Bibliophile princess vol.., p.31
Bibliophile Princess: Volume 6, page 31
It might have been selfish of me to think this, because only Lady Pharmia could make all those decisions, but only time would be enough to heal the violent emotions and wounds in her heart. I wanted to dream of a future in which the three of us could laugh together while reminiscing about the past. Even if it was impossible now—perhaps someday.
I clasped my hands in prayer, and His Highness covered them with his. “Eli,” he said with his familiar warm and gentle smile. “Shall we talk about our future?”
I blinked in surprise and repeated, “Our future?”
His Highness nodded. “The recent events made me realize many things. In today’s world, old customs aren’t everything. If you get caught up in them, you might end up making yourself vulnerable to hostile forces. To prevent that, you need something solid.”
“Solid?” I was confused because I didn’t know what he meant by that, but His Highness grabbed my hand and leaned out again.
“What will grow between you and I—the crystallization of our love, Eli.”
“Right,” I breathed, and when I saw His Majesty’s beautiful face come close enough to touch me, I belatedly understood what he meant. I saw myself blushing in the reflection of his blue eyes.
“W-W-Wait, Your Highness!”
“Mm,” he hummed, not listening to me as he touched my cheek, then the other. A tiny, faint scar had been left on that cheek, and I felt something warm touch it. Next, he pressed his lips to my temples, the corners of my eyes, my brow, and my forehead. Every time he touched me, I could feel his warmth and love in his kisses. It was like he was impressing his love on me with every touch, with an unspoken passion that said “I love you,” just like he had that one time. It was a feeling that awakened the heat within me.
When I had reunited with His Highness, I’d felt the full strength of my desire to never be apart from him again, but I had managed to use the last bit of my resistance to push him away.
“I-I think customs and traditions are important!”
His lips were just about to touch mine, but then they abruptly stopped. His blue eyes smiled mischievously as he breathed, “I was so close.”
“To what?” I could see my tense expression in the reflection in his eyes.
With a bitter smile, His Highness sat up. “But...you’re right. I want to love you even more, Eli. I don’t want to get caught up in the heat of the moment. I want to cherish you properly.” Both the hand that touched my cheek and the look in his eyes were gentle enough to convey his thoughts. Even the voice that called my name felt irreplaceable.
“Thank you for coming back to me. I’ll never let you go, so prepare yourself.”
I was still swept away by his sweet words and my throbbing heart. “Yes,” I answered. “Thank you for believing in me and waiting for me, Your Highness. Prince Christopher... I love you.”
His eyes widened. “You got me right in the heart,” he said, covering his face for a moment and turning away. It looked like his cheeks were slightly red. Usually I was the only one who blushed, and a giggle welled up inside me when I thought it served him right for a change.
“Eli, you were only gone for a short time. Who taught you how to do that?”
In fact, Lady Rosalia had taught me some secrets during the trip—on how to keep your gentleman—and this was my first victory. When I smiled to myself, thinking that her experience and teachings were correct, Prince Christopher removed his hand from his face, revealing a dangerous expression.
“I think I might need to interrogate you about all of the events that happened on your trip...”
“No. Please have mercy on me,” I said with a smile.
His hand traced my cheek as he smiled back at me. “Well, there’s still plenty of time left,” he said.
I blushed once more, and as he smiled softly at me again, his blue eyes shining, the gap between us closed. He whispered something affectionately to me before his lips brushed against mine, but more deeply and more lovingly than the time before: “My dearest Bibliophile Princess.”
Afterword
It’s been a long time. This is the author, Yui.
I was finally able to deliver the conclusion to the Bibliophile Princess conspiracy arc. I’d like to apologize to you for waiting so long. After I wrote volume 5, an unimaginable global pandemic occurred. I honestly was troubled about whether I should continue writing this story, and my heart broke over and over again.
Even so, I continued receiving warm messages from my readers saying, “We’re waiting,” so I was able to write it with my eyes fixed on the end. I don’t know if you’ll like it, but I hope you enjoy it even a little.
This time, I wanted to write as if it were the end, and I was surprised at the amount I wrote. The number of lines that fit on one page is amazing. I’m really sorry if it’s hard to read. Thank you very much to the editorial department for listening to my selfish requests.
I have some amazing news to share with you this time. It has already been announced, but I am so fortunate to tell you that Bibliophile Princess will be adapted into an anime. I was really surprised when I heard the news.
Characters and stories that were born inside of me have now been read across the world. I think this is all thanks to the readers who have supported this work. Thank you very much. And thank you very much to the proofreaders, the editorial department, and the editors who cooperated in delivering this work to everyone.
To the illustrator Sheena-sensei, thank you for listening to my unreasonable requests. To Kikuta-sensei, who is in charge of the manga adaptation, I am always fascinated by your wonderful Bibliophile Princess.
I would also like to thank my family and friends for their support, and most of all, to my readers. Thanks to you, I am able to do my best. Please continue to support Bibliophile Princess.
I hope we can meet again.
Yui
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Copyright
Bibliophile Princess: Volume 6
by Yui
Translated by Alyssa Niioka and Andria McKnight
Edited by Suzanne Seals
This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, or persons, living or dead, is coincidental.
Copyright © 2022 Yui
Illustrations by Satsuki Sheena
All rights reserved.
First published in Japan in 2022 by Ichijinsha Inc., Tokyo.
Publication rights for this English edition arranged through Kodansha Ltd., Tokyo.
All rights reserved. In accordance with the U.S. Copyright Act of 1976, the scanning, uploading, and electronic sharing of any part of this book without the permission of the publisher is unlawful piracy and theft of the author’s intellectual property.
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The publisher is not responsible for websites (or their content) that are not owned by the publisher.
Ebook edition 1.0: March 2023
Yui, Bibliophile Princess: Volume 6
