Who is the Villain?

Chapter-16

Lucien sat by the chair all alone, her gaze moving anywhere around except to the person who stood opposite of her with folded arms across his chest.

'Will he even stop staring?'

"Do you have a particular explanation for why you had to run around in the library and even leave the mess around?"

The voice made Lucien's body flinch. She knew what he was speaking about. She didn't had a choice and who wouldn't be when you suddenly hear a weird noise in a huge library where there was no one around. They would have just left and run like hell.

'My safety was my first priority.'

Nevertheless, she couldn't let it out to him about that. She might be judged as a p*****t. "A-are you alright?" Being sensible enough, Lucien needs to ask to show her sincerity.

"Ah, Yes, I'm doing good. Just a soar forehead, a bleeding nose, and nothing more."

"...."

'I should have just up.'

Lucien could almost feel herself sweating under his gaze. After what she had done, she was sure she wouldn't get away that easily. However, she denied herself that half of this mess wasn't her fault. It's not like she was supposed to stay back and help that guy and tell him that she heard a weird noise in the library. Because if he were to go and search for that noise to make sure it wasn't a ghost then, Oh hell! She'll never be able to face him again.

"Ha..ha..ha.." Lucien awkwardly laughs, still avoiding his gaze. "My apologies for the disaster I have caused. I'll make sure to compensate, sir."

*tsk*

The man who was still standing clicked his tongue in annoyance. He release his arms and made his way toward her.

*SLAM*

"Ekkk!!"

Lucien flinches again when the man slams his palm on the table. The sound echoed through the entire hall.

"I don't mind about what you do to me however, I do dislike people who look down on books."

Now, Lucien remembers that day when she had bought bunches of books that were spread on the table looking like a mess, without even bothering to organize them appropriately. 'Ehhh~ I feel like I'm back to high school scolded by the librarian.'

"I deeply apologize for my careless manner." She quickly bowed her head with slight stamina pouring into her voice. "May I leave now? I need to find a book."

"You– ugg!! Nevermind." The young man gave up. He wanted to speak more to let her know about the rules in the library however, the person who is seated refused to cooperate, even to the point of ignoring to face him. It was bothering.

Lucien excitedly sighs in relief. She was finally free. "Well, then–"

"Wait."

As Lucien was about to stand up, she was held back. 'Now what.'

"Here."

The man hands him a book. "You were looking for this, weren't you?"

'Birth of The Spirit Users,' was the name written on the thick dark green cover. "Ah! Yes, thank you." Lucien didn't hesitate and happily took it. "I–"

"Wait."

Lucien was held back again when she was about to move out. "If you are about to leave with that book. You are not allowed."

"What? Why?"

She finally turn towards him and faced him directly with a wide eye.

"Not every book is permitted to be taken away, you are only authorized to read the book here."

The man sternly responds even without gazing away making Lucien more nervous. It's not like he was gazing improperly, it felt as though he was trying to read you. 'I hope he is not the same as the emperor who could read minds. But even if he could, he wouldn't be able to.'

"A..alright. I understand."

Lucien agreed. Questioning more would be nerve-breaking. "Well then, I'll excuse myself." Lucien left with a bow to a corner where she wouldn't be bothered.

"I'm so glad he didn't follow me."

Lucien sat on the first floor at the corner. She laid the book and flips it open carefully, page by page. It was a treasure for someone like that person and if he were to find that she did something wrong, he might not let her go this time.

'During the era where people believed in one God, there was peace, however, darkness began to gloom around human's heart making them turn away from God. And so, God disappeared for thousands of years. Soon enough humans began to look for their savior. God took pity and gave them a trial, a way to see if the human has truly turned their ways. So, He sends a gift to each person with a purpose. The first generation of the Kin clan–'

*Slam*

Lucien closed the book with a loud slam. "I don't need to know the very beginning. Just knowing the ability is enough." If only the book wasn't crammed with too many pages about the history, she would have gladly read it all but, it wasn't.

