I Unintentionally Cured the Grand Duke’s Insomnia - Chapter 70
36. — Unexpected (2)
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“You don’t have it? Really?”
“Oh, why would I lie? Selling books is good for me, too.”
“No, that doesn’t make sense! As far as I know, it’s only been an hour since this bookstore opened!”
“I know! I was really surprised too. I came in to open as usual, but there was already a line out the door before I even opened. I wonder where they heard the rumors from?”
“There was a line?”
“Yes!”
…People were lining up before the bookstore even opened to buy my book?
It was so shocking that I couldn’t believe it.
The only thing that changed was the title, which was embarrassing even to call it a title and a meaningless tone that has nothing to do with the book that had nothing to do with the book, so I didn’t understand why people were reacting so differently to it than they did a few months ago.
Next to me, Lily, who was holding a map of all the bookstores in Aren, whispered as she quickly put an X over this bookstore.
“Young Lady, this is the tenth place that it’s sold out.”
Her face looked both pleased and desperate.
The owner, who was watching me sweep my face at Lily’s whisper, asked in a cautious voice.
“By the way, if you don’t mind me asking, could you give me an autograph, Young Lady?”
“…Huh?”
“I really enjoyed your book! If you give me an autograph, I’ll frame it and hang it somewhere prominent.”
The owner quickly searched under the stall for paper and pen and handed them over. Seeing that, I asked, hesitantly accepting the paper and pen he handed me.
“Wa-was it fun?”
“Yes? Oh, yes! I really enjoyed reading it.”
It was a strange feeling to hear someone tell you that they enjoyed your book. I asked another question cautiously, glancing at the owner, who was waiting for my autograph.
“May I ask what kind of scene it was?”
“Yes?”
“Ah, no, I was just wondering what kind of scene was interesting…”
The man’s eyes shook violently as if he was embarrassed at the careful question. He rolled his eyes in thought for a moment before holding up a finger.
“Ah, tha-that scene! The scene where you became Lian’s first female knight and met with His Highness the Grand Duke was so overwhelming. I was even in tears because of how moved I was.”
The owner even stole a tear with an exaggerated hand gesture.
I asked cautiously, turning to the smiling man.
“The scene where I become the first female knight?”
“Yes! It’s an honorary knight’s position, but that makes it more realistic and better.”
Looking at the man quietly, I smiled and added with a smile.
“I see. By any chance, what did you think of my performance in the village of shapeshifters?”
“Oh, what are you talking about? I thought you were awarded an honorary knighthood because you were so active!”
My smile deepened at the man’s words, and I set down the pen and paper he handed me.
“…Young Lady Adelia?”
“I don’t think I’m worth enough to sign this yet. I’m sorry, I’ll do it next time.”
“Yes? Wa-wait a minute, Young Lady…!”
Finishing my words, I walked away, leaving the bookstore owner who called me urgently behind. Lily, who glanced at the man for a moment, scurrying to stand beside me and asked.
“Young Lady, you don’t want to sign it?”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
“He didn’t read my book.”
“Yes…?”
“I didn’t show up in my work. Only the heroine who’s a saint came out.”
I looked at Lily, who opened her eyes wide, and sighed.
“And the heroine, the saint, has never been awarded an honorary knighthood, nor has she ever saved the village of shapeshifters.”
“Wh-what do you mean?”
“That bookstore owner hasn’t even read the first page of the book. He was only saying that because he had only seen the band on the book that Cus made.”
As Lily, who hadn’t expected the bookstore owner to lie to her, gaped in bewilderment, I smiled awkwardly at her before changing the subject naturally.
“So, Lily, how many bookstores are left now?”
“Oh, there’s about ten or fifteen places left.”
“Okay, let’s go through the rest of the place. First of all, I’ve got to fix it as much as I can.”
Saying that, I climbed back into the carriage where it had parked while Lily, who quickly followed me into the carriage, looked at me warily and asked.
“Can I ask you something?”
“Hm?”
“Why would the Young Lady go to such lengths to retrieve the book like this?”
“….”
“O-of course, I understand that you’re using His Highness as a subject and you want to collect it to avoid harming him, but it seems to me that there’s a different reason.”
At her cautious question, I answered, clutching the book I’d bought from Note this morning.
“There are children drawn in my book.”
“…Children?”
“Yes. I don’t want to use Ed and Enni to sell the book. Besides, I don’t want to be judged solely by my book, and I don’t want to sell it using facts that have nothing to do with the book.”
Even though there was no lie in that statement, if you were asking if that was all there was to it, it wouldn’t be.
I spoke like a person with great pride in my books, but in reality, I just didn’t want my lowest point to be found out anymore that I had been using the fact that I was a possessor to deceive people who didn’t know anything.
“As expected, the Young Lady is so wonderful!”
“….”
“This is why I respect you.”
Seeing Lily’s face beaming up at me made me feel heavy in my stomach. I was terrified of being found out for the ugly little secret I’d been hiding.
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