Private Tutor to the Duke’s Daughter: Volume 10 [Parts 1 to 6] by Riku Nanano

Author:Riku Nanano
Language: eng
Format: epub

Beyond the door lay a world of dreams. I couldn’t suppress a drawn-out gasp of wonder. As beautiful as the library’s exterior was, it hadn’t prepared me for what existed within.

The structure consisted of three floors, with an atrium at the entrance. Everywhere I saw masterful designs in gold paint. And the ancient books that had drawn me here lined every wall, filling bookcases that stretched to the ceiling. I felt so excited I could have jumped for joy.

“You’re like a child right now,” Lydia unkindly pointed out.

“C-Can you blame me?” I demanded. “I’ve wanted to come for so long.”

“Yes, yes. It looks like you have to sign your name, so put down mine and Atra’s too while you’re at it. That’s when the clock starts ticking.”

I suppressed a sob, stung by this reversal of my usual teasing. I...I had left myself wide open.

“Excuse me,” I greeted a librarian—a human man in late middle age—behind a desk near the entrance. “I’d, um, like to browse the collection.”

“Welcome,” he replied. “Please sign your name here. Are you a tourist? How unusual. But please understand that we can only lend to residents.”

I picked up a pen and signed in a notebook with a blue cover. I didn’t see the name of the woman who had entered ahead of us. I wondered if she had gone to a different desk as I returned the librarian’s pen and said, “It’s a shame that such a wonderful library receives so few visitors, don’t you think?”

“I wouldn’t say that.” The librarian flashed a rueful grin, then gestured for me to listen closely. In a whisper, he continued, “When I started this job, my father told me that all the really precious—and dangerous—volumes are stored under the Old Temple. And that we had long since lost any means of sealing them. So while we have a catalog here, nothing of true value remains on this island. Of course, many of our books are fascinating nonetheless.”

So that’s what they use the temple for.

“Thank you for enlightening me,” I replied.

“Consider it a thank-you for traveling all this way. Please enjoy your visit.”

When I rejoined my companions, Lydia had her pocket watch out. “No extensions,” she said. “We’ll be looking around the first floor.”

“I...I know.”

I pulled out my notes and reviewed my advance reconnaissance of the library’s collection. The first and second floors held relatively recent volumes. Those, I could read just as easily in the kingdom. What I really wanted to see were...

“I’ll be on the third floor with the oldest books,” I told Lydia. “If anything happens—”

“We’ll be fine,” she interrupted. “But hurry back.”

“I will. Atra, keep an eye on Lydia for me.”

The child raised her right hand and chirped in cheerful acquiescence. Having struck back at the fuming noblewoman in this small way, I made for the spiral staircase at the back of the room with a spring in my step.

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