The Villainess' Son is Innocent - Chapter 24
Chapter 12.2
I gracefully greeted her,
“Hello, my lord. It’s been a while.”
Since I said any tea made from flowers or herbs would be fine, she promptly instructed her butler, who was right by her side.
“Your dress is very beautiful.”
“I chose my favorite dress when I heard we would be receiving a very special guest. It’s rewarding to see that your eyes are pleased, Miss Velsia.”
Hildred pulled out a chair for me. Being in the presence of the marquis, he had to be conscious of his every move.
It felt strange to be seated at the round white table with the marquis and her adopted son. After a while, a servant brought dried herb leaves. With neat and precise movements, a cup of tea was placed in front of me.
“Does this have sugar in it?”
“It tastes sweet, doesn’t it? Strangely enough, the leaves themselves provide the sweetness. Hil, why don’t you try some?”
Even Hildred, who usually didn’t join in on women’s conversations, took a sip. It would be hard for him to refuse under the marquis’ insistence, considering he wasn’t one to eat anything casually.
“With the season turning colder and social gatherings lessening, the mansion has been rather quiet. But having an adorable guest such as yourself brings some liveliness.”
“Thank you. Although, the way you keep referring to me as ‘adorable’ is slightly embarrassing.”
In response to my outspoken words, Hildred let out a smooth chuckle.
“You seemed used to it, but I had no idea it made you embarrassed.”
“That’s why I’d also appreciate it if you’d stop calling me ‘adorable.’ I feel like I hear it come from you the most.”
As I retorted, the marquis’ laughter grew louder. I slowly changed the subject.
“By the way, I’ve recently been studying with a book you’ve written.”
It was something that the marquis couldn’t help but take an interest in.
“Teachers always conduct classes using Licht’s books, and while important events are neatly listed…”
“They lack depth, right? That’s because those books are summarized for educational purposes.”
“But I wanted to know how past events influenced other events, rather than just simple summarized information. It’s all in how history shapes other histories.”
History shapes other histories.
Five years from now, that phrase will become the most famous through a paper published by Marquis Senote Raymon in the academic world.
“Where did you hear that?”
I looked at her with a smile.
“From a teacher who tutored me for a while.”
Of course, it was the you from the future. She looked intrigued, as if amazed.
“Whoever they may be, I’m impressed. To think someone else had the same idea as me.”
Well, it is you we’re talking about.
Now, all that’s left is to obtain permission to enter the library. In this sense, it wasn’t a bad time to ask for a favor.
“How many books have you published in total, my lord?”
“Well, I haven’t counted. Must be around twenty-something books…”
“Woah.”
I intentionally expressed my admiration loud enough for her to hear.
“Are you curious?”
“Yes!”
“Well, seeing as how you visited us today, it’s only right that you should see some of the most famous literature in our library.”
My worries about not being granted access to the library and having to find another way melted away in an instant.
The marquis, having risen from her seat, arranged her attire with the help of the servants.
“May I call you ‘Vel’?”
“Of course, my lord.”
“Then, Vel, as my special guest, I invite you to my library. I haven’t been in the best spirits lately, but having you here has brightened my mood, so consider this invitation a gesture of gratitude for that.”
* * *
The library of Marquis Raymon surpassed the description of being spacious; it could aptly be compared to a vast expanse.
A mural was painted on the ceiling, portraying the “God of Silence” presiding over the library, showering down a cascade of papers adorned with various writings.
A colossal chandelier bathed the entire interior in a warm glow, and the library, with its circular and tower-like structure, unfolded in a multi-story design. From the third-floor balcony, one could view the entirety of the first floor.
“I take pride in my library, in my own way.”
Click-clack, the marquis entered the silent expanse.
When I jabbed at Hildred, he turned to me with a straight face.
“Don’t poke me.”
“If you inherit it, make it accessible for me to use anytime I want.”
“Only if you can offer something comparable.”
While the ownership of the library would transfer with the title, Hildred didn’t seem particularly interested in the prospect.
“Or you could sell it to me.”
“Are you out of your mind? The books here are priceless, no amount of money could buy them.”
Though I said it lightly, my voice carried genuine desire.
If our family isn’t massacred and there’s a possibility we remain safe in the future, I truly yearn to immerse myself in the books here during my spare time. Would that day ever arrive?
With a wry smile, he added,
“I’ll consider granting you regular access.”
At that moment, Marquis Raymon, who hadn’t overheard our conversation, beckoned me.
“I ask that you avoid the right section on the third floor. We hold books there that are exceedingly rare, worth more than the imperial palace itself.”
“Wouldn’t that make them more of… archaeological materials?”
“I suppose so, yes. They may not be necessarily expensive, but they contain information that is nearly impossible to obtain anywhere else.”
Absolutely should not go there, I mused, along with a growing curiosity about what kind of books were being stored in that restricted area.
The books written by the marquis were all kept at the front of the library on the first floor.
Titles such as <The Truth About Myths>, <Records of Eradicated Time>, <Tales of Gods Who Became Human>, and more… I eagerly pulled out books that weren’t in our home library.
“I’ll sit here…”
I chose the nearest and widest chair, then spread out the heavy hardcovers on the seat. As I did, the marquis skimmed through the titles with keen interest.
“You have a distinct taste.”
“You think so?”
“People usually only seek favorable interpretations, but not these books.”
Flutter, I examined the covers of the books I had chosen.
‘Certainly…’
People are afraid of breaking away from traditional interpretations.
I had selected books that might contain information about the small kingdom, but most of these books presented different perspectives, mostly challenging the teachings I had grown up with.
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