for there to be an age difference in marriages between nobles. Besides, I’m the one who gets along with her the best. But a certain someone always glares at me.”

“It’s because you’re overly familiar with her, Uncle! And, stop calling her in a friendly manner, Elli this and Elli that!”

… Where did His Highness, who had calmly exposed other’s crimes from a while ago, go?

I watched their exchange with my eyes sparkling, and a frosty voice containing displeasure spoke, “Please keep your banter at that. There’s a pile of new work to do thanks to the clean-up and Your Highness’s words.”

“Ah,” Sir Glenn hung his head down exhaustingly.

“Seriously… Give me a break. You can’t just wrap everything up suddenly no matter how much you’re being pestered about the deadline. We collected evidence in three days for a case that we’ve been secretly investigating for a month. Are you planning to work us to death? I’ll freaking resent you if my guards start wanting to change their post one after the other.”

“Geez,” Lord Alexei didn’t try to hide his irritation.

“Isn’t it about time to let the 『Brains of Southlynd』go back to their secluded life after we dragged them out onto the main stage for the first time in several generations? What the heck was the handsome Prince doing when he had four years?” This was the relentless Sir Alexei’s sarcasm. His Highness looked sullen.

“I didn’t want Elli as my partner just because she’s a Bernstein.”

“I know. Please confess your first love to her while you two are alone. It’s absurd, and I can’t stand listening to it.”

Lord Alexei flipped through the bundle of paper indifferently like usual. Then, a new member appeared with a bright voice, “――― Honestly, the handsome Prince is actually such a good-for-nothing. If she had known, Ireeeennne would have taken a different offence.”

It was Alan, the Royal Maestro with honey-coloured hair. He laughed mischievously.

He quickly took my hand as soon as he reached us and dropped his mouth on it. His cunning green eyes captured me.

“Let me introduce myself again, Miss Elianna Bernstein. I’m Alan Ferrera. I’m the one who spread your nickname as ‘Fairy Princess’. I’ll be happy if you treat me as close as Alex and the others from now on.”

Fairy Princess?

I blinked and denied in my mind. What kind of joke is this?

To tell the truth, I had another nickname when I was staying at the fief. It was… 『Ghost of the Library』.

My light blonde hair, which I had inherited from my late mother, was thin and spread out messily. It looks as if my hair faintly floats in the dim-darkness. Also, my skin paler than white because I only read books in a room, and I’m expressionless because I prefer books over people.

Those features of mine further enhanced the image of a ghost.

Children at the fief also used me to test their courage, and whenever I stayed in the study at night when the weather wasn’t good, a new maid would see me, shriek and run away, “I-it appeared ―――.”

… How long was I treated as a ghost? 『Princess Bibliophile』is much better when compared to that inhuman treatment. No, that title might be equal to honour for someone of the Bernstein House.

Therefore book-worm becomes 『Princess Bibliophile』.

When I denied the Fairy Princess nickname in my mind, His Highness Christopher quickly tore Alan’s hand off mine.

“Why didn’t you stop the situation before it turned out like that? Even if the result was good, it would be hard for you to act now that you’ve revealed yourself.”

“Eh?” Lord Alan countered, unabashed.

“Your Highness, you were the one who wanted to call the Viscount and settle things. It didn’t seem like she would break out of her delusions if she weren’t treated in the same way as the Viscount. It was frustrating because we couldn’t create a decisive setting because Your Highness kept Miss Elianna away from the royal palace. It was meant to be.” It sounded as if he was teasing His Highness as he spoke in a straightforward and bright voice.

“Isn’t it the right time to tell people my real identity? The Queen, the women around her and the smart ladies had already found out my real identity a long time ago. More like, whenever I’m around, His Highness gets overprotective and doting…” Lord Alan was roughly silenced. I just fluttered my eyes at His Highness who had done that.

“Excuse me…” Still, I remembered the words that had bothered me and apologised to Lord Alan. I should thank him if he is a trusted aide of His Highness, and keeps an eye on me behind the scenes.

“I’m very sorry for never noticing you up until now. I will be careful in the future. Lord Royal Maestro.”

