The Librarian

“Allen, wake up.”

Ken enchanted the red crystal on the table.

In the next instant, an orange-yellow glow burst forth.

Magnified through a magitech lens, it formed a moderate circle of light, like a crystal lamp.

This was a small product born from advances in magitech.

It replaced crystal lamps, and compared to their exorbitant price, it could even be called cheap.

But for ordinary people, oil lamps were still the most practical choice.

Allen did not know what it was.

After all, this technology had only appeared about three years ago.

And it had been roughly three years since then.

Allen actually did not want to get up.

To be honest, she was in a bad mood.

But habits formed over many years made her sit up immediately, as if propped up by a spring.

With a soft “pop,” she was upright.

Though still groggy, once she sat up, her mind began to work.

The sky had not yet brightened.

Outside the window, stars from the night before were still visible.

They flickered faintly, emitting tiny glimmers of light.

Like countless glowing fireflies drifting across the Milky Way.

“I’m heading back to school…

We probably won’t see each other much for a while.”

Ken said, lowering his head.

“I’m a bit worried about you.

What do you plan to do next…”

Ken continued.

Last night, they had only talked.

So caught up in listening to her story, he had forgotten to arrange what Allen should do next.

In the end, the conversation ended in an awkward atmosphere, and he never said what he was supposed to say.

It was only when Ken was showering that the issue suddenly occurred to him.

What made him laugh bitterly was that by then, it was already very late.

He went to check Allen’s bedroom and found that she was already asleep.

So he did not disturb her and let her rest properly.

That was why he came early this morning.

“Did you tell my father and brothers that I’m back?”

Allen rubbed her sleepy eyes and asked, silently making plans in her mind.

“No.

They went to the capital.

After all, he’s a grand duke.

He thinks he’s getting old, so he keeps his two sons close to him.”

Ken replied.

Ken knew this well.

Duke Mana was aware that he was no longer suited to remain in politics.

So he always brought his two sons to the royal city, in order to build a good relationship with the future king, Crown Prince Richard.

That way, they would have political advantages later on.

He planned to quietly retire once his two sons had firmly established themselves at court.

After Golia’s tragic death, he cherished his two sons like treasures.

As for Allen, he truly could not accept her no matter what.

A tiger does not eat its cub.

He would never hold any hostility toward Allen.

Yet he could not control his aversion to her either.

So he could only turn a blind eye.

At least in his own mind, he believed he had never done anything that violated his conscience toward Allen.

Little did he know that his indifference and neglect had left Allen with permanent psychological scars.

A heroic warrior afraid of the dark.

All of it was thanks to her brothers.

“The capital…

I want to go too…”

Allen muttered softly, as if she herself did not even know what she was muttering about.

“I don’t want to stay in this house.

It makes me feel uneasy…”

Allen thought for a moment and said.

Everything that had happened here felt vividly present.

She had been confined here for so long.

She absolutely did not want to experience it again.

That endless waiting.

Waiting as if time itself no longer existed.

Waiting for the day they would forgive her and let her out.

Even in such a comfortable and brightly lit room, this waiting felt more like a perfect, exquisite cage.

When she finally stepped out of it, the world had already changed.

Everything had changed.

They had only locked her up for five years.

From the age of eight until she left that refined cage.

Yet her mind had not matured at all.

She did not know whether being locked up again would last ten years,

Or twenty years,

Or forever.

If one day she finally broke free—

Would her mind be destroyed?

Would she become a puppet, even she herself not knowing what she was anymore?

She was terrified.

“Listen, Allen.

I know you’re afraid of this house,

But you still have to stay here.”

“I don’t want to!”

Allen interrupted Ken immediately,不给 him any chance to finish.

“Listen to me!”

Ken raised his voice.

“Even you…”

Allen fell silent, lowered her head, and said nothing.

“Don’t be so impulsive and stubborn, okay…

Do you know where I found you and brought you back from?”

Ken pulled out a chair and sat beside Allen’s bed.

He stacked his hands together, propping up his head, and stared straight at her.

“Where…?”

Allen was startled by his gaze.

It was the first time she had seen Ken like this.

“At a s*ave auction…”

“?!!”

Allen could hardly believe it.

Her mouth fell slightly open in shock.

She had almost been sold as a s*ave.

“Haven’t you noticed?

The black band around your neck—

It can’t be taken off.”

Ken lowered his arms and sat back in the chair, looking at the fading stars.

The sky was already beginning to brighten.

“Although it looks like an accessory, no matter how hard you pull, it won’t come off.”

Ken said.

“It’s not a necklace at all.

It’s more like a collar—something binding you tightly.

You probably always thought it was just decoration.”

“You’ve forgotten far too many things.

