Hello. Yui here. Yui...here...
You know, the same Yui who was hounded by an editor hell-bent on getting this book out by October, and who proceeded to live in fear of incoming calls like a character in a horror movie.
You know, the same Yui who, like a Buddhist monk reciting a mantra, told myself over and over that it was wrong for a working professional to go incommunicado, only to scream in terror at the torrential onslaught of emails.
You know, the same Yui who was tormented by the specters of looming deadlines even in my nightmares.
You know, the same Yui who spent every waking and sleeping moment despairing over a blank manuscript.
Okay, you get the picture (lol). To be fair, nearly all the emails ended up being anime-related.
It’s hard to believe that I was publishing two books a year back when I first started writing Bibliophile Princess (*stares off into space*). Writers sure are amazing... (Myself excluded.)
Time to get serious. Thank you so much for reading Bibliophile Princess Volume 7: The Blue Sky Compass and the Spring Bird. This one was a continuation of the previous Guiding Light of Hope. The plan was for volumes four through six to cover the story dubbed “the Conspiracy Arc,” but, well, a lot happened. For Eli, Chris, and the rest of the cast—and for me.
Given the times we live in, I suspect a lot has happened for my readership as well. You have my most sincere thanks for sticking with me through the Conspiracy Arc despite that.
All told, volume seven was devoted to finishing up the Conspiracy Arc’s homework. Whereas Eli spent volumes four through six running from place to place, in volume seven, it’s Chris who travels west and east, and he even ventures out to sea to make up for all the time he spent cooped up in the royal palace. He certainly lived up to his title as the hero of our story.
Eli collapsing from exhaustion was one of the first storylines I planned. In the beginning, she was a passive character who mainly stuck to her books, but starting from the fourth volume, she travels far and wide across the northern region. The point of the story was to show if our quiet bookworm could rise to the occasion.
Of course, that was a lot to ask of her, so she collapses and reunites with the hero in a scene straight out of Romeo and Juliet. Though I didn’t quite have her say, “O Chris, Chris, wherefore art thou Chris?” from the balcony (lol).
Next comes the Harbor Arc, the middle section that depicts Chris and Alan’s first meeting. I’d had the idea for this story in my head from the very start, but it sure was hard to put to paper. Even I was stunned by the slow pace of my own writing.
My one ray of hope was young Randy. He was insanely fun to write, and I never wanted to let him grow up! I loved that he was tiny but strong. It’s so cute! He was definitely one of the author’s darlings. But when my ever-rational editor told me I had to let him age, I did so in tears. Now that he’s taller, who even needs him anymore?
Kidding! I love all my characters (lol).
The last story shows the progress of Anna and Alfred’s romance, plus our main two characters’ proposal. Then comes the comedy. The more lighthearted side stories were both revised and expanded versions of stories I’d previously posted on the web.
All in all, I felt like this volume showcased a lot of different facets of the Bibliophile Princess universe, so I really hope you all enjoyed it.
Now for the usual confessional.
To my editor, I’m so, so sorry for making you work from morning till night, even on your days off, and for making you call me on Sundays! (orz)
To the lead proofreader, the editorial team, and everyone from the printing press, I’m so sorry. And thank you so much.
To my illustrator, Sheena-sensei... I don’t even know what to say. Thank you so, so much for all the lovely color and insert illustrations. I’ve likewise received endless amounts of motivation from Kikuta-sensei, the artist in charge of the manga adaptation.
I’m also grateful to all my family and friends for their support.
And last of all, my thanks go out to my dear readers. By the time this volume is published, the start of the anime won’t be far off. It’s thanks to your support that Bibliophile Princess has made it to the TV screen. The production company, staff, and animators have all been working hard to bring you Bibliophile Princess. I truly hope you enjoy the adventures of Eli and friends in the world of animation too.
I look forward to the anime, and I hope to see you all again.
Yui