The Library's Second Imperial Princess (2)
"Ian Sterling, Your Highness the Second Imperial Princess. It's an honor to meet you."
To my greeting, Chloe gave a light smile and carefully pulled out the red leather-bound volume from the shelf that I'd been reaching for.
"Men of the Empire usually have no interest in this sort of novel. How unusual."
Chloe looked up at me, her slender fingers gently stroking the corner of the book spine.
The book in her hand was The Phantom of the Opera.
"A hideous genius hiding in the dark underground, obsessed with a beautiful opera singer, harming countless people and eventually kidnapping her... It's quite stimulating. And the scene where the massive chandelier hanging from the ceiling crashes onto the stage—rather romantic, wouldn't you say?"
Chloe continued in her soft, lilting voice.
"But the Empire's knights tend to prefer heroic tales over such gloomy novels. You're quite the outlier, Your Highness. Do you enjoy novels?"
"Yes, I love them."
"Really? What's your favorite, then?"
I pondered for a moment.
The novels in this world were adaptations of Earth's masterpieces, tweaked to fit the tastes of this romance fantasy setting.
They had everything I knew, but the details might differ slightly.
After a brief think, I quietly opened my mouth.
"The Old Man and the Sea is my favorite."
"Oh? Excellent taste. May I ask why you like it so much?"
"Hmm... There are several reasons, but first off, it's set near my hometown."
"Come to think of it, Your Highness is from the southern Sterling Kingdom, isn't he? Famous for its fishing industry."
"I'm not sure about famous, but fishing is our main trade. From anywhere in the kingdom, you can see the sea by horse in two days if you want."
"I see... But I doubt that's your biggest reason for loving The Old Man and the Sea."
"It might be too obvious and disappoint you, but I love the narrative of a man who refuses to be defeated, even if he breaks. The old man triumphs over the giant fish, and though he can't bring his trophy home intact, that struggle exemplifies human greatness."
"A fine answer."
The princess smiled brightly, then lobbed a terrifying question with that same cheerful expression.
"So, speaking as one of Sterling Kingdom's blue-blooded, crushed under the Empire's heel—does that mean you secretly wished to stand tall and die rather than kneel to the Empire?"
"……!"
Her cool purple eyes scanned my face relentlessly. Beneath her perfectly crafted smile of a gentle girl flickered a piercing violet gaze that seemed to probe the depths of a person's soul.
"……"
"I want an honest answer, Your Highness. You've probably experienced it already, but the Empire admires the brave and proud... We despise those who spew lies to escape the crisis at hand."
What should I say here?
After a very brief hesitation, I just spoke my mind honestly.
"As one individual of Sterling Kingdom, I wanted to fight."
"But no battle even took place."
"Yes. If I'd stepped forward demanding to fight and led the vanguard, I'd have been cleaved in two by the First Imperial Princess's sword."
At the mere mention of the First Princess, a faint crack appeared in the Second Princess's perfect smile—then vanished just as quickly.
"But even so, I couldn't tell everyone following our royal family to fight to the end against an unwinnable foe. Not everyone would agree. If more people wanted to bow and live rather than stand and die, I had to respect that."
"Even as royalty?"
"Especially as royalty."
"Hmm..."
"And if my staying here can save three million lives, what struggle could be more valiant? I chose to come here myself."
Chloe stared at me intently for a moment.
Her expression had been blank as she watched me, but soon a faint blush rose on her pale cheeks.
"......You're truly fascinating."
Chloe laughed, genuinely delighted.
"Our Prince Ian is a man of true valor."
"Thank you for the praise."
"Then... shall we return to novels? Have you read Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde?"
"...I know the gist, but I've never read it properly."
It was sincere. Surprisingly, I hadn't.
"That's unexpected for a novel lover. It's quite famous."
"No translation made it to Sterling."
"Oh, lucky you."
"Why lucky?"
"Now I have a book to recommend to you, Your Highness."
Chloe pulled a black leather-bound volume from the shelf and tucked it into my arms.
The cover bore the silver-embossed title Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde.
As I took it, her cool fingertips lightly brushed the back of my hand.
"Could you read this by next week at this time? I'll come to the library. I want to hear your honest thoughts."
"Of course."
"Wonderful. The palace has no one to share these stories with properly—I've always felt so lonely. I'm thrilled to have a good friend now."
Chloe lightly gathered her skirt in a curtsy, flashed a pretty eye-smile, and quietly turned away, vanishing behind the shelves.
In the spot where she'd disappeared lingered only a faint, sweet yet chilling lily scent.
After Chloe left, I went to the library checkout desk and borrowed the book she'd given me along with a few slim history tomes.
The librarian checked my identity, eyes widening in surprise, but stamped the loans without a word.
Tucking the books under my arm, I headed to the central cafe where Amber was waiting.
"……"
In the corner of the cafe, I spotted familiar sandy hair.
Amber was slumped over the table, fast asleep.
I ordered a coffee, sat down across from her, and sipped it while skimming Empire history.
Amber woke only after I'd finished one cup, ordered another, and drunk more than half.
"Mmm... Huh?!"
She jolted awake, head snapping up.
After dazedly looking around, she hurriedly wiped her mouth with her gloved hand and shot to her feet.
Her eyes were still half-closed.
"Ah, sorry! I just closed my eyes for a moment...... Did you finish with the books?"
"You looked tired, so I didn't wake you. Let's head back."
"I'm sorry, Your Highness. I was so rude..."
"No, no. Thanks to you, I got coffee and reading time. It's fine to sleep when you're tired."
We walked side by side down the library corridor.
"By the way, it was true that imperial family members come here. I ran into the Second Imperial Princess while picking books and ended up talking for a while."
"......Pardon?"
Amber's steps halted abruptly.
"Who did you say you met inside the library?"
"Second Imperial Princess Chloe."
At my calm reply, Amber's jaw dropped.
"Ah, this is the book she recommended."
I tapped Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde tucked under my arm.
"She loves books. We hit it off talking about them—she's quiet, polite, and seemed like a good person."
Amber's eyes began to tremble at my words. She stepped closer, breathing raggedly.
"Y-you're saying you only talked about that?"
"Yes."
"The Second Imperial Princess... recommended a book to you, Your Highness."
"We even promised to discuss novels more next week, but is there a problem?"
Amber's mouth flapped open, trying to speak, then clamped shut.
"......No. No. Just, uh... yeah... well..."
She was trying to play it off like nothing was wrong, but her voice trembled faintly.
True to her soldier's nature, she wasn't good at lying—I could tell she was hiding something, but I didn't call her out.
"I see. Then, will you come with me to the library next week too?"
"......Yes. I'll wait at the cafe next time as well."