Zils is amazed when she enter the Royal Library of Slothia. It is the most beautiful library she have ever seen. They have three floors of books and elegant stairways erected to reach each floor. The wooden shelves are lined up on the center in one long room. Curtains are drawn covering the shelves to protect the books. The ceiling have two big domes decorated with gold constellations of stars. The sunlight entered from the wide windows around the library. Wooden tables and chairs are displayed near the windows. Red velvet curtains are tied with golden tassels to let the daylight in and Zils guessed they will be covered at night.
"This is beautiful!!"
Zils can not hide her excitement. She is not a reader as much as Edmund but hanging around with Edmund means they frequent the library quite often back in Arethea. Edmund like books the most but Zils can't keep up with all the difficult books he read. Edmund like to share to her what he read, telling her stories about a lost civilization or legendary mythical creatures. She like the fantasy stories but Edmund is more excited with ancient cultures or economy books. She almost fall asleep when there is one time Edmund telling her about trading between countries. When she decided to join the navy, with Edmund againts it, she rarely entered the library anymore. Library always give her the nostalgic feeling, reminding her of her years with Edmund.
"Edmund have to see this. He will be thrilled."
"I'm sure he is but unfortunately I am not able to bring him here. I did bring some books for him to read."
Zils' eye widen for a while, she can't control what she said.
"Is he alright? Is he hurt?"
"Yes, he is fine and he is not hurt."
"Is his food taken care of? The poisoning incident..."
"Not to worry. I personally taken care of his meals."
"Has he ever sick here? Or did he..."
"He is in a safe place, My Lady."
Juwan smiled, cutting the questions. He is not going to give her any information other than Edmund's wellbeing.
"Please rest assured, you will be able to see him again when the time come."
"What do you mean?"
"I can't tell you much, My Lady, but I promised that you will be reunited with your brother again." Juwan gestured her to sit on one of the tables. The scenery Zils can see outside is the lush summer greens. Small fountains decorated the garden and some birds are bathing in the water under the hot summer sun. Zils seated herself. Juwan will not tell her where is Edmund but he seems sincere when he said that she will see Edmund again.
"For now please have a seat here."
A chambermaid come in and serve her a glass of drink with colorful flowers in it and a plate of cut fruits.
"Flower infusion is a popular drink during summer. You can also added the fruits inside to add the sweetness."
Zils take a sip and the drink have such a pleasant smell Zils close her eyes and enjoy the refreshing floral aroma.
"Thank you, Juwan." Zils smiled.
"For what, My Lady?" Juwan seems confused with the sudden appreciation.
"You bring me here to relax, right? The scenery, the quietness..." Zils wonder though if this can really make her not to think about Vrag. She is kind of worried after Juwan told her about what Marley used to treat him.
"Would you like a book to read then?" Juwan smiled.
"That will be good."
"Shall we take a stroll then? I can guide you through the library." Zils stand up and follow Juwan from behind.
Juwan guided her through the shelves. The Royal Library is a mass book storage. Zils is even more amazed when she see some Arethean author between the collection. Juwan informed her on what subject the books are about. They past few more shelves until one title caught her attention.
"Royal History of Slothia..." she mumbled.
"Would you like to read that, My Lady?"
"Eh?" Zils didn't expect that she can read those.
"It's general history of our Royals. The historian will update them once in a while. The newer ones are here..." Juwan showed her newer sets of books. Juwan opened and flipped some of the pages. He then take two of them and passed it to Zils.
"I'm sure you can find Prince Vrag's history here."
"Juwan...you really..." Zils took them anyway but she is a bit embarrassed. She did curious about Vrag's background. "But is it really fine for me to read these?"
"It's just general knowledge without any private information. Those of course we kept them in safe storage." Juwan give her a playful smile, Zils can't help but smile back.
Zils put the two books on the table. Zils usually is not a fan of history lesson but she thought that this can be her information to survive in Slothia. There is no harm in memorising them. She started to browse inside. They introduced the culture and history of Slothia Royal Family. She then learned there are three faction that influence the Slothian politics: Lilla, Vermello and Juodas faction.
Zils decided to cut the long history later and try to find the familiar names of the Princes. She will need to know the current power map. She stopped on the familiar name.
Khiv, the Crown Prince, from Lady Loreinne.
Thyr, the Second Prince, from Lady Asteria of Vermello.
Galath, the Third Prince, from Lady Marathia of Juodas. Deceased at war in Killa.
Mirtha, the Fourth Prince, from Lady Asteria of Vermello. Whereabouts unknown, missing on the fleet at Maranth Sea.
Vrag, The Fifth Prince, from Queen Astarth of Slothia.
The list went on. Zils recognize the first two names. She never saw Khiv before but she remembered Thyr. He give her an annoying vibes and he seems to hate Arethean so much. Maybe it's because of his missing younger brother? Maranth is her half brother territory so his fleet might be wiped by his general. She sighed remembering him. Garin, her second half brother is only good with women. She really think he should be a Slothian if he wanted that many women. Since Garin has lost to Hein in the throne battle, she has heard that his womanizing days are getting worse day by day.
