Chapter 38: CHP 38

'This garden is more beautiful day after day, especially with the colourful roses in bloom.'

I was immersed in the beautiful scenery while I walked among the colourful flowers.

'Time really flies fast.'

After we bought the building, the project progressed really fast, and the season soon changed from spring to hot summer.

The Blancia Master handled everything from the paperwork to the construction and finding capable employees, and I was left in charge with the rest of the plannings.

As time passed by, worries started to fill my head, making me feel restless.

'I can't sleep at all. This is my second life... I  managed to become business partners with a very capable person, but... I never had a business.

I boasted so much in front of the Blancia Master (-ω-｡).

I said that I was going to start a franchise business, but... I don't have any practical experience. The only thing that can count as experience is the research I did in my previous life.

Haaaaaa...(/_;)/~~

What will happen if the coffee shop won't be as successful as I hope it will be? What will happen if it fails?

Then Then... I will be forced to marry!! And all the money I invested in the renovation and the equipment will be lost.'

"Ahhhhh!!!"( ・'д・´)

'I want to earn a lot of money quickly.

Ufff... and that old sword?! How can I use it to awaken a holy beast? And from where can I get a holy beast egg?

Should I beg Duke Seymour to buy me one?

No... I can't make such a request. My conscience would hurt too much.(*T^T)

It hasn't been that long since I lost the pink diamond, I have to be prudent with my actions for the time being.'

After I walked around the flower garden for a long time, my mind still felt restless, so I decided to visit the library.

'People worry more when they have nothing to do.'

"Princess Deborah! Welcome."

A long time has passed since I visited the library, Arin, who was organizing some books, blushed excited and ran towards me.

'Arin is really a cute girl. The flowy emerald dress and green hairpins suit her very well. It seems that she bought something nice with her salary.'

Arin receives from me every month quite a large sum of money, since I pay for her research funds and for the information she is gathering for me, about any new rumors that are circulating in the Academy.

'Instead of being kind, like in my past life, I have to make sure that I have enough money to pay for everything.

An employer who treats you well, like a daughter, but is stingy with money is worse than an employer who treats you badly but gives you a lot of money.'

"What kind of book are you looking for, Princess Deborah?"

Arin asked enthusiastically.

'She familiarized with the library materials quickly.'

"Find me a book about basic mana formulas."

"Just a moment, please."

While Arin went to bring a book, I saw a suspicious looking note on her desk.

"Hmm."

It was a note from Belreck, with the description of a book he was looking for.

'He made it difficult to find the book by specifying an author with a common name. There must be quite a few authors with this name. He did it

intentionally.

He wants to make things hard for Arin so that Duke Seymour will replace her with one of his vassal.

But Arin is really smart, it seems that she dealt with this problem well.

I am glad that I realized that the authority of the family's librarian is much greater than I thought.'

I learned that having a librarian as a vassal gives you the advantage of being able to procure the books you want with the family money instead of your own money.

I have also, one time in the past, asked Arin to bring me the first edition of a novel written by a famous romance writer that I couldn't get, even though I used my influence. But she managed to procure it.

'It was not a coincidence that in the past, among the new books in the library, there were exceptionally many about artifacts, which are useful to Belreck.'

I put down the note and approached Arin, who was searching for the book I wanted, and started a conversation.

"Arin, do you like working as Seymour's librarian?"

"Yes. It is a pleasure for me, I like to read books and thanks to you, I have now the opportunity to access rare magic books."

'I am glad that she likes this job so much.'

"Then you should aim for the full-time position."

Because Arin had no experience as a librarian, she was hired only temporarily, as the Seymour librarian.

"What? Me? As Seymour's official librarian?"

"You can impress my father by performing well in the time you have so that you remain here and work for as long as you want."

"I will work harder! Princess Deborah. "

Arin's green eyes twinkled with enthusiasm.

"But you must remember that even though sincerity is important and can make up for the lack of experience, you have to do something that stands out."

