Chapter 9: An Unexpected Library Visit

Morning sunlight filtered through the tall windows on the second floor of the academy's main library, casting golden bands of light across rows of polished, aged wooden floorboards.

After yesterday afternoon's tea-time incident—which nearly gave both the Crown Prince and me a heart attack—I decided to spend today in the safest, quietest spot in the entire academy: the library's most secluded corner, where ancient historical manuscripts were kept.

Here, no prince would come to interrogate me with a piercing gaze, no Cedric would spread bizarre rumors, and—most importantly—no crowd would stare at me with feigned adoration.

I sat at a wide wooden reading table and opened a thick, black leather-bound book on the origins of pure elemental magic.

*Ah, paradise... This is the quiet life I’ve longed for. Reading ancient books, enjoying the silence, and sleeping soundly in the dormitory tonight.*

A faint smile played on my lips as I savored these rare moments of peace.

However, the laws of physics seemed to harbor a deep grudge against my simple desire for a quiet life.

The sound of soft, hesitant footsteps approached my reading table.

I immediately straightened my posture, resumed my icy expression, and cast a languid glance to the side.

A figure with honey-brown hair, dressed in a neat academy uniform, stood at the edge of the table, nervously interlacing her fingers.

Elena Rosehart.

*Again?! Why is the protagonist so intent on approaching me?! Does she have some sort of special radar that lets her find me even in places as secluded as this?!* That scream of panic was echoing loudly in my head, while on the outside, I simply raised an eyebrow, fixing her with a gaze as sharp as a dagger.

"What do you want this time, Elena Rosehart? This place is for reading books, not for wandering aimlessly," I said in a low, cold, and authoritative tone.

Elena started slightly at the sound of my voice, but instead of fleeing like any random extra or NPC would, she took a deep breath and stepped closer.

"Ahem... forgive the interruption to your reading, Lady Alicia," Elena said, her voice calm yet determined. "Actually... I wanted to ask for your help."

I froze in my seat. My brain suffered a massive buffering error.

Ask for help? From *me*? Hello?! You’re the main heroine with limitless powers, surrounded by gorgeous guys! Why are you asking for help from the villainess who’s supposed to be your arch-nemesis?

"Help?" My voice came out cold as I tried to mask my utter confusion. "As fellow students at the academy, I find it rather odd that someone like Elena Rosehart would ask *me* for help. What is it you really want?"

Elena lowered her gaze for a moment, then looked up again, her emerald-green eyes shining with sincere determination.

"I’m struggling to grasp the advanced magic manipulation theory Professor Orion explained yesterday," Elena confessed honestly. "And... out of everyone in the class, I noticed that your control over ice magic is absolutely flawless. I know we aren't exactly close, but... would you be willing to teach me a little?"

Hearing that request made me feel like coughing up blood right then and there.

Is she asking me to teach her magic?! If I refuse, I’ll be branded a cruel and arrogant villainess. But if I show him, our closeness will only shatter the original plot and further arouse the prince's suspicions. Why is my life in this fantasy world an endless succession of dilemmas?

A cold sweat ran down my back as I desperately tried to maintain my mask of arrogance, crossing my arms over my chest.