When Rolando came with the newly tailored ceremonial robes for the empress, Harper was playing with Patrick to kill time. He was all smiles and was walking briskly.
"I have brought the clothes, Harper. I asked them to make them according to your size, but since I don't really know the specifics of your size, I don't really know if they'll fit you. So try them on! Don't worry if they don't fit—we have plenty of time to modify them," Rolando said, his tone gentle as he caressed the bright red outfit.
Harper continued to play with Patrick, pretending not to hear what Rolando was saying. No one in the world would be able to convince her to try the robes as she knew that she wouldn't be the empress—in the past, in the present, or in the future.
Rolando surprisingly didn't feel bad about Harper's silence and didn't even press her for a response. Instead, he just took the Heavenly Book on the table and said, "Harper, I'll keep this for the time being. I'll give it back to you after the coronation ceremony."
Harper glanced up at Rolando but still didn't say anything. It was never her intention to hold on to the book or to take it away from him. It really didn't have any use to her anymore, as she had already inherited all its contents and secrets. At that point, the Heavenly Book was already coursing through her veins that she had no need for its physical form anymore.
"The coronation ceremony is going to be held tomorrow, Harper. Don't you have anything to say about that?" Rolando asked. Harper's silence was starting to get into him as he rarely saw her like this. He had seen her angry many, many times, but she was never this quiet.
"I have nothing to say," Harper answered, as she held Patrick tightly in her arms, rubbing its head. Patrick, however, didn't like it at all and tried to wriggle free from Harper's clutches. Unfortunately for it, she wasn't budging, so it decided to play dead instead.
"Well, if that's the case, you better rest early. Tomorrow will be very busy," Rolando said gently, poised to leave. To him, what Harper thought and wanted didn't matter at all—his plans would come to fruition, no matter what happened. Even the knowledge that Matthew was lurking in the capital didn't worry him one bit—if worse came to worst and they had to duel it out, he was ready. They had been mortal enemies for the longest time now, and it was high time that someone between them triumphed.
Seeing that Rolando was about to head to the door, Harper suddenly said, "It's been said that the library of the Great Jade Kingdom has the most complete collection of books in the whole world. I think I want to have a look around there."
Rolando looked surprised but nodded nonetheless. "Okay. I'll take you there."
"Thank you."
After a bit of preparation, the two of them made their way to the famous library. It was a large building with three floors. The books it was housing covered all kinds of fields, including cultivation, martial arts, court affairs, and so on.
"I think I want to stay here and read books today," Harper declared as soon as they arrived. She immediately went upstairs to find one book about medicine. Although she didn't know whether she could find it or not, it was better than staying in the Harmony Palace in a daze.
"Okay," Rolando called behind her. He immediately ordered his people to stand guard outside so that it would be impossible for Harper to escape.
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