8-3 Part 1
The Strange Book Says to Beware of My
Brother
- Gold Thread and Silver Thread -
Translator : PolterGlast
I don't really understand these things, but once the
measurements were done, Dulin and Atomina started saying they
would embroider it with gold and silver threads. Apparently, that would give it
a bit more of a high-class feel, making it an outfit suitable for meeting the
Emperor.
"Then Dulin will make it! With magic thread, I
will repay Firefly-shan!"
"Alright,
let's do that. We'll definitely finish it before evening, so wait a bit, Ashley!"
I've read a story similar to this in a book from the other
world. The one where an unhappy girl bullied by her stepmother and sisters
wears a dress made by a witch's magic and weaves a love story with a prince at
a castle ball. But I can't recall the title.
"Understood. Use this."
There, I held out a 1000-Crown gold coin to Dulin.
It was a rather large, high-purity
one. That made the timid Dulin jump up again.
"I don't need this much! Th-This is a 1000-Crown
gold coin, you know?!"
"I might ask you for other jobs later, so this is an
advance payment including that. I'm counting on you."
Shoving the gold coin into the pocket of Dulin's
robe, I stepped away from the two of them. Aneue silently suspected
where I had obtained such a large sum, but her attention was eventually stolen away by the sewing work.
Also, it's a strange thing, but I suddenly began to feel
restless. Where and with what mindset should I spend my time until the meeting
this evening? It isn't wise to go outside the castle in this situation.
"By the way, I haven't seen Jii since this morning..."
"Ah, if it's Jii, he is attending to Father. He should come to call you when
preparations are complete."
What? Jii
has been with him since morning...? Is Father's condition that bad...?
"Ashley, this is about all I can do... So
please, Ashley, have a proper talk
with Father. Before that man is the Emperor, he is our father. Please, I beg of
you, do not forget that."
"Well, I'm not sure about that. I'm going to the
library. If anything happens, come to my room or there."
At times like this, the library is the place to go. Leaving
the uncomfortable White Dragon Palace, I decided to hide in my refuge
where civil officials and scholars gathered sporadically.
◇ ◆ ◇ ◆ ◇
Proceeding through the beautiful corridor integrated with
the garden, I calmed my mind before entering the Palace Library. Perhaps
because it was still morning, the only people there were a scholar I knew by
face and one book-loving noble scion.
I raised my hand lightly to acknowledge their gazes, then
hid myself in the back of the library. Ah, the Shovel? Of course, I'm
still carrying it.
"Sigh... This really has me beat..."
There was a reason I headed to the back. I thought I'd open
the Book of the Evil Dragon and have Zirant keep me company. When
I actually did so, the usual cynic was there.
『It is unlike your usual self. Are
you that afraid of your father? Even you have a cute side.』
"Heh, heheh... You always say whatever you want."
I felt relieved by Zirant's usual behavior, and my
heart felt a little lighter. I might be starting to depend on her. Zirant
believes in me, watches over me, and affirms me.
Depending on that is something I can't resist. Compliments
have the power to dominate people. I've come to think that often.
『Rest easy; it should not be a bad
conversation. This is an opportunity. Accept your role, Ashley.』
"You're being cryptic again today. I suppose so; if it
were bad news, he wouldn't go out of his way to say he wants to meet..."
『I shall comfort you later. So do
your best for now, Ashley. This "I", who loves you, will be
gentle with you.』
The words floating on the blank page possessed a mysterious
attraction. No, for us readers, written characters enter the heart deeper than
spoken words. Text holds a powerful magic.
"This is the first time I've seen a book with such
intense assumptions. Zirant, this time, I'm relying on you..."
『Wait. Someone is coming.』
I immediately closed the Book of the Evil Dragon and
put it in my pocket. Zirant's sensing ability is useful. It really has
bonus functions that can't be underestimated.
Standing in the back of a library like this without reading a book would be suspicious. I grabbed a handy volume and opened it to the preface. Shortly after, two large men circled around to the back, blocking my retreat, and from the front—a person I really didn't want to run into appeared.
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