3. Lady Lush and Library

I would need to get used to this, Meredia’s default mode seemed to be grinning like she was perpetually in a toothpaste commercial.

“I’m fine, Mother,” I replied, my face aching from the effort of maintaining the smile. “Just enjoying the night breeze.”

She smiled back, relieved, and settled down again.

Great. Now I have to pretend to be a constantly cheerful princess while figuring out how to survive in a story where I’m destined to die a horrible death.

Awesome. Just awesome.

Once The Duchess fell back to sleep, I returned to the balcony, sitting on chair kept there. It was starting to feel like a gilded cage. I need a plan to avoid Meredia’s tragic fate.

“Alright, think,” I muttered to myself. “How do I avoid becoming a Villain Bait?”

First things first: avoid the villain at all costs. Impossible, hahaha!  Second: get smarter or at least pretend to be. I could manage that. Surely I could outwit a few nobles.

I left my room, leaving the sleeping beauty of Duchess behind. As I ventured out of my room, I was immediately confronted by the two guards stationed outside. Why did I need guards when no one else did? Was this some kind of overprotective security measure?

The left guard, startled to see me, asked, “Lady Meredia, what’s wrong? Are you okay?”

I plastered my most charming smile. “Yes, thank you for asking.”

The right guard chimed in, “Do you need anything?”

“Ah, yes…” I began, putting on my best dramatic flair. “I’d like to visit the library.”

I didn’t actually know where the library was, so I needed their help.

“Ah, I’m feeling so faint,” I dramatically placed the back of my hand on my forehead. “Could you take me there, or I might faint!”

The guards exchanged baffled looks, their jaws almost hitting the floor. They stared at me as if I’d just asked them for the secrets of the universe.

“Lady, you mean the library? Are you sure?” one of the guards asked, blinking as if I’d just asked for a unicorn.

I kept my clueless smile and nodded vigorously. “Yes, sir.”

The other guard shot a look at his partner and then back at me. “The library, the place with all the books?”

I nodded again, my smile stretching.

Their faces were a mix of astonishment and panic, like I’d requested a dragon ride. My grin turned into a full-on “I’m about to perform magic” beam. “Sir, is something wrong?”

Guard 1, looking concerned, asked, “Lady, are you sure you’re feeling okay? Do you still have a fever?”

“No, sir. I’m perfectly fine,” I assured them.

Guard 2, clearly flustered, muttered, “Lady, you and the library never come in same—”

Before he could finish, Guard 1 elbowed him so hard he tumbled to the ground, groaning like he was hit by a boulder.

Guard 1 quickly waved his hand. “Forgive him, lady. He’s just a new recruit and hasn’t yet learned that you never mention the library in your presence.”

Ah, it all made sense now. Meredia, known as the “Dazzle Dame” or “Lady Lush,” had a reason for her titles. She probably went to the library only on the 30th of February, an impossibility in any world, but clearly, I’d stumbled into some unspoken palace rule.

To avoid any further confusion, I dramatically sighed, “Ah, the tireless sirs of Solterra. I’ve come to realize I don’t want to be a burden to my dear kingdom anymore.”

"I want to prove myself useful for my kingdom," I declared with a few strategically shed crocodile tears, making my eyes as doe-like as possible. If there were a “Pick Me” contest in the modern world, I'd win hands down.

"I... I... Thank you all for taking care of me all my life. I want to do something for Solterra and for all of you."

The young and overly sentimental guards were immediately moved. The one on the floor began sobbing, whether it was from the speech or the bruises, I couldn’t quite tell.

The first guard's eyes turned into a dramatic cartoon-cat look, melting with emotion. "Oh my god, our princess grew up so fast."

"I remember seeing her in the garden all day, not caring about anything in the world," he sniffled. "I thought she would never be useful to our kingdom, but you proved everyone wrong."

The sobbing guard added, “I always knew the princess was more than just beauty.”

This was beyond embarrassing. Meredia's reputation was a wild mix of controversy and sympathy. I smiled, realizing their reactions were genuine. They really wanted Meredia to improve.

“Escort me to the library, please,” I said, still playing the role of the newfound noble.

He wiped his tears, regaining his composure. “Yes, princess. Whatever you say.”

The guard straightened up, his sniffles reduced to occasional hiccups. The other guard somehow managed to roll himself upright, gave a heroic nod and motioned for me to follow.

As we made our way through the palace, I couldn’t help but notice the guards' dramatic gestures and expressions. They seemed to be treating me like I’d just won the Nobel Prize, rather than simply asking for directions.

We passed ornate tapestries and glittering chandeliers, and it felt like I was starring in a royal parade. I tried to keep up my serious demeanor, but it was difficult when the guard leading me dramatically swung open every door like he was revealing the secret to eternal life.

When we finally arrived at the library, I was amazed to find it was even more magnificent than I'd imagined. Rows and rows of books, some of which I hoped were more interesting than the melodrama I just witnessed.

I peered inside, trying to look impressed. "Thank you, sirs. You’ve been most helpful. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I need to start my journey to becoming the kingdom's greatest scholar."

The guards nodded vigorously, like bobblehead dolls. "If you need anything, Princess, anything at all, just let us know. We’ll be here, guarding the door, waiting to cry with pride."

With that, they left, and I was finally alone. I let out a relieved sigh and wandered inside. This library was like a treasure trove of secrets waiting to be uncovered. Or at least, I hoped it was.

I picked a random book, opened it, and found myself staring at the ancient text. Perfect. It was time to start my new role as the most educated princess in history, one who was also skilled in dodging villains and, hopefully, avoiding any more melodramatic guard reactions.

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