Chances to Another Life

9. Who Knows Princess Loves Reading

The corners of King Swindon's lips twitched when I asked for permission to accompany Adellia to the city library. He seemed hesitant, his face adorned with a long scar that intimidated me enough to make me bow my head.

I only wanted to escort her to the library, not propose to her!

"Adellia is under surveillance," he said firmly.

I bit my inside lip hard. Ah, there's no point in coming here then. Had I known, I would have chosen to sew with Aunt Alexa instead. It would be better than being pierced by the king's terrifying gaze.

"My dear, Adellia needs to be entertained as well. We haven't allowed her to travel for several months. A trip to the city should be fine."

A soft and gentle voice answered, like a kind fairy. It was Queen Azura, Adellia's beautiful and graceful mother. Her blue dress and flowing hair enhanced her natural beauty. Truly, I thought she was even more beautiful than Adellia!

Adellia inherited her father's determination and gaze, but her round eyes, pointed nose, and somewhat thick lips were all copies of her mother's features.

If this were my world, they would already be on the list of the world's most beautiful people! I'm not exaggerating!

I quickly closed my eyes when my mind started to think of something else. The queen was trying to convince the king while I was standing there foolishly.

Finally, the king cleared his throat and turned to me, "Very well, you may go. But if there are any activities other than going to the library, you will face consequences." The king didn't raise his voice, but I knew he was threatening me.

"I understand, Your Majesty."

I left their workspace.

"How did it go?" Adellia greeted me with a worried look on her face; she must have been very confident that I could convince her father because she was already dressed.

I weakly raised my thumb. "Done," I said.

Adellia's face lit up with joy. She was wearing her wide green hat that matched her dress. Although we would be going into town in a horse-drawn carriage, so there was no need to worry about getting sweat under the scorching sun.

I myself have been polished with a neat suit, but still give off a casual impression. It's all because of Adellia, she can't stand to see me in just a vest and boots. She thinks I look like a thug when I go into town dressed like that.

You haven't forgotten, have you, that my physique now looks fierce and robust?

On the way, for the first time in my life, I rode in a carriage like those in the royal movies I had seen. Naturally, this vehicle attracted the attention of the public, although Adellia said she had chosen a 'less flashy' carriage.

It was not until I left the palace grounds that I could truly experience community life. Stalls were set up on the side of the road. They were selling food, trinkets, hats, clothes, and birds!

I hope I was mistaken when I accidentally saw a bird in flames at one of the stalls.

I felt like jumping out of the carriage and running to enjoy such an atmosphere. Until now, I had only eaten what the royal chef provided; I also wanted to return to my former life where survival depended on street food!

"Joe, you're so enthusiastic. Is this your first time in the city?" Adellia asked, confused by my behavior.

I grinned nervously. Damn Solace! If he wanted to put me in another world, he should have told me stories about my background.

Then I casually replied, "Yes, most of my daily life is spent in the forest or hunting on small outskirts."

Adellia nodded in understanding. "I remember your bison hunt. It was indeed large and delicious, and the meat remained even after it was cooked and eaten by the people in the palace." She used her hands to indicate how big it was.

Let me try to remember. Did I met bison when Cedric take me into the forest yesterday? No, I didn't.

Did I ever hunt bison? That animal is even rare in my world.

Did I really hunt bison? With my abilities, I'm sure the animal would have trampled me to death.

But apparently, that's the heroic imaginary story of my bison hunt in this world.

I laughed bitterly as I looked out of the carriage window.

Fortunately, not long after, the vehicle stopped. A coachman opened the door for Adellia, and I followed closely behind.

The first thing that greeted me was a series of dozens of steps leading upwards.

I immediately looked at Adellia with an expression that said, "Really?"

Adellia just looked back at me. "Come on," she said while lifting the front of her dress slightly.

I couldn't understand what the architects in this world were thinking when they designed it. Did they want to decrease the residents' interest in reading?

After only a few steps, my feet were already numb from it. However, Adellia climbed up those steps with enthusiasm.

"Hurry up, Joe. Why did you stop?" She scolded me and continued climbing.

Once again, I wondered why there was no protest from the royal authorities because they surely had to go through these stairs as well.

I continued on this seemingly endless journey and before long we passed by other people who were coming down. It seemed like they had just returned from the library.

