The Rose of Anthacena

Chapter 17

Will ran into Arin's room, struggling for breath.

"You sent for me, master?" he gasped, almost completely unintelligible. Arin nodded.

"Yes, I did, Will," he replied. "I-I want to do something for Violet. Something...wonderful! But-I can't think of anything that's good enough for her. Can you help me?"

"Well," Will began after a short silence, "she loves to read, by her own admittance, does she not?"

"Well-yes," Arin answered hesitantly. "Why do you ask?"

"Have you ever shown her the library?" WIll put the question to him bluntly. Arin's face grew dark.

"No. Nor do I plan on doing so," he said shortly, his voice hard.

"Why not, master? You know she would love it. I don't see any reason to keep it a secret from her," WIll argued.

"No!" It-It leads to a-a certain room, as well you know, and there is no lock on the door that goes between the two. I can't risk it, Will. I just can't." Arin stood firm.

"Alright, then," WIll said, giving that idea up easily. Too easily, Arin thought. "I-I'm sorry, master, but I truly cannot think of anything else you could do for Miss Violet that would be...uh, be so-well, received as that. I-I have no other suggestions for you." Arin glowered in Will's general direction.

"Fine," he said grudgingly. "I will show her tomorrow morning. You are dismissed."

"Yes, master." The door started to open when Arin called Will back into the room. "Yes, master?" Arin pointed an accusing finger at him.

"You! Are entirely too manipulative!" Arin told him sternly. "Now go!"

* * *

When Violet reached the music room early the next morning, she was surprised to find Arin already there waiting for her. Not only that, but he seemed a little nervous.

"Good morning, Violet," he offered as she entered the room.

"Hello, Arin," she replied as she eyed him curiously, wondering what was up. He cleared his throat.

"I-I have something, uh-something different planned for us this morning," he said uncomfortably. Then he added hastily, "That is, if you, um...if you don't mind." Violet quickly shook her head.

"No, not at all," she replied. Arin breathed a sigh of relief.

"Okay. I, um-I have something I'd like to show you," he said quietly.

"Alright," was the only response he got. Violet stood with her hands in her pockets, looking at him in expectation. Arin gestured towards the door.

"Uh-you first," he said. Violet turned and walked out of the room, looking behind her to make sure he was following, which he was. "It's upstairs," he said in reply to her unspoken question. "Third floor."

Violet led the way up two flights of stairs to the third floor, then waited for Arin to show her where to go next. He stepped in front, casting a quick glance at her as he passed. He led her through several halls to a door she had seen in her explorations, but which had always been locked.

Arin stopped, and, turning around, looked at her with an unreadable expression in his eyes. Violet lifted her chin determinedly and looked straight back at him. After what felt like and eternity to Violet, but was probably only one or two minutes, the corners of Arin's mouth lifted slightly in a smile.