There are at least five arcs involving Myne using what little influence she has to provide them with the tools to feed themselves, the skills to protect themselves, and directly giving them the right to consent to work and sex. This involved preventing priests—people with much more power and influence than her—from taking literal children from the orphanage to be—for lack of a better word—fuck toys. Myne takes people who have no ability to survive in the world and makes sure they will be able to live comfortably long after she is gone. including informing them of and enforcing their right to consent.

What's more, saying "slavery is bad" is easy to do. But to go into detail about why is harder. And the series decides to do the hard thing and goes into explicit detail about why slavery is bad on a fundamental level, as well as its place in society. In detail. Repeatedly. I literally cannot believe you missed this. It's one thing to say "ooh, slavery is bad, we should end it," and it's another entirely to explore in detail the extensive damage done to the people in the system. It also explores that sudden extreme change has severe consequences on large quantities of people, and suddenly freeing dozens of people who have been starving for years, have no ability to provide food for themselves, have no concept of how the real world works, and have been raised in a culture free of violence that is literally incompatible with any place outside their small realm of control is not exactly a good idea. Why? Because ignorance is the default, and enforced ignorance is a bitch.

Bookworm doesn't just have chattel slavery.

Bookworm has slavery in a cult. A cult that controls, on a mass scale, what people can do, where they can go, and what they're allowed to know.

If the people in the church were released all at once when she gains control of the temple, they would very likely die of starvation in a few days. This is literally canon. This is how their society is built. And it's how our society is built, too, when you think of it. If you throw a child in a basement, never teaching them to read, do math, or even do basic cooking, feeding them chicken nuggets their whole life, and then release them into capitalism at eighteen, there is no social safety net to catch them. They will not know about homeless shelters. They will not know how to buy food. They will likely die on the street, lost, confused, and scared. This is why we have mandatory education systems, which is the exact thing this series is a love letter to. Education is an equalizer. It is necessary not just to protect ourselves, but literally just to function.

The only thing that protects Myne from the world she's in when she first arrived was her family, who provided her with context and a chance to understand the world around her.

The grey priests do not have families.

Myne is told over and over not to fuck with the status quo. But she knows knowledge is power, so the first thing she does is arm these people however she can under the radar. Because if other pay too much attention, she will no longer be able to help them. Even Ferdinand, canonically, wants to help them, but is unable to follow through so he doesn't do it. He brings who he can under his protection, but the whole point of his character is that he's running away. He has no hope for the future, no hope for his safety, so he hides.

But Myne isn't like him. She can see a future. She knows things can be different. She knows things can change.

She she tries to make that change. And Myne nearly bankrupts herself. She goes nearly broke several times, canonically, giving them what they need so they can survive without her. From a business, to learning skills, to giving them the power to make demands regarding their own living situation. She also gives them money for their work.

Her giving whatever power she can to enslaved people is so important to the story that it is literally the inciting incident that gets her slapped with the label of "saint" and affects everything that happens after. These events are massive, and it's more than a little silly to say "slavery exists and she didn't abolish it, so the series is bad." Bruh, it took her like five novels to make one book. I have no idea why you think a five year old disabled girl who barely understands printing can dismantle a country-wide system of forced labor involving a cult when she can barely walk for ten minutes. But if this is so easy, you should go out and end forced labor in the prison industrial complex. It's not like it's linked to the police and how people are arrested, and the people who fight this system end up dead or anything. It's not like this has been going on for hundreds of years and you're just one person who isn't part of the group in charge of it. How hard could it be?

I had thought that seeing evil die would make me feel better. Instead, I felt a mix of both sadness and unease that came with death.

(Still, this was the obvious outcome.)

Death left the viscount’s body cold and empty. William looked at me.

William: We should leave now. His body will be collected soon.

I took his arm and we began walking.

William: You look down.

He seemed no different than normal. I whispered to him.

Kate: I know that the crimes he deserved what he got. But I still think that death is something sad… and frightening.

The faint tremors in my fingers were proof of my words.

Kate: I thought I’d feel relieved, but now I don’t know what I feel.

The viscount’s death wouldn’t bring back any of the people he had killed. I wonder if Victor and the others ever felt the same muddled emotions that I was now carrying. It was really sinking in now how different Crown’s lives were to my old one.

(But I made my choice.)

Death didn’t solve all problems. What was right and wrong could even vary from person to person. I was beginning to truly understand what that meant now.

William: This is why Victor didn’t want you to see this side of our missions. William: No matter how many times we pass our judgment, it doesn’t bring back the victims we were too late to save. And for every evil we exterminate, a new one is born. William: He probably thought there was no need for you to know how this feels, or to grow resigned to it.

