Dark Halls, Stone Walls

Chapter Sixteen

I woke up on my feet inside the royal library, still in the white nightgown I had on from earlier.

I gasped for air, and sure enough, that was what filled my lungs. I held my chest, which rose and fell in rapid succession until my breathing slowed and I could gather my surroundings.

I knew I was in the royal library without looking, though I wasn't sure why. However, the shelves were all darkened with titles I could not read and I was instead stuck in a labyrinth rather than at the front desk or any of the tables near the door.

With nothing else to do, I walked forward in hopes of an exit nearby.

My head smacked into something hard, and whatever it was, shot me back with enough force to knock me onto my back a few feet away.

Right where I 'woke' up.

Alright, so I guess I need to find a book to read, I thought sardonically. I don't suppose it'll be right next to me, will it? I glanced over to my side. Surely it'll be more difficult than that–

My eye caught onto a small pink journal amidst all the tall dark books. My hand instinctively grabbed it and pulled it away from the shelf and somehow, without my instruction, flipped to a random page full of blurs.

No. I closed the book. I don't think so.

Then my hand opened it back up again.

I tossed the book away from me—my body lurched after it against my will, ripped the damned thing open, and my head smacked into the centerfold.

"Alright, fine then!" I snapped.

A resounding hush came from every corner of the room—as if it were the books shushing me.

I flinched but laid the journal open on the ground, crossed my arms, and stared at the page.

It didn't take long for the book to reveal its nature to me.

"Dearest Diary," It started with neat handwriting. "Viscount ... Has visited me once again. He reeks of alcohol, but at least he had his wits about him when father joined us for tea.

I think Viscount ... is making progress with his indulgences! My dear fiance has finally gotten down to a bottle every three days rather than two. It took me months of pleading but I think he's finally listening! He's told me that he's been getting away from his drinking buddies as well, so I think he's trying this time.

I think I'll help myself to some afternoon studying as well. I despise reading, but if he's trying his best, then ought to as well!

Yours,

Countess Elizabeth Doller."

I chuckled then frowned at the smell of wine, despite there being no barrels or bottles around..

The writing, although neat in a sense, looked unpracticed with some of the 's's and 'k's compared to the other letters. Perhaps I was younger when I wrote it. Maybe by a few years.

I went to get up to try to exit again, but my underside remained glued to the ground.

I huffed, but said nothing—whatever was in here didn't like my talking.

I flipped the page of my own accord and deciphered the next page.

"Dearest Diary,

There was a Lunar Celebration that the royal family held that we were honored with the invitation to go to. I normally went with the family and stayed alongside them, but this time father and mother insisted that I stay with Viscount ... so that we may enjoy the food so that they had business to take care of.