"Just so you know, I'm okay with you rejecting me." Matilda said.
Eyes wide open, Socorro couldn't believe the words that came out of her Mate's lips.
"You're absolutely insane giving me That choice when you know how I feel! you think I won't do it Matilda?"
"It's because I know you'll do it, that's why I'm giving you the choice, I'm not going to be mates with someone who thinks of me as a prison rather than an outlet."
"Matilda! do you not value your life?!"
"The only thing keeping me alive so far is Ned, what's making You hold on Coco? why is it that everytime I look into your eyes, I feel like I'm looking at an empty space."
With Matilda Staring deeply into Socorro's eyes, as if she can read her soul, "Why do you care! what do you want from me?" Socorro asked.
"Coco, has it occurred to you that maybe I actually like you? that I actually wanted you for you."
"Why...Would you?"
" Socorro, seriously! I might be a womanizer and I am to blame for that, but I am willing to drop the whole world to be your woman!
Ever since we met, I've followed you around like a puppy and never complained, even when you shredded me to pieces with your words."
"We're just friends, we're supposed to be only friends."
"And I'm fine with that too Socorro."
"But You're putting your life on the line for nothing Matilda!"
Suddenly "classical music." Matilda replied, the answer confused the assistant deeply "What are you talking about?" Socorro asked.
"In every morning, you listen to classical music in your office, I'm sure I caught you dance once or twice, right before I come by to see you.
Around the day you focus on your job like most of us do.
With ton of work in your hands and That serious expression you always have on your face, You'd visit all around the palace to make sure everything is going perfectly.
Once that's done, you'd stop by the Bird's fountain for a break, you'd sit for few minutes combing your hair, before going back to your office.
Sometimes the two young princes would visit your office, sometimes you go and check on them in the playroom, the sound of you three laughing fills the air for a while.
When you're working around his Majesty, Your eyes sparkle, You're always smiling carelessly at him.
And Even after a long day of work, you wouldn't mind him giving you an extra task, You're a proud workaholic...
Coco, Right now it's 3:00 a.m, People are asleep, yet here you are still awake, making sure that whatever is going to happen tomorrow, will go perfectly.
Seriously, you should be resting.. what's keeping you working?
Usually, this late at night, you'd turn off the lights in your room and only leave your little lamp next to where you sit by the window, so you can read books until you feel fall asleep."
"How...what... Are you stalking me?"
"If you're wondering how I know all of this Coco, like how you spend whatever left of your night crouched by your window reading?
You live in his Majesty's personal wing, the largest window in your room is facing the forest edge! and I love hiking And taking long walks in that area, especially in the early hours of the day, that's kinda my thing...
And I would spot you now and then, on my way there or back." Matilda explained.
Slightly blushing, "Do you spend your free time watching me?" Socorro asked.
"More like admiring you."
"You're weird Matilda."
"That makes two of us, Socorro."
Eyes locked together, silence was the only sound left afterward in the corridor, but just for few seconds, before the serious woman with Reddish brown eyes decided to break it.
"You want the truth... Matilda?"
"Is there something else but the truth to tell Coco?"
"I don't think i deserve this."
"Deserve what?" Matilda asked curiously, "The bond we share Matilda, you're better off with someone who's willing to give you what you deserve."
"Socorro, I deserve what you deserve, love! it's simple as that." Matilda replied smiling.
A deeper blush crept up its way to Socorro's Cheeks,"Follow me please." She said while taking a deep breath and gesturing with her hand so Matilda would follow her.
....Few Minutes Later....
"Where are we going?" Walking behind the King's assistant, Matilda dreaded the silence that has fallen again between them, more and more with each step they took.
Socorro wasn't the type to say more than what's needed to be said, but with Matilda, she usually opens up a little more.
But Socorro only remained silent, because she was afraid she would say something hurtful again.
She might not admit it, but Socorro doesn't like seeing anything but a smile on Matilda's face.
They walked few more minutes until Socorro gestured with her hand again to stop the messenger, right in front of the royal library.
"Huh? What? here?" Matilda questioned to which Socorro nodded to, What are we going to do in the library Coco?" she asked again.
"You'll know soon, there's something inside I want to show you." Socorro said.
Walking inside, The library night-shift guards greeted Both women.
Socorro asked the guards to remain outside, and the king's assistant requested as well that she would be informed, in case anyone tried getting inside the library while she and Matilda were in there.
"Yes ma'am!" bowing down, the guards removed themselves from the women's way, and went back to guarding the doors.
The two women then stepped inside the vast room, and were met with a sight that's like heaven for any bookworm.
Books of all sizes, covers of all the colors and titles, were all neatly placed across many the gigantic bookshelves.
It was Socorro's sacred haven as a bookworm herself.
"I'll never get used to This place! I always feel like I'm walking into a maze in here!" Matilda stated, It's ironic for someone like Matilda who adores literature, to not regularly visit one of the best and biggest libraries in the kingdom.
