A Barbaric Proposal Side Story 6

It was a day when the sun felt warm despite the winter. This winter had not been particularly cold; the fountain in the garden flowed with clear water, refusing to freeze.

Standing before the fountain was a grand, grey stone building that was, as usual, crowded with people.

This was the Royal Library, established four years ago. It was known to hold the largest collection of books in the southern part of the continent.

Moreover, unlike other institutions that strictly restricted entry based on status, this library was open to everyone. Perhaps because of this, the number of foreigners in Nauk had increased lately.

Scholars who came to browse the collection often ended up settling down permanently. The entire kingdom felt vibrant and bustling.

The library itself shared this lively atmosphere. One might expect a library to be as silent as a grave, but Nauk’s Royal Library was remarkably free.

Some people muttered to themselves while scrawling on the floor with chalk, while others stood atop desks reciting passages at the top of their lungs. Groups debated conflicting theories, which occasionally escalated into loud arguments.

[Dief] "Shellan!"

A youthful voice added to the commotion.

[Dief] "Shellan! Where are you? I know you're in here!"

The speaker was a boy who looked about eight or nine years old. Although his actual age was seven, his height made him seem much older.

[Dief] "Shellan!"

After the boy scurried through the endless rows of bookshelves, a group of knights entered the library.

[Knight] "You take that side, you take the other, and the two of you start from the back."

Following their orders, the knights quickly dispersed throughout the building. Despite the entrance of armed men, the library visitor barely spared them a glance, continuing their work as if nothing had happened. It was clear that the knights' presence was a common occurrence.

[Dief] "Shellan!"

The boy, Dief, continued to call her name in a clear, bright voice.

[Dief] "Ah... found you!"

Finally, in a cramped space at the bottom of a bookshelf where several books had been removed, he spotted Shellan tucked away inside. Shellan had effectively rearranged the large leather-bound volumes to create a cozy little sanctuary for herself.

[Dief] "Shellan, come out now."

Even though her hiding spot had been discovered, Shellan remained composed.

[Shellan] "Wait a moment. Let me just finish this."

He lifted a finger to gauge the remaining pages.

[Dief] "There’s still so much left. Sir Randall will catch you before you finish."

[Shellan] "It’s possible if you go and distract him."

[Dief] "Me?"

He pointed to himself, his eyes widening in surprise.

[Shellan] "If you wander around the opposite side, he will check there first."

[Dief] "...But that would be lying."

[Shellan] "You don't have to say anything."

[Dief] "Still..."

Shellan let out a sigh that seemed far too weary for a seven-year-old as she looked at her twin brother.

Even if he was the elder, he was only older by a mere two minutes. Shellan believed that in the span of a human life, two minutes was not a significant time to grant someone the authority of an elder.

[Shellan] "I wonder who he takes after."

Dief smiled, his warm green eyes crinkling.

[Dief] "I take after Mother."

That was undeniably true. His thick, wavy blonde hair and green eyes were unmistakable. Even the rounded tip of his nose and his gentle impression mirrored hers.

Because of this, Shellan refrained from saying anything that might hurt him. Her mother was the person she loved most in the world, and making Dief cry felt uncomfortably like making her mother cry.

[Shellan] "Then at least keep your voice down until I’m done."

[Dief] "I can do that."

Though he couldn't fully understand everything his younger sister—born two minutes later—said, he was the type who believed an older brother should yield to his sibling.

[Dief] "Should I pile more books up here? To hide you better?"

[Shellan] "No, forget it. If they see you, they'll know I'm here anyway."

[Dief] "Even if they can't see you?"

[Shellan] "...Even then."

It’s so strange. Mother and Father are both so brilliant. Who does Dief actually take after?

Shellan shook her head, her neatly trimmed black hair swaying against her neck. She preferred short hair because she hated it brushing against her while she read. It was also easier to wash and dry. The only person Shellan admired for having long hair was her mother; on her, it looked far more elegant.

Her pale blue eyes, filled with such deep thoughts, made her expression the mirror image of her father’s.

As Shellan returned her focus to the book, Dief sat quietly by her side without pestering her.

Shellan knew that for a seven-year-old, Dief was remarkably well-behaved. Though she often claimed he wasn't the brightest, he was actually quite impressive compared to other children his age.

The children of Alito who had visited Nauk once had been a literal disaster; she hadn't been able to sustain a conversation with them at all.

Just as the remaining pages had dwindled by half, a voice rang out.

[Randall] "Princess Shellan! So this is where you were!"

Sir Randall had appeared.

[Randall] "And the Prince as well! If you found her first, you should have informed us!"

[Dief] "Uh... well..."

While Dief’s eyes darted around, searching for an excuse, Shellan slightly lifted her book.

[Shellan] "I just need to finish this."

[Randall] "Sigh... I am sorry, but that is a matter I cannot permit on my own authority."

[Shellan] "I thought you might say that."

Her lips, small as a peach, twitched as she set down the book that was far too large for her size.

