Chapter 23 - The General and The Miss. ii.

"Should I wait for him to come out the room?"This was one of the many thoughts that engulfed Nya. She found herself walking back and forth, the stainless cup still in her hand but empty of the water she once filled it with.The maids passing by after acknowledging her presence all wondered why the lady was doing nothing but stare at a guest room door. Not daring to ask, they continued whispering amongst themselves in a hushed tone."Although, I do love her dress." Nya heard a comment, but it was faint. After giving it much thought, she eventually decided to retire to her room. Just standing there waiting for him wasn't a good look for her, she didn't want to look desperate, desperate for his attention. Deep down, she was glad he came after her immediately noticing her absence.But what does that mean? Did he want to have a conversation with her? Maybe perhaps spend time with her?But why though and of all times did Helen sprained her ankle it had to be the exact same moment Henz was about speaking to her. Coincidence much? Finally in her night dress, although it was afternoon, she wanted to retire to bed so she could get all the disturbing thoughts out her head.In the corner of her room rested a spell book on her reading table, she caught sight of it and remembered when Jia approached her suggesting a temporary solution to Isabelle's sleep demon problem. It wasn't something she had thought of because truthfully speaking it was nothing compared to the issues they had on ground but that didn't mean it wasn't an issue, she had just being pre-occupied.Jia suggesting a temporary solution was a good thing for Isabelle and her as well, it was one thing off her to-do list, temporarily. Nya had to teleport back to their house to gather all the information she needed to make the potion for Isabelle. Astoundingly enough, it was only one book that contained the ingredients for the potions and how to get them, Nya had thought that she would have to spend days finding information, books, ancient writings and then whipping up the potions.She didn't spend an hour finding the book and it contained only a single ingredient, the thorns of a black rose. Which she found in the indoor garden of Lord Cyrene."Which reminds me, I haven't checked to see how Isabelle was doing and if she has taken the potion yet". Nya hastily pushed aside her bed cover, putting on the foot wear at the bottom of her bed she ran out her room. She hastily made her way through the halls and working maids whose mouth all fell agape due to the sight in front of them. A lady acting unladylike, a story to feed the gossip mongers."She could be in her room?""Who could be in her room?" A voice which was familiar to Nya asked as she turned to see Henz staring at her in bewilderment."I'm looking for Isabelle.""In a night dress." Henz looked at her confused and then his words hit her. She was still in her night dress, the silky lace dress hugging her body, she felt naked. If only she could command the floor to open and swallow her up, she should look that up in her spell books. Seeing she was still stunned by her own actions he commented"At least you could put on a robe." But he didn't get a good look from her and immediately took off his coat.No!" Seeing what he was doing and knowing his impending action. "I'll just go back to my room and...."what? You have already traumatized the maids and everyone seeing you in this dress. You cannot go anywhere looking like that." Henz held out his coat." I can't go anywhere looking like this? I came all the way looking like this." She raised her arms in the air."And I refuse you continue looking like this on your way to find Isabelle." He stated and put the coat around her, she finished it off by putting her hands through the holes and boy was she confused when she couldn't find her hands."They are still in the coat.""I know." Her eyes couldn't meet his anymore and were stuck on the floor, she suddenly felt warm and the naked feeling was gone.Silence... Nya suddenly walked passed him in a haste still in search for Isabelle, she didn't excuse herself or rather she couldn't, her mouth has been shut tight and she could feel her cheeks heating up. If he finds out she was blushing she could die of embarrassment.As she was coming up to a turn in the hallway she heard a giggle, a soft one and you don't have to think twice whose voice or giggle that belonged to. It was her. Nya stopped in her tracks and turned to where the voice came from, she followed and with every step she took the voice was louder and louder."She does seem awfully happy." It seemed as though Isabelle's voice was coming from the library, Nya smiled to herself knowing how Isabelle would prefer to bury herself in books all day than to do any other thing. She was the belle of her time. She did that at home in the human world, she did at their house and now at lord Cyrene's mansion."The girl sure loves books." An obvious fact which she stated."I really should check up on her more often, I know I have things I'm taking care of but that doesn't mean Isabelle isn't part of my priorities or responsibilities. Speaking of misplaced priorities" Nya laughed at herself. Sometimes she chooses to be hard on herself intentionally and other times unbeknownst to her. Nya pulled the door open and was welcomed by the sight of books, a scent of old books hit her nostrils as she made her way through the library."Isabelle!" She called out her name but no response from her."I could've sworn I heard her voice in here, Isabelle!" Nya called out again."You can't tell me I imagined her voice" Nya turned to another section of the library where the old books were placed. She could see the peak of Isabelle's head from a book she buried herself in. Nya sighed in relief and smiled believing Isabelle didn't hear her because she lost in the world she indulged herself in. She slowly approached her and softly called out her name but still no response. Nya slowly pulled the book out her hand and called her name, no response.Shock gripped her very soul as she saw the person in front her slowly morph out of Isabelle's soft body into a body with prominent features."Yes Nya? Why do you call for me? You know I do not like being interrupted while reading."The voice...It belonged to Isabelle but the face belonged to someone else. It was still morphing, it stopped half-way which resulted in half the face belonging to Isabelle and the other belonging to someone else. Very dark crystal like eyes silently watched her and pointy elf like ears flapped a little after picking up Nya's increased heartbeat. Nya recovered from the shock response and was about to react but it gripped her returning her to the previous state she was."I saw her walk in here, she said she was looking for you." A voice accompanied with multiple footsteps approached. Henz and Isabelle saw Nya holding a book staring at thin air. A firm hand on her shoulder brought her back to her original state, she blinked and saw Isabelle with Henz looking at her confused." I saw the Isabelle you were looking for." Henz said."Why are you holding the book like that?" Isabelle asked looking at the position Nya was in, it was quite confusing. Nya turned to look for the creature but it was gone. Was that a Niluf like she also? A shape-shifter was in the mansion with them and is apparently interested in Isabelle, was that the being in her dreams in physical form? A shudder went down her spine.Henz knew something was wrong, he turned to Isabelle.

"Isabelle, please clear up this books on the table while I take Nya to her room."