I’m The Real Daughter, But I Don’t Want To Go Back To The Duke’s Estate - Chapter 64

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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And.

“The Princess seems to get along very harmoniously with her family.”

Rudrick said this with a faint smile on his face.

The fact that his face looked somewhat bitter probably wasn’t just my imagination.

‘Oh no, this time I was the one being insensitive.’

I felt a bit guilty belatedly.

I had forgotten that Rudrick’s family affairs had been quite tumultuous.

It seemed that ‘family’ might hit differently for Rudrick.

Just thinking about what was described in the original work…

“If only you hadn’t existed! There’s no bastard who’s been more of a hindrance to my life than you!!”

The Prince with veins bulging in his neck, raging wildly.

And Rudrick watching such a Prince with cold mockery.

‘…Did I really make a slip of the tongue?’

Cold sweat trickled down my spine.

Then, Rudrick calmly continued speaking.

“It’s just, I think it looks nice.”

“…”

What should I do?

I had no idea what to say here so that Rudrick wouldn’t get hurt.

I nervously tried to read the situation.

But as expected, Rudrick was the male protagonist.

Quickly noticing that I was flustered, he changed the topic with a cheerful voice.

“More importantly, is there any place you’d like to visit separately?”

The heavy atmosphere instantly became lighter.

It seemed Rudrick was somewhat uncomfortable with me being at a loss.

Then I should play along too.

“Um, the Imperial Palace Library?”

The Imperial Palace Library, the palace’s greatest attraction and boasting the largest collection of books in the empire.

With a prince as my guide no less, I should definitely visit, shouldn’t I?

Separately, I had personal motives too.

The Imperial Palace Library was also the place where Cecilia and Rudrick lovingly developed their romance.

To see with my own eyes a place directly mentioned in the original work… this is exciting, isn’t it?

“Sounds good. Shall we go?”

Rudrick nodded readily.

We headed to the Imperial Palace Library side by side.

* * *

The Imperial Palace Library was said to be the empire’s greatest attraction, and that reputation wasn’t empty fame.

I widened my eyes as I looked around.

An tremendous spectacle unfolded before my eyes.

First, the most overwhelming thing was the bookshelf.

Various books were densely packed into the endlessly lined giant bookshelves.

Perhaps to prevent the books from deteriorating, the lighting was somewhat dim.

Still, it felt cozy rather than dark.

Just then, Rudrick asked me in an excited voice.

“So, is there any book you’d like to see?”

“No, not particularly…”

I answered reluctantly.

Actually, I just wanted to see the scene where the male and female protagonists had their sweet date, not that I particularly wanted to read.

But Rudrick already had the eyes of a hawk eyeing its prey.

“Then shall I recommend something?”

“Pardon?”

“Not to brag, but the Imperial Library’s collection is truly excellent. Especially, there are some rare materials that even the Magic Tower doesn’t possess.”

“Pardon?”

“I think it would be fine for the Princess to take a look this time. There’s also a reading room nearby, so you could read various things and borrow any books that interest you.”

“Pardon?”

“Usually borrowing isn’t allowed, but royalty or high-ranking nobles with confirmed status can borrow books. Of course, rare books require separate permission.”

“Pardon?”

Anyone would think he’s a library promotional ambassador.

‘Wait, he didn’t suggest coming to see the palace just to make me study, did he?’

I smiled while breaking out in a cold sweat.

“Well, I don’t necessarily have to read magic-related books.”

“Huh? Well, that’s not the case, but…”

Rudrick immediately became dejected.

His face, which had been like a bright flower, quickly drooped like a wilted flower.

But I was firm.

I don’t want to study after coming all the way here!

“For now, I’d like to look around slowly by myself. Is that okay?”

“…I understand.”

Rudrick eventually stepped back with a very disappointed face.

At the same time, I resolutely walked toward the long row of bookshelves.

‘So, was it this way?’

In the novel, it shows Cecilia visiting the Imperial Palace Library with Rudrick’s help.

Cecilia, who had been starved for information, stood in front of the bookshelf and read books frantically.

Rudrick couldn’t bear to disturb her as she concentrated.

Instead, he just stood beside Cecilia and quietly watched her concentrate.

Rudrick’s fluttering feelings were described very romantically, so it stayed in my memory for a long time.

