For Romantic Superpowers - Chapter 12- Library Labyrinth (2)
#12. Library Labyrinth (2)
Turning around, Lia found First Prince Alfonse standing there, boasting his still glamorous golden hair. Surprised by his unexpected presence, Lia felt as though time had momentarily stopped, rendering her unable to move from her spot. As soon as she regained her composure, she politely greeted him after putting down the book she had been holding.
“Nice to meet you, Prince Alfonse.”
“Lady Penelope seems to have quite an interest in the library.”
“I came here hoping to find some hints on cultivating the Miracle of the Desert.”
Lia honestly answered Alfonse’s inquiry. Alfonse made a sound of acknowledgment and then picked up the book Lia had just put down.
“Is this your first time gardening?”
“Oh, I’m just browsing to see what’s available…”
Alfonse’s tone sounded as if he was questioning Lia’s knowledge about plant cultivation. Lia felt the urge to justify herself desperately, finding her response too much like an excuse. However, Alfonse didn’t seem to mind.
“Well, basics are important.”
His comforting words puzzled Lia instead. With her head bowed, she raised one eyebrow. It was an unexpected remark from Alfonse. However, Lia politely responded, as etiquette demanded.
“Thank you for your understanding.”
“So, is the Miracle of the Desert plant thriving?”
“It’s only been two days, so it’s too early to say, but it seems to be doing well.”
“I feel sorry for it, not being able to grow…”
Alfonse seemed genuinely concerned about the Miracle of the Desert, almost as if a family member were ill. To an unsuspecting observer, it might have seemed genuine, but Lia quickly sensed that Alfonse’s concern wasn’t genuine. Lia’s mother and her two brothers often acted similarly in front of her. While everyone else thought it was genuine, Lia quickly deduced from a few clues that they were acting.
“I’ll do my best to ensure its health and growth.”
But she didn’t voice it. Participating in the act, Lia lowered her eyebrows to convey genuine sympathy. Alfonse seemed to like that expression, as he softly smiled. It was a smile mixed with pity and tenderness, a smile that could easily captivate any woman. However, Lia believed Alfonse’s smile was calculated. He knew how he looked and what expression would make others fall for him, especially considering Lia’s second brother had a similar tendency.
“You seem trustworthy.”
Even in the library controlled by a space manipulator, there were windows. A ray of sunlight came through the small window gap, illuminating Alfonse’s face perfectly. Bathed in sunlight, the handsome prince looked like a perfect picture. So, Lia thought. Ah… this person is standing at a precisely calculated angle.
“By the way, what brings the first prince here?”
“Just call me Alfonse.”
Stealthily, even the title of “prince” disappeared. Only in cases of very close relationships was it permissible to address a prince by name, and that too only in private settings when alone together. But to request to be addressed by that title… It was an implication that he wanted to be that way with Lia.
“It seems you’re interested in plants too, Your Highness?”
And Lia subtly ignored that request. She turned her head towards the book, feeling the weight of the gaze she met.
“Yes. Though I may not know much about plants like Lady Lia, still, if I can help preserve the Miracle of the Desert with my humble skills, I’d like to.”
He gently changed the title from Lady Penelope to Lady Lia. If Lia didn’t call him, then he could call her directly. Alfonse saw the delicate blonde hair before him glistening in the sunlight. His curiosity was piqued by the soft blonde, different from his bright blonde hair.
Usually, with just this much effort, he could make ladies blush. But the lady before him was different. When their eyes met, it felt like he was being seen through to his core. She showed interest only in the book, avoiding his gaze.
But Alfonse understood. Although she was different from most ladies, she had fallen for him. Many ladies purposely acted indifferent to his advances. Surely Lia had taken advice from one of them. He could sense enough interest from her fleeting glances. And decisively, any noble of marriageable age entering the palace would naturally aim for the seat next to him.
“You are truly filial.”
Saying so, Lia glanced over his shoulder. No one she should see was there. Someone to stop this prince’s runaway. And perhaps someone who pretended to be a coincidence and planned this encounter.
“Your hair, shining in the sunlight, is truly beautiful.”
Alfonse reached out to Lia’s hair. Kissing the tip of it gently and gazing deeply into her eyes, no lady remained unaffected by his affectionate gaze. But before that, Lia swiftly escaped from his sight.
“Mr. Perth!”
Approaching the window, sure enough, she saw the crimson hair he expected. He was sitting at a table set aside in the library, reading a book leisurely. Thanks to his crossed legs, she noticed his shoes peeking out from the shelf. Delighted, Lia approached Perth, forgetting she was talking to a prince. Seeing Lia’s enthusiastic expression, Perth closed the book he was reading with a thud.
“Hello, Lady Lia.”
Although they had met yesterday, his greeting felt as formal as if they hadn’t seen each other for a long time. There was a slight reproach in his eyes, asking why she was disturbing him while he was enjoying himself. But Lia pretended not to notice and showed interest in the book he was reading.