"I understand, I have to show my uniqueness."

"Exactly. And I thought of a way to achieve it... by making a catalogue card so that it will be easier to search for books."

I then explained to Arin the concept of a catalogue, in other words, an index.

When I was in my second year of college, during the summer vacation, I worked as a part-time librarian, that is why I know how to organize the materials in a library.

As I continued with my explanation, Arin's eyes got bigger and bigger.

"By marking the number and book information on the card like this and classifying them by author, title, subject and row you can find a book easier and faster."

Arin let out an exclamation, amazed.

"You understood quickly."

I drew a ring on a piece of paper so that she could have an idea about what I was talking about. It was the ring used in the Kumon study materials.

"After punching a hole in the index card, you can use this ring to easily insert and remove the card from it.

When the number of books continues to grow, it will be easier to manage the catalogue.

'Since Arin has such a surprised expression. It means that there is no ring binding method here.'

"This is a brilliant idea! It would make managing the books a lot more easier."

"If you can put this index in practice in our Seymour library, you will probably be recognized for your skills. And I will talk with my father about it."

"Thank you! I will do my best."

"You don't have to rush. Work on it slowly when you have time."

"Alright, Princess Deborah. I think it will be fun."

'She is very sincere. Unlike me, who has to live my life faithfully to her character, all because I need 10 billion won.'

"Then, good luck with your work."

I picked up the basic formula theory book and headed to the second floor of the library.

Because I might need other books about formulas, I decided to work in the library.

When I reached the second floor, I saw Enrique reading a book while basking in the sunlight that came through the window.

So I stared at him for a while.

'He is too cute.'(*^^*)

Enrique was swaying his legs under the chair. He was in a good mood.

To me, he looked like a kitten waving its tail softly under the warm sun.

When he felt my presence, Enrique widened his cute eyes.

"Hello."

I hesitated for a moment, but I carefully greeted him.

Enrique only blinked his big eyes and nodded his head in response.

'I am so glad that he didn't run away like last time.'

I knew that if I approached him while saying how cute he was, he would glare fiercely at me and would be wary again, so I deliberately sat far away.

I pretend that I am not interested in him and took out my notebook, and started to rummage through the formula book.

'Ahhh, I don't want to study!'

In order to secure a larger customer base for monthly earnings, I planned to publish a textbook with easy to understand equations that even children could comprehend.

'Only the thought about the astronomical royalties that the author of 'The Art of Mathematics' must have earned makes me unable to stand still.

So, I will secretly spread rumours that my formula book is helpful for children's intellectual development. Then I will sell it even to aristocrats who aren't wizards. Hihihi...'😈

As I was contemplating how to make money in various ways, I rested my chin on my hand and let out a short sigh.

'I can't go out and play in this nice weather even when I am so rich...

I swear that after I buy that damn title, I will live my life without even lifting a finger!'

While I was writing a draft, I felt like someone was watching me, so I lifted my head.

Enrique was staring intensely in my notebook, but when he saw that I noticed him, he swallowed a gasp and quickly put his head in his book.

'Oh! Is he interested in formulas?'

"Enrique."

"Hick! Hick!"

Startled, Enrique suddenly began to hiccup.

"Hick! Hick!"

With tears dangling from his eyes, Enrique covered his mouth with both his hands, but it was not enough to stop the hiccups.

I gently rubbed his trembling little back, but the hiccups showed no sign of stopping. On the contrary, his earlobes and cheeks were getting redder.

'O my... is he emberest?'

Enrique eventually pulled the bellpull and asked a servant to bring him water. After he drank it, he took a deep breath.

"Are you alright now?"

Instead of replying, Enrique jumped from his seat, holding his book so tightly that his fingertips turned white.

I noticed that he wanted to run away again, so I quickly grabbed his collar and lifted him up.

Enrique twisted his small body in my arms, struggling like a living fish, but... of course, I didn't even budge because Deborah's body is so strong.

