Aaaah, books, lots of books, shelves of books. Objects of knowledge where one can learn about lots of things — histories, math, science, and also read stories. Stories where someone got transported to a place where animals talk — okay, I should say, I first expected that would be Earth exclusive type of thing, but it would not! — or stories of where the power of friendship wins against the face of evil!

But that’s also a place where bullshits may be learned! Especially the latter example I gave! Power is power! I mean come on, power of friendship? That’s like pulling shit out of your own ass, literally. But I guess fairy tales were fairy tales for a reason.

Now why am I so stuck up on books at the moment? That’s because I’m in the library. A place of knowledge, something something. As there was no source of entertainment here like a TV, I guess once everything’s over and settled down, as the pure and introverted princess, I’ll be reading books most of the time. Old me wouldn’t have, but I have changed!

Indeed! I’m gonna be a bookworm! This gonna be the ascendance of the bookworm named Estelia!

I mean, I think it would be a good hobby to have. I think I’ll be more intrigued by stories than books that have something to do with academics. Imagine me reading a book about quantum physics.

Stories are good, as long as they don’t suck.

Oh well, seeing that I’m gonna be a bookworm at the end of life’s arduous journey, might as well slowly start my ascendance!

Of course I made my way to the fiction section first. Fuck learning.

I looked at the books, searching for one that may be to my fancy. That said, I really did not know what I was searching for. I read a few stories back in the old world, classic fantasies, sci-fi, supernatural, but that was all. I did it because of curiosity. I was never deeply invested, just had some interest.

But I digress, I still need to find a book to read. I checked one up and skimmed. Huh, this one’s about enemies turned friends. Oomf, gonna make me vomit. This was like the trope where the bully became friends with the protagonist after the latter saved him. I think that’s superficial and forced.

I mean, if someone bullies you, don’t you normally have some sort of trauma within you? Or perhaps carry some grudges or hatred, resentment. I would certainly feel that way, and I would never want something to do with my bully. Fuck that.

Or in this case, in this story, just two enemies of different factions. Come on, just kill the other and save everyone the trouble. Spare me the enemies to best friends bullshit.

You enemies? Then kill.

‘But Estelia, aren’t you just being callous?’ Me? Noooooo.

With a slightly disgusted face, I inserted the small book back into the shelf.

Great, now I just had to look through… um, hundreds of books just to find something interesting. No biggie. If I’m gonna grow another kind of hobby, need to give it my best effort.

As I was intensely staring at the books, looking for something interesting, I heard footsteps coming towards me. I turned to see a familiar face, a woman.

“Princess… are you searching for something? How may I help?”

The woman was wearing somewhat thick clothes and barely any skin exposed, like how one would dress during winter. It was not exactly winter yet, but if I recall correctly, it should be soon. Snowy snow! And soon after winter, my birthday! Or maybe winter may hit my birthday, can’t be sure, it happened a few times in the past. I’m ignorant about how seasons work in this world.

In any case, it’s mostly spring during my birthday. A beautiful flower blooming in its new colorful form comes the new season of rejuvenating nature.

With that in mind, it should be autumn now. Haven’t really checked, but I think trees were starting to feel it. And the temperature has been dropping slightly for a while now, just a little though, and it might just be me. Once winter comes, I don’t think I can do many activities outside…

“Soliya,” I said the woman’s name with a small smile. “Yes… I am searching for something to read.”

I know the both of us started at a rough spot last time, but let’s pretend it never happened.

“What sort of stories are you looking for?”

I adorably placed my index finger on my cheek as I pondered.

Hm, what do I want?

“What about stories of adventure?”

“Adventure?”

“The sort of where they find themselves in different kinds of locations, where every place is different, unique. Where the main characters chat and laugh by the campfire, basically they get along very well. Or any kind of adventure stories where all kinds of places are shown.”

“I see… adventures.”

She approached a shelf and briefly searched through the books before pulling one out. After getting a small glimpse of the cover, she presented it to me.

“You may try this, your highness. A tale of a small group of adventurers that found themselves in an underground city. But of course, there is more to the place than just a mere simple city.”

I received the book with a smile. “Then I will try it.”

With no more words to say, I left her while carrying the book in my arms. Bearing in mind our last encounter, well, it was a bit awkward. Best to keep our meeting short.

If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.

I arrived at the lobby. By the table that I’ll be using to study, sat my three servants. There’s really no point in bringing them to my browsing for books.

As I approached to sit down by the table, Rogan asked me with a playful smile. “So, princess? What you got there?”

“Apparently, a story about adventure.”

“Wow, that seems nice.”

“I hope you get to finish it the whole way, your highness… not just stop at page ten.”

I furrowed my brows towards Vernon who just made that rude comment… What's he trying to say? That I can’t bear to read books at all? I’ll show him!

Now my legs have relaxed after finally sitting down, I opened the book and began reading the first page.

It started with basically getting a sense of the character of the… um, characters. There’s a swordsman, a mage, an archer, and… another mage? Huh, the last other mage could cast healing magic, probably to focus more on supporting the crew. In any case, I think they’re nice.

So bla bla bla happened and suddenly they fell into a hole, like how Alice got into wonderland… They found themselves in a place full of wonders. Wonders not stemming from beauty, but there were a few of that to be seen in where they ended up. It’s the wonder of how a city of this scale gets to exist here.

A city made of stone hidden miles deep into the ground, standing in a dome that was also for like a mile high. Wait, how the hell did they survive a fall that high?! Fucking fiction stories.

At any rate, the group went round and round to discover humans being enslaved by monsters. After that, some some happened. I’m like twelve pages in and I was getting some sort of urge to look away and get distracted. I didn’t know why, I didn’t mind reading, but sometimes knowing how long novels were and well, when things were this casual, my attention ends up somewhere. Don’t know why.