I gathered my determination and started stepping two on each step carefully. Adellia caught up with me and when we reached the last step, we were greeted by a super wide and magnificent courtyard that was truly spectacular.

There was a large fountain located in its center. A statue of a goddess carrying a basin flowed water into the fountain's source.

Young people (at least I thought so) walked around carrying books. I assumed they were scholars of this country.

I became even more convinced that I was in a fantasy world when I had to tilt my head completely upward just to see the top of the library building piercing through the sky!

Even then, my neck still hurt because I couldn't see its end properly.

"It's beautiful, isn't it?" Adellia remarked. She didn't seem tired despite having climbed hundreds of steps.

"Absolutely!" I exclaimed in awe.

I was still amazed and awestruck when Adellia dragged me inside the library. Rows of bookshelves towered neatly upwards. According to the information board, there were 150 floors here.

Fortunately, Solace didn't make me illiterate in this world.

Each floor is connected by a kind of transparent elevator that makes my knees tremble with fear of heights. Adellia took me to the 50th floor, saying she wanted to read there.

I never thought Adellia was a bookworm, but she really ran happily along the rows of books when we arrived on that floor.

"Here it is!" Adellia took a book with a red cover. It seems to be a romance novel because the title says, 'My Love Forever For You'.

This surprised me even more because in this world, apparently there are novels with cheesy titles like that.

But I thought it was normal, especially since Adellia was falling in love and her behavior wasn't much different from the melodramatic teenagers in my world.

"Joe, I'll read it here. You can choose first."

She left immediately after saying that. I made sure she sat at a table where I could still keep an eye on her while choosing books.

I'm sure this library holds manuscripts and ancient books from who knows when. Because surely there's a reason why this place was built so big. But I'm only looking for what I can see and reach.

Kingdom of Swinggelir.

This is my choice. I have to learn about this kingdom and decided to read where I stood to avoid suspicion from Adellia.

The information I found includes; there are 10 kingdoms scattered in this world (which names unknown even though I've searched), Swinggelir being three of the largest ones. Its government is led by a sovereign King and Queen but requires prime ministers as their extended hands. Politics confuse me, so let's skip that part.

One of Swinggelir's kings ruled until he reached 300 years old, which is also new information for me regarding people in this world living for such long periods of time. Swinggelir also experiences many conflicts as its inhabitants often fight over territories, even until now.

I guess the reason the king sent Elliot is also for this, besides keeping him away from Adellia.

The rest is not interesting as it discusses politics and conflicts. Moreover, I can see a group of young men and women surrounding Adellia.

I immediately put down the book and approached them with a stern face. They need to know that I have muscles to punch them if necessary.

"Oh, so this is the hunter you were talking about?" Before I could question it, a young woman looked me up and down with a disdainful gaze.

"Adellia, I never expected you to associate with someone ordinary like him. What happened to your aides?" the brown-haired girl continued.

"I just asked him to accompany me here," Adellia said firmly as she closed her book forcefully.

A blond-haired young man reached out his hand towards me, he seemed mischievous but I knew that not accepting his gesture would only add more trouble.

"I'm Max," he said.

"Joe," I replied.

His grip tightened until it felt like my bones would be crushed. Reflexively, I returned the same gesture. And so we squeezed each other's hands while displaying mocking smiles.

"It's Boys Time! I'll take Joe with me and Rey." He gestured towards another boy who was looking at him impatiently. "Elena and Ruth, just accompany Adellia. We need some male bonding."

He playfully punched my shoulder. I wanted to protest because being categorized as a 'boy' no longer applied to me, but he didn't even pay attention to Adellia's refusal.

I rebelled. "Don't mess around, kid. I don't want to cause a commotion in the library," I threatened in a low tone.

"Don't be rude, Max!" exclaimed Adellia. However, Max threw the book he was holding onto the table causing us all jump in surprise together.

I couldn't understand why such a mischievous child like him came to the library and read books about military matters.

"In short, let me borrow this Joe for now."

Afterwards, Max put his arm around me until I couldn't breathe properly anymore. He was indeed taller than me and there was no way for me resist since he was incredibly strong. His friend followed us silently.

He dragged me to a luxurious balcony, then grabbed my head and turned it downward.

"Oops, sorry. It was an accident."

I was sure I wasn't dreaming when I felt my body float. I caught a glimpse of Max's grinning face as he threw me from the 50th floor.

My body was floating in empty air. Was I going to die like that in this unknown world?