This had to be the largest library, Victoria had ever laid her eyes on. She felt so small as she gazed up at the giant shelves of books of all colors and textures, clouding every field of her vision. Victoria wasn't a book person, she was never really fond of reading books as much as Mallory did, the few times she ever grabbed a book and read them was if they had vital information she needed at the moment like the one she was searching for now.
This giant library filled with thousands of books would be Mallory's haven, her beloved space if she wasn't a servant and could have access to it. But not hers, Victoria's safe haven…would be in nature itself.
She made a mental note to grab a random romance novel or a book filled with poetry for Mallory to read when she wasn't busy tending to Victoria and other jobs at the castle. As she rounded a magnificently tall book shelf that almost touched the high arched ceiling above, she found herself standing in front of Gwen who was hugging a rather large book to her generous chest.
She looked as gorgeous as usual, she was wearing a lemon coloured gown with white lace sewn unto it, her curly long brown hair was pulled up to a pony tail letting it trail down her shoulders like a chocolate waterfall. How could someone like her and Freya exist, and King Alvar ask for her to dance with him first?…It didn't make any sense at all.
She half expected Gwen to look at her with the same look of disgust Freya would boldly flash at her for gaining the attention of the King, but that thought melted away once she saw the bright smile Gwen had when she saw her.
"Lady Victoria!" She exclaimed, "Fancy meeting you here."
Victoria blinked and shuffled nevously. "Good morning, Lady Gwen."
Gwen's bright expression dulled to one of pity mixed with worry. "Oh, poor you."
Victoria found herself wrapped around Gwen's arms all of a sudden, her expensive flowery perfume filling Victoria's senses. Normally Victoria would back away, not used to getting hugs from people who weren't Mallory or The Light Priest. But something about this Alcazarian made her feel calm, it scared her to her bones.
Alcazarians are the enemy! Why were some of them so inviting? Where they all in a mission to make her drop her guard?
When Gwen let go, Victoria released a breath, "what was that for?" she asked not unkindly.
Gwen held her large book with a brown hard cover up to her chest again and sighed. "I'm just worried about you, after that wine splashing all over you and you running away last night and not returning like I thought you would…I wanted to know how you were–"
"I'm fine." Victoria cut her off, she had almost forgotten about all of that last night, as her mind was being focused on another task now.
Gwen tilted her head slightly, "Are you sure?" She questioned, "I know Freya did it, I scolded her all night until she admitted it. Will you report her?"
"No, I don't care anymore." Victoria glanced around the library absentmindedly. Searching for a title that would prove useful to her.
"Is there a book, you're searching for then?"
Victoria hesitated, still not sure if she should trust Gwen. "...is there a book here about…uh, dark magic?"
Gwen eyes widened and she glanced around as if to see if someone was listening. "Dark magic?" She whisper-yelled. "Why would you want to know about it? Planning on mastering it or something?"
"No…I'm just curious."
Gwen calmed down and shook her head, "no, books about that sort of thing can't be found here. That's confidencial information, only those of royal blood have real access to it since they're the only ones who can truly control such power."
"Oh." Victoria said, sounding really disappointed. "I guess I'll just go then."
As she turned around, Gwen grabbed her arm. "Wait." She began, "why do you really want to know about it? You're an elemental…you have no business with dark magic."
"I…" Victoria searched her brain for a reasonable explanation. She'd die before telling her the truth. "I sensed a great amount of dark magic from the King last night. So I wanted to know more about it."
Gwen stared at her thoughtfully before she gave a small yet kind smile. "I don't know much myself, but I can tell you what I learned in my studies."
Victoria smiled herself, was Gwen just so naive or was she just very kind…she would never know.
"I'd appreciate it."
Gwen and Victoria sat at one of the many desks in the library, Gwen had gotten herself a book on earth spells as she was planning on practicing her magic with she complained was getting weaker. "Maybe it's because it's been a while since I last recollected with nature." She had said, "I hope the Queen organizes a Royal Hunt soon, so I can't use that opportunity to go outdoors."
"You have to be in the forest for your magic to be stronger?" Victoria asked.
Gwen sighed and nodded, "Yes, I wish it wasn't like that. What about you? What are your drawbacks?"
"The cold." Victoria replied, simply.
Gwen nodded understandably as she crossed her legs gracefully, "Dark magic doesn't have any drawbacks as far as I know."
Victoria flinched, "it doesn't? No weaknesses?"
"Like I said, I don't know much. But dark magic users don't have any weaknesses, their strength relies on the users amount of dark magic in their core."
"Core?"
"Wow…they really didn't teach you Light Civilians anything about the Shadows, do they?" Gwen pointed out with a chuckle.
"They tend to avoid discussions like that I'm afraid." Victoria let out a nervous laugh.
Gwen flashed her a look she couldn't quite understand. "Core, Lady Victoria. The original form of magic Dark magic users are born with. Some have teleportation, some have the ability to dream walk, some can even fly."
"Mind reading?" Victoria asked.
"Yes. That too. When a child is born in the Royal family of Alcazar, they are usually born with one form of core magic. That core magic is significantly easier for them to control as it comes as naturally as breathing, but as they grow older…they develop a dark aura. That aura let's them control other forms of dark magic after some hetic training."
"Aura…was that what I sensed from the King?"
Gwen hummed in affirmation. "Yes, actually." Then she leaned closer to Victoria who sat opposite her, as if she was to spill a secret for no man's ears. "Do you know what the King's core magic is?"
Victoria's breath got caught in her throat. "No, what is it?"
"Shape shifting." She said. "They are also rumours if the King turning into anyone or any animal he wishes. So if you're wondering why you don't see him much in this Castle, chances are you've already met him more than once."