Chapter 6

It had been a week since Dianne moved into Oakhall. There was nothing to complain about in her daily life. The meals were consistently delicious, and the maids didn’t even allow her to pick a stray hair off her dress by herself. Whenever she pleased, she could enjoy fragrant teas and delicately beautiful desserts in her private parlor.

It was the kind of life every lady dreamed of, and yet, Dianne could not bring herself to enjoy it.

“Has Her Highness not come out again today?”

Cora, one of the palace maids, bowed her head. Dianne forced herself to relax the deep furrow in her brow, though it trembled slightly with frustration. Everything was perfect, except for the fact that the princess had not shown even the tip of her nose for an entire week.

The day after she’d settled in, Dianne had prepared herself carefully, dressing with deliberate elegance. Countess Ornin gave her exactly two instructions.

1. After breakfast and until before dinner, teach Her Highness the Arathos language and etiquette in the princess’ study.

2. Do not offend the princess’ mood.

The first point seemed perfectly reasonable, and the lack of detailed direction was especially welcome. They were essentially recognizing her qualifications to plan and conduct the lessons on her own. But seven days had passed, and the princess had yet to appear. Even when Dianne asked the maids, all she got were apologetic looks and no answers about their mistress’s whereabouts.

Dianne felt foolish for spending the past week so on edge over point number two. “Do not offend the princess’s mood.” Clearly, the princess had no intention of attending lessons at all.

‘I can’t just keep mooching off the palace while I sit around and wait for nothing.’

The emperor had ordered Dianne to teach the princess. Even without specific instructions, an imperial order was still absolute. Surely, the emperor had known his sister might refuse the lessons. Which meant Dianne wasn’t meant to passively wait for things to fall into place. She was expected to make it happen herself.

“Sir Reussen.”

Suppressing the irritation that was steadily rising inside her, Dianne called out to the knight stationed near the study door.

Sir Marek Reussen had followed her everywhere over the past week. Which meant that, every day, from morning until evening, while Dianne sat alone in the study awaiting the princess, he’d been there with her. His presence, which had been awkward at first, now felt entirely familiar.

“Do you need something, Miss Ortenza?”

“You’ve met the Princess, haven’t you?”

Sir Reussen didn’t answer right away. Instead, he fixed his gaze on Dianne, studying her as though trying to read her intentions. Just as she was about to snap in frustration, he finally replied.

“Of course. I was originally assigned as Her Highness’ personal guard. I’ve served at her side since her debut.”

That was… not the answer Dianne had expected. Why would someone who had been the princess’s own guard be following around a mere governess now?

Noticing her confusion, Sir Reussen added an explanation.

“His Majesty has placed great hopes in you, Miss Ortenza.”

“…I beg your pardon?”

“He said, if I remained at your side, then perhaps, sooner or later, I’d end up protecting the Princess again.”

“Sooner or later…? Perhaps…? Wait. Are you telling me the Princess doesn’t have a bodyguard right now?”

“That’s correct. Her Highness has refused both attendants and guards.”

“Then— then who even knows where she is?”

“In most cases, no one does.”

Whatever scraps of composure Dianne had left completely vanished. She stared at him, open-mouthed, all manners forgotten.

Sir Reussen gave a solemn nod.

“It is, without question, a serious problem.”

“You mean to say, His Majesty is just… letting this happen?”

After a long pause, Sir Reussen offered a vague, careful answer.

“It’s a situation where there is little else His Majesty can do.”

“What does that even—”

“I’m sorry. I cannot presume to speak on His Majesty’s thoughts.”

From the regretful look on his face, it was clear he already regretted saying as much as he had. Dianne decided not to push further. Instead, she rose sharply from her seat.

“Well, it’s obvious she’s not coming to the study again today. That means I’ll have to go find her myself.”

“Where will you go?”

“I’m going to need your help, Sir Reussen. Where does Her Highness usually like to spend her time?”

He paused to think.

“She especially liked the hunting grounds.”

“…The hunting grounds? The Princess? You know what, never mind. You don’t need to explain. Anywhere else?”

“She was also fond of the library. His Majesty had it built as a gift to celebrate her debut.”

“Then let’s start with the library. The hunting grounds are too far to reach immediately anyway.”

Without complaint, Sir Reussen began to lead the way.

* * *

The library at Oakhall Palace was smaller than the one at House Ervinzel, but no less lavish.

The air was thick with the scent of parchment and ink. Even the dust dancing in the sunlight looked romantic. You could feel the Emperor’s affection in every corner of the place. He had commissioned this entire building for one person, and filled its shelves from floor to ceiling for his sister.

Even in her irritated state, Dianne couldn’t hide her admiration. To own a private library like this had been her lifelong dream, and one she knew, in this life, would never come true.

“This is an incredible library. With a collection like this, surely someone must be maintaining it?”

“Yes. There’s a resident librarian. If you’re looking for something specific, they’ll find it for you.”

“Am I allowed to use it?”

“Of course. His Majesty ordered that you be given every convenience.”

Dianne couldn’t suppress her excitement. For a moment, she forgot all about the princess and why she had come here in the first place.

Watching her glance around the room like an eager child, Sir Reussen spoke with a faint smile.

“I’ll wait outside. Take your time. Come out whenever you’re ready to return to the main building.”

Dianne immediately made her way toward the bookshelves.

They were organized by some system she couldn’t quite decipher. It clearly was not by any standard library classification. Since the library had been built for the princess, it was likely arranged according to her preferences and tastes.

‘She prefers fiction over academic books.’

Dianne mused as she skimmed the titles within arm’s reach. It appeared the princess was fond of novels, especially tales of chivalry and romance. Even Dianne, who wasn’t particularly interested in fiction, recognized several titles.

<Romeo and Juliet>

<Tristan and Iseult>

<King Arthur and His Knights of the Round Table>