Another Life in The Grand Library

Chapter 33. Out of Body Experience

Hours passed. It's almost sunrise. The blimp was still floating above the clouds. Dryad stared outside the window as the sky turned from a beautiful shade of dark blue into a pinkish hue of dawn. The sun began peeking from behind the horizon.

"Why not sleep?" Alexey approached her from behind, placing a hand on her shoulder gently.

"Hey, Brill... I mean.. Alexey..," Dryad corrected. Smiled sheepishly.

Alexey chuckled at her slip of tongue.
"You may call me Brilliant as always. I don't mind," he placed a hand on top of her head and ruffled it playfully. "Anyway, you've been staying here all night?

Dryad shrugged, "I... I can't sleep," she answered, her voice soft and shaky.
There's a reason behind those dark circles around her eyes. She was happy and sad at the same time.

She was overjoyed to find out the truth about Brilliant a.k.a Alexey so that she could not even sleep! But despite her happiness, she could not shake off the thought about Sir Alvard. No matter how much she tried not to worry about him too much, her mind told her that Sir Alvard might be in a grave situation. These contradictory feelings kept her awake.

Alexey moved closer to her, resting his arms against the windows and leaned forward, gazing at the sight.
"You look troubled, though. Rest your little head, Dryad."

"What about you? Shouldn't you rest?" Dryad asked, "You need it more than me. They said you just woke up from a coma? You see.. normal people would need time to recover and regain strength. But you..."
She glanced at him confusedly. He looked fine. Very much fine as if never injured at all. Dryad frowned as she saw Brilliant's wrist where there's a slight bruise, a mark of the infusion needle still barely visible. "How are you feeling exactly?"

"Wait a sec... Normal people, you said? You think I'm not normal, then?" Alexey laughed a bit. "I am good. Even better. Only... well.. I was confused at first when I woke up. I thought I was dead. Until suddenly I came back alive. I feel... a strange feeling that I can't explain. But, other than that, I am fine. Really."

Dryad's gaze softened. She sighed in relief, "That's good to hear."
She nodded, placing a hand over his and tapped it gently.

Alexey turned his head to her and smiled softly at her simple gesture.

For a moment, they both fell silent. Only enjoying each other presence. They looked out at the scenery with the same relaxed expression.

Dryad took a very deep breath.
"It's been a while since I had a quiet moment like this," Dryad said, breaking the silence. "It's nice to relax for a change."

Alexey nodded, small smile tugging at the corners of his lips. He could feel a sense of comfort and warmth in her presence.

"Yeah," he said, "you can tell that I've been through a lot. And it's good to have someone to relax with."

"You know, we should probably enjoy these moments while we can. Who knows when we'll get another chance like this again?" Dryad said softly.

Alexey's gaze fixated on the clouds, almost distant. But then he glanced over at Dryad and noticed her looking at him.

"What?" he asked, a hint of a smile on his face. "Why are you staring at me?"

"Huh?" Dryad chuckled then looked away to the clouds again. "Nothing."

Alexey chuckled too. Amused by her response.

"Sure, sure," he said, not buying it for a second. "You're definitely staring at me."

Dryad sighed, "Just.. glad that you are here. Save and sound."

A hint of tenderness appeared in Alexey's piercing-blue eyes as he heard her words. He smiled softly, feeling a warmth in his chest.