In The Grand Library, there are no ordinary days for the librarians. Where most visitors found fascinating books, few of them found secret untold, but then Dryad found another life.
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(Picture : Virgil L.Castor)
For days, Dryad tried to persuade Virgil so he could tell her something about the grimoire. But every attempt failed. Virgil was stubborn, especially when it comes to keeping secrets. But he did admit to knowing that there were several weird books about spells at the library, which were hidden but he couldn't explain it clearly yet.
The next day, Virgil thought that she gave up because she stopped giving him questions. But then he noticed that she was quietly searching for that grimoire in every nook and cranny and she didn't stop.
He sighed, "This human girl..."
Long story short, months passed and she still kept searching for that grimoire. She turned her break-time during work to searching-time , just hoping that she would finally find it. But it seemed as if she had been searching forever. Virgil got tired of watching her from afar and approached her one day.
"What are you doing? Can't you give up already?" Virgil asked, irritated.
"What are you saying? I'm working," Dryad said indifferently
"It's break-time for lunch. You're not working, you're still looking for that stupid grimoire," Virgil said, putting one hand on hip.
"I'll find it eventually, you know," she muttered, not wanting to argue with this annoying boy.
"I doubt that," Virgil said.
She glared and huffed, "Just stay quiet for a while, alright?" She continued scanning through the shelves.
Virgil rolled his eyes, "If this is your way of searching, you will never find that, even if you take a hundred years." Virgil chuckled sarcastically.
Dryad sighed but she kept scanning the shelves.
"Alright," Virgil finally said, "what will I gain if I tell you?" He questioned.
"What?" Dryad replied, completely lost. What did he mean?
"If I tell you," Virgil repeated, "what will you give to me?"
Dryad blinked, she knew he was probably bluffing but somehow, it intrigued her. She needed to know what he was hiding, "Are you... trying to make a deal with me?" Dryad asked curiously.
Virgil smiled and raised her eyebrows, waiting for what she would say next.
Dryad sighed again, "Virgil, you see... I have nothing to offer. But, say, for example, if you want to take 30% of my salary this month, so be it."
"70%" Virgil said.
Dryad frowned, "No."
"80%"
"Virgil!" Dryad protested.
Virgil hummed, thinking, "hm... What other item is most precious to you?"
"Oh, come on, Virgil. What exactly do you want? Gold? I have a gold ring," Dryad said again, taking out the ring from his finger. "Here! Enough?"
Virgil took the ring and gladly examined it, "Hm... not bad. Oh! I also want your violin."
Dryad paused for a moment, "You are greedy! That is my late father's violin" she looked up to Virgil with anticipation. That was the only instrument she had, but if Virgil wanted to take it, then with a heavy heart she would hand it to him willingly. Little did she know that Virgil only tested her. He wanted to see how far she would go for a bargain.
She took a deep breath, "Fine!"
Virgil's eyes lightened up and grinning as soon as he heard that. "80% of salary,a gold ring, and an old violin. It seems like a fair trade to me," He said with a smile.
"Fair to you, not for me." Dryad stared at him deadly in the eyes, clearly unhappy. She smiled bitterly back at him,"Whatever you wish! so... tell me about that grimoire! Have you seen that?"
Virgil crossed his arms and talked with a low voice, "Hm... let me try to remember. Yes. The cover is dark, almost black, made of goat's skin, and the writing inside is written with blood-red ink. Or perhaps, it is real blood? The writing itself, um... I'm not sure. The words are quite difficult to decipher. There are some strange symbols and lines."
"So where is it?" Dryad asked.
"I don't know," Virgil Shrugged. "That's it."
"What? Only that?!" Dryad stared at him in disbelief. "So, what was that deal for if you don't know where it is? I thought you knew!"
Virgil smiled slyly, "Well, I do know something but not that far."
Dryad glared at him, letting out a frustrated sigh,"You ever saw it but don't know its whereabouts? How so?"
"Because right after I stole it, I gave it to Sir Alvard and then he hid it somewhere," Virgil answered
Dryad widened her eyes, "He did?"
"Yes," he simply answered.
Virgil smirked and leaned forward, his chin rested on one hand. Dryad looked up in expectation and waited for the answer. But he didn't say a thing anymore.
Without them noticing, Sir Alvard was already there, looking sternly at Virgil who could not help but gulp down nervously.
"Um.. M.. master...," Virgil whispered in a low tone and quickly bowed his head deeply.
Sir Alvard sighed heavily and shook his head, "You have done talking, Virgil?" he scolded yet in a gentle tone. "I am disappointed. We agreed to keep it a secret. Why would you betray my trust?"
Virgil nodded obediently and walked out from there.
A long pause before Dryad spoke gently while looking down, unable to meet his eyes, "Sir..., please don't blame Virgil."
"Well.. what has been said cannot be unsaid. Now that you know, so be it... What else do you want to know?" he asked.
"Oh...um... the last will?" Dryad murmured quietly. Her gaze still fell to the floor.
"I can only say this. I am aware that the late Lord Ferdinand, Vlad's father, came to the library one day. Said that his health detoriating fast and felt like he had no much time left, so he considered to write his last Will. But I was too busy at that time so I honestly didn't pay much attention. I have no idea where he put that thing. That was a long time ago, though..."
Dryad frowned. These quests would be hard to complete if Sir Alvard didn't give her any hint.
He takes another deep breath, as if he was debating whether to tell her the truth or not. "Very well. I will help you to find the last Will. But only that. As for the grimoire..., I don't want to speak about it," he said firmly.
"Why?" she couldn't help but ask again because of her curiosity.
Sir Alvard's voice sounded a little harsh, "I... don't like that damned thing. In fact, I have absolutely no desire to get near it. It is better if no one can find that blasted thing! End of conversation."
Dryad nodded silently. She didn't push anymore questions about the grimoire
