Heidi's grip on the book loosened and it fell out of her hands. "I-I was just looking for a book for lady Charlotte."
Viktor arched his brow, his expression turning quizzical. "It didn't look that way to me, Heidi."
Heidi pursed her lips, her eyes lowering to the book on the ground. She hadn't realized that someone else was in the library. The look in Viktor's eyes told her that lying to him was futile.
Viktor followed her gaze to the book on the ground. He stepped closer to the book, crouching down as he picked it up. "The Art of enchantment and magic." He mouthed, straightening himself.
"I doubt lady Charlotte would have interest in such a book." He said, more like a question than a statement.
Heidi's hands fidgeted behind her back, not daring to meet his gaze. She parted her lips to speak but closed it again.
Viktor took a step forward, closing the distance between them. "Humor me, Heidi. How can you read when slaves are not taught to read?"
His expression turned to an amused one, "don't tell me the governess conducted secret lessons for you."
Heidi swallowed hard, finally raising her gaze to meet his sharp ones. "Mrs. Doris used to teach a local school before her village was raided by slave traders."
She paused. "She taught me the little she knew."
Viktor nodded, recalling her smooth and neat writing on the parchment. "How do you have good writing skills, Heidi? I'm pretty sure we don't provide slaves with ink and paper." His tone held a hint of skepticism.
Heidi couldn't resist the urge to bite her lips, knowing the answer to that question could put her in trouble. She gulped nervously, her voice dropping to a whisper.
"I stole them..."
Viktor's lips pulled to the side at her words. "You were quite the little thief, weren't you, Heidi?" The amusement in his voice was unmistakable.
Heidi pursed her lips, her eyes holding a subtle hint of defiance. "I found some of them littered away."
Viktor hummed, his gaze falling back to the book he had picked from the ground. "Out of every book, you had to pick this."
Heidi quickly came to her defence. "I was only searching for lady Charlotte's book, the book had drawn my attention."
Viktor placed the book back on the shelf, without reacting to Heidi's words.
Heidi took out the volume which Charlotte had given her from the shelf. She extended the book towards viktor. "I'm searching for the second volume, but I'm not sure where to search."
Viktor's gaze drifted to the book in Heidi's hands, his expression turning quizzical. "Alright Heidi, have fun searching." He turned in the opposite direction but Heidi called out to him.
"Please wait!"
Viktor arched his brow, turning to face her once again.
Heidi took a deep breath, measuring her words before she spoke. "I need help in finding the book." There was a hint of plea in her voice.
A sly smile spread across viktor's lips, his head slightly tilting as he asked. "Is that a request, Heidi?"
Heidi's gaze drifted to the shelf and back to Viktor's piercing gaze. "Y-yes," she mumbled, her voice barely audible over the creaking of wooden shelves.
Viktor's smile deepened, his amusement growing. "Then you would have to grant me a request too, will you?"
Heidi's gaze turned quizzical, wondering what Viktor wanted. "W-what?" She stammered.
Viktor clasped his hands together, leaning towards her. "You should just agree to the request, Heidi. I'm not going to ask you to present a song."
Heidi shot him a subtle glare, her brows raising slightly. "How do I agree to a request without hearing it?" The quiet library seemed to amplify her skepticism.
Viktor clicked his tongue, his copper green eyes glinting in mischief. "I believe that is what most people call trust."
Heidi felt a sudden headache pop up between her temples. How was she supposed to trust him? But then, he didn't expose her when he found out about her identity during the celebration. He was also compassionate enough to help her with the flower.
Heidi sighed softly, feeling the intensity of Viktor's gaze as he awaited her reply. She had earlier decided against agreeing to any deals from Viktor, but it seemed her mouth had a mind of it's own.
"Okay..." She trailed off and Viktor's smile grew even more.
"Shall we?" Viktor asked, gesturing towards another section of the library. Heidi nodded, closely following him behind.
Viktor moved through the shelves with purpose, his eyes scanning the book spines with a practiced ease. Heidi quickened her pace, her footsteps echoing off the hushed library's marble floor as she struggled to match Viktor's long strides.
Viktor halted abruptly in front of a shelf, his gaze sweeping the titles before settling on a particular book. "There you are," he murmured, his slender fingers closing around the book's spine.
Heidi sighed in relief, stretching out her hands to take the book. But Viktor raised it, holding it tantalizingly out of her reach.
"You haven't heard my request yet," he reminded her, his eyes glinting with amusement at her confused expression.
Heidi's gaze drifted from the book to meet Viktor's piercing eyes, her body resting against the shelf as she wondered if it would topple under her weight. The musty scent of old books enveloped her, and the flickering candlelight danced across Viktor's features.
Viktor stepped closer, his proximity making Heidi lean further against the shelf. "I was invited to a ball, and I need a lady to accompany me." His voice held a hint of annoyance, his eyes narrowing slightly.
Heidi's grip on her gown tightened, uncertainty etched on her face. "I'm not sure I can do anything about that."
Viktor's sly smile resurfaced, his voice taking on a mischievous edge. "Who says you can't, Heidi? The last time I checked, you look pretty much like a lady." His words dripped with subtle innuendo.
Heidi's face paled, realizing where Viktor's request was headed. "There are tons of suitable ladies at your beck and call. I'm sure they would be thrilled to accompany you."
Viktor tsked, his free hand resting dangerously close to Heidi's face. The warmth of his fingers radiated towards her, sending shivers down her spine. "I doubt they would be as interesting and amusing as you are."
Heidi pursed her lips, her voice low and measured. "Surely, there must be---"
Viktor's voice cut her off, his gaze darkening as he traced the stray strands of hair at the side of her face. The gentle touch sent a shiver down Heidi's spine. "Don't talk about other ladies..." He trailed off, his eyes locked onto hers.