The next day, I made my way towards the library of our manor to go look for more updated books about Politics, as soon as I finished breakfast.
Where is it?
"Milady, it was nice to see you here." I glanced behind me and saw this house's librarian Sir Austin. I gave him a greeting before speaking.
Sir Austin Vonwald was a former bureaucrat from the royal palace. He used to be a low-ranking one and was not even given proper respect since he's a commoner. Father saw something in him and took him to our house where he became the head librarian. He's probably in his mid-30s now, he was quite good-looking as well, but not my type!
He has light-brown hair and dark-brown narrowed eyes. Kinda like the K-pop idols in my previous world. He's thinner than most men I've met so far, probably because he's more focused on academics than physical activities.
"Maria told me that there are many updated Political books here, may I know where it was located, Sir Austin?"
I noticed his face was quite puzzled, he must have not expected that I would come looking for a book with such a genre. "That's true, we even have books that are from other kingdoms and empires, not to mention, our house is also permitted to take books from the Royal Private library. And those that aren't sold or distributed in the public." He answered. I mouthed an "oh" in amusement.
"Then, better! May I know where it was located?" He nodded hesitantly as he walked me towards the section.
My research might go better than I have anticipated, huh? Awesome! This is just awesome!
"This is the book, where the latest decree change was placed." He said as he pointed at a shelf. "Uhmm, Milady. If it was not rude of me to ask but can I ask?" He said I turned to him in curiosity. "Sir Austin? Oh of course. What could it be?" I asked him with my usual smile.
"Uh, it may appear rude to say, but it was a surprise to yours truly to look for such books, may I ask why?" He asked me.
I won't spread the news yet. "I just had a sudden interest in such books. After all, I'm from a family of politicians." I just answered with a smile. "Oh, I see. At this time, no one was more qualified as the next chancellor more than you are, milady." I glanced at him in surprise.
He probably noticed my expression so he chuckled for a bit. "Forgive me for taking too much of your time, milady. I won't disturb you any longer." He said as he paid respect. "Thank you for showing me the way, Sir Austin. You're so kind, even though you are busy..." I told him apologetically.
"It is my honor to serve her Grace, the third lady." He said as he finally leaves.
I glanced at Maria and noticed her blushing as she watched the head librarian talk to other workers of the library.
I couldn't help but smirk. Hohoho, Maria likes someone! And a good man at that!
She finally noticed me watching her with a teasing grin. Her eyes widened as my grin only magnified as her blushing face went redder, but not because of adoration towards the head librarian, but because of the embarrassment of being caught, fantasizing over him.
"Sir Austin was quite good-looking, wasn't he Maria?" I asked her with a cheeky expression. She glanced away in embarrassment. "He's indeed good-looking, milady." I pursed my lips when she didn't act coy as I anticipated.
She's so boring to tease.
Well, maybe, when I have the time, I could just go play cupid between those two. They will make such a good couple! Kya!
But now's not the right time for it. I only have six days left in forming a plan to cancel the engagement with Jaeger. I fail, I will die young again.
I don't want that to happen!
This time, I'm going to live my life to the fullest with no regrets!
That's a promise that I'm sure to keep.
I sighed before turning to the shelves and scanned the books that were neatly placed on each shelf.
There's a lot of books to choose from, it was like I went to the National Library of my previous world.
"It's hard to choose the first one to read in these thousands of books. I need recommendations." I said as I looked around the section of the library. "Milady, do you need help?" I glanced at the man who called me and saw Sir Austin once more.
"Sir Austin, I'm just starting up learning about Politics, would you be kind enough to recommend some literature for me to begin with?" I asked. "Oh, it would be my pleasure milady."
"As you were starting, it would be best to start with the Beleriadcrest Orthodoxy. Those were the most basic and one of the primary knowledge a diplomat must know." He answered. "I see, Could you show it to me please." I asked as my mouth formed into an "o"-shape. "Of course, milady."
Of course! To work out more into this kingdom, I must know the major ideology--- Well, it was an absolute monarchy but I have to know more than that. Are the royals supposed to treat themselves as gods? Do they take themselves as divine descendants? Did they believe that they originated from a much greater origin than anyone else?
