Another Life in The Grand Library

Chapter 23. Precious Friends

The silence in the room was only interrupted by soft breathing. Mechanism of the clock in the wall sounded like a beating heart. The atmosphere felt very tense and gloomy, with a sense of worry filling it. Haze sighed and looked out the window. The time stretched out and felt like forever.

Suddenly, Haze remembered something. "Hey! I just remembered. Beside that pocket watch, I also found a little bottle."

"Bottle?" Dryad turned her head to him.

Haze nodded and got up. He remembered that he placed that thing on the desk "Yes. wait.. where did I put it? There it is!" He showed it to Dryad.

Dryad frowned and examined it. A small bottle with green liquid inside, "What is this liquid?"

"I don't know," Haze shook his head.

"Let's just keep that, just in case..."

After a while, Haze sighed again then dropped himself on the bench. They had called a doctor to examine Sir Alvard. But the doctor said that they could only wait.

"What should we do now?" He whispered with a bored expression. His gaze was more distant.

"Wait." Dryad simply said. "That's what you should do."

She averted her gaze back to Sir Alvard. A long stare. She knew that Sir Alvard was 12 years above her, but now she just realized how he looked younger than his age, yet also wiser beyond his age. Her admiration towards him rose once more. The way he was taking charge of every situation at the grand library with calmness and grace, how he never lost his composure... He was truly admirable, she thought. Looking at his ill condition now, it made her heart tighten. She looked down, clutching her arms anxiously. She closed her eyes and silently prayed.

After a long while, Alvard's body finally began to move. He groaned and slowly opened his eyes, trying to adjust the light of the room "Hm? This...Where am I...?" he mumbled drowsily, his voice hoarse and weak.

Dryad opened her eyes wide, surprised. "Sir?!"

Haze rushed to him and sat on another side of the bed.

Alvard tried to get up, but his body felt weak and he fell back down on the bed. He looked at Dryad and Hazard with confusion in his eyes "you.. Dryad...? Haze?"

"Take it easy. Here. Let me help you," Haze took one of the pillows and brought it closer to him. With a gentle touch, Haze helped him sit comfortably so that he could lean back to rest against the headboard.

Sir Alvard breathed deeply and let out a tired sigh.
"Where is this?" his voice was barely audible.

"Eurys' shop," Haze said.

"What?" Sir Alvard frowned.

"Yes. We brought you back," Haze smiled.

Dryad moved forward and took his right hand. Looking down at it, she sobbed silently. Clearly worried. "Thank goodness..." she whispered as a tear fell to his knuckle.

Alvard was still a bit disoriented, but he noticed the tears and the fact that she was holding his hand. He gave her hand a gentle squeeze to comfort her. She slowly lifted her face and met his eyes. She forced a smile but was still sobbing.

"I'm so glad... I'm scared to death that I might lose you.." she said with a shaken voice.

"Oh..." Sir Alvard's expression softened as he saw the worry in Dryad's eyes. He gave her hand another squeeze, his tone becoming gentle and soothing, "Dryad... Don't cry... I am alright now."

Haze took Sir Alvard's left hand and held it tight, "we were so worried about you."

Sir Alvard looked at Hazard and then nodded, smiling a bit. He squeezed both of their hands. "Thank you... I am grateful to have best friends like you two." He paused for a moment then spoke again, "wait! How did you two find me? I am so sure that I was..."