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Myne looked at the shelves in the church library, scanning for anything of interest. She probably had a full bell before she had to meet Lutz at the gate. Not a lot of time, but perhaps she could start a new book.
Most of the books were old religious texts. Thankfully, they were helping her understand this world's religion more. There were many stories outside the main tales, and depending on the author, the five spent a lot of time kicking up mischief and explaining natural events. However, right now Myne needed to learn about noble society.
Her lack of understanding caused many problems. Almost any time she tried to do something she messed up. The head priest's lecture played in her head of repeat. She felt like a fool. But no longer! If she couldn't find anyone to teach her, she'd find books.
She expected to find an etiquette book or two but if any existed they remained elusive. That just meant it was time to get creative. If she found a novel or some kind of book with nobles she could at least see what was socially expected for behavior. It wouldn't be completely trustworthy but she needed to find some baseline for what was expected and what wasn't.
Myne tried to reach up to grab a thick green book but over extended and lost her balance. Oof. Good thing she wasn’t far from the ground. She looked around, grateful her retainers weren’t around to see that- they’d want her to go home early.
Dusting herself off on the floor, she noticed a slim volume wedged at the back of the bookshelf. She pulled out the thick tomes in front of it and took a look at the cover. Fortune Lover? Had she just found a romance novel? They existed in this world?!
With a pleased squeak, Myne picked up the book and put back the other books where they went. She took a seat at the table and kicked her feet excitedly.. The book was bound in a faded yellow leather that felt smooth to the touch. She ran a finger over the title’s gilded lettering with a smile.
Her quest was entirely forgotten as she opened the book in wonder. A bright light spilled from it’s pages and it was only then her overly excited brain caught up with her.
The title was in Japanese.
She didn’t have any other time to think before the light swallowed her. Fortune Lover closed itself with a thump, unheard in the now empty library.
…
“Big sis, where are you?” Keith’s voice carried through the house. Catarina felt a little bad for him, but not bad enough to leave her hiding spot until she finished her sweets. Nothing would make her waste hot fresh muffins straight from the cook. She took another bite. How was the center so moist and delicious? Clearly, cooking was the real magic in this world.
Small footsteps passed by. Ha, safe! She stuffed half of the next muffin in her mouth. It was so good!
The cupboard door suddenly creaked open and she was face to face with her brother. Catarina’s eyes widened as Keith looked at her to the muffins and back to her. He was not impressed. In a panic, she shoved the last half of the muffin in her mouth.
“Really, sis?” Keith’s smile was offset by the incredulity of his eyebrows.
“MmmmMMphmtherr.”
Keith waited for her to chew. She just tried not to choke.
The remaining muffins she covered in their basket. Maybe Keith wouldn’t notice? Who was she kidding, Keith saw everything.
Finally, she swallowed.
“Don’t tell Mother.”
“You know you're banned from sweets.”
“These aren’t sweets.”
“Really?” Keith’s smile became even milder. Eek.
With as much dignity as her eight year old body could possess, she climbed out of the cupboard and smoothed her dress. “Really. These were health muffins.”
“Health muffins.”
“Yes,” she stuck her nose up and tried to remember what health food commercials used to brag about. Her inner mental council was frantically trying to come up with something. “They have whole grains, and nutritious fruit- not to mention a protein rich egg. These muffins are good for you.” Her finger pointed up and she nodded twice.
“Protein?” Keith muttered, then shook his head. “Why don’t we just bring them back to the kitchen? I’m not sure Mother is going to agree that health muffins and sweets are different.”
Catarina’s grip on her muffin basket increased. She knew she should listen to Keith. She should. But the muffins were just so good. It was time for a hard decision.
Her face swelled up in a pout and she shoved the basket at Keith before she could change her mind. She snatched one more muffin and immediately shoved it in her mouth. Her brother watched, amazed as she consumed it faster than should be physically possible.
“I’ll just be a moment.” Keith stepped back and took her beloved muffins with him out the door.
Now what? Her inner council argued. She could work on her swordsmanship or her farming. Either would be a good idea. Or, Sophia was supposed to visit tomorrow. She could try to finish the book that she’d borrowed. Despite the fact reading romance probably wasn’t going to prevent any future doom flags, it was more time sensitive. There, decision made.
She walked towards the study.
When she got there she did a double take. Oh yes, there were books. The room was just how she’d left it earlier. Except there was a small, tiny child gleefully flipping through Sophia’s novel.
“Uh.” Catarina froze. The blue girl hadn’t looked up yet. “Um, excuse me?”
This seemed to catch the girl’s attention. She raised her head and there was a second of a rainbow glower before the girl looked at her properly. She seemed as confused as Catarina was.
“Hello.” The girl didn’t put the book down, if anything her grip tightened. It reminded Catarina of her and her muffins.
“Hello... What are you doing in my house? I didn’t know we had guests over.”
