Afterword

Hello! I’m Yui, the author that wishes she could hibernate like a bear in the woods during winter. I would like to thank you from the bottom of my heart for picking up the second installment of Bibliophile Princess. The whole reason I am able to bring you this book is because of all the people gracious enough to want to pick up my work in the first place and read it. I truly appreciate all of you.

I know it’s a bit sudden, but I’d like to share some behind the scenes tidbits with you. For those who haven’t read the whole book and have skipped to the end to read the afterword first, please be warned there will be spoilers. Proceed with caution.

This volume contains a compilation of three arcs, a triple feature that’s serious in the first half and comedy in the latter half.

The first of these was originally entitled The Flower Protector. We took the web version of the story and edited it for print. In the process, we revised parts that might have been difficult to understand for less experienced readers, and as a result, the story here differs a bit from what I originally wrote for the web novel. I hope those of you who have already read the web version were still able to enjoy your second readthrough with the light novel.

The Flower Protector differs from the first volume of the series in that it’s not about showing off the heroine’s (Elianna’s) power. It’s about giving her the opportunity to come face-to-face with everything she’d said up until now without really considering the consequences of what she was saying. I wanted to show the reader the process of her ruminating, feeling uncertain, learning, and ultimately, settling into her own beliefs. I hope I was able to convey that well enough.

The insect you see appear during the story (ladybird) is the British term for the lady beetle (also known as coccinellidae). Though I would like you all to know the depiction of it in this story is completely fictional.

The second story is about the royal guards. This one was added for the light novel and was not originally part of the web novel series. Since The Flower Protector was such a serious story, I wanted to aim for something that could allow people to relax a bit more, and so of course, Glen had to be sacrificed (lol).

I know I’m the one who wrote it, but even I thought it was so utterly tragic I almost wanted to open up a donation box for him. Still, given his character, being pitiful (and wretched) just fit.

Well, actually, the extra story was supposed to originally feature the rival prince in a starring role, but alas, Glen’s charisma exceeded his and stole the show in my head, so this must have been how he wanted things to turn out.

The third story is The Desire to Cheat. This was originally a complete short story that was part of the web novel version, but I decided to add to it since there were so many who asked for a continuation of it. Since the first time I wrote it with a happily-ever-after type of ending with no real way to continue on, I was drawing blanks with how to proceed. That’s why it turned to comedy. Some “Fairy Princess” Eli turned out to be...whoops!

Well, at any rate, if there hadn’t been requests for me to write a continuation, I don’t think this story would have ever come to be. I would like to once again show my appreciation to all of you, both those who read the web novel series and those who picked this off the shelf. Thank you.

Our hero and heroine, much like their author, are still very inexperienced. I always wonder to myself if I’ve done an efficient job at wrapping up the stories within the series. When it comes time to write the next part, I’m always surprised to find I still have much more growing to do. This is a continuous, daily cycle that reminds me of just how inexperienced I am and how outstanding all of you are (as readers).

Every time I start to think, Oh, I hope I’m able to grow at least a little bit along with my characters... I have to stop and remind myself, No, you WILL grow with them! You must! You’ve got this!

To my editor: during the process of preparing this volume for publication, I caused you much inconvenience and grief. Thank you so very, very much for everything. I know it must have taken a lot of effort to motivate a slow writer like me. The only reason this volume saw the light of day was because you worked so hard to support me, adapting yourself to whatever I needed at the time.

Being an editor truly is a difficult job. If I was offered such a position, I think I would pass (Editor: Hey now...).

I would also like to thank the proofreaders, the designer, everyone at Ichijinsha (publishing company), and the Syosetsu website (where the web novel is uploaded). To everyone who participated in the completion of this book: thank you.

My appreciation also goes out to the illustrator, Satsuki Sheena, who continued her work from the first novel despite how busy she is. I can’t even describe in words how amazing her illustrations are. They were so brilliant I almost felt like I was being blinded by them! (No joke, I was so captivated my eyes were literally sparkling as I looked at her art.) Thank you for your wonderful illustrations, as always.

But my readers are the ones I would like to thank the most for all of this. I’m grateful every day that I can be a writer whose words are read by so many people. Though I may lack experience still, I will continue to work hard through future publications of the series. Nothing would make me happier than if you were able to enjoy my story along the way! I pray we’ll be able to see each other again.

-Yui