Kate: …You’re probably right.

Helplessness and emptiness. The moment the viscount died was still crystal clear in my mind’s eye.

Kate: But if Crown didn’t exist, evil won’t just disappear on its own. Kate: Now I really understand how long the path ahead of you and the rest of Crown is.

(And Victor and Her Majesty are both also working hard to make their unreachable ideal a reality.) (And that means…)

Kate: I also need to work harder at what I can do. Kate: No matter how small the change, I believe that it has to be linked to the bigger picture. Things will change.

William’s eyes widened briefly, but he quickly smiled.

William: You truly are a woman of conviction.

His words brought back warmth to my chilled body.

-----

Attending Guard: Her Majesty Queen Victoria has arrived.

We returned to the ballroom just in time for the queen to make her appearance. The sound of heels clicking as their wearer descended the stairs echoed through the hall and everyone bowed their heads. The queen wore a pure white robe that covered her entire body, and her face was not visible.

(Huh?)

William: What is it?

Kate: I thought that the queen would have her aide nearby.

William: Ah. Yes, Victor is probably waiting somewhere. William: He’s ready to deal with any surprises before they become a threat to Her Majesty.

(So that’s also part of Victor’s duties as aide.)

I stared at Her Majesty.

(I’ve never seen her from this close before.)

I never would have thought that I’d ever be standing in the same room as her. But even from afar, her grace and sense of presence were enough to take your breath away. The queen murmured to the guard standing near her, before looking away. Just then–

Kate: What…?

Her gaze, hidden by her robe, locked onto me. I felt as if she smiled, just slightly.

Attending Guard: We are grateful for Her Majesty’s kindest words.

As I stood there dumbfounded, Her Majesty left the room.

William: What do you think of your first time seeing Her Majesty from this close?

Kate: She has a very strong presence.

Everything about her exuded poise and an aura of composure. She could be doing nothing but stand there, and every head in the room would turn her way.

Kate: It just feels so unreal that Her Majesty knows that I exist and has been so kind to me.

It was Her Majesty’s generosity, albeit indirectly, that let me stay as Crown’s guest.

(And Victor said that the queen told him to reward me for helping him with his work, too. And to give me days off.)

The queen had always been a distant figure in my imagination. Now it was easier to realize that she was a person just like I was.

William: Well then. Our mission is over, but it would be a shame to leave so early.

He suddenly took my hand and placed his lips to the tips of my fingers.

William: I feel like dancing tonight, to commemorate our robin taking one more step into our world. What do you think?

Though his words were fanciful, his smile was mesmerizing. I smiled back.

Kate: Of course, I’d–

Lady in a Yellow Dress: Look, it’s Lord Victor!

I instantly looked over. A flock of ladies hurried over to Victor, who had just entered the ballroom.

Lady in a Blue Dress: Lord Victor, would you dance with me?

Lady with Feathered Accessories: Me too!

I was startled at how quickly Victor was surrounded. Next to me, a woman laughed lightly.

Calm Lady: Oh my, popular as ever isn’t he.

Woman Holding a Fan: Indeed. Everyone is just dying to be his partner. He’s the queen’s aide, after all. Woman Holding a Fan: Everyone wants to live a dream, even if for just one night.

Despite the fact that I could stand with him, I always felt like Victor was holding himself at a distance with a smile.

(We truly live in different worlds.)

I knew that, and yet I couldn’t take my eyes off of Victor.

(I know more about Victor than they do, but still–)

He shone brighter than anyone else in the ballroom.

(I know how warm his hands can be, but even so–)

The thoughts that wouldn’t stop made my eyes sting.

(...Oh. Of course.)

I finally realized the source of the heaviness in my heart. The moment I caught sight of him, the world began to glow so brilliantly, but–

(I’m in love with Victor.)

–there was no place for this love to come true.

-----

When I was younger, I wanted to be a princess. The stories always began with ‘Once upon a time’, And the princesses and princes would always find each other in their ‘happily ever afters’. That was how all fairytales went. (Maybe someday, that’ll be me too.) As everyone cheered and celebrated, I’d reach my happily ever after with my beloved.

(How should I act now?)

It was the morning after I realized I was in love with Victor, and I was pacing up and down the hallways.

???: What are you doing?

I snapped back to reality and realized that Ring was standing next to me.

Ring: You were just walking here over and over again. I got curious.

Kate: Um…

I was thinking about something. (+4/+4)

I was feeling a bit sick…

It’s nothing.

