The Melancholy of the Great Library

Chapter II: Overwhelming Emotions

Cornelia was dazed with a book in her hand. It had been a couple of days since the fateful encounter between her and Glass. She was yet to return the clothes that the master of the library had lent her. Amidst her reading a thought popped in her head and she had been fixated with the said thought for a couple of minutes. A feeling of unease was creeping in her chest, as if she was carrying a heavy burden and her lungs would not expand.

"I wonder what you're thinking about." a voice of familiar sound snapped her back to reality.

"Ah! Nothing in particular Leonard." Cornelia responded with a shame in her face.

Leonard and Cornelia grew up together, they had been good friends and he's a man that Cornelia can confide with. Leonard always had a soft spot in her heart for Cornelia. He had always admired her steadfast spirit and how she cares about books. He would sometimes took secret glances at Cornelia to admire her beauty. It was not a secret for those who know the two of them that Leonard had his eyes on Cornelia.

"Tell me, what's bothering you to the point that you'll space out while reading a book. It's so uncharacteristic of you." Leonard probed the now blushing Cornelia.

"N-nothing in particular. J-just forget about it." Cornelia pouted her lips in an attempt to hide the unease she had felt.

"Okay, if you say so. Want to accompany to get some coffee?" Leonard offered to change the topic and put Cornelia at ease.

As beautiful as Cornelia is, Leonard was no slack himself. Tall in stature with hair as dark as feathers of a raven, eyes the color of amber that makes you feel warm deep inside, lips as tender as the morning dew and a body of a working man. A handful of ladies had declared their affection and admiration towards Leonard but he had decided to pursue Cornelia. He is yet to inform Cornelia of his intentions as the fear of being rejected and avoided by his beloved worries him deeply.

"Your treat? Let me just get my stuff." Cornelia smiled with excitement as coffee means going to the shops and going to the shops equates to reading.

"Sure, it's the least I can do to take your mind off of whatever that is bothering you." Leonard responded with a genuine smile.

Cornelia packed the things she wanted to bring and accompanied Leonard to the shops. Meanwhile in the great library a rather irritated Glass was pacing back and forth his room. Unsure of why he was in a rather foul mood he had been acting mean and cold to everyone who entered the great library. A single whisper triggers him and he would shush everyone to be silent.

"When will that mortal be back? I don't know why but she's starting to get in my nerves." annoyed and on the verge of a rage breakdown Glass mumbled to himself while standing in corner.

"Master Glass? Can you recommend a book about agriculture?" an elderly man approached Glass boldly.

"Fifth floor, aisle eight, shelf four on your right hand side." Glass responded coldly without evening looking at the elderly man.

"Thank you so much, Master Glass." despite the fact that Glass did not even bothered to look at him the elderly man thanked him genuinely and smiled.

Sulking like a child, Glass was acting cold and annoyed towards everything and everyone but despite his foul disposition he was still trying his best to cater the inquiries and clarifications thrown at him by those who came to read at the great library. He was doing his job as much as he can regardless of what he was feeling.

"A library with a very cold, grumpy and sulking master would eventually be avoided by those who frequent here." a voice caught Glass' attention.

"Those who wants to avoid going here can do so, the wisdom that this place holds is a privilege to those who dare visit the great library despite the master's attitude and demeanor." Glass responded without glancing at the side comment that was thrown.