Chapter 1 - Volume 01; Act 01 – Part 01 (2/2)

But, even though I am 『Princess Bibliophile』, I knew that Prince Christopher’s proposal was bizarre.

For a moment, I had an absurd thought, had I been chosen to read to him?

While my head was down, His Highness mentioned the faction problems, the power dispute and the advantages of the Bernstein House. He spoke of his request as if he was making a deal.

――― Tell the truth.

My mother, the Queen, and the others around me would be annoying if I don’t quickly find a fiancée.

“How about it, Miss Elianna? As long as you’re around the age to make your social debut, you cannot escape from your duties as a noble. Don’t you want to spend your life reading books by my side instead of a future where you have to marry into some house, manage their household and attend social events between ladies?”

“… Hah.”

It was easier to imagine the hardships I would face as the fiancée of the Crown Prince than those I would face as some noble’s wife.

By the way ―――.

My reactions towards our handsome Crown Prince might have been disrespectful. People of the Bernstein family were equally uninterested in things other than what we love (books), so this is how I usually interact with people.

Prince Christopher had a smile on his face.

“If you become my fiancée, you can refuse invitations to tea parties and balls that are intended for people who are looking for partners. That way, you’ll have more time to read… Well, you will only have to accompany me to official events and events sponsored by the royal family.”

In any case, a weak and puny noble can’t refuse an offer made by a member of the royal family. Even I, who is ignorant of the world, knew that the Prince’s offer was extraordinary.

In other words, His Highness had offered me a deal without any romantic feelings involved.

… It is full of hardships. I was depressed by the impending troubles that were headed my way, and about how my reading time will probably be snatched away. His Highness smiled and whispered like the devil, “And if you have the title as my fiancée, you can freely read and borrow books… from the royal palace archive.”

――― The blood of the Bernstein House was made of ink.

Yes, if his whisper is real then I, as a daughter of this house, cannot help but jump at the offer.

The royal palace archive, as the name suggests, is a sacred place for book lovers. Unlike the royal library, which was opened to the public, is it the royal family’s cherished book collection and only a limited number of people in the royal palace have access to it.

My father and brother actually want to be surrounded by books day and night while acting as the head librarians in our fief, but they reluctantly come to work at the royal palace because of this archive.

The rare, treasured books in the royal family’s possession made me jealous of my father and brother whenever they talk about them.

I can see them first hand, touch them and experience unknown worlds. Is there anything more blissful than this for book lovers?

I smiled with joy, and my eyes were twinkling, and Prince Christopher responded with a dazzling smile.

“Then, the engagement has been established. I am free from the hassle of finding a fiancée, and you are free from the shackles of a noble lady. As… as compensation for you agreeing to be my fiancée, I will protect your free time. I promise.”

At that time, my heart throbbed just like when I touch books I’ve never seen before.

As Prince Christopher had stated, after announcing me as his fiancée, he let me read freely without abusing his position.

At first, I had been sceptical about whether this would be possible. Since in the beginning, the Queen and her followers would continuously invite me to tea parties, the ladies in waiting would barrage me with questions, and high-ranking nobles expected a lot from me. However, His Highness and close aides tactfully settled everything for me.

For four years since then, I rarely appeared in front of others and spent my life well as a Crown Prince’s fiancée, only in name.

And then finally, I think I have also come to understand Prince Christopher’s true intentions. They even collide with the recent whispers recently.

――― The rumours seem to be accurate and the reason why His Highness won’t hold his wedding ceremony with 『Princess Bibliophile』, even though she’s an adult now, is because she’s only his fiancée in name. Now that the power struggles have settled down, His Highness can finally receive the Princess who he actually loves. ―――