Kate: I was just thinking about something…

Ring: Oh, okay. Ring: I… No, nevermind.

Ring cleared his throat and looked back at me seriously.

Kate: …I don’t think you’ll get any important information no matter how much you spy on me.

Ring: …Huh?

Kate: I really don’t know anything. Kate: …So why did I have to realize that now?

The more I thought about it, the sadder I felt. My gaze dropped.

Ring: Uh, are you… I mean… Do you, uh…

Seeing how depressed I was seemed to fluster Ring, who began to panic and try to comfort me.

Ring: I, um, don’t really know much about you, but I think you’re trying your best.

Kate: …Thanks.

I couldn’t stop thinking about Victor, surrounded by all those women. It just served to remind me that we lived in different worlds, and that there wasn’t any place for my feelings in his world.

(Why couldn’t I have just stayed oblivious?)

If I hadn’t realized my feelings, then I could cleanly finish my duties as Fairytale Keeper and gone back to my old life.

Ring: …Are you really okay?

I looked up to see Ring looking worriedly at me.

Kate: …Probably.

Ring: Um. If there’s anything I can do…

(He looks kind of intimidating, but he seems like a nice person.)

I didn’t think he was faking his concern.

Kate: Thank you, Ring. If there’s anything I can do for you too, let me know. Kate: I don’t know if I can be of much help, but I’ll always be willing to listen.

I felt a little bit better now, not so stuck in a spiral of negative thoughts.

(There’s no point in hesitating here.)

Kate: Once it’s over, please tell me everything you’re hiding.

(Maybe he’ll tell me more now that I’ve witnessed the viscount’s death.)

Before I twisted myself into knots about my recently-discovered feelings, I had to learn more about him like I set out to do originally.

(I never thought that I’d fall in love along the way…)

Before I knew it, my every thought was filled with him. But regardless of that, there was only one thing that I could do, that I’d been doing all along.

(I have to see him.)

Every time I felt awkward or unsure, being with Victor would make all those feelings disappear. The world was brighter in his presence. I nodded to Ring and was about to walk past him, but– –before I could start walking, Ring reached out to grab my arm.

Kate: What’s the matter?

Ring: …You said earlier that you could listen if I had something I needed help with.

Kate: Oh, is something wrong?

Ring: I don’t know.

Kate: What was that?

Ring: I don’t know how to get back to my room.

..

Ring: Thank you so much.

Kate: Don’t mention it!

Ring had gotten lost, so I led him back towards the rooms that were prepared for Vogel.

Kate: The palace is really big so it’s easy to get lost.

Ring: Do you get lost too?

Kate: I’ve gotten more used to the palace recently, but there’s still a lot of places I don’t know.

Ring looked slightly more relieved at my words.

Kate: I’ll be going now. Bye.

Kate: Yeah… bye.

…

Ring: …

As Ring watched Kate disappear down the corridor, his twin called out to him from behind.

???: Did you get lost again, Ring?

Ring: …Nica.

Nica looked amused as he pointed at the direction Kate left in.

Nica: You two looked friendly, how sweet. I’d like to get along better with her too.

Ring: …We were… friendly?

Nica threw his arm around Ring’s shoulder as Ring’s expression softened just a little.

Nica: But don’t forget. Nica: We’re observing her on Dari’s orders.

He cast his predator’s gaze down the corridor.

Ring: …I know.

He turned and walked into his room, and Nica began humming as he watched Ring leave.

Nica: The little robin is the one who may know the grim reaper’s true form, after all.

There was no one else around to hear his whisper, and his words vanished into thin air.

-----

Nervousness. Anticipation. My heart was racing, and my pulse was thunderous as I stood in front of the door to Victor’s office. I took a deep breath to steady myself. The sound of my knock on the door was like a bullet.

Kate: Good morning, Victor.

There was no reply from within. Only silence.

I knocked once again, but again, I got no response. When I tried the handle, I discovered that the door was locked.

(He’s normally in the office around this time.)

I waited for a minute, but still nothing happened. He really wasn’t in.

(What do I do now?)

I didn’t have any work to do, so I spent some time wondering if there was anything else I could do.

(Oh, right!)

Victor had once mentioned that the palace had a library. I decided to go check it out.

(I’ll spend an hour or so there, and then come back.)

…Or so I thought.

Kate: …This is bad.

I found myself alone in an unfamiliar hallway.

(Was it this way? Or that way?)

I thought I knew where the library was, but evidently, I was mistaken. The library continued to remain elusive. And there wasn’t even anyone around I could ask for directions. At a loss, I looked out the window. I could look out over the beautiful palace gardens.

