Princess Bibliophile - Volume 01 Side Story 05

Volume 01 Side Story 5: Important Things are Invisible

There was a simple bed in a room, Rene recognised the woman lying on top and rushed over to her.

“Mum…!”

It was a Roma woman who looked worn out, and even the inexperienced me could recognise that she was ill. She raised her eyes when she heard the child’s voice and tried to smile to reassure him.

It was a sight that even touched the heartstrings of my memories.

Rene looked at his mother and did his best not to cry. Then, he began to speak, “I…”

“I met a Southlynd knight. He has the same blue eyes as me and it a handsome knight. I thought he was my dad.”

“Rene…”

“The knight told me an old story. It was a story about a boy with blue eyes and a Princess. The Princess taught the boy a spell to dispel the curse his mum was under. He said 『Important things are invisible』.”

He’s talking about 『Star Travellers』. Mother also read that to me when I was little but was it about a blue-eyed boy and a Princess?

The story somehow tinkles my memories. I feel like I had this conversation with someone a long time ago…

Rene wiped the tears in his eyes with his sleeves once and eagerly smiled at his mother.

“Mum, you told me the story about the dancer and the Southlynd knight because I always ask about dad, right? … I actually know. Dad is… he actually isn’t anywhere anymore.”

His mother worried about him as his eyes shook, and Rene tightly grasped his mother’s hand with his small one.

“The knight said that I can’t lose sight of my precious things. That’s why I won’t run away from the truth like in 『Star Travellers』. Because I’m a Roma with the blood of Thistle Star who continue to pursue the truth.”

Oh my, I feel like I’ve reached the answer to the question I’ve had for a long time.

Rene’s mother hugged him lovingly. I also remembered my mother, who had passed away, and my chest grew warm.

His Highness gently called, “Rene,” and smiled warmly at the mother and child who had turned around.

“A new policy was passed about 10 days ago in Southlynd. It’s a free medical institution with doctors and pharmacists for low-income people. It’s operated by the kingdom, so their techniques and skills are guaranteed. It was set up so people like you Romas could use it freely without any problems.”

“Really…!?” Rene asked as his eyes sparkled, and Paolo looked surprised. His Highness nodded firmly, and I was surprised and filled with joy.

His Highness continued to say something outrageous, “It’s run by the kingdom, but the name of the person in charge is Elianna Bernstein. You might still be suspicious because you were threatened by a noble, but can you believe in Elli?”

Excuse me?

“Your Highness… Mm, what the heck are you talking about?”

“Mm, about the hospital.”

No, that’s not what I’m asking.

His Highness grinned at the puzzled me.

“Because you’re the one who proposed the idea. You don’t have to do anything at the hospital, but please remember that you’re the person in charge. When I talked to the Roma chief before, Thistle Star also seemed interested in the hospital, so I hope they will use their wisdom to work on medical research.”

I didn’t know what to ask and just kept on opening and closing my mouth. His Highness smiled and told me that we talked about this a long time ago.

I continued to read books at the library, and one day His Highness asked a question. 『Why do you like books that much, Elianna?』

I broke out in a cold sweat because I didn’t know what would happen if I answered because of my bloodline or because there’s a book over there. I raised my face from the book, thought a little and moved my sight to the bookshelves.

『I’m looking for mother,』I said.

『… Your mother?』

『Yes… My mother passed away three years ago. I have few memories of her. So, I read books that mother loved, and think about what parts mother liked. And… for example, if I read a book about war, I can wonder about what mother thought and what the person who wrote this thought of this book. And, I believe that the people who die in war are unfortunate when I read war books. I think it hurts to get hurt. I wouldn’t want it to happen to me. That’s how I talk to the person who wrote the book and mother.』I said as I gently stroked the cover of the book I was reading.

『And at that time, I searched, wondering if there really wasn’t a way to cure mother’s illness. So, just like how there is a library for books, I wish there is a library for doctor’s.』

『Doctor’s library?』His Highness asked in surprise, and I turned my eyes back to my book.

『I heard that the knowledge and skills of doctors and pharmacies are very precious. But, apparently, books were also precious a long time ago. I’m sure the people of that time couldn’t believe that there would be libraries one day… In the same way, if you have a library of valuable doctors, then they might be able to find cures for difficult diseases, and like my house, there might be less people who would have to grieve about losing their mothers… That’s what I think.』

His Highness was surprised at me again because my thoughts were completely different from his.