The library was filled with books from all Fields, Science, philosophy, History and such.
But because Muriel is known for being a hopeless romantic who collects all sorts of Love stories, there is a section in the library just for story books, and Muriel is often seen on his free time with a romantic book in his hand, giggling like a happy kid.
"You only feel like this place is a maze because of how little times you've visited the library Mati, if you visited more often you're get used to it.
It's filled with books of all interests, you may find something fulfilling to read if you'd dig deeper." Socorro replied.
Shaking her Head,"I'm done reading, it became a little boring to me, I mean Why read other people's work, when I can make mine!" An unamused Matilda spoke.
Surprised, "You're a writer?" asked Socorro with curious blinking eyes, "I guess so, I write romantic stories, songs and poems...well anything you can quote in a love letter." Matilda replied casually.
Curious yet a little anxious to ask, "Umm, Do you have anything published...yet?" Socorro asked.
"While most of my ideas are drafted and still not ready to be out there, I do have something published, just one thing that's published under my pen name."
"Pen name...Can I read that one thing of yours?... maybe i can give you a review!" Socorro asked.
Smiling, Matilda nodded, "How about I give you one of my drafts, I would love to get a second opinion on that one, maybe I'll let you be my editor!"
"That would be nice, I've always wanted to do... such a thing." Socorro said, she was a little disappointed Matilda didn't tell her more about her published work.
"Anyways what are we doing here Coco?"
"Matilda, please stand back." Socorro replied while standing in front of a bookshelf that seems out of place.
Matilda could feel that something was off about this particular bookshelf, "What why?" she asked as she took a step back.
But instead of an answer, the king's assistant pulled out her comb, "Transform!" Socorro spoke in a grandiose manner.
The wooden comb that once was in her hand, became an arm-length Wand in, she then pointed it at the misplaced bookshelf, turning it into dust and revealing a secret door.
"Wow!" Matilda spoke with big eyes," Holy Molly! that was a Boss move! you can use Magic Coco?"
"There's only few people that know about this, now including you.
However, if you go around telling people I'm a Witch, I will imprison you in a place where no one can find you, for the rest of your life!" Socorro replied threatening Matilda.
"DAMN! no wonder you go crazy when your comb goes missing! That's a freaking wand!
Hey! Don't worry about me Opening my mouth, My lips are sealed for you CoCo." Matilda replied winking.
Relief brushed over the assistant's face, "This bookshelf was fake, I use my magic to make it, to hide my magic books secret chamber."
"I did think something about the bookshelf was weird, but it still looked believable from afar! what about the books in it? were they fake as well."
"Empty books made of magic well, if you'd reach and open one them, you'll find only white pages." Socorro replied.
"If people haven't discovered this yet, that means I'm not the only one who doesn't come here very often." Matilda said.
"What a shame that people are abandoning books.
With the rise in technology, who's paying attentions to books anymore?" Socorro said in sad tone.
Smiling, Matilda nodded at her mate, " True, unless the books gets adapted into movies, they're now treated with disregard."
"Speaking About that! there's a book I wish they'd turn into a movie, it's been few years since it was published, And it was a big hit After it got a review from another famous writer.
That book sold out like crazy." Socorro spoke, her eyes shimmering with hope.
"Really? what's the book's name?" Matilda asked.
Smiling, "The title is 'The Early Bird And The Night Owl'...
It's the only book published by my favorite author 'Orange Tree'.
It's a Story about two polar opposite characters, they turned from enemies to friends and eventually lovers.
I wish she would write something like that again, I wrote her a fan letter but I doubt she read it." Socorro replied.
Silence fell again, as a moment of awareness hit Matilda.
Her orange eyes shyly dropped to the ground, embarrassed. "I'm sure she read it, I'm also sure she loved the little poem you wrote at the end, summarizing how you felt about her humble story." Matilda replied.
Another moment of silence took over, as realization hit the Fangirl real hard.
"You...must be joking me!"
"Don't worry my little fangirl, your little secret is safe... as long as you don't tell anyone I'm Orange tree."
Suddenly, " DO YOU HAVE ANY IDEA HOW MANY PEOPLE LOVE YOUR BOOK? Matilda, you literally made a masterpiece and then disappeared!" Socorro bursted.
Nervous, "Hey! it's only been few years!
Besides...it's true that my current job pays me a lot, but how Did you think I afforded all of my customized outfits, vehicles and expensive life style before coming here?...my book got translated and republished so many time, it doesn't even need a movie adaptation."
After thinking, "It's not like I was going to let you die before, I mean maybe... but now I do have a reason to keep you alive.
To keep me going." Socorro stated.
A little confused, "What are you talking about now?" Matilda asked, " I want to read again from you." Socorro replied slightly biting her Lips to stop herself from smiling like an idiot.