Lucien carefully breathes in and out, calming her mind, and finally, flips it open at the half end of the pages.

'Different kinds of spirit users were born; some were massively powerful while some were gifted oppositely. Among all, five gifted spirit users were considered extraordinary.

"Ehhhh~~ do I have to go through this."

Not even one page has been flipped and here, Lucien was already tired to go through. Her head slumps down on the table. "I didn't come here to know about magic, I came here with the only purpose to survive from the emperor."

As much as she hated, Lucien pulls her head up and continued with a half motivation.

'Fire spirit, water spirit, wind spirit, ice spirit, and earth spirit. Apart from this, five more spirits which were regarded as one of a kind that holds unknown power, and they were born after 100 years or so.'

'However, during a battle of a great war between demons and humans..'

"Wait...what? Demons? Demons exist in this world?" Her face went pale, and every part of her body froze to the point of being unable to flip the page her finger held. 'Oi! Author, what kind of story are you writing? Isn't this a romance novel? Why the hell is there a demon written here?'

Lucien was completely clueless, her eyes widen, gazing as far to the wall blankly. 'Wait...if demons exist, how was I able to safely get here to the Imperial Palace in the first place and it even took days... Is this the reason why father was complaining when there was no permission for teleportation skills? No wonder, Catherine was anxious whenever I try to peek around the forest.'

Every part of her body shivered when she thought about the time, she actually wanted to walk around the forest while Catherine anxiously followed her with two knights. 'Where the hell did I get transmigrated to? Ahh~ I want to go home.'

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"I came here to return the book I lend last week."

"Ah, Lady Renee, good afternoon." The blond man bowed with one palm across his chest. "There was no need for you to rush. You could have taken your time."

"Thank you, sir Ivan."

Lucien was spacing out until she heard a familiar voice. She raises her head high and sees Renee.

'Oh! So the female protagonist has finally met the third male lead.' However, as she carefully observed, this wasn't the first meeting of the FL and Third ML. 'Hmmm? They've met already?'

Even though Lucien was on the First floor, she could somehow understand what they were conversing about. Neither acted stranger but rather friendly.

Lucien leans her cheeks on her right palm, peering at them. 'I guess Renee must have been here before for her work.' And just then she remembers that her work will be initiated next week. She was as well called to help Renee with her ability.

"Are you sure it's okay for me if I took those books?"

Renee questioned. They have walked towards the table where it laid 4-5 books.

"Certainly, Lady Renee," the blond man who was known as Sir Ivan spoke. "You don't have to be concerned about it." He assures with his angelic smile.

"But, aren't those books f*******n to be taken away?" Renee was concerned for she knew about the rules of this library. Some books were too delicate to be taken away as it was rare and some could be easily spoiled if not taken good care of.

"Worry not, Lady Renee. I'm the caretaker of this Library and I gave you the authority to take care of those books."

"Huh? What the..."

Lucien couldn't believe what she had just heard from above. 'She is allowed to have any book she wanted while I couldn't even take this stupid book with me?' Furious. Anger was sweeping across her body.

'This is too much of a favoritism.' Her hand clenches tight under her gritted teeth. 'I know I'm not the important character but this.......uggg!! This is so frustrating...'

Lucien wanted to scream out loud at top of her voice but couldn't. Renee has already left with Ivan who had decided to help her carry those heavy-a*s books. This made Lucien more irritated.

'I should have hit him more than a thousand times with the door.'

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"Bless and prosperity to the Galatians Empire."

Efthalia was in his living room with a cup of tea in his hand. Benjamin stood beside him who had been holding a scroll.

"I apologize Your Majesty if I've disturbed your tea." A young man entered with a bow. "I should come back later." As the man was about to leave, Efthalia interrupts. 

"I am available now, you can speak what you've come for." Efthalia motions his knight to continue later what they were discussing. Benjamin understood, he folded the scroll and bowed with greet, excusing himself.

"Your Majesty, it's about Lady Lucien."