Several days had passed since that incident. The commotion at the palace had gradually subsided after my safe return. Life in the palace had fully returned to normal.
That included me as well. I had resumed my daily routine, spending my time deepening my knowledge—ranging from magic, geopolitics, and culture to strategies of war.
That morning, after filling my stomach with a satisfying luxurious breakfast, I decided to return to the palace library. The room, as usual, greeted me with unparalleled tranquility.
No one was there. Only rows of bookshelves encircled the room, filled with ancient manuscripts that had likely been untouched for hundreds of years by the palace residents.
"Yup, as quiet as always."
Golden light from the arched windows gently streamed in, highlighting invisible dust particles that floated in the air, dancing like butterflies.
I walked toward one of the bookshelves on the westernmost side and touched it for the first time. That particular shelf housed information on the geopolitical maps surrounding Jotunheim—a section once recommended by Loki.
After randomly selecting a few books, I sat at a reading table near the window. The table was a long, sturdy oak piece with a simple design, matching the wooden chair I now occupied.
I glanced around and noticed a few additional pieces of furniture: chairs, a lamp, and even a bed placed in the library. Though I wasn't sure why there would be a bed in this place.
I smirked faintly, realizing who must have been responsible for these additions. "This is definitely Loki's doing."
Recently, I had begun to see Loki's true nature. Beneath his carefree demeanor, the man was actually someone who cared deeply about those close to him. He paid attention to small details and the needs of those around him.
"Well... that's none of my business." I opened one of the books I had picked up, preparing to read. "People say books are windows to the world. So now, let me gaze through this small, letter-filled window," I murmured to myself.
My fingers deftly turned the stiff, thick pages of the book, reading each one meticulously without skipping a single word. Through this world of words, I began to understand the political and cultural maps of Jotunheim.
Jotunheim was home to numerous kingdoms, a fact that surprised me slightly because it wasn't something I'd found in the ancient Norse inscriptions. It was mentioned, but not detailed like it was in these books.
There were at least four major kingdoms in Jotunheim: Utgard, Thrymheim, Gymisgardar, and Gjotunardar. Beyond these four, many smaller kingdoms were scattered throughout the region.
I sighed, memories of my past life flashing through my mind. My knowledge of Norse cosmology from my previous world had been somewhat helpful. But here, through these books, everything felt more tangible, more complex, and more alive.
Suddenly, the sound of a creaking door broke the silence. Light footsteps approached. I turned, and a familiar figure appeared at the doorway. Wolfish ears and shimmering purple hair caught in the sunlight were enough to reveal her identity.
"What are you doing here, Fenrir?" I asked, trying to suppress a smile.
She averted her gaze, her fingers playing with the ends of her hair, her cheeks slightly flushed. "I... I just wanted to see what you were doing in such a boring place."
I smiled faintly. "Why don't you come over and read a book? You might find something interesting."
Hesitantly, Fenrir pulled out a chair and sat beside me. Her face pouted like a child being forced to do something she didn't like. Honestly, I still couldn't fully understand her behavior or what she truly wanted.
She grabbed a book from a nearby shelf and opened its pages. However, her movements were stiff, more like someone inspecting a foreign object than someone intending to read.
I furrowed my brow, trying to decipher what she was doing. "Fenrir, are you actually reading that?" I asked, a little suspicious.
She was silent for a moment before letting out a loud sigh. "Uh... I just remembered that I can't read," she admitted, her tone slightly embarrassed.
I was momentarily stunned, then burst into laughter, unable to hold it back. Seeing my reaction, Fenrir puffed her cheeks again, her expression now adorably irritated.
"Don't laugh at me!" she exclaimed, clenching her fists as if about to hit me.
I quickly raised my hands in surrender, grinning. "Sorry, sorry. I didn't mean to tease you."
She turned her head away, her face reddening further. "In Asgard, almost no one reads, you know? It's... just something done by those who need it. And I never needed it until now."
I nodded, understanding the vast difference between the necessity of reading in the modern world and in Fenrir's ancient one. Even in Utgard, where technology was more advanced, the library was this deserted. Other places were surely even less interested in reading than this.
But my modern instincts were ignited. I knew reading would become increasingly important as times progressed. It felt like such a waste to see someone close to me unable to read.
"Want me to teach you?" I offered, my smile hopeful.
Fenrir froze, her eyes glancing at me briefly before she looked away again. "M-maybe that wouldn't be so bad," she replied softly.
She scooted her chair closer, sitting right beside me until our shoulders touched. A faint, pleasant scent accompanied her presence, making me feel comfortable being near her.
Calmly, we opened a book together. I began introducing her to the letters, one by one. Teaching her with patience and care, hoping she'd eventually grasp the skill.
But after just a few words, I could see the furrow in her brow deepen. Her expression looked as if she were trying to solve an impossible puzzle. I could almost imagine smoke rising from her head.
"Are you tired?" I asked, half-teasing.
She shook her head quickly. "D-don't underestimate me!" she shouted, though it was clear she was exhausted.
I simply smiled faintly, then gently patted her head. "It's okay, Fenrir. There's no shame in admitting it. Like I said, everyone has their strengths and weaknesses. You're amazing in so many ways, even if reading isn't one of them."
She fell silent, her face flushing, and her tail began to wag softly. "You don't have to say it like that," she muttered, barely audible.
I pointed to the small bed in the corner of the room—something I hadn't expected to find useful, yet here it was. "If you're tired, you can rest there for a while."
Fenrir looked up at me, then nodded without much fuss. She walked to the bed, laying down on her stomach and burying her face in the pillow.
I watched her for a moment, puzzled by her behavior, but decided to let it go. I returned to my book, diving into the words that now felt more familiar and welcoming.
A cold breeze blew through the window, carrying the scent of melting snow. My dark hair fluttered gently, brushing against my face as if reminding me of the frozen world outside.
But here, in this quiet room, amidst the still pages, I felt as though I stood on the threshold of the world's secrets. Time moved slowly, and for a brief moment, everything felt perfect.