Chapter 7: The Library (2)

The person who knocked was Yona.

“Miss Yona. What brings you here?”

“Can, can’t you just call me Yona?”

“I can’t. Miss Yona is a noble and I am a commoner. This is right.”

Honestly, it’s awkward. It feels strange to use honorifics to someone much younger than me, especially to a 9-year-old child.

But this is a society with a strong class system.

There are countless commoners who have been executed for speaking informally to nobles.

“But there’s only the two of us here. If I’m quiet, no one will know, right?”

No.

That’s never the case.

I can’t see it, but there must be a guard. How much of a doting father is Delkarmen?

The fact that he chose me as the librarian shows how much he really loves Yona.

‘They must be watching from somewhere, but I can’t tell.’

Nothing was caught in my eyes, but considering that the other person is a mana user, I can no longer trust my two eyes.

There is a technique called stealth here.

When I shook my head firmly, Yona’s face clouded over.

“Th, then I’ll ask my dad for permission right away.”

“Ah, you can’t! Miss!”

“Sister?”

It shouldn’t get to the ears of the Iron-Blooded Duke.

If he finds out that his beloved youngest daughter came to get permission to speak informally to a mere commoner, he won’t think well of me.

I don’t want to be targeted by a man called an aura master and the Iron-Blooded Duke.

I had no choice but to look around, let her in, and close the door.

I closed it as soon as she came in, so her guard knight wouldn’t have been able to enter.

‘Unless they’re hiding in the shadows… Hey. Surely not.’

“Then I’ll speak informally only when we’re alone.”

“Okay!”

“But I’ll use honorifics if there’s anyone else. Okay?”

“Yes! Sister!”

Yona hugged me.

We clearly met for the first time yesterday, so why is she clinging to me like this?

‘I guess a child is a child, huh?’

Even if she wasn’t a child, I can fully understand considering the situation she was in.

She was trapped in her room all day at an age when she should be running around and playing.

And it’s not like Delkarmen, called the Iron-Blooded Duke, would have played with her, and Emily has no talent for this.

She doesn’t know that books are like lullabies for young children.

In the end, even children of the same age or maids couldn’t treat her carelessly because of her status as a duke, so it would have been difficult to play to her heart’s content.

So I killed my fatigue and smiled.

At least I’m an adult. I can endure fatigue.

‘Come to think of it, I became a librarian thanks to Yona, so this is not difficult at all.’

“Are you going to play Red Light, Green Light again today?”

“Um…, I was going to, but, you look very busy. I’ll help you!”

“No. It’s okay. Really.”

I must never accept this devil’s proposal.

If Yona is seen carrying the luggage of a mere commoner,

Slash.

The Iron-Blooded Duke will tear me limb from limb.

Boom.

Emily might blow me up.

“Ah, but is it okay for you to come here like this? You said you weren’t feeling well. Don’t tell me you ran away again?”

“Yes! Sister gave me permission! Hehe.”

That’s a relief.

If she had run away, I would have reported her to Emily.

She is also my employer, and Yona is sick.

She could collapse and not receive proper treatment.

‘Seeing that Emily sent her, it seems that her condition is not bad yet.’

“Then shall we go shopping together today instead of playing?”

“Shopping?”

“Yes.”

There are many employees and quite a few guests staying inside the duchy.

From scholars to adventurers.

For them, there is a large-scale store. It’s like a PX in the military.

Nobles enjoy coffee, so you can buy filters and grinders there.

“Okay! But I’ve never been shopping before.”

“Don’t worry. I’m here.”

Anyway, the store itself is hers, so there’s no problem.

Still, she needs the fun that comes from various experiences, so I’ll make her feel the fun of shopping today.

“Let’s go.”

Anyway, it doesn’t matter if I don’t finish organizing the luggage today.

I took Yona’s hand and headed for the store.

A huge three-story store. It’s a building that feels like you’re looking at Daiso.

“Wow. There was a place like this?”

Yona opened her mouth at the sight of the Muelia Duchy’s store.

It’s far from the mansion where she lives, and if you’re a direct descendant, you can just ask a maid, so there would have been no need to come in person.

We opened the door and went inside.