“…… It’s Alan.”

“So you really didn’t notice me once in these four years, even though you’re supposed to be a woman who evenly matches His Highness… Hahaha,” Lord Alan looked blank as if he had lost some confidence.

I felt awful. I’m not good in high society because I’m bad at remembering people’s faces.

If it is a book, then I can remember it no matter how diverse it is.

Lord Alan looked offended when His Highness scoffed. He half-closed his eyes as if he was at ease.

“Well, unlike some Prince, I wouldn’t ask for her aunt’s help to keep her away from the royal palace and cause misunderstandings that made her want to give up on her love. ――― Well, whatever? When Miss Elianna threw the book you gave her, back at you…, An insignificant someone… looked as white as ash.”

In front of His Highness, who had stiffened, “Oh?” Prince Theodore interrupted amusingly.

“A Bernstein threw a book? That’s like… the sun rising in the west,” Sir Glenn said in a disheartened tone.

“Hey… Give me a break. That was the motive for something descending, or something.” His personality seeped out. This time, Sir Glenn’s eyes became teary, and he stared blankly off into the distance. Was he made to work very hard on this incident?

I, who had learnt consideration and sympathy, reflected. I finally understood now that I had behaved immaturely at that time.

In the end, they were all just my misunderstandings and assumptions. I can’t blame Miss Irene for this either.

Then, “――― Elli,” a voice called from behind me, and I turned around. Brother was the one who was walking quickly towards us, and yet I was being influenced by him.

Without knowing, my tension started unravelling when I saw my family’s face.

“Brother.”

He looked at me when he came closer, and his grey eyes, which were the same as father’s, looked at me questioningly, “I heard there was a commotion… Are you alright?”

He gently brushed my fringe aside in worry. He hasn’t changed since we were little. I loosened up while he was checking my condition.

“Yes.”

Miss Irene had complicated expectations, but if things went the way she wanted, then I would have caused a great deal of trouble to brother and father.

This isn’t a play, it’s reality. I was finally able to realise this when I felt the warmth from brother’s hand.

“Well… I don’t think anything would have happened to you since Prince Christopher was there,” he said as he looked up at His Highness, who had approached us. His Highness regained his sparkling smile.

“Tell old man Bernstein and the Marquis that all the conditions have been met… I would appreciate it if they can close their eyes to the fact that the deadline has passed.”

Brother nodded with an ironic smile. “I’ll tell them, but…” he said. However, his tone changed, “If you make my sister look like that again, I won’t let you mobilise the Bernstein’s brains.”

His Highness’s face twitched a little. “――― I know,” the voice he replied with was also a little stiff.

Lord Alexei interfered with a sigh. He gave some papers to brother, “Now then… about the holiday that you applied for, the Prime Minister will collapse from being overworked in three days if you’re not here, Fred. The finance office is the same. Without Marquis Bernstein, the office would undoubtedly become chaotic, and that would interfere with the recovered treasury again. ――― So, I’ve borrowed His Highness’s authority and turned down both your applications.”

“Well… I thought that would happen,” brother sounded as if he’d given up. I knew that Lord Alexei and brother are both civil officials and that they were on friendly terms.

Brother examined the papers and dropped his shoulders. He probably was the same as father and wanted to snatch a holiday so that he could spend all his time reading. I was the only one who had gained this privilege, and I felt terrible.

Lord Alexei’s icy-blue eyes became sharp as if he’d seen through brother’s motive. “People of the Bernstein House,” he began, and brother interrupted him in a panic.

“Oh, uhh… Your Highness and Elli too. Your Majesty and the Prime Minister has summoned you both. They want you to report the details of this incident.”

This time, His Highness pulled me while flustered.

“Please tell them to give me a little more time since this is urgent. It’s a serious matter related to the survival of the royal family. ――― Uncle and Alex, explain the situation to them first,” he informed them quickly. He kept his hands on my shoulders, and we left as if he was running away.

His close aides looked at us in shock. A question mark floated in my mind again.

A serious matter related to the survival of the royal family…?