EP.5
In a tavern in the capital of the Borus Empire, Caldea.
It was a popular spot among merchants for its cheap and delicious food, as well as its specialty dark beer made by dwarves.
A sigh escaped from one of the merchants sitting across the table.
“Have you heard of the book *Cinderella*?”
“If you don’t know about that book these days, you might as well quit being a merchant; it’s a legendary tome, isn’t it?”
Lately, tales about books, especially centered around the southern region, were spreading like legends.
The title *Cinderella* sounded unfamiliar, but it was said to be like a cursed magic book, with children who had read it crying out for it every night, as if it were some sort of myth.
Frantic nobles were even offering bounties to track down this book, but those who possessed it supposedly would never sell it.
“I’d have to declare a territorial war just to get my hands on this book!”
This was supposedly a remark made when one noble pressed nearly coercive demands upon another who possessed the book.
“A merchant has secured a supply contract with the noble family for the book in question…”
Recalling this incident caused the merchant to gloomily gulp down the beer in front of him.
It had been his mistake to accept the terms proposed by the noble family he was dealing with, without realizing it.
He thought, “How hard could it be to procure just one book?” but instead found himself unable to get the book at all.
“Are they out of their minds? To sell my daughter’s treasure?! Just let me be before I toss them into prison!”
After finally hearing that the book might be with a noble family in Goldpool Valley, he went there with money in hand, only to be chased out immediately.
Not only was it tough to find someone who had it, but even when he did, they would refuse to sell it, leaving him just lucky to escape without a beating.
“If only I could get my hands on that fairy tale book, I would sell my soul to the devil!”
At that, another merchant who was sharing the beer slyly chimed in.
“I’m not sure, but I heard a rumor this time that even ‘there’…”
*
“No, they said they’re no longer producing it!”
“Sir! Please spare me! If I go back like this, I’ll be completely ruined.”
This was maddening.
After creating the *Cinderella* fairy tale book and sending it to the noble young ladies, from exactly one week later, strangers had been coming to me every day, clamoring for the book.
Last time, I had carelessly accepted an offer in exchange for money, but with the profit I made at that time, I could at least manage my living expenses for a while.
What’s more, I had worked nearly day and night for a whole week to produce just ten copies of the fairy tale book.
If I were to meet the demands of the nobles or merchants piling up now, I would have to lock myself in my room and draw for at least a month.
“I’m not losing my mind; I just finally got a breather. There’s no way I’m going back to that.”
Although I felt honestly sorry for the merchant who was currently pleading with me, if I took one, I would have to take them all, so there was no choice.
“Lord Rupert, are you perhaps disregarding our family?”
“I’m disappointed in you, sir. Even though we’re just merchants, you rejected our guild’s request…”
Whether it was just the people of the Borus Empire or the entire Sylvania Continent, there seemed to be a trend where they risked everything for honor and dignity.
If one were to grant a request from someone without any valid reason, it would be interpreted as a declaration of war.
If such a situation arose, fearsome-looking knights would likely come and say,
“We’ve come for our lord’s honor; step forward!”
Tossing down a white glove or a handkerchief, just like that.
“Are they going to hit my father or something?”
EP.6
It was deemed too dangerous for my frail body to engage in a fight, so I decided that the best course of action was to avoid creating such situations altogether.
If everyone refused to produce it fairly, even if it seemed a bit unsatisfactory, there would be no grounds for criticism.
*
“Why are you here?”
“Hello. I am Amelia Bluewell, the eldest daughter of the Duke of Bluewell. It’s a pleasure to meet you.”
The movements of everyone present, including myself, came to a halt upon her arrival.
The butler and maid were taken aback at meeting a noble who held a higher status than our family, one of the few prominent houses in the Empire.
And as for me, I stood face-to-face with the protagonist of “The Youngest Son of the Royal Family” in this world I had been reincarnated into.
While our reasons were different, the shock was mutual.
“Please come this way.”
I shook off my surprise. It would be quite rude to leave the young lady of the Duke’s family standing at the entrance.
Taking a deep breath to steady my racing heart, I guided Amelia Bluewell to the drawing room.
“Is Ceylon tea acceptable for you?”
She nodded slightly in response, which was a relief; that was the only tea I had.
As the butler went to prepare tea and snacks for the guest, an awkward silence fell between me and Amelia in the drawing room, leaving just the two of us.
“Why on earth did she come here?”
I wanted to directly ask her but held back, allowing frustration and silence to loom until finally, she spoke first.
“Thank you for welcoming me despite my sudden visit.”