I must know all of that!
"Here you go, Milady." Sir Austin handed me a book, it was kind of thick so I guess it would take me a lot of time to finish this.
But I still have six days so I guess it would be fine.
. . .
"I see..."
This world still believes in witchcraft and sorcery. The most dominant religion here was called Odinism where they believe in one true God, named Odin. It kind of reminds the King of the Gods in Norse Mythology. Well, I don't know much about it so I regret it now! Damn!
Anyway, the religion of Odinism was brought here by the Furstenberg Empire that takes control of this kingdom. The natives of this kingdom aren't as civilized as now, and it was all thanks to the help of the Imperial City. It was like in Great Britain where they helped their colonies to cultivate that's why most of their former colonies and their commonwealth are one of the richest countries of my previous world.
And with that method, as this nation continues to foster, the empire becomes richer in the process. It was also a good method since there was a lesser chance of revolting against the empire if they helped them to cultivate. Although they have to risk the chance that when they start to educate the people of Beleriadcrest more, they might rebel against them.
Well, their risky decision turned for the better since, until this day, our kingdom maintains its loyalty to the Imperial Family, and there's even a greater connection now that most noble families from both places arrange marriages. Just like the case of my parents, where my mother was a daughter of a marquisate family in the Imperial City and my father was a Ducal Successor.
This is just the first book and yet, I've learned quite a lot already. I guess it would be a lot easier than I thought earlier.
. . .
I woke up feeling pain from my neck, augh, it was so stiff...
I rubbed my eyes and found out that I was still in the library, my stomach grumbled so I caressed a little. I stood up and went towards the window, I glanced up and noticed that the sun was a lot higher than before. It must be past afternoon. I checked my pocket watch, and I was right.
No wonder I'm this hungry. I last ate at 6 am so it has been a long time.
I looked around the library but I couldn't see Maria. Argh, where she went? I want to eat!
Never mind, I will go to the kitchen on my own.
This place stinks! All the dish's smell, sweat from the servants, and the smoke produced by the furnace were mixing in the air! No wonder the life expectancy at this age was a lot shorter than my previous time.
"Milady!" I turned to the voice that called me and saw Maria preparing something on the cart. "What are you doing in a place like this, Milady! It was too filthy in here!" The head chef said I smiled at him even though I agreed to his statements. "A kitchen can never be too filthy, this is where our food is served. Do you believe that your dishes are filthy, head chef?" I asked him, he was taken aback by my question and immediately shook his head.
"No, I would never even attempt to serve the great house of Landerborne a meal out of filthy, milady!" He said in a scared tone. Why is he being scared anyway? "Then the kitchen where you are working is nowhere near, filthy. Do you get it?" I asked him.
"Y-yes. Forgive me for what I have said was a mistake, Milady." He said.
Of course, I was lying, I know that this place is filthy. I think I just saw a couple of mice running around this area, and the floor was covered in dirt and there was the smell of rotting flesh, must be from the leftovers.
They should have a systematic way of garbage disposal.
I heard that they only throw away this pile, at the same time as the cesspools of the mansion get full. Argh, disgusting...
I remembered the stinking smell from the public market as well. People don't care about making the environment clean. They think that as long as there are scents that can be sprayed on them, It will be just fine. They don't know that it could lead to their deaths.
This world must invent a system to improve hygiene, diseases will just keep on evolving until a plague spreads and becomes unbearable to the people, especially the less fortunate. If this poor hygienic nation keeps going, this will eventually result in its downfall.
If only I were an engineer, I would have a better grasp of the construction of a better sewage system and garbage disposal. This kingdom badly needs it. Right now, I only know the basics of construction. Gosh!
If I only know sooner that I will be transported into a place that needs refining in technology, I should have studied more about it!
Argh---
I stopped blaming myself for my shortcomings when I heard my stomach grumble again. I looked around and noticed people froze from their tracks as they stared at me with a wide eye. All of them were looking at me with the same expression.
My face immediately turned red in embarrassment as I realized something.
A noble lady must never create an embarrassment as such in front of the public.
I can die now...
My reputation is ruined!
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