Transmigrated Into A Tragic Romance Fantasy-Chapter 21: The Bun-Haired Bookworm And The Fanfic Protagonist

“My Lady? Why are you eating so little today?”

Early in the morning, when the night’s fog was giving way to the sun’s bright light.

Ariel Elrond was eating her breakfast with an hour left until the Grand Duchy’s Library opened.

At her maid’s question, Ariel opened her mouth with an apologetic expression.

“Ah, I forgot to mention, but from now on, a light breakfast will suffice.”

“Why would that be, My Lady?”

“Hehe-. I don’t need to eat a lot anymore.”

“Really?”

“Yes! I ran into a classmate from the Royal Academy at the Library yesterday.”

“Oh my.”

The maid, who appeared to be close to Ariel’s age, quickly sat close to her Lady as her eyes widened.

Those eyes sparkled with curiosity and mischief.

A burning desire to hear that tale was evident in her gaze.

This classmate from the Royal Academy could only be a finalist in the Grand Ducal Betrothal Contest.

“W-Who did you meet, My Lady?”

“Ah, it was Elden Raphelion.”

“Whaat–?”

Ariel’s words left her maid completely befuddled.

Of course, the maid’s reaction was to be expected.

Unlike the other three candidates, whose reputations were pristine, Elden Raphelion’s reputation was at rock bottom.

While the others hid their malice and rot from the public eye, Elden proudly flaunted his wickedness.

So, it was natural for the maid to express her shock.

Among the servants who constantly debated about the possible winner of the Contest, Elden Raphelion’s name was never mentioned.

Not even once.

As such, Ariel’s maid opened her mouth with a worried expression.

“My Lady, are you alright? You didn’t have some horrible experience with that man that made you stop eating properly, did you?”

“Goodness! No. It is thanks to Elden that I don’t need to overeat anymore.”

“Pardon?”

“Elden invited me to have lunch together. In the Grand Duchy’s Great Hall!”

“R-Really? But why would he do that?”

“He said that since he was eating alone, we might as well eat together! A-And, he asked me to recommend some Pure Literature books...So I gave him a huge list!”

The maid pricked her ears up.

Even if her expectations were subverted, it didn’t change the fact that this tale was unbelievable.

Even if his chances of winning were almost zero, he was still contesting in the Grand Ducal Betrothal Contest to be chosen by the Third Northern Duchess.

It was illogical to think that he would dine privately with another woman, especially in a bustling space like the Great Hall.

“M-My lady. I believe that eating with Lord Elden might not be a good idea.”

“Why? Because of him, I don’t need to overeat anymore, you know?”

“I’m just worried that you might hear some harsh words from the Third Northern Duchess if she finds out you’re spending time with a finalist, My Lady.”

Ariel directed a beaming smile towards her maid’s concerned words.

“Ah, if it’s about that, then there’s no need to worry.”

“Huh?”

“Didn’t you know? Elden declared his withdrawal from the contest. That’s why he invited me to eat together.”

“Haa-? W-Why?”

This morning,

Ariel’s maid was experiencing a lot of disturbing revelations.

“Oh-! It’s almost time for the Library to open...I’ll be going then!”

Rising from her seat, Ariel gathered the books she had borrowed and rushed out from her lodgings.

Her steps were unusually quick today.

Perhaps it was due to not being bloated from overeating, or because of her excitement of hearing the feedback on the novels she had recommended for the first time.

Indeed, Ariel was excited.

About what his thoughts on the books were.

But she was also anxious.

About his thoughts on the books.

With such a mix of anticipation and anxiety, Ariel skipped on the damp grounds of the Northern Regions, as she walked towards the Library.

Click-Clack.

Ariel’s golden bun bounced and swayed with the chilly northern winds.

**

Ariel managed to arrive at the Library’s gates five minutes before opening, and she quickly lined up before them.

Since she had been the first to enter, Ariel quickly returned the books she had read overnight.

Then, she picked up some new books to read and sat down in the same spot she had promised to meet with Elden.

Worried that someone else might take that spot, Ariel’s actions were frantic.

“Hmm-hmm~”

As she softly hummed a tune, Ariel started reading, while her feet twitched under the desk.

Glance-.

Swoosh-.

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Glance-.

Swoosh-.

Glance-.

Each time Ariel turned a page, her eyes would wander toward the Library’s entrance, making it difficult to focus on the book.

Because of her anticipation for today, she had barely slept, and now she might not even meet her reading goal if she didn’t focus.

Slap-Slap.

The bun-haired lady slapped her cheeks to concentrate.

There wasn’t a specific time agreed upon.

Since they planned on eating lunch, Ariel naturally assumed that Elden would arrive before then.

That thought helped Ariel concentrate on her reading, and she soon became thoroughly engrossed in the riveting story until she suddenly looked up.

“......”

The once-empty Library was now bustling with activity.

Lost in her novel, Ariel had just realized that it was lunchtime as people had begun gathering.

Yet, there was still no sign of Elden Raphelion.

Had he perhaps forgotten their promise?

Or something happened?

Still......He promised he’d come.

Her hollow stomach, from her scant breakfast, quickly made itself known.

Ariel rubbed her empty stomach as she sighed.

Luckily, as she left her lodgings this morning, her maid had perhaps foreseen unfortunate circumstances and packed some snacks in her pocket.

Although they were insufficient for a full meal, they would still stave off her hunger for the day.

Something must have happened......

Since it was already lunchtime, and Elden hadn’t shown up, Ariel reached into her pocket.

She quickly looked around before covering her mouth with one hand and slipping a small snack with the other, chewing discreetly.

