Lillian tossed and turned in her bed, unable to sleep. She felt confused and lost, and being in a home with strangers didn't provide any comfort. Despite their seemingly good nature, she remained in the dark about the people around her, as they appeared to conceal aspects of themselves and other things aswell.
She sighed and sat upright in her bed. It was really late, and the only source of light in her room was the moonlight streaming through the large windows. She slowly got out of bed, wearing nothing but her nightgown, and walked out of the room.
Outside the room, there were expansive corridor halls, enveloped in darkness, with only a faint glow emanating from a small light source at the end.
Quietly, Lillian walked towards the source of light and discovered a lantern on a petite side table.
Taking the lantern in hand, she decided to explore. Unperturbed by the eerie darkness, she confidently traversed the vast halls, passing numerous closed doors until she stumbled upon one that stood ajar.
She entered quietly and was amazed to find herself in a library. The room was a literary haven, filled with books stretching from floor to ceiling. The shelves were neatly organized, creating a labyrinth of knowledge. Soft ambient light bathed the room, casting a warm glow on the leather-bound volumes and giving the library an inviting and magical atmosphere.
She carefully placed the lantern on a table and began perusing the books, immersed in her love for reading.
Memories of her time in Tywin's estate suddenly resurfaced in her mind—She remembered reading lots of books then. She briefly pondered about his well-being before swiftly pushing the thought from her mind.
Finally selecting a book with a familiar title, she turned around to return to the lantern on the table, only to find Dorian standing by the door like a silent apparition.
Startled, she nearly tripped but managed to regain her composure, placing a hand on her chest to calm her racing heart. When did he enter, and how did she miss his approach?
"Did I startle you?" Dorian asked in a low, calm voice.
"No, certainly not. Standing in the dark behind me like a shadow definitely isn't frightening," Lillian replied sarcastically, still clutching her chest, unable to hide her genuine fear.
"Why are you awake at this hour?" Dorian inquired, ignoring her sarcastic reply. His voice carrying a hint of concern.
"I couldn't sleep," Lillian answered, finally looking up to meet Dorian's gaze. His eyes seemed to glow in the night, a golden intensity that captured her attention even after blinking.
"Are your quarters not comfortable?" Dorian inquired.
"No, they are. Very comfortable, in fact. I just couldn't sleep. I have too many unanswered questions keeping me awake," Lillian replied honestly. Her eyes unintentionally trailed down, and she realized that Dorian was draped in his nightrobe, his bare chest revealed. A blush crept onto her face, though she tried to conceal it.
"Oh," Dorian responded. Lillian noticed he wasn't going to say anything else or attempt to answer her questions, so she cleared her throat.
"Why are you awake?"
"I heard noises."
"Noises?" Lillian asked with a frown. "I... I thought I was being very quiet. Sorry," she replied, her head bowed.
"No, it's not your fault. My senses are heightened," Dorian grunted.
"Heightened?"
"Yes," Dorian replied.
"How?"
"It's part of my...Gifts."
"Gifts?"
"Look, Lillian, it's complicated, and you'll only get more confused and have more sleepless nights," Dorian explained.
"Then make it less complicated, Dorian. I can't sleep because I'm confused, scared, lost, and feel utterly alone in your vast estate. I need answers. And you have them, so why can't you tell me all of it," Lillian pleaded, her voice filling with emotions.
Dorian looked at her and could understand why she felt the way she did. He understood what it means to feel alone.
"Follow me," he said to her as he turned and walked away.
Lillian trailed behind him. "Where are we going?"
"You want answers, don't you?" Dorian replied.
They moved together through the dim corridors, Dorian leading with a lantern casting flickering shadows. The journey led them to a staircase, ascending until they stood before the solitary door.
Dorian paused, a moment of hesitation before he opened the door. Lillian mirrored his actions as they entered together.
Uncertain about what awaited them, she found herself in a room frozen in time. It was evident that no one had set foot in this space for years—an abandoned study adorned with shelves bearing the weight of forgotten books, dusty maps, and paintings on the walls. The layer of dust seemed to shroud every inch of the room.
Lillian couldn't help but wonder what they were meant to discover in this forgotten room.
"This was my father's study," Dorian revealed, and Lillian turned towards him. "I instructed no one to ever enter this room," he continued, his eyes hinting at a touch of sadness. "But this place holds all the answers to your questions, so..."
Lillian was on the verge of asking how this room held the key to her queries when Dorian walked over to one of the paintings on the wall – a detailed map of the entire Seven Kingdoms. With deliberate care, he took it down, blowing on it to scatter dust before placing it on the dusty table.
Lillian couldn't fathom how anything in this neglected study could provide the answers she sought. Despite her concerns, she held back, patiently waiting for Dorian to unravel the mysteries.
"That's the map of the Seven Kingdoms," Lillian acknowledged, walking closer to Dorian.
"Yes, it is."
"What does the map have to do with my questions?" she inquired, no longer able to control her curiosity.
"Well, everything began at the very inception of creation."
"I don't..."
"Just listen to me, Lillian," Dorian interrupted, and Lillian nodded, captivated.
"When the Diviner created this world, it was said that he lived in it as a mortal, among his creations for some time. It was also said that he favored one man, Aagon Fowler, and shared with him a tiny amount of his power so he could aid his fellow men," Dorian narrated.
"Aagon, initially fulfilling the Diviner's wishes, taught men many things and helped them in numerous ways," Dorian explained, casting a meaningful glance at Lillian. Satisfied she was attentive, he continued.
"But the heart of men is easily corrupted. Aagon succumbed to greed, desiring more power. He wanted people to worship him and sought to rule over all. He transformed into a monster, and pure power turned evil and dark, giving birth to sorcery. This, of course, angered the Diviner, but he couldn't intervene."
"Why not?" Lillian asked, genuine interest sparking in her eyes.
"Because if he did, men would never evolve; they would always depend on him to solve their problems," Dorian explained. "So instead, he thought of a better idea on how to help. He created the Protectors, blessing seven worthy households with unique powers."
"But the Protectors didn't really exist, right? They were just a myth – heroes created to give people hope and nothing more," Lillian replied.
Dorian smirked.
"The Protectors are real, Lillian," he affirmed. Lillian frowned, realizing it would make a lot of sense if Dorian was a Protector.
"Are you one of them? The Protectors?" she asked.
"Yes," Dorian answered. "The Gift has been in my family for generations, and I am one of the current Protectors, as is Julian."
"Julian?" Lillian asked in disbelief.
"Yes."
"Is that why I'm here? You're protecting me?" Lillian questioned.
"Well, something like that," Dorian said as he turned around, approaching a shelf. He took out a dusty, big old book, blowing on it before opening its center. Lillian was slightly taken aback by what she saw in it...