(Even if I tried to retrace my steps, I don’t know if I’d be going in the right direction.)

I walked myself here, but I had absolutely no recollection of this part of the palace. I was beginning to lose faith in my sense of direction. I was completely, totally, lost.

(I should see if I can find someone.)

Even if I went the wrong way, as long as I found someone, I could ask for directions. With that in mind, I began walking. Soon enough, I began to hear voices.

(I’m saved!)

Just as I was about to begin running in the direction of the voices–

Suspicious Man: Up here, hurry!

(Huh?)

My breath caught as I saw a group of masked people soundlessly climb in through the window. I jammed myself into a dark corner and watched as the group gripped their guns and made signals to each other.

Leader-like Man: The audience chamber is that way. Hurry up. Leader-like Man: For the sake of the country, the queen must die.

(What!?)

Moving in formation, the group of masked people quickly departed. When their voices faded away, I dared to peek out again and saw the last of them disappear around a corner.

(I need to tell someone.)

I frantically looked left and right, but the corridor remained empty. The group must have known that there wouldn’t be anyone, and so they chose to sneak into the palace here.

(What if I yell… No, they’ll find me first.)

If I tried to find Crown, they might succeed in assassinating the queen in the meantime.

Kate: …I have to go.

There was only so much I could do.

(If I had known this was going to happen, I would have borrowed a gun…)

I could regret things and wished to turn back time all I wanted. I had to move either way.

(I have to save the queen.)

I could not let the nation’s light die. I followed after the masked group, and found them standing in front of a door.

(Where are the guards?)

There should have been guards stationed in front of the audience chamber, but there was no one there. The intruders burst into the room.

Kate: No!

My outstretched hand brushed against the door to the chamber. And then–

Queen Victoria: Well, well, well. Some republican rats have snuck in, I see.

The queen stood alone in the middle of the audience chamber. Her voice was cold and deeper than I expected. It took my breath away to hear her speak for the first time.

Leader-like Man: For this country to change, you must die!

In unison, the intruders raised their guns and aimed at the queen.

Kate: Watch out!

I barely had time to take a single step into the chamber when– The queen threw up her hand to stop me.

(What is she-?)

Leader-like Man: Fire!

As their fingers were squeezing the triggers, A deep voice rang clearly throughout the audience chamber.

Queen Victoria: By order of the king–

The queen cast aside her robe.

Kate: …Wh… what…?

The person hidden beneath those thick robes… …was Victor.

Victor: –Pledge your loyalty to my evil.

The intruders immediately dropped their guns as their hands reached for their own necks. They wrapped their hands around their necks hard enough to leave bruises, with joyful expressions on their faces. Just like that night.

Leader-like Man: So the rumors were true.

One by one the intruders fell to the floor with smiles of rhapsody on their faces, until the last of them standing began to laugh.

Leader-like Man: The queen is a man!

He collapsed on the spot. Victor stood alone in the center of a ring of blissful corpses.

Kate: N-no way…

My lip trembled. Ever so slowly, Victor turned to face me. With a sorrowful smile on his face, he opened his mouth. Although I could not hear what he said, I knew exactly what he was saying.

Victor: “You caught me.”

My mind went blank. I couldn’t support myself longer and I slumped against the door as my feet gave out. My vision began to blur and my heart raced out of control. Just before I passed out, I could hear a voice so quiet I questioned whether it was even real.

Victor: …I’m sorry.

He sounded like he was holding back tears.

Premium Story: Even After 5 Million Years

The day after Victor bought me the music box,

Victor: Oh, that’s right. Her Majesty has left you a present.

After work, Victor handed me a box. Inside was a beautiful opal brooch.

Kate: It’s beautiful… But, you already got me that music box yesterday?

Victor: I believe Her Majesty also wanted you to be able to choose something for yourself in addition to this.

I hesitated, wondering whether I should refuse it. But it was from the queen herself.

Victor: Opals are Her Majesty’s favorite gem, you know.

Kate: Thank you. I’ll treasure it.

Seeing that I had chosen to accept the brooch, Victor beamed.

Victor: Wonderful. And I was just thinking, now that we’re done with work for the day… Victor: Why don’t we take the chance to have dinner together?

He extended his hand in invitation with a wink, and I couldn’t stop myself from beaming in delight.

Kate: I’d love to.

…

A few hours later, I had changed into a dress and the two of us were in a restaurant overlooking the ocean.

Victor: This is one of the few restaurants in London that specialize in seafood.

