Mary and I stepped out of the Arbutus Palace and began the journey toward the Royal Library.

The Royal Palace complex was like a small, fortified city. At its heart Stood the most crucial part of the complex, The Central Palace, a gargantuan structure of white stone and gold where the King of this nation, My Father, resided. 

It was the hub of the nation, the stage where all important official meetings were held and the fates of nobles, The kingdoma nd its people were decided. Surrounding it were other palaces, among which were the private palaces of the King’s wives.

'The Royals sure are living a frugal life', I thought with a trace of sarcasm. 

Then again, 'I’m one of them now. I should probably stop complaining about the decor and just get used to this grandeur.'

The palace my mother had been assigned was the Arbutus Palace. I looked back at its elegant, slightly isolated silhouette. 

'Come to think of it, 'Arbutus' has a special meaning in flower language, Which is the same as that on earth. I wonder if it is a pure coincidence or an Intentional gesture of love or a mere consolation gift?'

Finally, we arrived at the Royal Library. It was an imposing four-story building of dark basalt and ivy, situated strategically near the Central Palace. 

It deserves the name 'Grand Roral Library'. 

The guards at the entrance shifted into a crisp salute, their armor clanking in unison. They didn't speak—they didn't need to. They simply pulled open the heavy, reinforced doors, and the scent of old parchment and beeswax washed over me.

"Hoho, greetings, Your Highness."

A middle-aged man with a long, meticulously groomed beard emerged from between the towering shelves. This was John La Woles, the primary Royal Librarian.

"Greetings to you as well, Sir John," I replied, my eyes already scanning the sea of bookshelves behind him. "Thank you, as always, for your dedicated care of the library."

"Hoho! It is my honor, Your Highness, Prince Tyler," he said, bowing low. "As a humble scholar who seeks nothing but the truth, I consider it a privilege to be in charge of this... Paradise of Knowledge."

'i wouldn't exactly call you humble, old man'

Despite looking like a jolly, eccentric neighborhood uncle, John La Woles was part of the mid nobility, a Count of this Nation and one of the most formidable mages in the human nation. 

In the game, he was a neutral party, but never the less his influence was immense.

"So, What brings Our dear Highness here today ?"

"Nothing special," I replied, maintaining a calm, slightly aloof expression. "I just wanted to browse some of the volumes on the first and second floors today. Knowledge has no limits, and I’ve found that my current understanding of the world is quite... insufficient."

John Woles’ eyes brightened like stars, a genuine spark of joy reflecting in his spectacles. "You are absolutely right, Your Highness! Knowledge is the only ocean that grows deeper the more you drink from it. Go ahead—the books are waiting for for their new master."

He invited me with enthusiasm but as if suddenly remembering something, he advised  "Just make sure you return them to their rightful places. A misplaced book is a lost thought."

"I’ll keep that in mind," I said, giving him a polite nod.

I turned back to Mary, who was looking increasingly worried about the ticking clock. "Mary, I expect this to take at least two hours. You can wait here in the lounge, or go back to the Arbutus Palace to attend to your other duties. I’ll be fine on my own."

"I will wait right here, Your Highness," she insisted

I didn't argue. I simply turned and entered the first-floor hall.

The Royal Library was a masterpiece of categorization. The first floor held the foundation of the world: general knowledge, history, geography etc.

The second floor was the realm of the abstract: magic, alchemy, magitech craft, medicine etc.

The third floor was heavier containing books on martial arts, weapon techniques, warfare strategies etc.

 Then, there was the fourth floor—a restricted zone containing  important documents of internal and external affair of kingdom and other things from the past. Only the King and his inner circle could tread there. To the rest of the world, the top floor was mostly a mystery room.

i entered the hall, browsed through the first two floor books and picked all the necessary books. I found a secluded table in the back, the sunlight streaming through a stained-glass window and illuminating the dust motes.

I sat down and began. After three hour flipping through pages and scanning multiple books i came to the conclusion...

To be honest, I had been looking for any excuse to deny the reality of my situation. Transmigration? Yeah, sure, it sounds like a very fun premise for the plot of a mid novel, but accepting such an absurd, unrealistic situation as your actual life is a different matter entirely. 

I might have been an otaku, but never did i lost my touch with reality. I never lost myself in delusions.. But it seems that delusional fantasy has now become my cold, hard reality. Denial is futile.

'I can't deny it any Longer. I gotta live with this'