'You idiot... we just met, show a little more tact. I'm supposedly an eighteen-year-old girl. You could make me cry, you know?... should I cry? Huh? You as*...'
Well... To be fair, if I were him... I would ask too. In a way, he did ask with the right words. He didn't ask if I'm "sick", but if I had a "condition". That's a big difference after all.
With that in mind, I took back the paper and wrote:
[ I can not speak. ]
"...Why?" — He asked immediately after, tilting his head.
'Why should I tell you?'
D*rn... His bluntness kinda... bugs me.
"Ah...I–Is this only with outsiders?" — He said cautiously as if he was assuming I couldn't speak because I was just too shy.
'Should I teach him the saying... "Curiosity killed the cat"?... Theodore, are you a cat? Do you want to die??'
Even if I thought this... I can't tell him that.
Just call me two-faced.
[ No. I do not speak with anyone, neither my family nor outsiders. I am sorry, but this topic is uncomfortable for me. Please help me with my request. ]
In other words: 'Shut the hell up and give me a book to read.'
That is what I wrote if you read between lines.
"Ah... Y–Yes, I am sorry. I–It is just I have never seen someone like T–The Lady..." Theodore said with his hand as a fist on his chin, while clearing his throat out of nervousness. I could see his neck getting red, he must have been flustered too. He then turned back to pick up the books and added.
"T–There is a large variety of books in this library. If My Lady is looking for something to pass time, she must mean she wants some kind of novel or storybook... There are some about legends of the Empire too, I f–find those very enjoyable truthfully." — He said as he stood up.
'The novels... will they be written in the Shakespeare style? That is really...awesome. Hmm... But the legends are attractive too... I did say I wouldn't study, but reading legends is more like... reading a flashy made-up story from the people. I'm into that. This is the inside of a novel so... those legends seem promising.'
I didn't want to lose time so I decided to get quickly to a decision, and so, I wrote...
[ I want one about legends and a novel. Do not fret about the genre. ]
To my words, he agreed with a raised brow.
"... In that case, I have two in mind that might be to your liking. Please wait a moment, My Lady."
He disappeared right after leaving the things he was carrying at the desk that was buried with books on the lower floor.
Theodore was strange at the beginning, his mumbling and appearance made him look that way. But, I guess seeing someone weirder relaxed him. The weirder one, being me, of course.
'That's good. If he can feel comfortable it's easier for me too.'
While waiting, I blankly observed the library. It was truly majestic. I know I might come here often only to get a view of the beautiful structure design. I went around aimlessly, lightly touching with the tip of my fingers the books to my side. Even the quality of the book's material was exquisite, I could feel it to the touch.
'This kind of book would be worthy of being displayed at a museum in my world...'
For a moment, I fantasized about the amount of money one of these would make if I sold them in my original world.
'... Money moves the world...'
Sooner than expected, Theodore came back with two books. As requested, one was about legends and the other a novel. He didn't tell me the genre of the novel, but not knowing makes it fun to read, so I didn't mind the lack of information given.
"These books are good. The one about legends is very detailed, and this novel is very interesting... one of my favourites. I think you will enjoy them, My Lady..."
...was the explanation he gave as he handed the books to me.
Once I took them into my arms, the odd feeling of déjà vu came over me.
'Heh... I feel just like the first time I went to a public library and borrowed two books I was curious about... Oh~ that is youth indeed~ ' — I thought as I smiled tenderly inside.
After taking in the view of the two acquired books, I lifted my gaze to look directly at the Scholar. I don't know if our eyes met because of the thick glasses he wore, but I bowed gently to him to show him my gratitude. I quickly turned to go back to my bedroom, leaving Theodore behind without waiting for his farewell. Hence, I could hear a little mumbling as I left the scene.
'If he is cursing me, it would make a cute personality gap...' — I jokingly said in my head, not interested in what he actually said.
We went back to our bedroom, right after meeting the maid outside. I sat on the bed taking a glimpse at both books. They seemed promising merely by looking at the handwritten pages. Nonetheless, I put them aside and positioned myself to get some sleep.
The previous interruption left me with an unsatisfied mood, so, I will sleep a little now that I came back.
Like this, time for dinner came and to my surprise, good news awaited me this time.
After receiving the warm greetings from the Duke, I halted as I arrived at my seat.
The places prepared on the table were only four. Whereas, the empty seat was none other than Paul's. To my blank staring at the seats, the Duke took it upon himself to inform me about the good news.
"Ah... I see you noticed Paul is not here... since the dress Theressa ordered was made by a famous designer from the neighbouring Latrishk Kingdom, I sent him to retrieve it. He left before the sun rose this morning." — The Duke said with an apologizing tone.
'Yes!'
I guess today is a good day, full of positive outcomes.
Then the Duchess seating across me added.
"Huh? But how come you didn't know? Didn't Paul go to your room to say goodbye before leaving? He went after going to Theressa's room... he didn't wake you up I see... fufu, our son is so considerate!"
Hearing her words... I felt my blood drop in an instant. A chill went down my spine giving me goosebumps as the realisation sank in.
'... He went to my room...?...that... psychopath..?'