Coveting the Duke

A Silent Observer

Sebastian spent the next two hours in his usual spot on the second floor, his attention divided between the book in front of him and a small notebook where he scribbled occasional notes. His routine was quiet and unobtrusive, yet his presence seemed to fill the room.

The past two weeks, spent in the shadow of his father's political discussions and obligations, had drained him. Now, he was thankful for the chance to regain some semblance of freedom.

Elena had grown accustomed to the steady rhythm of his presence in the bookstore, though she couldn't help but steal occasional glances in his direction. All she knew of him was his first name, casually introduced by Professor Frowde. But something about him intrigued her-the composed demeanor, the refined cut of his clothes, the subtle air of authority. There was no doubt he was a noble.

"He's a prince, isn't he?" Elena whispered to Professor Frowde as he brewed another pot of tea nearby.

Professor Frowde chuckled softly, amused by her curiosity. "Not quite," he replied, a mischievous glint in his eye. "But you're not far off."

Elena narrowed her eyes playfully, her gaze shifting back to the young man on the second floor. "He certainly acts like one," she muttered, half to herself, as if trying to solve a puzzle just by looking at him.

Professor Frowde, still smiling, approached Sebastian with a fresh cup of tea. "It seems you've caught the attention of another lady, Sebastian," he remarked in a low tone, placing the cup beside him.

Sebastian's calm exterior remained unchanged, but at the mention of Elena, his gaze subtly drifted down toward the floor below, where she was busy with her work. Though outwardly engrossed in his reading, he had spent much of the afternoon observing her from the corner of his eye. She was unlike any of the noble girls he had encountered-there was an independence in her, a quiet strength that piqued his interest. She seemed unaffected by the pressures of nobility, not tethered to the formalities that dictated his life.

For the first time in a long while, Sebastian found his thoughts wandering beyond politics and the demands of his family. The newcomer who worked at Professor Frowde's bookstore had sparked something in him, a curiosity that felt strangely freeing. He tried to suppress it, knowing his life was dictated by responsibility and duty, but every time he glanced in her direction, something tugged at his mind.

And now, as he watched her, he couldn't help but wonder: who was Elena, really?

When Sebastian returned for the third consecutive day, Elena felt the urge to close the gap between them.

Elena wondered if her moments with Sebastian would continue like this-a silent observance of each other. She wanted to uncover what lay beneath his polished exterior. Moving to the capital had stirred a whirlwind of emotions within her, and while her interest in Sebastian could merely be a distraction from the unforeseen realities her family now faced, she felt compelled to satisfy that curiosity.

Sebastian had been doing research in hopes of understanding the empire's class system more deeply, jotting down notes with Professor Frowde's insights. As usual, he called Frowde over, having hit another roadblock. The ancient language, something he had studied the least, stumped him again, as it was hardly ever used anymore.

"I'm at a loss, Sebastian," Professor Frowde said, shaking his head apologetically. "I don't know this word. I'll have to do my own research to help you."

Elena, arranging books nearby, overheard their conversation. Her heart quickened. This is my chance, isn't it? Could this be the moment to get closer? She hesitated, unsure. Should she offer her help? It could be her chance to finally break the silence between them. But what if he didn't want her help? Her fingers hovered over the spine of a book she was shelving as she weighed the possibility of stepping forward.