I don’t want you taking risks.”

Ken continued his analysis calmly.

“As a friend, I hope you’ll think this through.”

“Even a s*ave-hunting squad could easily capture you, let alone someone with ulterior motives…”

“Your amnesia might even be caused by its owner.”

From a rational standpoint, this reasoning made sense.

The person lurking in the shadows might truly know everything.

That would also explain Allen’s disappearance for three years.

A cold sweat broke out on Allen’s back.

Thinking about it this way was terrifying enough.

She had already been captured when discovered.

She had nearly become a s*ave.

If Ken had not recognized her at a glance, she might no longer have any freedom.

In other words—

Ken had saved her.

“……”

Allen remained silent.

She was weak now.

So weak that she might not even be able to defeat an ordinary child.

Physically, mentally, magically—

She had no strengths at all.

Looking around, she realized she had no one to rely on.

Only Ken was helping her.

And yet she had shouted at him and thrown a tantrum…

“But…

I really don’t want to see them…”

Allen lowered her head and spoke in a voice only she could hear.

“I know you don’t want to face them.

Actually, I have an idea that can help you.”

Ken said.

“Two days ago, the manager of this estate’s library—Old Boo—went to the capital.”

“He doesn’t plan to keep working anymore.”

“His son started a business in the capital and made a lot of money.”

“Now he can support his father for the rest of his life.”

“So Old Boo went to the capital to enjoy retirement.”

“I can get you an identity in this estate.”

“You’ll pretend to be the librarian and stay there for a while.”

“I can guarantee it’ll be safe.”

“Definitely safer than wandering outside.”

“And because you’re the librarian, the grand duke and your two brothers generally won’t see you.”

“They’ll think Allen is already dead.”

“Most importantly, you can recover peacefully, treat your injuries, and slowly recall what happened in the past.”

“I think this is the most reliable option.”

“One plan, multiple benefits.”

Ken spoke with absolute certainty.

He had thought through every angle.

It was, logically, the best possible solution.

But the final decision still rested with Allen.

If she refused, Ken would have no other options.

“……”

Allen said nothing.

She nodded in agreement.

Ken had already done so much for her.

She had no reason left to refuse.

This truly was the best solution.

It allowed her to avoid facing her father and brothers.

And to live peacefully for a time.

No matter how one looked at it, there were no flaws.

So she agreed.

“Then it’s settled.”

Ken said.

As he spoke, he took a recommendation letter from his pocket.

It was densely filled with writing.

“I actually wrote this last night before going to sleep.”

“I was just waiting for you to agree~”

Ken said with a smile.

“You set me up!”

Allen said with a bit of mock displeasure.

Yet warmth spread through her heart.

That special feeling that only comes from being helped.

“Hahaha, don’t be mad, don’t be mad.”

Ken laughed foolishly.

Allen suddenly froze for a moment.

It felt as if she almost remembered something.

But the sensation vanished instantly.

She did not dwell on it.

After all, she truly could not remember.

“How were you so sure I wouldn’t refuse?”

Allen asked with a smile.

The earlier gloom seemed to have dissipated.

“No reason to refuse.

It’s such a perfect plan.”

Ken replied with a grin.

“Is that all?”

Allen asked again.

“Maybe it’s just that I’m really lucky.”

“I’ve never lost a bet in my life.”

Ken said, laughing foolishly.

“Never lost…

I really envy you.”

Allen smiled.

That kind of luck was something Allen had never dared to imagine.

She felt that misfortune clung to her relentlessly.

No matter what she did, disaster always seemed to follow.

If her luck had been just a little better—

If her mother Golia had not died—

Would her life have turned out differently?

The answer was undoubtedly yes.

And drastically so.

She would not have been bullied by her own brothers.

She would not have suffered unfair treatment at school.

Everything would have been different.

But Allen was simply unlucky.

Utterly unlucky.

She could only resign herself to it.

So she rejected anything related to luck.

She did not want to be ruled by misfortune and become even more unfortunate.

No matter what she did, it felt useless.

“If I could have half your luck, that’d be nice.”

Allen said with a bitter smile.

“If it could be shared, I’d give you all of mine.”

Ken replied with a foolish grin.

Allen froze.

Looking at the man smiling foolishly before her, waves surged through her heart.

“Ah, it’s time.

I have to go.”

Hearing the dull thuds echoing from the living room, Ken knew it was time to leave.

He had to return to school.

Ken stood up, returned the chair to its place, and turned toward the door.

“Ken…”

Allen suddenly called out to him.

“Th-thank you…”

Allen said through sobs.

She was moved to tears by Ken.

“You’re welcome.”

Ken turned back and smiled.

Then he left without looking back.