the public library was beautiful, tall and big. with trees surrounding it, camillia was in awe. it was said that the royal library was even more prettier and magnificent, she could only imagine the grandeur. some knights were standing around the premises, probably to ensure nothing violent occured.
seeing camillia, a well dressed lady with a maid and two knights with her, they were quick to assume she was a noble and they slightly bowed to acknowledge her. this action flustered her as she was still not yet used to the hierarchy in this world.
the inside of the library was very beautiful too, with big windows and air that smelt of paper and possibly, wood? it was soothing. she had already brought a book to read with her so camillia made her way to the more secluded section of the library, a table near a window with warm sunshine coming through. it was embarrassing to carry a book with the title that was " monster duke, save me !"
so she convinced mary that she would carry it on her own. of course, mary thought that her miss was the most kind lady who was afraid to even trouble her own maid. also, mary was illiterate but still, it felt embarrassing.
camillia liked cliché plots, with the cold emperor who was only kind to his beloved and the adventurous and outspoken heroine who constantly got in trouble. this did not apply to real life, even though she was in a novel, her life was a repetition of the same day again and again.
not that she hated it. camillia, being a closed off person both in her previous life and this one, actually liked the monotonous routine.
deep in thought, she didn't realise that a certain person was staring at her.
fine silver hair and almond like purple eyes with a hur of green, porcelain white skin, a face that looked like he was sculpted to the likeness of a greek god. finally noticing the boy staring at her, camillia inwardly gasped in surprise.
when she thought that her own face was pretty, she couldn't even compare it to the strange boy. he resembled all the idols of her past life she adored so much. he isn't the male lead, is he ? she thought.
suely not, how can she even meet such a person in a library out of pure chance ? the thought itself was absurd.
" i'm talking to you, can you not hear me ? " the deep voice brought her back to reality as she realised that she was zoning off.
" ah yes, hello. " nobles don't speak casually like that, you idiot ! she said inwardly, wanting to cry of embarrassment.
" can i borrow your book ? "
automatically, camillia's hand went to her book. the man was obviously not a commoner by his appearance and he could read too. why did he want to read a cringy romance tl* novel ? she wasn't sure if he was making fun of her.
" why do you want it ? "
" i need it for learning. if you wish, i will pay for it. "
this handsome man was truly bizzare. if that wasn't weird enough, he said, " can you teach it to me ? "
" what ? i am not a teacher nor will i lend this to you. please stop joking. "
thankfully, the knights were a good distance away and so was mary. the knights didn't stop the man from approaching her because he was obviously a nobleman and they seemed to be acquainted.
" i am serious. i will pay for your services with good money. "
when money was mentioned, camillia perked up her ears. money was never bad. even if she belonged to the house of a count, they were among the lowest in the heirarchy and their money and property was on par with a baron. in short, not enough for a noble. the household was struggling and her monthly expenses and allowance certainly burdened the budget.
" i will think about it, who are you ? " the stranger seemed a little shocked at her question.
who in this kingdom did not recognise his purple eyes ? thinking of her as a naive little lady, he brushed it off.
" i am theo, and you will be my teacher. "
was this boy crazy? how absurd, camillia thought. clearly this boy thought of her as a lowly little girl but if he was going to pay her money for just explaining some cringy live stories she thought it was okay to let this little thing slide.
noticing how he only introduced himself with no last name, she figured she'd do the same.
" my name is camillia and i have never agreed to lend you my book nor did i agree to become your teacher. "
" i will be giving you good money and you're going to accept it too, why drag everything out ? " theo's monotonous look was a little scary, did he not know how to look kind ? or even normal ?
but he was right, if he actually paid her money then she was obviously going to accept. but she was not going to be teaching anyone, who would do such a troublesome thing for a bratty bastard ? good looks don't excuse bad manners. you can never trust good looking people.
" is ten gold okay ? " theo's deep voice said. oh how lovely his voice was ! wait, did he say ten gold ? was he crazy ? ten gold could sustain a commoner household for a year ! the book she made mary buy in her stead for some copper was worth so much ? wow, this man must be crazy rich, she thought in astonishment.
" are you really not lying ? who would pay ten gold for a book like this ? "
" i will. i have nothing to gain from lying to a strange little lady. "
redness spread to camillia's ears and gradually, her face. wow, this crazy bastard was actually calling her stange and little ? i am only a little short, not little nor strange, she wanted to spit out but she could only let out a annoyed huff.
wait, is this theo guy actually smirking ? or was she seeing things ? she swore that for a fraction of a second, she saw him smirk. a face devoid of emotions didn't look too bad when he smirked.
" i will have to correct you that i am only a little lacking in height. please learn some courtesy if you want to buy my prized possession. "
theo could only smile crookedly. this strangle little lady not only was peculiar but also was amusing when teased a little. he wanted to buy the strange book because he was curious about romance. his personal aide had been annoying him so much for having experience in dating and those classic romance literature was all bullsh*t.
books written by commoners about love were the best for learning. but he was not allowed to even buy them from the streets because those nobles thought it was not literature or something similar. this little lady must like money, he thought.
theo signalled his knight, who was standing far away at the entrance for the money and he handed the promised sum to camillia. she was a little surprised but accepted it nonetheless. wow, he must think that i'm shameless, she thought. but who cared, money is the best.
camillia handed the quite used book to him, hesitantly saying, " i read this a couple of times but it's just as good as new ! the cover is a little bit torn but it shows how much of a authentic peice it is ! here, take it. i have some business to attend to so i will be going, farewell. take care of my book well ! "
truthfully, camillia left just because she was nervous that he'd say that the qluality is not good and make her return her beloved money. also, it was getting late because she wanted to buy cookies at the bakery before returning. she hoped in her heart that she and " theo " wouldn't have to meet again.
seeing the petite girl go away in a hurry and two knights following her made theo sure that she was a noble. looking at the book in his hands, he smiled faintly. what a interesting character.
turning the pages of the used book, he found a dried flower in a page.
did this lady fancy him so much that he secretly presented him a hidden flower because she was shy ?
theo was not aware yet that the dried flower was only a bookmark but in his heart, he was already plenty curious about the little lady who had hurriedly scurried off after giving him a dried rose.