Knightress

Chapter 14

"What are you doing here?" She asked so abruptly that it came out as a blurt.

"I was...I-I heard screaming and thought-" he started while scratching his head.

"It wasn't me." She interrupted

He looked at her more attently, his eyes bored deeply into hers. "Are you okay?" He asked genuinely, his tone more soft

His question made her want to break down in tears, but she couldn't, she bit her bottom lip to keep it from quivering. Her hair was probably ruffled, her eyes wet and blood red and her breathing and tone was unsteady, she was moments away from wailing.

She sucked in a breath that only stopped her from crying, she turned her back to Andreas to gather herself. She turned back to him trying to look stoic "Yes I'm okay, why wouldn't I be?" She answered quietly.

He surely didn't believe her but he didn't press, he simply nodded.

"Are you going somewhere?" He motioned to the files in her hands.

She glanced at the files herself, for a moment she forgot she had them. "Yes actually, I was gonna go searching for a library."

"You wanna find out about that Kingdom, that's smart, I'll show you to it." Andreas replied.

He turned from her and started a slow walk to the right, heading for the stairs. Laura followed immediately, her mind was bullying her too much to stay alone.

The lights were still on in the castle corridors, which was odd considering it's midnight. Laura studied Andreas from her position behind him and was surprised that being in his presence didn't irk her like before, even though he still had the good mind of bossing her around. He wore a loose silk, black pajama set and simple brown furry slippers, which made her realise she wasn't wearing shoes, his chestnut hair looked straight and flat unlike how it usually is.

They walked silently through a broad hallway, turning left down a flight of stairs until she couldn't keep up with where they were anymore or how they would get back. Andreas led her through a slightly narrow hall, they reached an alcove bearing one door, they stood on clean black porcelain tiles, the tall double doors before them were made of glass with golden finishes and brass pole handles. Andreas turned the key that stayed in one of the key holes, the doors clicked and he pushed it open.

As Laura and Andreas stepped into the castle library, the lights flickered to life automatically, illuminating the vast, high-ceilinged space. The warm glow highlighted the rich, dark wood floors that stretched out before them, polished to a high sheen. The library's sprawling layout seemed to defy the castle's more vintage architecture, with multiple floors that appeared to stretch on forever. Towering shelves, lined with leather-bound tomes and dusty manuscripts, extended as far as the eye could see, disappearing into the distance. The air was thick with the scent of old books and fresh leather, creating an atmosphere that was both nostalgic and inviting. As they gazed out into the seemingly endless expanse, the silence was almost palpable. At the right side of the entrance was a neat desk stacked with papers, beside the desk was a coffee and tea bar.

Andreas turned to her, "you want some coffee?" He asked getting two plastic cups.

Laura scrunched her nose in disgust, "no...ew."

Andreas chuckled lightly, "not a fan of coffee too? Same with me, I'll make us both tea."

He worked the machine like a pro and after just a few minutes he handed her a hot, creamy cup.

"We do we start?" She asked glancing about.

"The Library is separated into sections, history, legends, myths, or just entertainment stories in general." Andreas told.