The Scent of Books and Wood

“Not this time either?”

“No… I’m sorry, Miss.”

“What are you talking about? Don’t be sorry.”

I lightly patted the shoulder of a dejected Emma.

“It must have been exhausting wandering around these past few days. Take a good rest today.”

I barely managed to send Emma back to her room after she repeatedly insisted she didn’t need to rest.

There wasn’t much I could do in this house: wake up on time and eat meals at the scheduled hours.

Invitations came in occasionally, but I rejected them all for now. I couldn’t afford to run into Regina or Amy while I was unprepared.

That didn’t mean I was just staying idle at home, though.

– If you find a man who is incredibly handsome or has exceptional abilities, bring him to me.

– Pardon?

A male lead, after all, is bound to be strikingly handsome or possess great power.

It was a request that sounded strange even to my own ears, but Emma carried out my errands without a single word of complaint.

Today marked the 14th day of searching for the final male lead.

– Another empty-handed day?

– Yes….

I had hoped for a fateful encounter on the streets, but it seemed that wasn’t the case.

If he didn’t appear despite searching every corner of the capital, then….

“He must be a noble.”

It was time for me to head out into society and find the last male lead myself.

With a short sigh, I lay down on the bed.

“Can I really do this?”

To escape this world, I absolutely had to find the final male lead. He was the only route I could actually court.

I wondered if it was even possible since I didn’t know where or how he lived.

“……I want to go to a library.”

Before I was possessed, I used to visit the library whenever my mind was cluttered. Burying myself in the scent of books always made my heart feel lighter.

I even missed that old district library I used to criticize for its steep uphill climb.

Where would a library be in this world? The Imperial Palace? The Temple?

The reality that I couldn’t even read the books I liked whenever I wanted felt increasingly pathetic.

“Wait a minute.”

A thought suddenly flashed through my mind.

“There’s a library here, too.”

Back on the first day of my possession, I had sneaked out of my room to explore the mansion while Emma was away preparing food.

It had ended abruptly when I ran into Gervan.

Anyway, I had definitely discovered a library during my wandering. To be precise, it felt more like a study, but I had vowed to return when I had time.

I bolted upright from my half-reclined position. It was the first spark of hope I’d found in this wretched game.

Without delay, I moved toward the study I’d found that day.

“Excuse me.”

The massive wooden door opened with a creak.

I cautiously looked around, wondering if anyone was there. Fortunately, I couldn’t hear so much as a breath, let alone a presence.

As I was about to step inside, I froze, staring blankly at the scene before me.

“……!”

There were thousands of books lining the shelves.

Considering it was inside a private residence, it was as impressive as any place I had visited in the real world.

If anything, it felt more meticulously maintained—perhaps because so few people used it.

“The smell of books.”

Just smelling this scent again was deeply moving. A slightly damp, heavy fragrance. The fact that this was the same, whether in reality or inside a game, brought me comfort.

“Should I read something?”

I murmured as I slowly walked toward the shelves. Eventually, I stopped in front of the bookshelf on the far right.

Since I had become fluent in reading and writing the language upon being possessed, I could read anything. With that thought, I pulled out a book at my eye level.

“……Huh?”

I had to rub my eyes when I saw the title.

“‘The Mastermind Grand Duke Is Obsessed with Me’……?”

……Why is a book like this in the Duke’s study? Did one of the maids read it in secret and hide it here?

Feeling as though I’d intruded on someone’s private hobby, I hurriedly shoved the book back onto the shelf.

“Aren’t there any books about the Empire?”

I knew absolutely nothing about the setting of , other than the fact that it was an Empire ruled by an Emperor.

I figured it wouldn’t be a bad idea to learn a bit about this place.

“I should read a history book or something.”

Just as I was about to move—

The study door opened again with a creak.

‘Who is it?’

Simultaneously, a very obvious fact dawned on me.

There was only one person in this mansion who could wander in and out of here as he pleased.

‘……I’m screwed.’

I peeked through the gap in the bookshelves. The person pushing the door open was, as expected, Gervan.

