Secret in the Heart ||Descendants|| (♡Ben)

16

Ben led Kara down the grand corridors of Auradon Prep, his hand gently guiding her as they approached the massive wooden doors of the royal library. "I think you'll like this," he said with a soft smile, pushing open the doors with a creak. Kara's breath caught in her throat as she stepped inside.

The library was enormous, with shelves towering high above them, filled with books of every size and color. Sunlight streamed through tall windows, casting a warm glow over the rows of ancient tomes and scrolls. Kara's eyes widened as she took in the sheer scale of it all. "Wow... this is incredible," she whispered, almost afraid to speak too loudly in such a sacred place.

Ben chuckled at her reaction, clearly pleased. "I thought you might like it. There's history in here, stories from every kingdom, and even some that are... well, a bit more obscure." He led her further in, pointing out various sections as they passed by. "This part here is about the enchanted objects of the past, and over there are the chronicles of the old kingdoms."

Kara's fingers brushed over the spines of the books as they walked, her mind racing with the possibilities of the knowledge stored in this room. "I could spend forever in here," she said, awe-struck.

Ben smiled and paused for a moment, turning to face her. "There's something else I want to show you. But it's... well, it's a little more private."

Curiosity sparked in Kara's eyes as she followed Ben up a winding staircase that led to his room. She felt her heart race a little faster with each step, nervous and excited at the same time. She had never been in his room before. When they arrived, Ben opened the door and gestured for her to enter.

His room was cozy, filled with personal touches that made it uniquely his. But what caught Kara's attention was the small bookshelf tucked away in the corner, filled with a more eclectic collection of books. They weren't the grand historical tomes from the library—they were stories, adventures, and even a few well-worn volumes of poetry.

"I've never shown this to anyone before," Ben said quietly, watching her reaction closely. "It's my personal collection." Ben smiled as he scanned the shelf, fingers trailing along the spines of the books. "These are the books that mean something to me," he said quietly. His hand paused on one, and he pulled it out, looking at it for a moment before turning back to Kara.

"This one, I think you'll like," he said, handing her a book with a sleek, modern cover. The title read The Assassins Blade, it's the first in a series which is filled with mystery, magic, and some major plottwists.

Kara hesitated, feeling the weight of the book in her hands. She glanced at Ben, her nerves buzzing slightly. She hadn't expected this, hadn't expected to be here, in his room, holding a book that was part of his personal collection. "Are you sure?" she asked softly, her fingers brushing the edges of the cover.

Ben nodded, a warm smile playing on his lips. "Absolutely. I think you'll really enjoy it. It's full of twists and turns. Plus, it's one of my favorites."

Kara smiled back, her nerves easing just a bit. She clutched the book a little tighter, feeling a mix of excitement and anticipation. "Thank you," she said, her voice sincere.

Ben nodded again, his eyes softening as he looked at her. "Anytime, Kara. Let me know what you think when you're done."

~

Kara sat in the quiet corner of the library, the soft sunlight filtering through the large windows, casting a warm glow over her. She was curled up in a chair, her knees tucked in as she held the book Ben had given her, completely immersed in the pages. The book had her so captivated that she didn't even notice Ben approaching.

He paused mid-step when he saw her. There she was, completely unaware, wearing his Tourney Knights jersey—number 7, the one with his name printed boldly across the back. The loose fit of the shirt made it clear that it wasn't hers, and seeing her in it struck something deep inside him.