Red's Demise

Nothing Feels Better Than Being Buried In A Good... Book

Red

The halls felt warmer than the last time I was here. The people looked happier. I felt like I had done something good. Especially when I actually saw the Queen in the throne room.

She definitely appeared happier even while dressed in a black gown and veil. Apparently, it was custom for the widowed royal to wear black for a week straight. Considering Queen Harley typically wore bright colors, it was weird seeing her in gloomy clothes.

There was also a significantly more number of people in the castle than the last time I visited. Every corner I turned there were people from the capital walking around, there was also a significantly higher amount of guards everywhere.

It was for that reason that I was glad I had chosen to blend in. In fact, I had practically jumped at this Errand. I had dressed in a long emerald green gown that dipped low in the back and suffocated my abdomen. It however flared below my belly and fell in a train behind me.

Overkill? Maybe. However, I don't get many chances to dress up so I'll take the few opportunities that I get.

Today's Errand: Spy on the Princess and Prince.

Despite no longer being forced to have a secret marriage, people were still curious as to why the Prince was still around. My job was to figure out why and report back to Zeke.

My high shoes clicked down the marbled hallway away from the throne room. So many people had gathered in there amongst the presence of the Queen, however, yet my targets weren't in there.

I was afraid that if I found one, that I would find the other. My gut was telling me that a wedding between those two wouldn't be good. Though Ingrid had made it sound that she wouldn't have to marry him with the death of her father.

So why was he still here?

My eyes studied everything as I went. It was strange nothing had changed. The pictures on the wall, the plants in the corners, and most importantly the layout of everything.

I was not surprised to easily find my way back to what was Ingrids and my favorite spot in the entire castle with ease.

It was kind of surreal to push open the giant doors that led to the massive library for the first time in years. Ingrid and I would spend hours in this room, and although a lot of the books on the shelves were way above our reading level, we still had so much joy in reading.

We would read silently for hours before talking about our books for even longer. Our tutor loved and hated our habits. Mostly because we would forget to do work and instead opt to read, but it also meant we were well-read. Our mothers loved it, however, as we were never hard to find.

The cool smell of books flooded my senses and I found myself taking a deep breath. I approached the northern wall that was completely filled with books. The walls in this room were nearly thirty feet tall and a small walkway cut that height in half. It was almost as if the library was two floors but with a giant open space in the middle.

Two rooms branched off the main room and they both contained more shelves, books, and comfy places to sit.

I couldn't help but run a finger down the spines of the books as I walked. So much history, stories, and records in one room.

The doors behind me were pushed open and I was not surprised to see who walked in.

"You're back?" Ingrid said, her voice conveying her shock.

I tilted my chin in response before her lips fell and she gasped. One hand moved to cover her mouth while the other curled around her middle in comfort.