‘The problem is I don’t know which bookshelf it was.’

I peeked around the bookshelves for now, but nothing particularly caught my eye.

Moreover, since I didn’t come here for books in the first place, nothing really interested me much.

Just then.

‘Oh, what’s that?’

My eyes widened a bit.

Because a book came into my view.

On red leather binding, written in elegant cursive with gold leaf, the book’s title was:

『Refined Hobbies That an Elegant Lady Can Enjoy』

…Honestly, I’m not very interested, but Cecilia would probably like it.

‘Should I borrow that for her?’

I tried to take the book out for now.

The only problem was that it was stuck on a bookshelf much higher than my head.

For reference, I was in no position to dream of freely manipulating mana like Rudrick…

‘Is there a footstool somewhere?’

Fortunately, when I looked around, I could see a low step ladder placed in a corner of the library.

I brought it over and stepped onto the ladder.

But.

‘Why can’t I reach it?!’

I was trying somehow to get the book out, but the height was still slightly insufficient.

I wrinkled my brow and stretched my hand even higher.

‘Ah, it seems like I can reach it with just a little more?!’

Just as I was struggling on my tiptoes, my hand finally touched the book’s spine.

‘Good!’

The flush on my face was only momentary.

Soon a sharp scream burst out between my lips.

“Ah!”

Oh no, I’m done for.

I missed my step!

After staggering greatly, I eventually toppled backward.

‘You’re falling!’

I reflexively squeezed my eyes shut tight.

But.

‘Huh? It doesn’t hurt?’

It should have been the moment I hit the ground, but I felt no pain at all.

Instead, something soft yet firm gently caught my body.

I cautiously opened my closed eyes.

And my eyes widened greatly.

“Are you alright?”

Rudrick’s face looking up at me with concern was… too close?!

That’s right.

I had fallen practically into Rudrick’s arms!

‘So right now I… used the male protagonist as some kind of cushion?!’

Aaaah!

Belatedly grasping the situation, I hurriedly escaped from Rudrick’s embrace.

“Are, are, are you okay?!”

“I’m fine.”

“You’re not hurt anywhere? You didn’t bump into anything while falling, did you? No, you’re a mage but you caught me with your body? You should have done something with magic instead…!”

Shocked, I raised my voice.

Then Rudrick dramatically drooped his eyebrows.

“That’s really too much. Couldn’t you worry about me a little?”

Ugh.

Did my tone sound like I was scolding him?

“I’m, I’m sorry. It’s not that I wasn’t worried.”

I said hurriedly while extending my hand.

It meant for him to get up, that I would help support him.

However, Rudrick’s reaction was a bit unusual.

“…”

He just stared intently at the hand I extended with an unreadable gaze.

What, why?

Is this your first time seeing someone offer help?

Just as I tilted my head in confusion, Rudrick firmly grasped my hand.

Up until that moment I really hadn’t thought anything of it, but the very instant Rudrick’s hand and mine overlapped…

‘Ah.’

Only then did I realize that I had clasped hands with a man.

The warmth I felt in that moment our hands touched.

The weight of Rudrick rising to his feet that I felt through our joined hands.

‘Is this too intimate of physical contact?’

The very moment I had that thought, Rudrick released my hand.

Then he smiled with his eyes and made a joke.

“This time I saved your life, didn’t I?”

…My, my life even?

Still, since I had avoided a dangerous situation where I might have broken an arm, it wasn’t entirely wrong.

“Thank you for saving me.”

I obediently nodded my head.

But Rudrick didn’t seem inclined to let this matter go easily.

“To think I’d get to put the Princess of House Lusert in my debt again. I’m quite lucky.”

You could tell just from how cheekily he was teasing.

I replied in a sullen voice.

“I don’t like it. I decline being a debtor.”

“You should be nervous. I’m going to collect proper repayment for this debt.”

“Haa, really.”

Just as I was shaking my head in exasperation.

Rudrick suddenly looked toward one side with a cold expression.

‘What is it?’

I also unconsciously turned to follow his gaze.

A man standing in the distance was glaring this way with a sharp look.

And I instinctively realized who that man was.

‘It’s the First Prince.’

Right, Rudrick’s half-brother born to the maid-turned-empress.

Benjamin.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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