“My name in Myne and I…” Myne looked around as if searching for answers herself.
The silence grew even more awkward.
Catarina had no memory of a character like this in the visual novel. Blue hair and golden eyes were bold for this world, and she didn’t recognize the robes she wore. Who could this Myne be? Some visiting noble she’s never heard of?
With that, Catarina realized this was a guest that she was making a bad impression on. Maybe Myne was the reason Keith had been looking for her in the first place. Myne may not be a main character in Fortune Lovers but that was no reason to be rude.
“Oh, I am so sorry! Where are my manners? My name is Catarina Claes and it’s a pleasure to meet you.”
Myne responded with an awkward curtsy. “It’s nice to meet you, too.”
There was something a little odd about her response but Catarina didn’t pay it any mind. How could she turn this conversation around?
“Are you liking that book so far?”
Myne brighted considerably. Score! “Oh, yes. I love the characters.”
“Me too! The milkmaid is so smart and, uh, have you gotten to the part with the princess yet?”
“I just met her. She seems like she’s going to be interesting.” Myne looked back at the book. The words seemed to have a magnetic effect on her eyes.
What now? It was clear Myne would much rather be reading but as a good hostess shouldn’t Catarina do something? Maybe she should order refreshments? It’d be appropriate to bring out muffins for a guest, right?
Mmm, she liked that plan.
“Sis?” Keith’s voice called out. “Are you- oh.” Keith had run up to her, only to also freeze in the door of the study at the sight of Myne. “Forgive me, I was unaware we had a guest.”
Myne looked up from her book as Keith straightened his posture into manners mode. As he introduced himself, Catarina found it odd he didn’t know her either. Who could have invited this girl then? Mother, perhaps? But mother wouldn’t leave a guest unentertained like this.
Well, however she got here, social obligation now turned to Catarina to show her the Claes hospitality.
Catarina called for tea and separating Myne from the book was a futile effort. Keith hovered awkwardly, occasionally discretely reminding Catarina of her manners, but obviously lost. Myne had not stated her last name, but her bearing was casual and her robes were an odd style yet dyed an expensive blue. She was someone of status, but what status was lost on him.
Conversation dried up more frequently than it flowed and it had Catarina on edge. Every idea she had to engage Myne was promptly shot down. The girl would just go back to the book. Hmm… that was an idea.
“What kind of books do you like, Myne?”
“All kinds.”
“Really? I prefer mostly romances.”
“I think all books have their place. From scientific journals to Shakespere, everything is important in it’s own way.”
“Shake spear?” Keith blinked.
“He was a playwright.” Catarina said offhandedly. Wait .
Myne herself was looking equally surprised. She lowered her eyebrows in thought.
“What do you think of Murakami?”
“Never read him, I was more into light novels than literature.”
Catarina’s mental council of five was freaking out.
“Shakespere could have just been a slip. For example, a writer for Fortune Lover could have described something as ‘Shakesperian’ and put his works in this world.”
“Keith didn’t recognize it.”
“Keith hasn’t read everything.”
“Myne brought up Murakami though-”
“That’s one of the biggest authors in Japan. It might be an easter egg.”
“Hush! Let’s see if she knows what a light novel is.”
“What’s a light novel?” Keith sounded very lost.
“It’s a type of, um, book.” Myne seemed quietly shocked, for once her attention was completely on Catarina.
Catarina took a deep breath. Was this person also from her original world? Were there others here? She didn’t know whether this was good or bad.
She looked at Keith and slipped back into her confident hostess persona. She could handle this.
“I feel we may have read some of the same books.” She said carefully. Catarina thought about it, trying to pick something to bring up that she and Myne could have both read. It had to be something popular… One of her old school books came to mind. She’d enjoyed it far more than other required reading, if only for the characters.
It was a good pick to bring up as Myne smiled as soon as she heard it. Ha!
From there it didn’t take long for Catarina to coax an energetic conversation about Earth books. Myne hadn’t heard of everything, it didn’t seem like she was much into anything otaku, but there were a few titles they could both gush over.
Keith stood silently with a placid smile on his face. Catarina missed the despair in his eyes as the conversation dragged on for hours.
“I’m so glad to have a friend who knows about this stuff!” Catarina beamed, full of sunshine.
“Friend?”
“I hope I’m not being too presumptuous.”
“Not at all! I’m happy too.” Myne’s smile was almost as bright as when she talked about her favorite books. Keith looked away.
They talked a while more over various books. While their tastes differed, the sheer excitement of discussing Earth things was enough to carry the conversation, even if they had to watch themselves in front of Keith.
“Ah, I do believe it’s growing late,” Keith announced. “Your carriage is probably on its way. Perhaps we should move to the foyer?”
“Carriage? I don’t have a carriage.”
Catarina raised an eyebrow. “Then how did you get here?”
Myne looked down at the book in her hands. Catarina waited.