Eating in the Library was allowed, but she felt embarrassed eating alone.

Chew-chew-.

As always, Miya’s food was delicious.

Surely, no one had seen her eat it?

Ariel puffed her chest, proud of her perfect stealthy snack.

Her skills, honed since the Academy days, had not rusted at all it seemed.

When she glanced around once again, she caught sight of Elden Raphelion.

His long black hair fluttered as he approached.

“Ooh! Eld-!”

Gulp-!

Ariel quickly covered her mouth with both hands.

She had almost spat out the snack she was chewing.

Her mouth almost burst into a beaming smile.

Her anxiety and anticipation almost made themselves known.

Knowing that such things might burden him, Ariel quickly chewed and swallowed the snack, then waved her hand towards him.

“Ah, you came?”

“Indeed. I was a bit delayed since I wished to finish the book you had recommended yesterday.”

At last, the moment she had been waiting for had come.

The novel he had promised to finish was [ The Great Knight Order ].

It was among the top picks of her recommendations.

“......How was it?”

Ariel asked cautiously, her tone meek.

Her heart thudded in anticipation.

The bun-haired lady was more thrilled to have a reading partner with whom she could share her thoughts about books, than having a companion while eating.

Thus, with a face matching that of a rain-soaked puppy, she awaited his answer, anxiously praying that his initial impression of the book still held true.

“It was very interesting? Actually, the reason for my tardiness was because I had to re-read the last Chapter.”

“Really?!”

Badump-!

In a location where silence was essential.

In a place where loud noises were frowned upon.

Ariel had to cover her mouth once more to stop her outburst.

Today, it was especially hard for her to control her reactions.

Then, Elden smiled as he shared a scene that moved him.

“Especially at the end, when Knight Lancelot tells the Duchess ‘I’ll go ahead. You can rest at ease.’ And then he charges alone into enemy territory. That almost brought tears to my eyes. It moved me greatly.”

Ariel nodded her head vigorously in agreement, struggling to keep her voice low as she nearly squirmed in excitement.

“Ah! I remember that scene too! I was crying rivers during that part. I knew you’d like it.”

“Do you know another book similar to that one?”

“Of course! Shall I recommend another one?”

If happiness could take a physical form, it would surely resemble Ariel’s current expression. She was happiness personified.

Like a vibrant flower blooming, Ariel’s face was radiant, and her smile could melt the hearts of any men who gazed at her as she started to think of more books to recommend.

Then, she noticed a woman standing behind Elden.

“Ah?”

The woman standing next to Elden mirrored her seat during her Academy days.

She was clad in a Knight’s uniform, exuding a presence that was both authoritative and defiant.

On her shoulders were black leather pauldrons, and on her chest, stood the emblem of the house she served. Her attire also included long brown leather boots and a brown hooded cloak reaching her waist, creating an overall shadowy look.

With dark eyes akin to onyx and vivid purple hair, the woman had a striking presence as she stood behind Elden.

Recognizing her as his escort, yet not having seen her accompanying him yesterday, Ariel asked.

“And she is......?”

“My escort.”

“Escort?”

“Yes. Rachel? Say hello. This is Lady Ariel Elrond, daughter of Count Elrond.”

Following Elden’s words, Knight Rachel stepped forward and bowed her head.

“It’s an honor to meet you, My Lady. I’m Rachel.”

“Oh...Nice to meet you too, but...?”

From Ariel’s experience, Escort Knights had always been burly men, with rough beards coupled with a musty smell.

While there were the occasional female knights, they were as tough and bulky as their male counterparts.

Some even shaved their heads or used fake beards to pass off as men.

Therefore, Rachel presented a novel sight to her, and at the same time, she reminded Ariel of a character from a book.

The character named ‘Rachel’ from [ The Path Walked by the Purple Knight ].

A modern [ Fanfiction ].

Everything about her, from the physical descriptions to the name aligned perfectly.

The book was a biography of a female Knight that was popular among women, and for Ariel, who had been deeply moved by it, the situation was akin to a fan meeting their idol.

“C-Could it be...You’re the Purple Knight, Rachel?”

Hearing her question, Elden replied with a surprised tone.

“Hm? Do you two know each other?”

“N-No. It’s our first time meeting, or is it? Actually, I think this is our first meeting ‘in real life’.”

As Ariel became excited, Rachel looked bewildered by this situation as she asked.

“Do you... know me? I believe we are meeting for the first time today.”

“I know! I know you very well!”

“Excuse me?”

“You’re the Purple Knight, Rachel! A valiant warrior, a genius Arcane Knight, a lady skilled with every weapon, the beacon of hope, and the hero of all women who has reached the zenith with her womanly figure in this prejudiced world! I’ve read the novel featuring your adventures three times now~”

“...Wait...There’s....A book of me...?”

Rachel was completely dumbfounded by the revelation that such a book had been published without her knowledge.

And such revelation was particularly interesting to Elden.

A fanfic of this world, featuring his own Escort Knight as the Protagonist.

This was something irresistible, a must-read.

“Ariel. Do you happen to know if there’s a copy of this book here?”

“Yes! It’s in the Pure Literature section. Do you want to read it?”

“Without a doubt.”

“I’ll go fetch it for you then-!”

Ariel rushed towards the Pure Literature section as her skirt fluttered with her pace, while Rachel was simply too shocked and couldn’t stop her, as she rushed away.

“Oh...Why would she do that......”

And then,

Shudder-.

All of sudden, Rachel felt an indescribable anticipation for today’s training session.