“Is that ‘Ecology of Desert Climates’?”
“It’s too significant to leave the Miracle of the Desert crisis to greenhouse keepers alone.”
Pointing out the incompetence of greenhouse keepers, Perth pushed up his glasses with his finger. Lia felt very pleased despite being inadvertently ignored.
“I was also looking for related literature. Could I see the book you’re looking at?”
“I picked it up first though.”
“Then why don’t you read it and lend it to me?”
Alfonse, feeling angered momentarily by being ignored, shook his head. To be ignored for a mere book held by an aide. This lady was duller than he thought. How could she not notice that a prince was interested in her?
While Alfonse was contemplating, Lia and Perth were arguing over whether to lend each other books. Perth insisted that Lia could borrow it when he was done reading, while Lia kept persuading him to just hand it over to her once he was done. Watching their argument, Alfonse approached and stood nearby.
“Perth.”
“Yes, Prince Alfonse.”
At his call, Perth quickly stood up straight from the table. As a result, the book he was holding fell. Lia bent down to pick it up, placing it back on the table. Alfonse saw even the scene of dropping and receiving the book as if the two were in perfect harmony. Unable to erase his displeasure, Alfonse ordered Perth.
“Pass the book to the lady.”
Perth pursed his lips for a moment. He probably wanted to protest, saying he had picked it up first. But when Alfonse narrowed his eyes, he immediately stepped back from the book.
“I don’t mind if I read it after Mr. Aide.”
Although she had called him ‘Mr. Perth’ until just now, calling him ‘Mr. Aide’ in front of him didn’t sit well with Alfonse either. Instead of responding to Lia, Alfonse glanced at Perth, who reached out with his hand to pick up the book and handed it to Lia.
“I’m fine too, young lady.”
Feeling sorry for causing Perth to lose the book because of her, Lia wanted to apologize. But it didn’t seem appropriate to apologize in front of Alfonse. She tried to show as much regret as possible. Whether Perth saw it or not, he walked confidently and stood behind Alfonse, as always.
“I see my aide has found the right book for you, young lady, and I’m glad to see your time has been shortened. Shall we leave now?”
“But…”
“I’m sorry, but the library closes after dusk, Lady. It’s getting late, so you should go back to the dormitory now, shouldn’t you?”
Alfonse gently pushed Lia’s shoulder, a clear signal to leave. His assertion about the library closing at dusk was also a lie. She was informed in advance by Perth that they could stay until evening. However, Lia couldn’t protest against Alfonse. This place was also part of the palace, hence, belonged to the prince’s authority. If he asked her to leave, Lia had no means to resist.
“…Yes. Thank you for finding the book.”
Lia gave one last nod to Perth. But as usual, Perth just nodded back expressionlessly. As the three of them exited the library, the caretaker at the door was surprised, standing up from his seat.
“Your Highness, Mr. Aide, Lady Penelope. How did you all come out together…?”
“As it’s dusk, the library is closing. You shouldn’t work overtime either.”
“But…?”
“Working overtime has become a habit. Let’s go in.”
The caretaker looked puzzled, but Alfonse’s smile was persuasive enough. He closed the door firmly and returned everything in the library to its original state. Then he started to gather his belongings.
“Lady, you should go in now. Perth.”
“Yes.”
As Perth approached naturally, Lia waved her hands to refuse.
“No, thank you. I don’t need a ride this time…!”
“It’s ‘my’ decision. Please accept it.”
Alfonse maintained his manners until the end. However, to Lia, it felt like excessive consideration. It was difficult for her to refuse the prince’s words twice. Reluctantly, she nodded. Alfonse politely bowed his waist to Lia. There was no more smile on his perfect face when he turned away. But unaware of the change in Alfonse’s expression, Lia also turned away. Perth was walking ahead of her. During their walk, there was no conversation between them. As Alfonse’s footsteps disappeared, Lia cautiously asked first.
“I’m sorry. Would you like to read it first?”
“It’s okay. You can read it first.”
Lia did her best to read Perth’s expression behind his glasses. But unlike Alfonse, Perth’s expression was hard to read.
“It’s okay.”
Maybe sensing her hesitation, Perth spoke first. But even that somehow felt like drawing a line. Suppressing her rising disappointment, Lia asked.
“Was it a coincidence that Prince Alfonse came to the library? Or is it part of Mr. Perth’s plan?”
Lia couldn’t have imagined that Prince Alfonse would be interested in the plant-related genre. Naturally, she felt suspicious about Alfonse’s visit. However, Perth responded without changing his expression.
“If I may borrow the words of our superior, he would use the word ‘inevitable’ in such cases.”
“Is it an abbreviation for the connection made by our superior’s aide?”
“Wasn’t it romantic? It’s a concept of sharing each other’s interests.”
When Perth mentioned ‘romantic’, he slightly furrowed his brows. Lia let out a chuckle at the word, finding it so out of place for him.