The interior was decorated with high-quality wood, and the scent of pine trees flowed gently.

Currently, Yona has her hair tied up and is wearing a hat, so there was no way for people around her to recognize her.

“Is there anything you want to buy?”

“Ah…no. Not yet.”

“Then, first, look around and if there’s anything you want to buy, please tell me. I’ll buy it for you.”

It’s not like I can become an adult and let Yona pay for me. Although I’m not well off, I don’t think Yona will pick expensive things.

She’s quite perceptive for her age.

The first floor mainly sold daily necessities.

From toothbrushes and soap to clothes. Yona didn’t seem particularly interested.

In the first place, daily necessities are essential for life, not luxury goods that stimulate the desire to own.

So I moved on right away.

On the second floor, items necessary for hobbies were displayed.

Fishing rods, compasses, maps, ovens, etc. There were various types and many numbers.

When we entered the second floor, Yona’s eyes sparkled. Because it was full of things she had never seen before.

She approached the display stand with a step full of interest and curiosity.

“What is this?”

Yona asked, looking at the cube-shaped box in front of her. I don’t know what it is either, so I checked the paper written below.

“It’s called a portable brazier. It’s used for cooking.”

“Then what about this?”

She pointed to something that looked like a cauldron. I’ve seen this in an illustration.

“This is a cauldron used by alchemists. You can put various medicinal herbs in here and boil them.”

“Oh.”

After that, every time we shopped, Yona asked a lot of questions. Every time, I answered diligently.

There were things I didn’t know, but I cleverly mixed the name and the contents of the novel to infer the use of the item.

So finally, I found what I wanted.

“Found it.”

“Hmm? This is what my sister used to use a lot.”

“Ah, are you talking about Miss Emily?”

“Yes. She grinds strange brown beans every morning. It’s coffee, right?”

“Yes, if you eat it, your concentration will increase and you won’t fall asleep. But it’s not good for children to eat it, so please don’t eat it.”

I preemptively blocked it because I was afraid she might want to drink it.

Yona pouted her lips, asking how I knew.

Of course, these days, elementary school students also drink coffee, but Yona is not feeling well, so I blocked it just in case.

Actually, caffeine is not good for the body.

There were various types of grinders on the display stand.

There were also manual ones and electric ones.

Cafes mainly used electric grinders. But this time, I’m going to drink it alone, so I don’t have to buy an expensive electric grinder.

So, I looked at the price of the manual grinder…huh?

“Why is the electric one cheaper? Is it because of magic?”

I can’t understand.

On Earth, it was natural for electric ones to be more expensive than manual ones.

Most of the functions are similar. You can adjust the size of the powder, and the electric one can also adjust the speed.

I threw away complicated thoughts and put the electric grinder in the basket. There were filters and drippers next to it, so I put those two in as well.

“Ah, I have to buy milk too.”

You can create various flavors just by adding milk to the espresso made with drip coffee.

Of course, I can’t make traditional latte because I can’t make steamed milk, but this is better than nothing.

I bought everything I needed.

I asked Yona, who was holding my hand.

“Is there anything you want to buy? I’ll buy it for you.”

“Ah, no. I’m fine.”

She declines, reading my expression. Is she doing this because she’s worried about burdening me?

I thought for a moment and brought the item that Yona’s eyes were on when I looked around the end of the second floor.

“Uh, sister?”

“You wanted this, right?”

The item in my hand was a doll. It resembled a white polar bear.

“I’m fine.”

“But you’re smiling?”

When I stroked her head, Yona smiled again. It’s still a cute smile.

“The total price is 14 silver.”

“It’s expensive.” It’s more than I thought.

“Haha. Coffee grinders are a luxury item for nobles. Didn’t you know?”

“Huh? Then other people’s coffee….”

“They just grind it in a blender, or they use pre-ground coffee.”

No wonder. The manual one was expensive. It was a luxury item for nobles.

Then it makes sense that the manual one is expensive.

I handed the money to the employee and returned home. It was already late, so Yona also headed to her room.

“What should I do?”

After showering with warm water, I was at a crossroads.

Should I drink it right now? Or not.

But because I have to wake up early tomorrow morning, I gritted my teeth and endured it.