The interior of the restaurant was dimly lit, and everyone’s gaze was focused on the sea. I was among them, enthralled by how the silver moonlight illuminated the rolling waves. A light chuckle drifted to my ears. When I looked over, Victor had a gentle smile on his face.

Victor: I’m glad you like it. Victor: This is the first time I’ve brought someone here, actually.

Kate: Really?

Victor: This is a special place, so I’d been saving it for a special person.

I knew he didn’t mean anything serious. But my heart was easy to please, and his words caused it to go into overdrive as my face flushed with joy.

Victor: By the way, you look stunning today. Victor: Not to brag, but I’ve something of an eye for fashion.

He sounded very proud. I gave myself another look-over.

The outfit I was wearing now was something Victor had ordered for me yesterday.

(He was definitely buying too much so I had to stop him. But I’m glad I got this.)

The dress had delicate embroidery and gorgeous lace detailing.  And since today was a special occasion, I picked out a pair of shoes that would match the opal brooch.

Victor: Your usual self is adorable, but when you’re dressed up, you’re absolutely lovely.

Kate: Stop, that’s too much…

Victor: To not tell a beauty of how stunning they are is the ruin of any man.

A charming smile drifted to Victor’s lips as he pressed a kiss to my fingers.

Victor: I’ll say it as many times as I need to. Victor: You are beautiful, Kate.

He kissed my fingers again. My heart swelled with joy, bashfulness, and how captivated I was by Victor. I smiled too.

Kate: Thank you. You’re very handsome too, Victor.

Victor: I’m honored to hear that. It was worth the effort to dress up.

(Even if he didn’t, he’s always handsome.)

Classical music played softly in the air, as our fancy meals were brought over. Victor appeared to sense my sudden nervousness, and spoke kindly.

Victor: It’s all right, you don’t have to worry about manners. Eat however you like.

Kate: No, I don’t want to embarrass you.

Victor: There’s absolutely nothing you could do that would embarrass me.

Kate: There’s a first time for everything, you know?

Victor: Haha, if that happens then today will be a day I will never forget.

Victor: In a good way, of course.

…

Kate: It was delicious…

My heart and my stomach were both satisfied, and we were now having some tea as a palate cleanser.

Victor: I didn’t think you’d enjoy it this much. Victor: Seeing you happy makes me happy as well. Thank you, Kate.

The lights reflecting off the opal brooch pinned to my chest scattered against the surface of the teacup. I remembered what Victor said about the brooch earlier.

Kate: By the way, why does Her Majesty like opals?

I ran my finger across the jewel, and Victor laughed softly.

Victor: It’s said that it takes five million years for an opal to form.

Kate: Five million!?

I couldn’t hide my surprise. That was an unimaginable amount of time. He crossed his arms on the table and looked out over the sea.

Victor: Things like simple wood or bones can, slowly over time, become incredible jewels. Victor: Her Majesty hopes that she can continue to reign over a country where the sun never sets. Victor: Perhaps she loves opals because they represent her desire to create such a country, from bone to jewel.

I touched the jewel again. Seeing how it shone, I smiled.

Kate: I feel like I understand her reasons.

From an opal’s perspective, a person’s life must pass by in a flash. However, just like Crown’s guiding principle is to erase evil from the country, People’s hopes and feelings can continue to exist after they die, if there is someone to carry them on.

Kate: No matter how much time passes, and even if everyone who remembers us no longer exists, Kate: I hope that our wishes and prayers  will continue to remain long into the future. Kate: If they could turn into a shining light like this opal… Kate: …I think that would be the happiest thing I could imagine.

Even after I died, I hoped that proof that I existed would remain in the world.

Kate: If someone’s bones became a gem after they died, that means they never fully disappeared from the world, right?

Those bones, full of love, joy, and all the emotions they have ever experienced could shine on like a jewel after five million years.

Kate: That’s a happy ending, isn’t it?

For some reason, Victor’s smile as he looked at me was melancholic.

Victor: What will England be like, when we become opals? Victor: Will it be a land where all evil had vanished, all people were equal, and able to live in happiness for all their lives?

I took his hand in mine.

Kate: It will be. I’m sure of it.

At that time, I was unaware. I had no idea of how heavy the prayer hidden in his words were.

-----

My eyes flew open, and I found myself staring at the familiar ceiling of my bedroom. My music box and opal brooch lay on the bedside table. They caught the morning light and glittered beautifully.

(...Ah. Right.)

Now I understood the weight of his words back then. A tear ran down my cheek. It slid down, dripping onto the white bedsheets. I couldn’t help the hurt and the sorrow I now felt, Because I had fallen in love with him.

Kate: …Victor.