"Let me go!"

"Now, now... Enrique, are you interested in the formula I devised?"

His violent struggle subside a little because he couldn't deny it.

"If you are curious, I will explain it to you."

"Why?"

Enrique's large eyes were filled with suspicion.

'If I pretend to be nice at this point, it will only make him grow more suspicious... Hmm. What should I do?'

I thought about it for a while and then opened my mouth.

"Because my achievements should be known by more wizards. So that my greatness and genius mind will spread throughout the Empire."

Because I boasted like a villain with a need for attention syndrome, Enrique could only open his mouth slightly with a bewildered face.

"So, sit here."

I smiled and patted the seat next to me.

Enrique looked at me and slowly sat down.

'He is so cute.'

I started the lesson by suppressing the urge I had to stroke his cute head.

Enrique, who was so wary of me all this time, narrowed his eyes and concentrated on the lesson.

'Usually, children at this age are easily distracted and noisy, making it difficult to teach, but Enrique is the exact opposite.'

"Tell me if it is too difficult. I will explain it in an easier way. All right, Enrique?"

"Ahh... Yes."

Enrique's cheeks turned slightly red when he answered.

Because Enrique wasn't the type to actively ask questions even if he didn't understand, I wrote a few easy problems and presented them to him.

"Do you want to try to solve them?"

Enrique crookedly wrote the answers, and after I took the paper from him, he wiggled his small hand while he swallowed hard with a nervous expression

"It must have been difficult for him, but he did not give up and solved them all. Really good!"

I wispered, as if I was talking to myself while I graded his answers.

I heard that only complimenting a child for the result rather than the whole process is not good for them because it puts pressure on them.

'And praising them with an ulterior intention is even worse.

"Do-hee, you're a nice girl. Go play with your little brother while Mommy is out. Alright?"

"Do-hee, you're the kindest, so give it up for your sister."'

In the beginning, I thought that it was good because my parent's words sounded like compliments to me, but as time went by, they became a burden and hindered my freedom.

After I graded his answers, I returned the paper with full marks to Enrique.

And without saying anything, I continued with the lesson.

But unlike before, Enrique couldn't concentrate and fiddled with his paper.

"Are you tired?"

"N-no. I can do more."

Enrique quickly shook his head.

"Then we can do ten more minutes."

'He has excellent concentration and is smart, but he is still just a little child.'

I finished our lesson at an appropriate time, to not tire him too much.

"Let us end this lesson here today. My teachings are so good that it is a pity to finish them to quickly. We can continue more next time."

"Alright."

'I got you now. I baited you with the 'next time' phrase. Your alertness must have certainly lowered since you accepted so easily.

Either that or you are so interested in magic, that you are willing to spend time with your wicked sister in order to study more about formulas.'

"We should meet again at this time next week. But if you don't have time next week atound this hour, you can always tell my attendant to make an appointment.

Because I am a busy and venerable person, I can spare some time for education."

"Alright."

Enrique answered with a hint of hesitation in his voice, perhaps because I was praising myself too much.

"Ahem, Ahem, I am slightly hungry after this lesson, so I am going to eat a sweet and delicious chocolate cake in the flower garden."

'Please take the bait again, Enrique. It is chocolate we are talking about. CHOCOLATE!'

"Then I will leave, sister. Thank you for sharing your valuable teachings."

Enrique politely refused my indirect invitation and went out of the library with his books and the formula papers that he resolved in his arms.

'Is he really leaving?

He is like a cat. He only shows interest in what he likes and then leaves as if there is nothing special to do after the snacks run out.

'Does it make any sense for a young child to be so uninteresting in chocolate?

He must hate sweets like Duke Seymour... maybe he would like strawberries more.

Haaa... But now that we have a common interest, I will find an opportunity to get a little closer to him in the future.

The Seymour men are frustrating. Not a single one of them is easy to get along with.'

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