He was only relieved that his mother’s illness had been cured, and his feelings were only diverted to problems right in front of him. However, I can come up with a different idea, and think of the feelings of those who are sad as well. I was also aware of how narrow my vision was.

“Such a…”

Isn’t he exaggerating? I backed away. His Highness smiled, shook his head, and gently squeezed our joined hands.

“I was captivated by Elli, who could come up with ideas I can’t and sympathise with people who are hurt and sad. It took almost ten years to gather and nurture capable people with medical knowledge, but I’ve finally done it. It’s a doctor library, Elli.”

Once again, I was so moved that I was speechless. His Highness always cherishes his memories with me. And yet, I was pathetic for not remembering our memories.

“The month before last, the medical technique revival in Krug led to the start of the project. Then, Baron Moseley swindled around using the Bernstein name. No one from Southlynd would believe that a Bernstein would steal books. However, the reputation of the hospital may fall if this is spread to the Romas because they’ll start distrusting nobles… But the Baron miscalculated since the Roma people are famous in a different sense.”

I see. I also understood this. He wanted the hospital and medical institutions to fail by getting people to look down on the Bernstein name.

I also remembered another mystery that hadn’t been solved yet. But, Paolo stupefied voice spoke before I could mention it, “What the, Sister. You said you weren’t sure if you two were lovers, but you’re both passionately in love no matter how you look at it.”

As soon as he’d said that, a sharp glance ran through His Highness’s eyes.

“Heh… Did she say she wasn’t sure?”

“Mm… That’s…”

I bent my hips and almost ran away, but I couldn’t because we were still holding hands. “Hmm?” His Highness’s eyes wouldn’t let me escape, and I remembered what Lord Alan had said earlier.

“Elli, say it. Why aren’t you sure?”

His Highness’s voice was so gentle that I felt like crying even more because of how pathetic I was. I hesitated and said what was bothering me, “I… I’ve always been thinking about it since the other day, but I can’t seem to remember when we met.”

“Elli…”

“I’m sorry. Your Highness, you still cherish the memories we had but…”

Can I call myself his lover when I can’t even remember?

That thought made me want to cry, and I pursed my lips. I looked down, and His Highness laughed joyfully as he hugged me tightly.

I was so surprised that I nearly stopped breathing. I looked up, and His Highness kissed my forehead.

“Y-y-yo-you…”

We’re in public, Your Highness!

“Elianna!”

He hugged me tightly as he spun around, and I was overwhelmed by his good mood, which I had never seen before, without knowing what was happening.

Near the doorway, Lord Alan and the other looked and each other and whispered, “He’s broken.”

“Elli. I’m happy. I’ve never been so happy. I can’t believe that you’ve been trying to remember!”

… Mm, may I ask what you mean, Your Highness?

I was flabbergasted at His Highness, who was frolicking like a child, but I felt my heart lightened because of his good mood.

If His Highness accepts me even if I can’t remember our past, then isn’t it trivial to worry about it so much? And more importantly, I learned once again that it was important to voice my insecurities and dissatisfactions.

“What the, Sister.” Paolo interrupted again.

“Were you worried about not remembering Brother? Then you should kiss him.”

Excuse me…?

“Because haven’t people been saying it for a long time? A Princess’s curse can be dispelled with a Prince’s kiss,” Paolo teased, and he exchanged glances with His Highness, then he grinned.

“That’s how it is. Elli. Let’s give it a try.”

I was instantly consumed by a seething feeling to the point that it seemed like steam would come out of my head, and I desperately resisted in His Highness’s arms. “You don’t have to!”

Rene’s innocent voice came from where the laughing mother and child were, “What’s the curse?”

“The Princess taught the Prince how to dispel a curse, right? Shouldn’t the Princess be able to dispel her own curse with her magic?”

I stared at his shining blue eyes and suddenly felt a memory burst out from within me. It was really suddenly, and I widened my eyes in surprise.

“Curse…”

I was reflected in his bright sky-blue eyes, and I suddenly recalled the boy who I had talked to back then.

“I promised you that I would tell you a secret spell next time I see you. From that time…”

The image of his dazzling gold hair and bright blue eyes overlapped with His Highness and matched together.

His Highness must have guessed that I remembered from his eyes, and he smiled happily, “Elli.” I also smiled happily.

“I remember.”

I felt warm from the bottom of my heart, and we put our foreheads together while smiling as we shared the memories that only the two of us had.