A commotion can be heard suddenly at the entrance. Two ladies are seen questioning the guards with confusion. One of them is wearing a black dress with another one that looks like her private maid. The maid seems to be angry with the guards.
"What do you mean that Lady Liliana can't enter the Royal library? She will be the Future Queen. How dare you insult her?"
"Prita..." Liliana tried to stop her maid.
The word 'Queen' left a sting in her heart. She feel the headache when her father has inform her that he got a proposal from Thyr, the Second Prince, to take her after Khiv's death. His father didn't want to give an answer yet. The next candidate to be the next Crown Prince is Thyr for now but they are still doing investigation on Khiv's poisoning incident. His father didn't want to risked being linked with anyone who ordered the poisoning. Thyr is under the biggest suspicion since he is the second in line. Vrag being the Queen's child has a strong position with his military achievements. The two are strong candidates and if one of them indeed poisoned Khiv, their supporters will surely back off from the guilty party. His father obviously wanted to wait on who will sit on the throne. His father didn't care about her at all. The thoughts have disturbed her so much that dhe just wanted to go to Royal Library to calm herself and nobody will disturb her.
"Forgive us, My Lady... but Prime Minister has given approval to close the library for one day."
"Why would he close the Royal Library?" Prita didn't let go.
"Emm..." the guards are not sure what to say. Juwan noticed and gestured to Zils to wait and he approached the group.
"Honorable Lady Liliana, forgive us for taking the Royal Library today." Juwan bowed and Lilliana and the maid seems shocked to see him here.
"Juwan? Is Prince Vrag here as well...?" Lilliana is feeling hesitant after the rejection he gave in front of the Queen but her desire to see Vrag is stronger. She took a glance inside and caught a glimpse of a black haired lady sitting on one of the tables.
"Well, My Lady I apologize to disappoint you but Prince Vrag is..."
Before Juwan has finished his sentence Lilliana suddenly barge inside, earning shocked face from everyone including her maid. Juwan didn't expect that. Liliana is known as a timid and shy person. The guards and him has plan to repel her back just with words but she run inside, open the door wide, and Zils was shocked as well to see this unknown woman in black dress barging pass the guards.
"You...you..." Lilliana breath is heavy. She felt the uncontrollable anger inside. It's the indicent woman from Arethea. They closed the library for her now?
"I'm sorry...do I know you?" Zils has stand up from her seat.
Lilliana can see her face clearly now. She has a bewitching pair of blue azure eyes. Her black hair and her sharp features giving a unique contrast with her eyes and her flawless skin. The rumour has said that she is an exceptional beauty and she has heard that Vrag dismissed his collection of women.
"You...you...are the Arethean wench..." Lilliana mumbled and her hands are shaking.
"Wench? I assure you that I'm an Arethean but not a wench." Zils reply her sharply.
"Lady Lilliana, please go out from the library." Juwan has approached her and he is ready to drag her out. Lady Lilliana is very out of character today.
"Why is she here?" Lilliana turn to Juwan, her personal maid now at her side trying to calm her down.
"She is the special guest of Prince Vrag. I will have to escort you out, My Lady."
"Special guest...?" Lilliana seems more distracted. She heard the rumours about how infatuated Vrag with this new Arethean woman.
"My Lady...please calm down...let's go back to your chamber." Prita by her side also persuaded her to go back. She has never seen her mistress behave like this.
Lilliana suddenly lumped down and started wailing.
"My Lady...please..." Prita struggled to get her up. She can't be seen like this in front of the people.
"Is she alright?" Zils has approached and whispered to Juwan. Juwan seems to be lost too. "Who is she?"
"Lady Lilliana, she is betrothed to the late Prince Khiv."
"Ah..." with those hatred in her eyes she has thought that she is one of Vrag's women but it turn out she is the Crown Prince's future Queen.
"She might still be in shock on what happened to the Crown Prince...Juwan..I think we better leave here..." Zils whispered to Juwan. She is not going to calm down soon and she seems to hate her so much. Juwan gestured the guards to get someone and he escorting Zils back to Prince Vrag's chamber.
Juwan seems confused the whole journey back, making Zils asked him what is the matter.
"Lady Lilliana is very out of character today..."
"What is she usually like?"
"Very calm and she is known as a very shy person. She is never seen so emotional like that..."
"I see..." Zils then walked with Juwan back in silent. She and Juwan both are trying to digest everything that has happened. When they arrived Juwan give her a bow and informed her that he need to take care of something.
"Lady Zils, you haven't finished the book so I will arrange someone to send them to the chamber."
"Sure. Thank you, Juwan."
"Please excuse me for now." Juwan bowed and gone.
Zils entered the chamber and look at the lonely spaciousness she has to bear.
"I never expect I will want him to come back soon..." Zils sighed. She give up. She indeed missed Vrag now.