“Pfft, it’s me, Caro~ Just like Eve said, Elina’s lost her memory!” Caro stepped closer and gently wiped the tears from the corners of Elina’s eyes, teasing her.
“Oh~ So it’s Caro, nya~ Thanks for coming to find me. Otherwise, I would’ve been crushed to death by the bookcase just now.” Elina patted her little chest in gratitude.
“It’s nothing~ As Elina’s bestie, I knew all along that you’re so short you’d definitely try to reach the books on the top shelf and end up overdoing it~” Caro giggled behind her hand.
When Elina heard Caro call her short, she immediately took offense. It was true that overdoing it had been her fault, but she couldn’t exactly help being short, could she? Still, Caro had just saved her, so she couldn’t just lose her temper. She angrily turned away with a huff. “Hmph~ I’m still growing, okay?”
“Pfft, don’t be mad, Elina~ I was only teasing you on purpose. My Elina’s just too kawaii, and those little ‘nya, nya, nya~’ endings are absolutely irresistible!” Caro giggled dreamily as she grabbed Elina’s soft cheeks and kneaded them this way and that.
“Mmph... What are you doing, nya~? Are you picking on a cat? Even if you saved me, I’m not letting you off the hook. I’m going to get Eve to beat you up later.” Elina protested.
Caro reluctantly lowered her wicked hands. Eve really wasn’t someone you wanted to mess with. After clearing her throat a few times, she said, “Sorry~ I got carried away. I heard Elina didn’t want to play with me anymore, so I thought you were going to abandon me~”
With that, Caro gave her a tiny, resentful look.
Elina’s mouth twitched. This girl looked incredibly graceful on the outside, and she was very kind to Elina, too. But Elina had already seen through her true nature. She was absolutely a scheming, super-strong girl!!!
Stay away. Definitely stay away. Otherwise, one day she’d pet this cat right into ruin. Elina’s current body was far too weak, after all—there was no way she could resist Caro, who could shift a bookcase with ease!
“Forget it. I’m done arguing with you. Hurry up and put away all the books on the floor. I’m going to read.” Elina waved a little hand dismissively.
“All right, all right. If my Elina wants to study hard, then of course I’m happy for her as her bestie~” Caro said with a nod and a smile.
“Yeah. You’d make me happiest if you didn’t distract me,” Elina said.
“Aww, Elina’s so cold. It’s like I’ve never made you happy...” Caro said sadly.
“All right, I’m going to read.” Elina put the books away, nodded coolly, sat down, and opened the first page of *The Light of Sacred Rite*.
This was where it recorded the first day of the Frank Empire’s founding ceremony. The first king, clad in golden armor, stepped over countless corpses to ascend the throne and declare the founding of the Frank Empire...
The stories within were legendary and captivating. They drew Elina in as though she could truly take part in those ancient tales, and she was soon completely absorbed.
Watching Elina read without looking up, Caro could only sigh helplessly. She hadn’t expected Elina to have really grown up enough to enjoy a book. Though she often teased the adorable Elina, Caro knew better than to disturb her at a time like this. After all, Elina was the princess who would one day hold up the Sacred Rite Clan.
Still, this girl was way too careless. She’d come up here to read in the middle of winter wearing nothing but a camisole dress.
Caro lovingly patted Elina’s little head, took off her padded coat, and draped it over her before leaving the library.
...
That afternoon.
“Phew~ I finally finished it. I never liked history books before, but I sure am enjoying the history of another world~” Elina said, stretching.
She’d finished *The Light of Sacred Rite*, too. Its worldbuilding was pretty much the same as in her own outline, so nothing had really surprised her. But the plot and stories were seriously amazing, nya~
Unlike the age of guns, cannons, and fire in the history books from her old world, battles here were fought with magic. All kinds of powerful spells had lit up the history of war with dazzling, brilliant flashes. It was utterly captivating. She couldn’t wait to reach the higher ranks and experience that feeling of “art is an explosion,” nya~
Elina eagerly opened the second book, but just then Eve walked in slowly with afternoon tea and smiled. “Your Highness Elina, it’s afternoon tea time. Will you be having it here in the library?”
“Yeah, let’s do that. By the way, where did Caro go?” Elina nodded and asked curiously.
“You were so absorbed in your book that Miss Caro didn’t want to disturb you. She left the castle ages ago. And Your Highness, you really should pay more attention—she even gave you her coat so you wouldn’t catch a cold,” Eve reminded her.
Only then did Elina notice the padded coat draped over her. She’d been so focused on reading that she hadn’t noticed it at all. A warmth stirred in her heart, which had long felt still, and the corners of her mouth lifted slightly. In her previous life, she’d been all alone, struggling through life with no one to care for her or love her. Maybe in this life, she really could have the family and friendship she wanted.
As for love...
Who knows~
...
