Dorothea frowned at that. "You agreed?"
"I did! She said she lived in the Library and I could read whatever I wanted at night-all night long!" Vanessa's voice grew excited.
"How could you just agree like that? She's a noble. You can never be too careful around those people!" Dorothea paused. "Besides, the library card you're using is Flora's. How are you going to explain if she asks?"
"Oh, you don't need to worry about that," Flora said. "I told Elliot about it."
Flora had never intended to hide the matter of the library card. She had mentioned it when she went to meet Elliot after returning from New Scandinavia.
"Elliot said not to worry. He'd handle it himself."
"So, see? There's nothing to worry about. She likes books too. How could she be a bad person?" Vanessa said.
Dorothea laughed in exasperation. "Leaving that aside for now, did she say why she invited you over? It can't just be to read, can it?" Vanessa nodded. "That's true. She said she had something important to tell me and asked if I was free tonight."
Dorothea's gaze turned strange as she looked Vanessa up and down. "I've heard those high nobles have very messy private lives. Don't tell me she's taken a fancy to you?"
Vanessa froze, then her eyes slowly widened.
By the time Vanessa returned to the Saint Clair Grand Library, her face was full of unease and apprehension.
Unlike before, after picking up a book, she did not sit opposite the Blonde-Haired Girl. Instead, she sat far away in a corner of the lounge area, occasionally stealing a glance over.
Finally, after who knew how many glances, Vanessa could not resist looking up again-only to suddenly find herself looking into a pair of golden eyes.
At some point,