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Crush

The baron's stern gaze swept across the assembled crowd, pausing briefly on Zhang Lin and Erik before he spread his arms, allowing the servants behind him to remove his armor.

"Mary, stay. Everyone else, disperse."

Upon receiving the order, everyone dispersed, Erik vanishing immediately, while Zhang Lin, walking at the rear, vaguely overheard Mary reporting on the past few days' work to the baron. It was merely routine reports on territorial taxes and family income, matters that held little interest for Zhang Lin.

There was still some time before dinner.

Holding a lit candle, Zhang Lin ascended to the third floor, walking down the golden corridor to a room. Taking out a key, she unlocked the door, and the candle’s flame illuminated the dark room, revealing its contents.

This was a library, the repository of the Green family’s books. As a child, Freya had loved playing here, but as she grew older, her curiosity and playfulness drew her away. Now, standing in this familiar yet unfamiliar place, Zhang Lin felt a sense of disorientation, an overlap of two memories.

In this world, the dissemination of knowledge through books was far less widespread than in ancient China. Commoners rarely had the opportunity to read, many couldn’t even recognize characters. Learning to read required either attending expensive specialized schools or joining a faction or family, akin to a contract of servitude.

Although Zhang Lin had Freya’s memories, they were insufficient to fully grasp her current situation. Books were her quickest means to understanding.

The library wasn’t large, containing only three bookshelves. Though the books were numerous, they were neatly organized, indicating regular maintenance.

Zhang Lin approached the nearest bookshelf and randomly pulled out a geography book.

The candle burned quietly, its soft yellow flame casting a gentle light on her focused face. Her eyes moved swiftly across the pages, her enhanced learning ability allowing her to comprehend and remember the content almost instantly.

As the candle burned down by a third, a small pile of books had accumulated at Freya's feet. Most were biographies and trivial novels, with only a few proving useful.

Setting aside a poorly written romance novel, "The Love of the Brave and the Princess," Freya picked up a red book from the middle of the shelf.

The red cover wasn’t paper but a leather-like material, with the gilded title prominently embossed: "On the Practicality of Noble Swordsmanship," by Leonardo Frexis.

Zhang Lin furrowed her brow at the author’s name, recalling him from a previous biography. He was a renowned noble swordsman of the Byron Empire two centuries ago, the best of his kind. He had famously defeated a seasoned general with a noble’s rapier but disappeared during his first battle, leaving behind only half of his beloved rapier. This broken sword symbolized the fall of a great swordsman, and the rapier gradually fell out of favor.

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Unexpectedly, this book’s author was the same person.

The book wasn’t thick, and Zhang Lin quickly finished it. Most of it detailed the use and maintenance of the rapier, with a section on its advantages against other weapons. Crucially, it noted that using a rapier required agility and flexibility, unlike the cross sword or broadsword, which demanded great strength.

The rapier, compared to the cross sword’s knightly stature, was likened to the elusive and cunning assassin, serving entirely different roles.

Closing the book, Zhang Lin returned it to its place. Though not immediately useful, in a world where strength was paramount, she believed it would be of value someday.

Just as Freya was about to pick out a new book, a knock sounded at the door.

"Miss, dinner is ready," a maid’s voice called from outside.

"Oh, I see. I'll be right there."

Responding, the maid left, and Zhang Lin glanced at the candle, now halfway burned.

"Time flies."

She stretched her stiff neck, returned the books to their places, and took the candle as she exited the room, pondering what she had learned.

Currently, though the Byron Empire had occasional skirmishes with neighboring countries, such matters felt distant to the Green family. Despite the baron’s territory being near the border, the surrounding forest impeded large-scale invasions, limiting disturbances to mere vagrants.

Within Byron, nobles wielded great power, holding life and death authority over commoners and maintaining private armies. In Freya’s memory, the baron’s territory had a force of about a thousand men, disguised as guards and enforcers.

As the baron’s cherished daughter, Freya's future seemed bright, her status and prospects secure. Yet, Zhang Lin felt a vague sense of urgency, possibly from being thrust into a lawless world, akin to being suddenly stripped naked, her nerves on edge despite the absence of immediate danger.

"Better to be prepared," she mused.

Lost in thought, she found herself nearing the castle’s dining hall. Under a grand chandelier, a long wooden table was set, already occupied by the family’s core members. Only the head seat and three side seats remained empty.

Seated at the table were not just Green family relatives but also individuals holding significant positions or contributions to the family, creating a large gathering. Noticing Zhang Lin’s arrival, they all smiled and nodded.

Zhang Lin returned the smiles and took a seat beside the head seat. The table was laden with various Western dishes.

Beside her sat Erik, the young boy, silent and lost in thought.

Before long, the sound of the baron’s intermittent conversation drew nearer.

"Send more men to the forest outskirts… those vagrants, I suspect… in my territory…"

"Sir… recently, those trade caravans from the north… suspicious… perhaps the neighboring Viscount Belta…"

"Hmph! Eyeing my domain… this year’s iron mine…"

"Yes, sir!"

As they approached, the conversation ceased.

The baron and a burly man in a white swordsman’s uniform walked to the table. The baron surveyed the gathering, then picked up a knife and fork, tapping them lightly on his plate.

"Let’s eat!"

Deep in thought, the baron seemed distracted, while Zhang Lin’s attention was drawn to the man beside him.

Howard Bailey, the baron’s trusted companion from their battlefield days, rumored to have once taken a blow for the baron, was now the captain of the castle guard.

Compared to the baron, his physique was even more imposing, his presence casting a shadow over the table. His tight swordsman’s uniform seemed ready to burst at the seams.

His short black hair stood upright, and a jagged scar ran from his right eye to his mouth, giving him a fearsome appearance.

Despite his intimidating look, Freya’s memories held an odd affection for him, almost akin to a crush…

"A crush…" Zhang Lin thought, bemused by her feelings towards the fierce man.

Noticing her gaze, Howard smiled, his scar twisting, making the smile look menacing.

Startled, Zhang Lin quickly lowered her head, pretending to focus on her soup.

"Who knew Freya had such unusual tastes?" she thought, sipping her mushroom stew, feeling a peculiar mix of emotions.