'THE BOOKS OF ORACLES'
I got near that book and took it out. I tried to open it but it felt jammed for some reasons. I sat in the nearby chair and put the book on the table. I forced it to open up but still it was an unsuccessful method. I tried to look for a lock just like the previous books, but there was no such thing. After many unsuccessful methods I got it clear that opening it needs someone's guidance.
("Even though it looks like an ordinary book why is it not opening up? Perhaps I should ask Roger or Fiona about it…")
TAK! TAK! TAK! [KNOCKING]
"May I help you?" Roger asked.
I was startled to his sudden voice.
("He was watching me this whole time? Gosh! It's so embarrassing! This OLD GEEZER!!")
He came in near me and spoke,
"'The Book Of Oracles' does not open up like that you foolish kid…"
"You…. Then how does it open?"
"It depends on the book itself when to open."
"[Dumbfounded] Are you bluffing?"
"This book is very rare and can be only found in the King's or Queen's private library. I don't know how it got here but there are oracles deciphered by researchers which are updated frequently… It might be unable to open it now but when the time comes you will definitely read it."
"Why would someone move this book here?"
"That is what weighing my mind right now…."
Roger took the book and observed it carefully…. Flipping it front – back again and again, he frowned. He suddenly threw it away on the table.
"Hey! What is wrong with you?"
I went near it with an intention to pick it up but,
"DON'T TOUCH IT! MOVE AWAY!" Roger shouted.
I startled and moved away quickly.
"That is not the REAL book…"
"[confused] Wha... what?"
"It is designed the same way as the real book flourished with gold and luster but the real book had the symbol of Clairvoyance stone… but… this one…"
He stopped in the middle of his speech and his eyes became wide. I turned around and saw the book on the table emitting the black smoke eventually turning it into fire and burning it to turn into ashes. I was unhinged for that unexpected moment when Roger spoke to me,
"This one had the symbol of… DEVIL….(Who could have done this thing? Where is the real book than? Is it still in the private library? I have to check it out but first….)"
Roger was disturbed and had his thoughts rushed but when he looked at me he suddenly stopped.
"Ariya?"
"[Unhinged]….."
"Ariya?" Roger called me out moving my shoulder.
"[back to senses] HA?"
"Are you alright?"
"The book… just burned into fire?... I saw the same butterfly which led me to that book burn into that black smoke…. [Looking at Roger]… What does it mean Roger?"
"[Puzzled] I didn't…. get you?"
"Does it mean that the Oracle means nothing to devil and if we do something we will also die like this?"
Roger was silent and speechless. He didn't understand what to say. He looked towards me and with his fatherly voice he spoke,
"Even if it meant, nothing will happen to us dear. We are all together and there nothing to be afraid of because it was meant to be."
I hugged Roger in despair as we watched the book continue to burn in front of our eyes.
[The Dining Hall]
Except for Fiona and Lupa (who were unaware of that situation), Roger and me, we both were in misery.
"Is something wrong with you both?" Fiona inquired
"yes….." Roger answered in a depressing tone.
"Pfft!" Lupa guffawed at Roger's response.
"What exactly happened in my absence Lupa?... Roger?... Ariya?" Fiona was furious.
"Okay, okay, First let us lighten up the mood here." Lupa suggested, "Bring in the desserts." He ordered.
The dessert was presented which look DELICIOUS!!!
FRUIT AND CHOCOLATE PARFAIT!!!
("[Drooling] It looks amazing! Perfect! A Big Bowl Of Fruit And Chocolate Parfait!!!")
We were delighted and beaming with a big sunshine smile.
"Lupa you are the BEST!" Roger exclaimed.
"IT LOOKS FANTASTIC LUPA… SUPER DUPER YUMMY…" I exaggerated.
("Aww! So cute!!! Mt little bunny looks happy just like a small child waiting to finish the dessert…")
I was happy to the content and also embarrassed to Lupa's thoughts. But still we shamelessly attacked the dessert and ate it to full content.
"That… was… amazing…! Amazingly Delicious! [Melting]" I emphasised.
"[laughing] you both should have seen yourselves while eating. You looked like a pair of father-daughter starving for many days…"
We all burst out into a big laughter on Fiona's comment. The atmosphere was improved and was great now. I didn't feel any anxiety or gloominess around me. This feeling of being together is great. Even though I knew it was dangerous enough to death, today's incident had me feel miserable at a point. But now there is no such misery because we can depend upon each other and fight this darkness together. This is the strength I need!
After a great meal and fantabulous dessert we all sat in a parlour room. There we shared the details of the incident we happened to experience.
"Ariya is Right. It was a warning to not to meddle in their business." Fiona affirmed.
"So that means Devil knows about the Oracle and he also knows…" Lupa agreed yet stopped in the middle as he was thinking something.
"Knows what?"
"Those people already know about Ariya and they think she is the lost Queen who is back!" Lupa Asserted.
"That means they don't believe in the oracles but still they don't want to take any chance and so they are warning us that it can be ugly as we move forward?" Fiona suspected.
"But don't we already know that they are deadly?" I questioned.
"The most important thing here is that they know Ariya is here and they even made it possible to sneak in that book here!" Roger Spouted.
"It must be possible with Lady Carol's help?" I doubted.
They looked towards me with concern which showed that they were obviously worried about me. But then their faces had a troubled looks and they frowned. Their eyes wide open in distress. They were baffled anxiously. I was confused.
"Ari..ya" Roger called my name worryingly.
That's when I noticed something dripping out of my nose. I wiped it out with my finger and look at,
"BLOOD?"