38 Reason #24: I prefer to be in my comfort zone

At her bedroom

"Haa... that was an excellent book. I wish I have more of these at home." Ivy stretches her hands after reading the whole book continuously while she laid in bed.

I'm very impressed with almost everything here at the palace. The bed is comfortable, the food is excellent, and no matter what I ask for, the maids can provide me instantly.

This truly feels like a five-star hotel stay.

Everything is perfect except being confined in my room.

Prince Leon hasn't returned from work yet, and the maids say that they could escort me, but I'm not very comfortable going around myself since I'm afraid of having too many eyes on me. I want to be as low-profile as possible during my stay here.

I wish I could go to my store and plan for the winter season fashion clothing and maybe look into some future marketing plans for the Hensley resort. On top of that, because I spent all my future money helping Hensley rebuild, I need to start making money for my retirement fund again as soon as possible.

While Ivy sat there alone, her list of things to do keeps on piling that she is getting an anxiety attack just thinking about it.

Then she shouts

"Ahhh! I want to work!"

Now I think about it. I shouldn't have agreed to stay for so long. It's about more than a month's holiday at the palace, and I got so many things to do on my plate.

Prince Leon hasn't told me why he needed me at the palace too. If he just invited me here to play, then I'll let him know I'll come back and stay at a later date then.

Work is still more important, after all. I'm sure he'll understand.

After making up her mind, Sir Jacobs came by and visit.

"Good day Ms. Ivy, I'm sorry for bothering you while you are resting."

"No, it's ok, Sir Jacobs." Ivy looked at him feeling surprised by his sudden appearance

"What brings you here? Were you not busy at his highness's office?"

"Yes, I'll be returning as soon as I pass this to you. His highness has instructed me to give this to you personally."

Then Sir Jacob took out a medium size box and handed it over to her.

"A gift?" Ivy shook the box to guess what's inside.

"His highness had only asked me to pass you this box and this letter."

Sir Jacobs took out a letter from his left pocket and handed it over to Ivy.

When Ivy took the letter, she immediately felt an ominous feeling coming from it.

<hmm... my instincts are telling me that I should not open this.>

While she stared at the letter, pondering whether she should open it, she then noticed Sir Jacobs staring at her, so she asked.

"Uhm, is there anything else?"

"No, no. There is nothing else."

"Aren't you in a rush? I won't take any more of your time."

"Ah, his highness has specifically instructed that I make sure you open that letter and read it."

Instantly, Ivy froze, and her hands start to shiver as she gazes intensely at the letter.

< I Knew It! I knew it from the moment I touch this letter. It's an invitation to a world of trouble. Plus, with the way he says it like that, how can I still open this letter? It's obvious that it leads to something terrible!>

"Ms.Ivy, if you could kindly open the letter soon so that I could be on my way."

"Ah, yes... ok."

She carefully opens the back of the envelope and peeks at the contents inside. Then to her surprise, it was just a plain piece of folded paper with only one sentence written on it.

~" I look forward to the special gift you promise."~

"Hmm?" Ivy tilted her head, feeling confused, "Is he referring to his birthday gift? I thought of just giving him my shop's latest merchandise, but why is he giving me this box then?"

Then she notices Sir Jacobs is still around her.

"Do I need to open the box too for you to leave?"

He nodded

"—— sigh, ok, ok."

And so she opens the box and saw two wooden sticks and many balls of yarn.

Ivy was still confused until Sir Jacob finally explain.

"His highness says that he will accept anything you make as long as you make it, and you are not allowed to ask the maids to help either."

Ivy jaw dropped, "WHAT?!" and the whole room trembled.

"But. But. I'm not good at these sorts of things. I don't even know where to start."

"His highness says there are plenty of books in the library that you can refer to. Since it's a special gift, he expects to see the extra effort from you as his lover and fiancée."

Ivy jaw dropped again, and she could not think of anything to retaliate since she was the one who made that promise.

"His highness also mentions that he would like to apologize that he could not join you for lunch today; instead, he hopes to see you at dinner later. I shall take my leave then. Good Luck, Ms. Ivy"

When Sir Jacobs left,

It looks like Ivy's soul has left her body as well.

**************

At the library

In the end, I decided to check out the library, as Sir Jacobs suggested. (Since I have nothing to do anyway.)

But Prince Leon's request for me to knit something for his birthday is a deliberate attempt to spite me since he knows I'm really weak at needlework.

Ivy's forehead creases as she recalls all the embroidery work she made in the past.

(Chapter 7: the embroidery she made at the hunting games - her teacher says maybe it's time to accept that you just are not suited for this.)

Just thinking back on what her teacher says made Ivy sighed.

"I can't sew, knit, or even dance. I'm so bad at it even my teachers gave up on teaching me. These are my biggest weakness, yet they are the most important aspects of being a noble lady. To think that these people only see a women's worth based on these three things. And if all things fail, the only other worth you have is to give birth to an heir."

Then Ivy slowly recalls how the ladies used to talk behind her back, saying that she was unladylike because her family was not from noble blood and, therefore, not fitted to be the prince fiancée.

When she recalled that memory, it made her expression turn dark, and was about to throw a fist in the air.

Then while she was thinking hard about the past, the maids woke her from her thoughts.

"My lady? Are you ok? You don't look too well."

