Leila brushed my hair with utmost care as always. With how long my hair had gotten, I found the idea of tending to it myself more of a chore with each passing day. I knew I needed to lax on my dependency on Leila, but I couldn’t help it.

I often thought about cutting my hair a little bit, maybe having it back to how it was a couple of months ago. But the thought of bringing it up to Mother sent a shiver through me.

I twirled a small strand of my bangs. Its black sheen still shimmered, a testament to Leila’s diligent care.

Well, as long as it’s not a hindrance, I suppose it is fine…

Leila set down the brush and began tying my hair into its usual ponytail. She paused for a moment, as if admiring her handiwork, before stepping back from the chair with what I assumed to be a proud smile.

I stood up and faced myself in the vanity mirror. As I expected, not a single strand was out of place. Perfection was basically Leila’s middle name at this point. I adjusted the dress she had chosen for me and made sure my necklace hadn’t slipped out of it.

Leila returned with my coat. It was a tailor-made, fur-lined piece that could warm without being too heavy nor stylized. It was something I requested specifically. I heard its made with the hide of some sort of monster that could keep me warm despite how thin it was.

I stretched out my arms, and she draped it over my shoulders. The chilly room instantly felt more comfortable.

I reached for my coin pouch by the drawer and tucked it securely into the coat’s inner pocket. It was as heavy as always, with a dozen gold coins and a lot of silver.

Leila handed me the Sareid family emblem as well, a silver medal carrying the family’s insignia—a blue rose with a sword through it. I pocketed that neatly inside my coat.

Everything was ready.

“Let’s head out then.”

Leila nodded. “Of course, My Lady.”

…

The capital city.

Oh, how covered in white it was, to the point it was almost unrecognizable. But still, I knew its layout like the back of my hand.

I walked side by side with Leila. She wore a modified version of her work clothes. It was still the typical long skirt, long sleeves maid outfit she wore every day, but she added a cloak and replaced the typical low heels with high boots instead.

Kinda cute, kinda practical.

Despite the winter season, the main street was still jam-packed with people of all classes. From merchants selling wares, upper-class citizens on a shopping spree, kids playing around wearing heavy clothes… It was a lot more lively than I expected.

It had been a while since I was allowed to explore the city. Mother had given the permission around a month after she recovered. That meant I had way more things to do in my free time. Yay! But it did come with a few strings attached, though.

First, I could only travel outside when Mother gave explicit permission. She would rarely give them out, however. For today, I talked about it with her during lunch. She didn’t give me any answer until after lunch, which wrecked my nerves, not gonna lie.

Second, I couldn’t travel outside without a few guards. That’s right, a “few”. Leila here, even with her Talents, wouldn’t be enough. Whilst walking down the crowded street, trying not to bump into any people or carriages, I glanced around to my sides and back, and sure enough, I spotted familiar faces from the mansion walking several paces behind me, numbering around three.

A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.

They were one of the many knights the House employed. I get that they were trying to be discreet to give me privacy and also peace of mind, but aren’t they too easy to spot? Then again, this is my eyes I’m talking about.

I also realized that if Feyt managed to pass as a bodyguard for Carine, I would probably start doing stuff like this in the future.

Second, Mother restricted some areas for me to access, and trust me, it would be easier to list the areas I can access. But it mostly boils down to: Don’t go to the slums, don’t go near the Royal Prison, don’t go near the gates, etc.

Thankfully, I didn’t have any interest in those places in the first place. At least, for now. What I wanted the most out of my outing was—

“We’re here,” Leila said.

Our pace drops to a halt. Before us stood a grand structure stretching far above our heads. It didn’t reach for the skies per se, but it was still relatively high compared to other buildings. Built with a mix of marble and carved stone for its structure, with Luminite lanterns that shone bright yellow, lighting the archway and the grand entrance doors.

Above them, etched into a gold plate that shimmered even in the shade, were the words:

“The Royal Library of Setus.”

Whenever I was out of books at the mansion, which often happened even if I tried being patient with reading, I would hop on here to hopefully find something meaningful to read.

I was about to head in, but then I felt something was off.

The usual guards who stood flanking the entrance were gone. In their place stood two knights clad in thick, fur-lined cloaks draped over their glinting plate armor. Their chestplates bore the royal crest in gold medals, and each wore a deep red cape clasped at the shoulder.

“Are those Royal Knights?” I asked instinctively.

“Indeed,” Leila murmured beside me. “Are they guarding the library…?”

It was clear from how they were standing that there was someone important inside. Someone worthy enough to warrant personal escorts by the elite of the elites.

“Shall we head back, My Lady?” Leila asked reluctantly.

I didn’t respond, but I knew Leila had the right call.

If someone important warrants the guarding of a building, it was probably a Royal Family member, the prime minister, or someone as important as that. Common sense dictates that I shouldn’t involve myself with any of them, especially with what happened last time.

But did I really travel all this way just to return empty-handed?

…Hell nah.

“Lady Carine?”

I didn’t answer. Instead, I took a step forward to the library’s grand steps.

I didn’t hear Leila respond in any sort of way, but after a few steps, she appeared beside me, matching my pace.

The Royal Knights noticed our approach, and one of them stepped forward to halt us. It was a tall blonde woman with a sharp, stoic expression.

“Halt,” she commanded, her voice ringing out beneath the archway. “State your name and purpose.”

I met her gaze without flinching. “Carine Sareid of House Sareid,” I said evenly. “I came here to read.”

The knight’s eyes narrowed at the mention of my name.

Her eyes scanned both me and Leila, then her armored hand rose, palms open. “Please provide me with proof of affiliation.”

I held back a sigh as I pulled out my family emblem from inside my coat. I knew it had a pin so that I didn’t need to pull it out often, but branding myself as a high-ranking noble, an heiress at that, sounded wrong, especially with my kidnapping experience.

The knight observed the medal carefully, rubbing her thumb across the etched insignia and bringing it up to the sky. Then, she handed it back to me and gave a curt nod before stepping aside.

“You may enter, Lady Sareid.”

I breathe a sigh of relief. I walked past the female knight. The other knight opened the door as I approached.

The inside of the library was quiet, as expected. But then I noticed a group of Royal Knights standing guard near one of the many empty tables inside. That must be where the “honored guest” was.

But before I could observe further, I heard something behind me. I turned.

Leila stood in place by the door, the knight who opened the door for me snapped his arm out ot block her path.

I clicked my tongue. I nearly stomped my foot forward as I raised my voice. “She’s with me.”

“No can do,” the knight said, shaking his head.

“What? She’s my personal attendant. I cannot allow you to—”

“—it’s alright, Lady Carine,” Leila interrupted me. “I’ll wait here until you’re finished.”

Out in the frickin’ cold?!

“I can’t allow you to do that.”

I was ready to step out and deal with the situation myself, but then.

“What’s this commotion about?” a smooth, feminine voice rang from behind me.

The Royal Knights beyond the door widened their eyes and immediately lowered their heads.

I turned around.

There, standing before me, was a woman with silvery white hair cascading over her shoulders, dressed in a soft white dress with light blue accents, the insignia of Ortensia embroidered into it.

That silver hair… I recognized her instantly.

Her violet eyes lit up in genuine excitement the moment they locked with mine.

“My oh my~! Is that you, Lady Carine~?”

“P-Princess Munith…”

image [https://i.imgur.com/ftefrrv.png]