“I don’t know? One minute I was reading a book and then I was here.”
“What?” Keith stepped back while Catarina stepped forward.
“You do you mean?”
Myne laughed nervously, “I apologize for intruding. I think the book had some kind of magic. I remember a bright light?”
“You mean you're not even supposed to be here?” Keith put his face in his hands. “I thought she was your guest, sis.”
“I thought she was yours. Or mother’s…” And then Earth books had been mentioned and she’d just stopped thinking about it at all.
“I’ll just be going then.” But Myne’s grip on the book hadn’t loosened. If it wasn’t Sophia’s Catarina would have invited her to take it, intruder or not.
Keith led Myne outside, all three children quiet and bewildered for different reasons. Myne looked around, her head swiveling back and forth.
“Um, where am I?”
“The Claes Estate.”
There was no recognition on Myne’s face. That was odd.
“In Sourcier.”
Myne, if anything, looked even blanker.
…
Myne was inwardly cursing herself for getting so distracted. Just, for the first time in forever there had been novels to read. There was someone who knew what Pride and Prejudice was. She wasn’t being berated for her impulsiveness. It was nice.
But wherever Fortune Lover had taken her, she wasn’t in Kansas anymore. The Claes Estate was well taken care of. Flowers bloomed under careful gardening and there was manicured greenery as far as the eye could see. If she looked closer she could see artfully placed objects that she hadn’t seen in her new world. She hadn’t just ended up in some random noble’s house across town. This was outside the town's walls.
Was this yet another world?
Catarina seemed to be from her original world and Myne hadn’t yet thought about the implications of that.
With a jolt of shock, she remembered the feel of paper pages under her fingertips. Catarina’s book had been made of paper that had definitely not come from Myne Studio.
How could she get back?
“I don’t think I’m from around here.”
“What do you mean by that?” Keith asked.
Myne didn’t have an answer for him right away. Catarina’s face was scrunched with worry.
“Were you in danger before you got here?” She stepped closer and Keith goggled at her.
“No.” Myne shook her head. “I just opened a book, Fortune Lover, and ended up here.”
“Fortune Lover…” Catarina repeated. Then she said it again in a higher pitch. After the third repetition, Keith grabbed her arm.
“Sis?”
“Oh, well…” Catarina paused and seemed to have a debate with herself. Her next words came out carefully. “I’ve read Fortune Lover before and it resembles… It’s like, um…” Her eyes narrowed and she finished her sentence. “It’s a lot like this.” Then she looked at Myne as if that was supposed to mean something.
“Like what? A girl randomly showing up in a study?” Keith looked at Myne suspiciously.
“Haha, no, not at all. It’s um, a romance story.” Catarina looked away.
Keith squawked, “how is what’s going on like a romance story?!”
“I didn’t mean it like that!” Catarina argued. Her arms crossed.
“I don’t know what you mean, but I need to figure out how to get back. I… Don’t have a lot of money on me,” Myne regretted not bothering to carry many coins in her priestess robes. “But, is there anyone-” Myne stopped. She had no idea what magic was like here. In her world there wouldn’t be anyone who could help her. This world was probably the same.
“Anyone who knows about transportation magic?” Catarina cut in. She hummed as she thought. “Would that go under wind magic?”
“How would that work?” Keith looked at his sister incredulously.
“Well… wind travels.” She pouted, then she pointed at Myne. “Anyways, I’m sure we could find someone to help you.”
Keith didn’t seem so sure. “Big sis, it's a little unbelievable to begin with. Who ever heard of a book that could transport someone?”
“Well we have to start somewhere.” Catarina bit her lip.
“I guess, if you really want to help her.”
Myne honestly felt stunned at how quick her new friend was to help her. They’d just met and Catarina wasn’t trying to negotiate or anything before offering her aid. It seemed a little too good to be true.
Catarina paced, as she turned around she seemed to have an idea. “Why don’t we ask Nicol? He has wind magic and he’ll be coming over tomorrow anyway.”
Keith made a face, “I still don’t see how wind magic is going to help.”
“Thank you very kindly, Catarina.” Myne bowed her head. “May I stay the night? As I said, I don’t have much money on me right now but I’d be willing to trade-” Myne looked over Catarina. She seemed to have shiny enough hair, so shampoo wasn’t gonna be a good bargaining chip. She didn’t have the time or materials to create an object either. “I’ll tell you my favorite angel food cake recipe.”
Catarina’s eyes widened and her smile looked concerningly villainous.
“We’ll have to go to the kitchens right now.”
“Uh, sis, what about Mother?”
“Keith, we have to do our duty to help our guest.”
“She’s not a guest.”
“Do you want her to be stuck here forever? Who knows how far her home is. I can’t leave a friend in need!”
Keith changed his tune after that.
Myne was honestly confused as she followed Catarina. It was hard to keep up with her energy, but Keith stuck back with her. What kind of world was this?