Could I hide without being caught? I prayed he wouldn’t come this way. I held my breath as hard as I could.

What would that arrogant man say if he saw me in his study without permission? He made such a fuss just over me entering his office.

Gervan walked slowly. Fortunately, he headed toward the bookshelf furthest from me.

Please, just grab any book and leave. Please.

With a bit of tension, I was about to let out my held breath quietly. But before I could even make a sound—

“Who’s there?”

“……!”

Gervan spoke.

I hadn’t made a sound, so how on earth did he notice? It seemed his senses were as sharp as his prickly personality.

I hoped he would dismiss it as his imagination, but he walked steadily toward my direction.

“I asked who’s there.”

He seemed certain someone was hiding in the study.

Even if it were a mistake, he looked like he wouldn’t leave until he confirmed with his own eyes that no one was there.

Eventually, he stopped right in front of the shelf that was shielding me.

“……Why are you here?”

“…….”

In the end, I was caught. He looked surprised, as if he hadn’t expected the presence to be me—though he quickly masked his emotions.

“I wanted to read a book. I’m sorry for coming in without saying anything.”

“You are reading a book?”

His tone was thick with mockery and disdain. Is it because his likability is still in the single digits? He picks a fight over everything.

However, surprisingly, he didn’t seem to intend to scold me just for being in the study. Though he did look slightly annoyed that he’d run into me.

Since I was already caught, should I just go for it?

“Brother, can I come here to read sometimes?”

“What?”

He asked back as if he hadn’t heard correctly. His expression practically screamed, ‘Are you crazy?’

“I asked if I could read books here sometimes.”

“And what kind of books would you even read?”

Why is that book from earlier, ‘The Mastermind Grand Duke Is Obsessed with Me,’ the only thing coming to mind right now?

“……Just, this and that.”

Gervan was still staring at me with suspicious eyes.

Is a sister wanting to read a book really that suspicious?

He furrowed his brow and pondered for a moment before finally answering.

“Do as you wish.”

“Huh? Really?”

It was an unexpected victory. I never imagined he would actually give permission.

“Just read quietly and leave. If you make a fuss, I’ll kick you out.”

Then, he brushed past me and moved to another bookshelf.

To think there would be a day when that arrogant man was actually helpful to my life.

Without hesitation, he pulled out two or three books, and holding just one in his hand, he prepared to leave.

‘That was fast.’

Isn’t the fun of books choosing them slowly? Looking at the shelves and the covers?

“Where is the history section……”

“It’s not that way, it’s here.”

Gervan answered my monologue. He pointed to the shelf where the history books were kept.

“Oh? Uh, thanks.”

What’s wrong with him today? Did he eat something bad?

Even as I wondered, my feet were faithfully moving toward the shelf he had indicated.

“The top row.”

Gervan said in a dry voice.

Can’t he just let me search slowly? I felt like I was in a bookstore with an owner who tells you to get out if you aren’t going to buy anything.

“……Yeah, thanks.”

Nevertheless, since I was using his study, I had to offer a proper thank you.

I stretched out my right arm. But I couldn’t reach the top shelf—I couldn’t even reach the row below it.

Objectively speaking, Evelyn wasn’t short, but just how high was this bookshelf?

“You can’t even reach this?”

“Huh?”

Suddenly, a thick scent of wood pierced my nose.

A long arm entered my field of vision, and a history book was pulled from the very top row.

Gervan had retrieved the book for me. His posture almost felt like a back hug.

‘He acts like he practically loathes me, but he’s surprisingly kind in moments like this.’

He handed me the book and immediately walked toward the door.

“Thanks.”

“…….”

I offered my thanks to the back of his head. Of course, he didn’t even look back.

Standing there, I opened the cover of the history book in my hands.

“History of the Empire……”

“……! Evelyn!”

He suddenly shouted my name urgently. My gaze shifted from the book to Gervan.

He was running toward me with extreme haste.

What’s wrong with him?

“Get away, Evelyn!”

“Huh?”

At that moment, a heavy thud echoed from the right side, and….

Gervan snatched me up and pulled me into his arms.