Mina asked as she saw Ivy with an unpleasant expression.

"No, I'm sorry. I was just thinking deeply about something again. Are we there already?"

"Yes, My lady. We have arrived at the royal library."

Then as the maids open the door, Ivy's eyes sparkled.

"Wow. It's so big."

Ivy steps into the library with a massive smile on her face.

The Royal Library - one of the most extensive libraries in the whole empire. It was a five-tier white building located between the main and the west palace. It was huge, and it also has the most books in the whole empire. If there is a book that you need to find, you will find it there.

"Do you like it, my lady?" Mona smiled as she saw Ivy's happy expression.

"Of course!!!! This is the most books I've ever seen in my life. Thank you for bringing me here."

"You are welcome, my lady. We shall take our leave then." Mona said as both of them were about to step out of the door.

"Huh? You are not going to stay with me?"

Ivy was surprised as the maids that were so unwilling to leave her side before suddenly volunteered to leave her alone.

"Uhm, well." Mina showed an anxious face "we, we are not very fond of the library."

"Huh? Why" Ivy asked curiously

"Uhh....we...we..."

Both of the sisters immediately glance at each other and said

"We are really sorry! We will wait for you outside instead! Please call us if you need anything!" X2

After that, they immediately ran out and slammed the door behind them.

Though their reaction made Ivy felt a little strange, she was too focused on gazing at the beautiful library that she decided not to care about it.

Then she began strolling around the area and look for her knitting books. During that time, she notices that there was not a single person in the building at all.

"That's odd. Why isn't there anybody?" She said as she turns and looks at every corner, but even as she climbs up floor by floor, there was still not a single soul that she could find.

So she thought, "maybe the library is not a very popular place in the palace? Since most of the people here are busy with their work at the palace, they don't have time to visit this place. Unlike me, a visitor who has all the time in the world to enjoy this."

Feeling convinced with her reasoning, she smiled and just decided to fully enjoy the place.

After searching for a while, she manages to find a few books on knitting.

There were

- knitting 101 for young maidens

- Beginners guide for Knitcompoops

- Even You Can Knit!

Then she began to carry those books and find a comfortable place to read them.

As she continues to look around and finally reaches the highest floor, she saw that the whole place looks like a resting area.

It has a fireplace to keep warm, soft, rugged carpets, and large sofas that look so comfortable to lie on.

"Oh my god." Ivy held her hands on her chest, feeling touched. "this is just perfect; this will be my next comfortable spot!"

Discovering this resting area had made Ivy so happy that she took out her shoes and jumped onto the sofa. At the same time, she imagines herself how comforting it would be to enjoy her book like this, especially during the cold winter with a cup of hot cocoa on the side.

"Ahhh, this is blissful..."

Suddenly she could hear faint footsteps walking towards her.

So she immediately rises and says, "who's there?"

As she tries to stay alert and look at her surroundings carefully, an old man with crinkly hair and rugged clothes walks towards her.

Then when the man saw her, he asked, "who are you?"

Ivy just automatically respond.

"I ask you first."

Because in her mind she thought

<why should I give my name to a stranger?>

Then the man knit his brows together and looks at her as if he is examining her to find out who she is.

Then he asked her back.

"You don't know who I am?"

"Huh?" Ivy lifted an eyebrow at his silly question, so she asks him back

"Then do you know who I am?

Then the old man raised both his brows and laugh

"Hahaha"

While Ivy stood aside thinking

<omg, it's a crazy old man, I should leave, but don't want to!>

(Author: let me explain, basically she really loves her new spot, and she doesn't want to give it up that easily just because of this old man. So she is going to try to get rid of him.)

While the old man continued to laugh, Ivy said

"Excuse me, but if you don't mind. I was here first."

When the old man heard her words, he laughs even harder.

"Hahahahahahaha!"

Then it made Ivy thought

<ehhhh, he is crazier than I thought. Sigh, just when thought this place was perfect. Maybe the reason why people don't come to place. should leave then.>

The depressed Ivy then slowly tries to make her way to the stairs and leave the crazy old man, but the crazy old man suddenly stops her and says,

"wait, wait, I apologized. My lady, please do stay. I haven't had such a laugh in so many years."

Ivy gave him a strange look.

"I don't recall making you laugh in any way, though. It's fine. I'll leave this place. You can use it instead."

"Ah, but wait. Your books"

The old man said while he picks up the books that she left on the sofa.

"Ah, yes, I totally forgot about them. Thanks."

Before he handed the books to her, he manages to glance through all the titles, and so he asks.

"You are trying to make something?"

"Yes... a scarf actually. I'm trying to make a present for someone."

Ivy answered sincerely while she receives the books from him.

"Wouldn't it be better to ask the maids to help you?"

"Ah... I have my reasons. I'm not supposed to ask anyone for help. He specifically asks for it to be handmade."

"I see. Well, I hope you can make it then."

"Ah, yes, thank you."

Ivy then bowed slightly and tried to walk away out of that awkward conversation immediately.

But before she could get down to the next floor, the old man called out to her and said

"You can use this place anytime if you like. My apologies for scaring you back there."

Then Ivy turned and smiled at him.

"Ok! I look forward to it." And then ran down with a happy face.

After Ivy left, the old man silently let out a laugh and said, "how long has it been since I laughed like that?"