MCPTD 16

Chapter – 16

* * *

That evening.

Located on the most expensive land in the Empire, on Golden Street in the capital, and even positioned atop a high mountain from which even Shadow Street could be seen at a glance.

Despite that prestigious location, it was a place open to any imperial citizen without discrimination.

This place was the Private Rappelt Library.

Just as the library was struggling under enormous maintenance costs for its collection, an incredible sponsor appeared.

“On one condition. I want to create a reading room on the top floor, the place with the best sunlight in the library. A room only I can enter. Is that possible?”

“Pardon? What do you suddenly mean by—”

“Just tell me whether it’s possible or not.”

The sponsor who offered a huge donation in exchange for just one condition was none other than Aldehid.

The director, who had been suffering from chronic deficits, immediately accepted his sponsorship.

After the top-floor archive was completed—

Aldehid began visiting the very top floor of the library almost every day. Even during the war, he would appear like a ghost and come and go from the library.

What on earth is inside that room?

The librarians of Rappelt Library called it “Bluebeard’s Room.” A name taken from the forbidden chamber in the fairy tale Bluebeard.

What could possibly be hidden there that makes Lord Aldehid, the great power chosen by the gods, visit so often?

With a pounding heart, the director welcomed Aldehid again today.

* * *

Top floor of Rappelt Library.

The so-called Bluebeard’s Room.

Aldehid stepped inside.

The large room had a classic atmosphere. Inside were a single wooden bookshelf with a pleasant scent, one desk, and expensive writing tools.

Aldehid walked straight toward the bookshelf.

“Ah… I can finally breathe.”

What he had stored in this room were extremely precious items.

A complete set of <Aegyo Lessons for Ladies>, which compiled every possible method of becoming cute, dozens of <Cute Doll Making Kits>, and…

My sister’s letter collection!

He rubbed the back of his neck and pulled out a recently received letter.

“I’ve been busy lately. I’m handling family affairs.”

His sister never revealed personal details about herself.

But after exchanging letters for a long time, Aldehid had naturally deduced several clues about her identity.

He reviewed what he had memorized about Lirie.

Lirie didn’t really have a family. So naturally she wouldn’t have family duties.

“My age? Much older than yours. Isn’t that obvious?
Kid, study hard. That’s how you become a good person.”

His sister was older than him.

Lirie was the same age as him.

His sister was the smartest person he had ever seen.

Lirie’s academy transcript had been full of D’s and F’s.

Lirie and his sister were completely different in every way.

So why?

Why do my instincts keep telling me Lirie is my sister?

He could not understand why his senses reacted that way.

“I’m going crazy.”

After thinking deeply, Aldehid opened another old letter.

“Don’t try to find out who I am.”

A gloomy sigh escaped his lips.

“Ugh…”

Of all letters, he had opened one from when she had been coldest during their childhood.

I shouldn’t have opened that. That section is off-limits for a while.

His heart felt like it might burst from the pain.

But he had come to the library for a purpose, so he carefully took out some documents from his coat.

They were Lirie’s resume and her neat handwritten self-introduction.

“I was born to a father who looks like a bandit but is kind, and a mother who looks like a mountain brigand but is gentle…”

The somewhat cliché content wasn’t important.

What mattered was the handwriting.

Aldehid’s eyes darkened as he compared the letter and the document.

The handwriting is completely different.

His sister wasn’t just someone he admired blindly—she was truly the greatest calligrapher in the Empire. Her writing was so perfect it almost looked like it had been altered by a magic tool.

“As expected, my sister is seriously the best. A genius. The definition of perfect handwriting.”

But Lirie’s writing was terrible. It looked like a child had scribbled with their non-dominant hand.

Quickly forgetting the hurt from earlier, Aldehid carefully folded the letter and placed it back.

“Lirie…”

She definitely wasn’t his sister. He knew that too.

But she was a strange and peculiar existence that confused him.

So the answer was obvious.

“…Maybe I should make her my personal subordinate and keep an eye on her.”

He rummaged through his pocket and pulled out a magic communication device he had stuffed in carelessly.

It was directly connected to the Emperor.

[Old man, I’m thinking of making an intermediate mage named Lirie Simon my personal mage.

Check her and process the hiring.

Oh, and I’m busy so I won’t be reachable for a while.]

After casually finishing this shocking personnel decision, he tossed the communication device aside.

Then he clasped his hands together like he was praying.

Whether she was really his sister or not, he had returned to the Empire to meet her.

And while searching for her, he also needed to find a way to win her heart like a real man.

His first method was…

Enrolling in <Lady Dahlia Blair’s Perfect Aegyo Class>.

* * *

I returned to the Vuetri mansion late that night.

After removing Lirie’s appearance and undoing my disguise magic tool, it took quite a while to get back.

As I entered, Bell was waiting with a worried expression.

“Lady Sienna, are you feeling better?”

After asking for a private talk in the reception room, he handed me medicine as usual.

“Yes, I’m fine.”

“That’s a relief.”

After confirming I took all the medicine, Bell looked at me carefully.

“…How was the infiltration?”

I could describe it in one word.

“Strange.”

“Pardon?”

“Aldehid. I still can’t figure him out. How should I put it…”

As I tried to organize my thoughts, Bell carefully examined my face.

I recalled Aldehid’s behavior that day.

The moment his fingertips slowly wrapped around the tips of my fingers. The heat rising to my cheeks.

His actions were certainly bold and suspicious.

But what I sensed underneath was something like…

“He’s kind of like a kid. Or maybe like a dog. Anyway… he’s unusual.”

A man impossible to predict.

But one thing was certain.

He was dangerous.

Then Bell, who had been quietly watching me, said:

“Lady Sienna. You’re smiling.”

“What?”

That was unexpected.

I carefully looked at the mirror hanging in the reception room. Inside was a fragile-looking woman with silver hair and blue eyes… smiling.

Seeing the corners of my lips raised felt unfamiliar.

Maybe it’s because I feel a sense of duty to uncover Aldehid.

It felt like I wasn’t just someone waiting to die anymore.

Like I was actually alive.

“…You’re right.”

Bell suddenly made a request.

“I hope you keep smiling, Lady Sienna.”

But I firmly shook my head. I didn’t have time to just smile.

“Bell, I have a favor.”

“Yes, please command me.”

“Keep investigating Aldehid. If he does anything suspicious, tell me.”

I would investigate from the inside, but there were things only visible from the outside.

Even after I die, I hope the world remains peaceful without villains.

I remembered little Bbu-bbu in the yellow raincoat.

My last year.

Watching Aldehid would be my final good deed for the world… and the last and only gift I could give that child.

But the next day, something completely unexpected happened.

* * *

“Ohhh! The hope and dream of our Ability Stabilization Department! Our exclusive stabilization mage has arrived!”

On my second day at work—

The moment I entered the department, Sir Rend and Sir Paul approached from both sides with serious expressions and handed me a laurel crown.