DROPPED | A Witches Garden

twelve

ROYE

I'd wandered around the town making sure it was safe. My men were staying in a district as I stuck to the library and its surroundings. If I had known that I would see her here would I still have chosen to be here? I pondered for a moment but couldn't think of an answer. Lady Hitchwell came out of the library with a bright smile and gave me a wave.

"Oh Sir Finnsweld! You're still here! Thought you'd been gone by now." She laughed.

"Well, I have my duties."

She just smiled and gave me a nod. "I guess I've got to take my leave now. I'm awfully tired."

I gave her a small nod and watched her walk past me. That was when I realized that she was alone, someone was missing?

"Lady Hitwell." My voice came out a lot more stern than I'd intended. She jumped and then turned around with a confused look.

"...Yes?"
"Ah, pardon me, it's just I can't help but notice that Lady Elietta isn't with you. Did she perhaps leave earlier without my notice?"

She shook her head and turned to the library. "Lady Elietta is still inside."

"Ah.. I see."

Lily gave me her final goodbyes and left as I stood in my spot guarding the area. As I'd walk around, from corner to corner, watching any person that seemed suspicious I couldn't help but take small glances to where the library stood. Is she still in there? Could she have already left while I wasn't looking? Those thoughts would rummage through my mind even if I didn't want them too.

"Captain!" A voice from behind called. It was one of the new recruits for the Jeart knights, Ulv Kirston.

"Yes?"

"It's time for you to rest sir, I'll be taking over for you. You could find something to do in the meantime."

Normally I would've said no and that I could keep on going but this time I just stayed silent.

"Alright." I sighed.

The sky had already turned a crimson red so Lady Elietta must have already left. She was never the type of woman who would spend her time alone in the library from what I've seen. She'd preferred to buy jewels and dresses.

I entered the library that smelled of its usual darkwood and slight dust. I couldn't really see anyone around except the librarians, otherwise few people were inside. I walked around and looked at the different places one could sit but still didn't find her anywhere. This is stupid. Why'd I even come here?

I prepared to leave when I heard a voice from the distance. I went closer to it and in the very corner of the library stood Lady Elietta with a book next to her. Her voice was filled with anger and annoyance but none of the things she said made much sense.

Brought her here? Better position? Who was she even talking to? There was no one there, yet she seemed to be looking up. Suddenly she turned around to see if anyone was listening before slumping down on her chair. She continued talking for a bit before she went to stil.

She'd wanted whoever she was talking to to tell her something. What could it have been?

I stayed in my spot for some time before I moved over to where she laid with her eyes closed in a peaceful expression. I sat down and looked at her and then the book. Picking it up and flipping through the pages only to see that it was blank.

"Now why had she been carrying a book like this around?" I whispered to myself.

There wasn't much I could do and even though I should've gotten up to leave I couldn't.

There were too many things I had to ask her. She'd been acting too strangely lately. That was my only reason for seeking her out. There was nothing else I needed.

Watching her calm expression was strange. She was always the type to carry around a scowl on her face. What'd changed? Lately she had always looked more calm, or showed expressions I had never seen from her before. I wonder what more I haven't seen...

I gently put my hand on her face. Feeling the warmth of her skin. I'd always imagined that she'd be cold.

And suddenly she opened her eyes. Letting out a groan in the process. I pulled my hand back and watched silently.

"Did he take it...?" she mumbled.

I remained silent for a moment.

"Did who?" I asked in return.

Her body sprung up and her eyes looked at me as if her worst secret had just been exposed. Swiftly she ran away, trying to find a flimsy excuse to get away but I wouldn't let her. Barricading her in my arms, leaving little room for her to escape. Though she tried to look away, at the end, she wasn't able to resist the urge and looked up at me. She tried to cover her face in fake confidence as she spoke but I could tell that all she wanted to do was to run.

What I want?

At this point I don't even know myself. With the way she's been acting lately, all these strange occurrences...

"You... What are you?"

For a moment, her eyes flashed the expression of fear. But she was able to recover. She huffed. Rolling her eyes in the process.

"Me? What I am? Is this about the stupid witch image you have of me again?"

"And what if it is?"

She flinched.

"Then you need to get over it. I don't want you bothering me because of some flimsy image you have of me." She gave me a venomous glare. "Now, can you let me go?"

There was so much I wanted to say, but for some reason all those words got stuck at the back of my throat. Not daring to come out. All I could do was stare at her enticing green eyes. Eyes that burned a vibrant color. In the end I backed away and told her to go. I wasn't gonna get anywhere from this. I stayed in my spot, watching her leave from behind. She stopped, looking back, causing me to flinch. And for a moment our eyes met. But she quickly turned away again and went out, to a view where I couldn't see her.

There were many things I could've thought about. Should've thought about. The suspicions on her were only growing after all. Yet even so only one thought was able to rummage my mind.

Have... her eyes always been so green?