She didn't throw a tantrum because she knew it was futile. The fact that Randall had brought a squad of knights meant it was her father who was looking for her.

Her father was wonderful in every other way, but he was strict when it came to her reading. He limited her time and restricted the types of books she could access. Some books were forbidden entirely. Shellan couldn't understand it.

Why? What is the harm in reading?

The thing she enjoyed most was the moment she learned something she hadn't known before. Reading was the easiest way to achieve that, yet the adults, including her father, acted as if it were the most dangerous thing in the world. It was bizarre. It didn't align with common sense.

And they only do it to me. Since they don't treat Dief this way, there must be a reason.

Shellan, whose intelligence was almost worrying for her age, had already guessed as much.

I have to find out why. Only then will my life become easier.

[Shellan] "Dief, help me. I have to tidy up the mess I made before we leave."

[Dief] "Sure, I’ll help."

He dutifully helped organize the books.

[Randall] "Please, Your Highnesses, stay back. I shall handle this in a flash."

Of course, since the library books were too heavy for seven-year-olds, Randall ended up doing most of the heavy lifting.

Still, Shellan didn't change her mind about Dief being the most useful seven-year-old in the world. She was glad Dief was her twin; if it had been those children from the Alito family, she would have preferred to have no siblings at all.

---

[Black] "Shellan."

Shellan swallowed a sigh. It was starting—her father’s stern lecture.

[Black] "We had a promise."

[Shellan] "..."

[Black] "You were to visit the library once a week. And you were supposed to give me the titles of the books you intended to read beforehand."

[Shellan] "...Yes."

[Black] "It is troublesome when you break your word so repeatedly."

[Shellan] "..."

Whenever her father’s face became expressionless, it felt as though the temperature in the room dropped.

Shellan found her father difficult to deal with. The only time he genuinely smiled was when he was with her mother.

In truth, Shellan was the same, yet she viewed her father as the only intimidating one. Despite their identical looks, the father and daughter shared very similar temperaments.

[Shellan] "I will keep my promise from now on."

[Black] "No. You have already broken it twice. I cannot let a third time pass without consequence."

Shellan, who had been staring at her toes, snapped her head up.

[Shellan] "Then what are you going to do?"

Black stroked his chin.

Though she wouldn't believe it, delivering a punishment was difficult for him as well.

[Black] "You are banned from the library for one month."

Her jaw dropped.

[Shellan] "My goodness... that is too cruel!"

[Black] "You are the one who broke the promise, Shellan."

[Shellan] "..."

Her pale blue eyes shifted rapidly. Her face, which bore a striking resemblance to Black's, was beyond beautiful.

Shellan pouted, her cheeks twitching as she grumbled. For a moment, she actually looked like a seven-year-old. In fact, the only time she acted like a child was when she was being scolded by Black.

[Shellan] "In that month, I might become a fool. Nauk will eventually have a fool for a Queen. That would be a loss for everyone in this land."

[Black] "You won't be a fool; you'll simply be an ordinary seven-year-old."

[Shellan] "Those are the same thing."

[Black] "Hardly."

Black shook his head lightly. No one but Liene knew, but he was actually quite soft with his children. The only time he insisted on being strict was regarding Shellan’s excessive reading.

Given the Gainers royal bloodline, he had to remain vigilant. It was only natural to adore his brilliant and beautiful daughter, but he couldn't allow himself to be purely joyful about her genius. It was something that pained his heart.

[Black] "Spend this month learning how to play like a seven-year-old. Dief will teach you well."

Shellan continued to pout as she spoke.

[Shellan] "Father must be the only parent in the world who wishes for his child to become stupid."

[Black] "That isn't true, Shellan. I simply wish for you to be ordinary and healthy."

[Shellan] "It’s the same thing."

[Black] "I’ve already said my piece. And I have no intention of yielding to your stubbornness. You may go now."

[Shellan] "..."

She stomped her foot in frustration, gave a forced bow, and turned around.

[Black] "Ah, one more thing."

[Shellan] "...?"

[Black] "Stop using Klima to sneak into the library. He has other duties to attend to."

It was Klima who had been helping her sneak out of the castle. Realizing her father knew even that, Shellan knew she wouldn't be able to sneak out anymore.

[Shellan] "..."

He puffed out her cheeks and knocked on the door.

No matter how pleadingly she looked at him, she knew her father wouldn't change his mind.

Randall, who was waiting outside, opened the door for her.

[Randall] "Did you get scolded quite a bit?"

He watched her cautiously. After such a lecture, there was no way she would be in a good mood.

[Shellan] "...Where is Mother?"

Shellan looked for Liene with a dejected face.

The coming month felt like a nightmare. When she was feeling gloomy, she needed to act like a child by her mother’s side.

[Randall] "She should be in the rear garden right now."

Randall knelt to face the Princess, who was much smaller than him.

Seeing that tiny face, which looked exactly like Black’s, looking so sullen, was so adorable that he struggled to keep himself from laughing.

[Randall] "I shall escort you there."

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