I woke up early.
I put on formal clothes and stood in front of the mirror, practicing what I would say—even a simple smile.....
Despite my attempts to hide the mess in my hair and clothes, I couldn't look perfectly composed.*
All my focus was on calming myself and hiding my nerves. I tried to take deep breaths, but my heart kept fluttering, and my fingers trembled slightly.
I entered the library with hesitant steps. .....My cold fingers tried to appear steady, but every heartbeat screamed tension. The smell of old paper and the cold floor beneath my feet made me feel a strange sense of awe.**
I saw him at the desk !!, as usual: calm, noble, and striking in a way that made the whole room feel dull.
He sat in a corner, absorbed in a book.
When our eyes met!!, my cheeks flushed.! I looked away quickly and offered a nervous, slightly trembling smile...
I sat at the glass table and adjusted my posture. My hands seemed calm, but inside I was boiling.
A woman in her late forties entered, her features practical, her gaze steady. She sat across from me and opened a folder.
– "I'll start with simple questions," she said calmly.
I nodded and swallowed hard.
– "Introduce yourself."
I said my name, major, and skills as I had memorized. My words were orderly but soulless, and my voice was soft at the end.
She lifted her eyes from the papers and looked at me directly:
– "Why do you want this position?"
I hesitated for a moment, then answered in a steady voice:
– "Because I believe I have the ability… and I am qualified for it…"
I paused briefly, then added:
– "I also need financial stability… and this environment helps me learn and develop my skills."
She flipped through the papers slowly, then looked up at me:
– "Do you have any prior experience in this work? Your record shows you're a beginner."
I swallowed and replied:
– "Yes… my practical experience is limited, but I know the nature of the work… organizing books, dealing with readers, managing lending, and maintaining calm in the library."
She wrote something without commenting, and a short silence followed.
– "We'll start with a trial week," she said finally.
– "Alright," I answered quickly, feeling some relief, though my nerves hadn't fully eased
.
Outside the library – a few minutes later
I stepped out and stood near the door, frozen for a moment.
I muttered a loud curse "fuckkkkkkk" from the tension, placing my hand on my chest as I tried to catch my breath.
Then I felt someone behind me… I turned to find the Duke standing there.
I froze for a moment, then stammered:
– "Sorry, Your Grace… I didn't notice you!"
He didn't speak, just stared at me silently. Heat spread across my face, and I began to stammer and act awkwardly, trying to get past this humiliating moment… but I couldn't hide my embarrassment.