Chapter 28: The Hidden Tome

From the bottom shelf up to the level of her gaze, she searched every nook and cranny, yet the Magical Girl Lilica Limited Edition Supplement was nowhere to be found.

Now the only place left was above. Lady Elina IV glanced up at the top shelf—it appeared higher than she expected, meaning a ladder would be necessary.

Surveying her surroundings, she luckily spotted a ladder tucked away in a corner. Lady Elina IV rolled it over in front of the bookcase, stepped onto it, and began her ascent. By the eighth rung, she was well above the floor.

Just as she reached out to grab the first book from the upper shelf, her balance wavered and the ladder’s legs shifted dangerously.

She fell. Instinctively, Lady Elina IV squeezed her eyes shut, yet no jarring impact came—her arms, steady beneath her rear knee and the back of her head, had caught her.

“Ah…”

“Isn’t that dangerous?”

Despite her soft, almost humming tone, her sharp jawline remained evident. A man had, albeit belatedly, lowered her onto the floor. Adjusting her slightly askew glasses, Lady Elina IV lifted her head.

“I present myself before the exalted sun of the Empire, Your Majesty the Emperor.”

It was an impeccable greeting. With a face framed by thick glasses and a modest appearance that might not immediately suggest nobility, Karlahee cast a cool glance.

“Why is the noble lady here?”

“I came in search of a book.”

“Which book do you mean?”

“That one – the first book over there.”

In a courteous tone, Lady Elina IV maintained a steady expression as she told her lie.

“Is this it?”

Karlahee climbed about three rungs of the ladder and easily retrieved the book from its high position. In a dazed state, Lady Elina IV accepted the book with both hands and bowed in gratitude.

“Next time, have someone fetch it for you. You might get seriously injured otherwise.”

“Yes.”

“I’m swamped with work, so I must be on my way.”

Her heart fluttered at the hint of mischief in his parting smile, though the feeling soon passed. Regaining her composure, Lady Elina IV carefully examined the book.

The moment her fingers brushed the cover embossed with the title ‘International Affairs and the Empire’s Stance,’ the cover loosened as if the book were wearing an oversized, ill-fitting garment, ready to slip away.

Bending to pick up the fallen book, an unexpected title caught her eye: Magical Girl Lilica Limited Edition Official Supplement. It was exactly the book she’d been pursuing.

Clutching the tome tightly, Lady Elina IV hurried to the far end of the library. Passing a towering bookcase spanning eighteen shelves, she spotted Lara, who was seated on the floor investigating the books on the bottom shelf.

“I found it.”

“Really?”

Lara quickly dusted off her dress and stood. As Lady Elina IV handed over the book, Lara examined it with the care one would give an ancient relic.

“The publisher’s logo, the unique paper texture, even that odd black stripe at the back… Yes, it’s authentic.”

“That’s a relief.”

“But where did you find it?”

To satisfy Lara’s curiosity, Lady Elina IV led her to the very spot of its discovery. Lara stared in genuine admiration at the high shelf indicated by her outstretched finger.

“It was hidden so high up. How on earth did you manage to get it?”

“Someone helped me.”

She offered a conspiratorial smile.

“You should read it first, Youngae. You’ve been eager to dive in, haven’t you?”

“No… Although I do want to read it immediately, wouldn’t you agree, Lady Elina IV? It’s only proper that the finder reads it first.”

“Still, denying yourself a book you’re eager for isn’t wise.”

“It’s alright. I’ll just take a stroll around. The garden is stunningly arranged. Hehe.”

Suppressing an urge to bolt off with the book, Lara tremulously passed it over. As the book settled into her hands, Lady Elina IV gave a graceful nod, as if rethinking the situation.

Leaving the library behind, Lara briskly headed toward the garden—a beautiful space where white and red roses intertwined gracefully.

While navigating the garden’s winding maze, as she maneuvered past an overgrown shrub that towered over a person, something suddenly emerged and bumped her forehead. “Ouch,” she muttered, raising her head.

Sunlight filtered through the foliage, sliding over the handsome profile beneath a robe. Though only his lips and chin were visible, Lara instantly recognized him.

“Ah, it’s you! I remember you from before…”

Judging by his unmistakable courtier’s robe, it was clearly Lord Robes. Lara decided it was time to set things straight.

“Are you a true courtier, or just an ordinary man in court attire? And do you even participate in events?!”

