It was not long after Leonard was appointed as the servant of the imperial painter. Usually, he would clean the studio, make sure the tools were in the right place, and Help the old man in whatever he did.
He was neither grateful nor hateful regarding his job, but he was surprised to make it this far despite all the lies he spitted, simply to have a decent job. He was willing to do anything to get out of the hell of the red-light city, and his hard work paid off in the end.
His looks were mediocre, yet her talent in the art was ethereal. When he copied a famous painting, some people asked him if he was the same creator, and they paid him handsomely. The more he mimicked his favourite artist, the more he earned, and suddenly, one of his customers recommended him to the headcourt painter.
Because of his lowly background, other than being a servant, he could not be more. Still, he was continent until the large door of the imperial courtroom opened with a shining light, a bunch of butterflies and rose petals.
In his dark world, the reminiscence of that day was unclouded than the water in the holy mountains. When he had nothing to do, he would memorize it and smile alone in the darkness.
As he ambled, caressing the old books and smelling them alongside the huge bookshelves, his aid followed without making any noise. The little boy who came with dirt and paint was nowhere to be found. Instead of him where he was, a blind yet well-seasoned man in the palace stood.
Still, he could recognize the scent of roses from a few yards away. "Greetings, princess," he startled Rivienne as he always did. Hearing her dropping something and not responding to him, he was worried that she fell down. He could hear, Tommy making a fuss, trying to help her.
"Lord Leonard!" He heard her complaining voice. "How could you do this to me every time we meet? One day, I will scare you, and you will not forget me until you die,"
"It's just Leo, Princess. And even if you did not do anything, I would remember you forever,"
"Such a flirt," Rivienne mumbled, taking his hand to guide him to the table. Even though the gloves covered his hands, she could still feel that they were freezing. Tommy picked up all the books, that she tripped and placed on the table.
When Rivienne safely escorted his master, he stood from far away and began the observing. That sweet smile could attack any other lady in the capital, yet his dear master dared to show it only to a married princess. Sometimes, he would wonder about how he survived being blind and bold, at the same time.
"Haha! I apologize, princess,"
"And you always apologize, too,"
It looked like the princess was having trouble sleeping today, too. Tommy thought. Well, who in the world is sleeping soundly among all the chaos in the empire? Even the maids were sleepwalking like ghosts in the hallways.
"What are you reading today, princess? Did I bother you?" Leonard asked, hearing the flipping sound of old books which Rivienne was messing with.
"Oh! Not at all, lord Leonard. I was feeling lonely. Did you come here to read, too?" She asked, starting a friendly conversation. "If it's alright with you, I can read to you, Sir,"
"Tommy would be very much pleased about that. I was hoping to research about the old prayers of the temple."
"I know the best book. Give me a minute," Rivienne leapt from the chair and padded further into the library, covering herself with the shovel over the nightgown. As soon as she was not in their perimeter, Leonard's smile dissipated.
"His Highness asked you to meet in five minutes. Will it be okay?" Tommy asked in a low voice. Leonard pondered and turned to where Tommy's voice came from, smiling. This time, it was fake, and Tommy felt as if he got hit by a thick book. "Disgusting! What is it?"
"Why don't you bring some snacks for the princess? I am pretty sure something must have happened,"
Tommy stomped out of the library.
"Found it!"
Rivienne returned as she sat at the end of the table, making herself comfortable. Leonard could sense the instant improvement in her mood. And indeed, Rivienne was feeling rather happy.
The floor and the walls were black in colour, and their shine did not let go for the time being. As the emperor was a bookworm just as he was a warmonger, the staff in the palace made a great effort to take care of the imperial library.
Rivienne loved to see the gleaming floor under the candlelight as it reminded them of her studio. And a former talented servant painter was the last piece. With an inhale, she began to read the book to her friend.
"At the beginning of the century, the prophets..."
Leonard's mind went far away. She was wearing a red dress adorned with rubies and golden patterns on the day of engagement. She entered the courtroom slowly as if she were walking on the water while her gorgeous dress trailed behind her. At first glance, Leonard was stunned by the grace.
She wore a tiara made of rose gold and a yellow colour jewel that he had not seen before. Her brown, long hair fell down her shoulders as she shyly glanced at the front where her future throne was. She walked there and never looked back.
From that day onwards, peeping at her was one of Leonard's duties until he became greedy, until he became sightless.
Because of the princess...
"Pardon? I was focused on-" Rivienne heard him muttering something.
"Did the daughter of the goddess was mistaken by the elders in the circle?" He asked, even though he had read that book at least three times.
"Did they?" Rivienne asked Leonard widening her eyes.
"You just read that princess."
"Did I?" Rivienne paused. "Honestly, I don't feel well, lord Leonard."
Leonard heard her sighing. He pondered, and then he raised his hands to untie the knot of the blindfold behind her head. When it was on the table, he opened his white eyes that did not have a pupil in the middle of it.
Rivienne stared at him, rounding her brown eyes.
"I know it is unpleasant-"
He felt something stuck in his throat when her warm fingertips brushed under his eyes. "Does it hurt?" She asked.
Oh! Dear! After all, a prey could fall right into the predator's arms by itself.