Chương 111: Chapter 105: Teacher And Student

Lira tried very hard not to attract attention. Unfortunately, that was becoming increasingly difficult, particularly since the subject of discussion was Prince Lyth's education. She sat quietly beside Lyth while Grampa Waxy settled into the chair across from them. Sir Henry remained nearby, while the two royal guards continued watching the entrance to the library. Vice-Dean Mura had left for now, promising to be back in an hour.

Lira kept her hands folded neatly in her lap and tried to look like nothing more than an attentive servant. The boy, however, kept bringing her name up throughout the conversation.

"So, Your Highness," the head librarian said, leaning slightly forward.

"Tell me about your reading."

"My first proper book was a story about a prince who had the same name as me." Lyth smiled.

"Really?"

"Yes. Prince Lyth was the hero. He went on an adventure to slay the god of deception with a talking fox as a companion."

"Only to find out that the god he was meant to slay was his friend all along?" Lord Alexander smiled. Lyth's eyes lit up.

"You know of it!"

"Of course. It was a very clever story that teaches the meaning of trust."

"I loved it!" said the prince.

"Why did you pick that as your first story?"

"Lady Lira recommended it, of course." Old man Waxy raised an eyebrow, and Lira tried not to shrink in her seat. It was the first book recommended to her by her Book Divination spell. It's not like she had been particularly clever in her selection.

"What did you read after that?"

"Stories about heroes," Lyth answered immediately.

"Mostly retellings of ancient myths."

"Which myths?" Lyth began listing them. Alexander listened carefully, occasionally nodding or asking another question whenever the prince mentioned something that caught his attention. The discussion gradually moved away from fiction and into legends and mythology. Lyth talked about different gods, ancient kings, legendary monsters, and the stories surrounding the founding of several kingdoms. Then, without the boy noticing, the conversation shifted again into true history.

Lyth began listing the historical books he had read. Lira watched the old librarian's expression change. At first, Alexander seemed merely curious, then he became impressed, and then genuinely surprised, as Lyth started describing actual historical events, citing several books he had read as references. He also wasn't just repeating the names of famous kings or recounting whatever version of history his governess had taught him.

He was analytically describing actual historical works rather than regurgitating popular talking points that were nothing more than glorified propaganda. He mentioned The Western Provinces Before Unification, The Chronicle of the Three Rivers, The Rise and Fall of the Abadi Empire, and several other works that Lira had deliberately selected because their authors had compared multiple surviving records rather than simply repeating whatever the ruling dynasty claimed had happened.

He even remembered which historians disagreed with one another. Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.

"And this one says the war lasted seventeen years," Lyth explained, "but another book says it lasted fifteen. Miss Lira said the first one probably counted the border conflicts before the official declaration of war, while the second one only counted the years when the armies were actually fighting."

"I see." Alexander's eyebrows rose. Lyth continued happily.

"And there was another book that said the whole war was caused by a disagreement between the two kings, but the author didn't have any sources for that part. Miss Lira said it was probably just a story added later because people like simple explanations." Lira suddenly became very interested in the floor. She really didn't want the old man paying too much attention to her. Unfortunately, Alexander seemed increasingly interested in whoever had been responsible for teaching the prince.

He listened to Lyth finish his explanation before leaning back in his chair.

"Has Miss Lira been the one curating your reading?"

"Of course. She is the smartest person I know," Lyth smiled.

"She is even smarter than Aric, who is really smart!" Her heart sank. Alexander turned toward her. Lira gave him a polite smile.

"Miss Lira?"

"I might have recommended books," she admitted.

"But you need to keep in mind that Prince Lyth's curiosity is endless."

"He has been finishing a book every day or two, depending on the length." She tried to deflect the attention back to the prince.

"He has already finished 50 books in just two months, and his reading speed is only getting faster." The old librarian returned his attention toward Lyth for a second before focusing back on Lira once more.

"I am sure the prince's curiosity and eagerness to learn are undeniable. However, your contribution to his education was rather inspiring, young miss." Lira blinked. Alexander gestured toward Lyth.

"You started him with fiction, then gradually moved toward mythology before introducing proper history. You increased the complexity without making the material stop being enjoyable." Lira wasn't sure what to say.

"You also seem to have deliberately selected books that encourage him to compare sources rather than simply memorize whatever version of events happens to be written by the winning side." Lyth nodded enthusiastically.

"She says I shouldn't believe everything just because it's written in a book."

"That is excellent advice," Alexander chuckled.

"And one most scholars forget at a time."

"That said," Alexander continued, "I think he is ready for something a little more contemporary." Lira nodded.

"That was mostly due to the limitation of the Royal library's collection." Lyth tilted his head.

"What do you mean by contemporary?"

"Authors who are still alive and writing about the world as it exists now." Alexander smiled.

"You have been reading a great deal of history, but you should also learn how modern scholars and writers understand the world." He glanced toward one of the shelves.

"I would recommend Baron Sulevant."

"And perhaps Lady Bethany of Greenfield." Lyth looked intrigued.

"What do they write about?"

"Quite a lot of things. Baron Sulevant writes extensively on modern political history and the relationships between kingdoms, while Lady Bethany has written several works on economics and the changing role of noble estates." Lira's interest immediately sharpened. She wondered what this Lady Bethany thought about the Kelroth situation and the spread of gambling debts among nobles.

Alexander continued citing more contemporary works, while Lyth listened with the same eager attention he gave to almost everything related to books. Lira watched them quietly. For all her scheming, she had to admit that she was genuinely proud of the boy. In just two months, he was starting to develop opinions, could compare arguments between authors, and even noticed when she offered him sources with differing, contradictory opinions.

Watching him discuss his knowledge with an actual scholar, she realized that she had done a better job than she realized. If everything she set out to do failed and she ended up dead in a ditch somewhere, at least she would have succeeded in starting the boy on a path of enlightenment. Alexander eventually turned toward her again.

"You have done well with him." Lira hesitated.

"Thank you, Lord Alexander."

"And if you are responsible for maintaining the Royal Library, I can understand why you were interested in seeing ours." His eyes drifted toward the shelves surrounding them.

"That collection is no longer what it used to be, not since Queen Mirabell's death." Lira gave a slightly embarrassed smile.

"I am trying my best with what I have, and would love to receive a list of updated reading material to purchase." The old man laughed.

"I could do better than that. I am sure we have some duplicates we are willing to part with." Lira's eyes immediately brightened. And just like that, the old man who had once given a little girl candy was now offering the same girl priceless knowledge.