“…….”

The man remained silent. Perhaps sensing Lara’s simmering curiosity, he slowly moved away and plucked a red rose from a nearby bush.

Lara watched as he tucked the red rose behind his left sleeve. Three seconds later, when he retrieved it again, the red had mysteriously transformed into a white rose.

“Oh my!”

The color change was undeniably magical. As she marveled—and chided herself for her dramatic reaction—a single white rose was extended toward her.

“Is this for me?”

A slight nod was his only reply. The romantic moment was quickly undercut when Lara noticed the thorns clinging to his finger and the red rose hidden within his robe.

Of course, a freshly plucked rose naturally has thorns, though when he brushed the stem with his finger, the section she received was smooth and thornless.

“Thank you… But are your hands alright? You don’t use magic, do you?”

“…….”

Possibly struck by the blunt truth, the man fell into an even deeper silence.

“But really, aren’t you with the court? I’ve never seen you at any events before.”

From his build and the glimpse of attire beneath his robe, it was clear he wasn’t an ordinary man. As Lara’s curiosity deepened, the man began to walk away. With determination, Lara clutched her fists and shouted after him,

“Next time… Could I see you at 3-Course?!”

After a brief pause, the man glanced back. Beneath his robe, his lips curved into a subtle crescent—a smile rich with meaning—before he left the garden.

Even during the hour-long stroll back to the library, his smile lingered. Lara was delighted to have encountered such a striking courtier, one who might one day truly shine. As she turned the white rose over in her hand, a pleased smile spread across her face.

Climbing to the third floor, Lara paused just as she was about to slip between the shelves where Lady Elina IV stood. Someone else was already there.

‘Who could that be?’

The figure’s back was shrouded in backlight, concealing their identity. The quiet atmosphere warned against intruding.

Lara retreated behind a bookcase for a moment. Judging by the build, it seemed to be a man. As he shrugged off his outerwear, he inadvertently revealed Lady Elina IV’s profile.

She was asleep, having taken off her thick glasses while leaning against the window frame. The man who approached leaned in, and Lara recognized the familiar face.

‘Is that the Emperor’s Knight? Why is he here…?’

The presence of the Emperor’s bodyguard here could only mean that the Emperor himself was nearby. Holding her breath, Lara watched as his hand moved to drape a cloak over Lady Elina IV’s shoulder.

Noticing a hefty book spread open on her lap, he paused momentarily. At the same time, a vivid narration played in Lara’s mind, deepening her immersion.

Sure enough, his eyes widened in astonishment. His transformed gaze seemed to ask, ‘Did he really read that?’ Yes, that heavy tome was none other than the Magical Girl Lilica Limited Edition Supplement.

Lara’s firm resolve was met with silence from the mysterious man. Then, his hand reached for the Magical Girl Lilica Limited Edition Supplement and he started to walk away with it.

‘Is he planning to discard it…?!’

Anyone would be uneasy knowing such a rare book was housed in the library.

‘But that’s just not acceptable!’

In a flurry of panic, Lara darted out from behind the shelf. Though she had only seen him four times, she believed he was not someone to mishandle something so precious.

Who cares about ratings on a book? Comics may be dismissed, but why should they be disdained? With tears nearly in her eyes, Lara chased after him.

Rushing to catch the man near the overflowing return desk, Lara pounded after him with all her might.

“Wait! That is— that book!”

Suddenly, the man came to an abrupt halt. Caught off guard, Lara panicked and tried to stop, but her stylish heels betrayed her, causing her to stagger.

To make matters worse, as her heel snagged on a carpet, she lost all balance and collided forcefully with the man’s back, sending the return desk tumbling along.

The towering stack of books—nearly a person high—shook violently before collapsing onto both Karlahee and Lara.

In a moment when it seemed the books might slam into their faces, Lara closed her eyes in terror. Instead of pain, she felt a soft, delicate touch as the books gently brushed her cheek, nose, and lips.

Her eyes flew open. Silky, dark red hair cascaded over her cheek like velvet. Lara was so stunned by the turn of events that she froze like an ancient mummy.

Then, as she noticed books tumbling off his back and neck one by one, she realized he had thrown himself into harm’s way to catch them. Yet the weight was too much, and his head bowed in a calamitous collapse.

Finally, the delayed contact between their lips broke apart.