Even so! If I was going to be a bookworm, I’m gonna finish this all the way to the end!!

And then some time passed, around fifty pages in, now I’m looking through the large windows.

Oh look, a bird!

“See, your highness? You’re getting distracted already.”

Don’t give me that snarky comment, Vernon!

“At least I reached like fifty pages rather than ten as you said, hmph!”

I dramatically looked away from the three of them with an exaggerated pout. Everything takes time! Even trying to become a bookworm that just casually consumes books. Books of hundreds of pages… Aaaaaah.

Rogan, on the other hand, merely laughed at me. How rude!

It was then at that moment that someone approached us, the person I have been waiting for.

I turned towards her with a wide smile. “Mother!”

She was the reason I came here to the library in the first place. We were to discuss the socializing plans that I will be going through, which was apparently essential considering that I will be getting my debut on my next birthday, my transition to adulthood!

“I see you have a book. The cover is familiar. What is it about again?” she asked as she sat down beside me.

Meanwhile, my servants left to give the both of us some privacy.

With a bit of excitement talking with my mother about casual stuff like this, I gave her the gist of the book. “It’s about a group of adventurers that fell into a deep hole and ended up in a strange place, almost like another world.”

Hm, yes, it does seem like they fell into another world. That concept sounded almost familiar, I wonder who else suddenly ended up in another world… oh wait…

“Ah, yes. I think I remember that now, a little. It has been a while since I last read it. So, what do you think?”

“I think it’s alright. I’m still at around a third of the book anyway, so I can’t still make up my mind. And for now, I’m resting.”

“I see,” when she said that, she suddenly pinched my cheek.

“Ow…”

“Now you’re that far, I would like it if you finish the book in its entirety.”

The entirety?!

Wait, that aside, was pinching my cheek really necessary?

“... I, I’ll try…”

My mother giggled before changing the topic. “Now then, let’s talk about your socializing.”

“Okay…”

“As it would truly be your first time talking with a group of young ladies such as yourself, you will need to start small.”

Indeed, I have never talked to any ladies around my age except for my cousin. In short, I didn’t have a social circle, or friend circle? Now what’s the difference? Politics and legit friendship. Not like I would take the latter to heart. Guess I’m just gonna find some acquaintances.

“Therefore, you will meet with the daughters of the capital nobles first. You have plenty you can meet, so you will be fine.”

I meekly nodded. “May I know their names before I meet them?”

“Certainly, I will send you a list. Would you like to know their personalities as well?”

“That would be good…”

“Very well,” she observed me while I was looking seemingly nervous. “There’s nothing to worry about, my dear. You are the princess, they will treat you right. If you’re going to be nervous the time you meet them, just take in deep breaths… you may even consult with your cousin, Mizia.”

Guess I’ll be relying on my sweet cousin for most of the time.

“Speaking of Mizia,” my mother continued. “I have yet to speak of this matter to her father, but if he comes back, I’ll be sure to tell him. Mizia I expect should be willing to help you.”

“... I hope she will.”

“Still, where do you want the socializing to take place, Estelia?”

“I don’t have a preference…”

“Hm… Leodoule mentioned that he wants you to take a break. So what about you also going for a little vacation in Mizia’s home? That could be a good way of forgetting all the stressful things in the palace.”

I smiled. “That is a great idea.”

“Then, we’ll have socializing held in your cousin’s home. That way, she’ll always be by your side to assist you.”

Agreed.

“There will be preparations needed for your departures, as I expect you will not only be there for a day. Not only daily necessities, but you will also need guards.”

“But I already have my servants.”

“For your person, yes. But for the place, we need it. Knights will be deployed for your safety.”

“...”

“Also, we might need to check the guests thoroughly. Especially considering the reason you want to enact the plan for the kingdom’s aristocrats.”

Yes, that. My mother knew about that now. It’s not surprising that she was being wary of the nobles that may come close to me.

“I understand. Do what you believe is necessary, mother.”

“Alright… now then as for when… When will you start with this? Next week?”

“No… I still have other things to finish before taking… a break.”

“I see…” My mother seemed sad. “Then when exactly do you expect things to be done?”

“Give me a month at most.”

“A… month? That’s unexpectedly a long time, dear. Just… how much do you need to finish?”

“Plenty… but when they are done, I should have time for myself going forward.”

She extended her hand and caressed my cheek softly. “Don’t overwork yourself, okay?”

“Yes, mother.”

“Good. If you do otherwise, I’m afraid I’ll have you read a couple of books a day.”

I pouted. Two books a day, even that would be too much for someone like me.

Suddenly, Rogan chimed in. “Pardon me, princess. A messenger from Marquis Teristro wants to speak with you.”

“Alright.”

Rogan beckoned for the messenger to approach.

“Greetings, my Queen, and Princess. I bear a message from Marquis Teristro for Princess Estelia.”

“What is it?” I asked.

“The documents that you requested,” he said in a low voice. “The first batch will be arriving in an hour. The Marquis requests preparations for its arrival.”

“Understood. But the first batch?”

“The rest are still being sorted.”

“How many documents are there?”

“Multiple suitcases.”

Well fuck.

And that’s still the first batch. Good thing I wouldn’t be the one that would be processing those.

“How many batches will there be?”

“We expect it to be only two or three.”

“Alright, noted. I will let Father know. You may go.”

As the messenger left, I turned to face my mother. “It would appear I need to go, mother. I’ll see you later at lunch.”

“What about you let me help when those documents arrive? I am quite good at those things.”

“If it’s alright with you. But there will be a ton of them to work through.”

“Surely it will be manageable.”

“... Very well… I’ll call for you when the first batch is set up.”