“Not at all. I should be the one expressing gratitude for your visit, Lady Bluewell.”
Truthfully, my inner self screamed, “Get lost, you demon!” but I managed to keep it composed.
“In fact, the reason I came is none other than regarding the fairy tale book called *Cinderella*.”
“What?”
Is she really here for just that? The young lady of the Duke’s house has come all this way to a territory where a male noble of the same age might stir up scandals… for a children’s fairy tale?
I wondered why she would bother with such a book.
“My younger sister hasn’t been eating well since she read that book and keeps talking about *Cinderella* all day.”
Oh right, she does have a younger sister!
*
The Bluewell family has two young ladies.
One is Amelia Bluewell, already 17 years old, possessing a stunning beauty that makes the noble youths from surrounding territories pine for her.
The other is Evelyn Bluewell, just five years old, the youngest in the family, who enjoys the affection of her older sister and the Duke.
But due to Evelyn Bluewell, the Bluewell family has recently found itself in a significant crisis.
“Evelyn, why on earth won’t you eat?”
“I’m not eating if there’s no *Cinderella*.”
“Evelyn, why won’t you come out of your room?”
“I’m not coming out if there’s no *Cinderella*!”
“Evelyn…”
“*Cinderella…*”
Is it possible she has been cursed to respond only with *Cinderella* no matter what I say?
Young children, especially those aged five to seven, are notoriously stubborn, making it no easy feat for even the Duke of Bluewell to handle such a situation.
I thought perhaps her sister’s persuasive appeals might work, but even with attempts at coaxing, bribing, or threatening, it was as if she had become a member of a secret society, completely mute.
“I’ll see what that book is and try to find it.”
Seeing Evelyn’s chubby little cheeks gradually thinning out, Amelia decided that she needed to step in herself.
EP.7
“In fact, I’ve seen the book myself. It surely has elements that children would love.”
Amelia genuinely believed this. The story was captivating, along with its beautiful illustrations, to the point that she considered wanting it for herself.
“Thank you.”
Yet, he didn’t meet her gaze while acknowledging her compliment, instead merely sipping tea as if it had nothing to do with him.
‘Is this man really the one who created such a beautiful story?’
The tale of *Cinderella* was distinctly different from the typical storybooks children usually read. Most children’s books contained tales of heroes and knights, which were often found uninteresting by girls.
In contrast, the *Cinderella* Amelia had read unfolded a fateful narrative of a female protagonist overcoming hardships and finally finding true love.
‘The illustrations were incredibly beautiful. Without those pictures, it probably wouldn’t have been as alluring.’
Especially mesmerizing were the images that, while not quite realistic, had a strangely dreamlike quality that sparked one’s imagination. They were entirely different from common portraits or wall paintings.
Thus, Amelia had envisioned that the person who created such tales and illustrations would be gentle and benevolent.
‘Rupert Somerset.’
The second son of the Somerset earldom and the author of *Cinderella*, this man gave no impression of being gentle.
In fact, at first glance, he appeared cold. His demeanor towards her was extremely dry and curt, which, paradoxically, piqued her interest.
“So, I assume your request is for you to have *Cinderella* created?”
“Yes, if it’s not too much trouble, I would be extremely grateful.”
“Understood. Then I will send it to your family once it’s done. It was nice meeting you, Lady.”
Amelia was quite accustomed to the attentions of men.
Of course, she didn’t feel favorable towards those who pursued her solely for her looks, yet she had never encountered someone who treated her so stiffly.
“Thank you for accommodating my somewhat unreasonable request. I will surely repay you.”
He merely nodded in acknowledgment and exited the drawing room.
Rupert Somerset left an impression on her that she felt would linger in her memory.
*
“Phew…”
As soon as I exited the drawing room, I exhaled the breath I had been holding.
To think I would meet a character who ranked second on the list of people I absolutely should not encounter in my comfortable life in this new world so unexpectedly!
Throughout our conversation, I tried my best to avoid making eye contact and kept the dialogue terse.
During that process, I ended up making a promise to create a book for her, but that couldn’t be helped.
The Duke of Bluewell.
The family of the female protagonist, and one of only three ducal families in the Borus Empire.
Given that the other two dukes were collateral branches of the imperial family who held nominal titles, the Bluewell family was the most dangerous after the imperial family itself.
‘To refuse a request from there? That would be asking for trouble.’
Since I had to create the book anyway, I attempted to speak cautiously to avoid leaving a poor impression of myself.
What harm could come from this? If something were to arise from this single encounter, then that would truly be the work of some malicious fate.
—
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