RR3 was located at the extreme end of the library section. It was the least frequented reading room, and poor lighting contributed to its neglect.
Moreover, the bookshelves manning the walls were old volumes with gray covers. Even the paintings were drab and lifeless. One might spot a few old women napping in RR3 in the afternoon.
However, very few admitted the real reason behind RR3's low attendance. The far end of the room had the door to the restricted section or the RS of the library.
The RS was closed shut with padded magical locks, the key to which only rested with the head librarian, Hayden. Moreover, without sanction from the Countess herself, one could not access the section anyway.
Anybody found loitering near the forbidden door could have their library privileges revoked or, worse, be charged with a crime. Cromwell Castle wasn't very strict with rules and regulations, but crime was not tolerated. The dungeons weren't pleasant places to visit or stay.
Ethan walked into RR3 casually, looking for his sister. The room was abandoned entirely, apart from a slender girl in a white frock. She was about five feet tall with short but straight brown hair with bangs.
Gwen had hoisted herself on a stool and was rifling in a shelf of dusty books. Her brother tiptoed towards her like a predator. As soon as he was in proximity, he cried out, "Gotcha!"
Gwen jumped in fright and gasped so loud it rang throughout the reading room. Luckily, there was nobody around to hear her reaction. The stool toppled, and she lost her balance.
As the girl fell from a height of four feet, Ethan placed himself right under her. He was eager to test his physical strength since there was no gender parity in strength. Luckily, his sister was light as a feather and fell into his arms without breaking them.
"Brother, do you have nothing better to do?" Gwen exclaimed with a scowl.
The beautiful face transfixed Ethan, even though it made angry expressions at him. Gwen had aquamarine blue eyes, lighter than the elves. Her lips were as pink as cotton candy, and she smelled like vanilla.
However, his sister experienced the exact opposite sentiments. She escaped his grasp to land on her feet and glared at him with hands on her hips.
"I'll tell Mom!" she snapped in a rather adorable voice. "Now you're pestering me in the library as well! I can't catch a break from your pranks!"
As Gwen stood to her full height, Ethan helped himself with a guilt-free scan of her body. Although his little sister was technically only a few days younger than him, she looked much younger by Earth's standards.
Human anatomy in Promiscua was a bit skewed. The age of adulthood coincided with puberty, that is, eighteen. Moreover, eighteen-year-old girls appeared to be sixteen in youthful looks.
'Crazy world,' the boy told himself, although he didn't mind the anomaly.
This restricted growth was only valid for humans. Ethan arrived at this conclusion after conducting late-night research on the body of a nineteen-year-old elf, Elaine. According to Earth standards, the latter's proportions were ample and appropriate for the age.
"What are you staring at, brother?" Gwen demanded. "Apologize for your stupid prank and leave me alone!"
The boy stepped forward defiantly. "Is that the right way to talk to your elder brother? Mom asked me to check up on you while she was busy with royal affairs. Besides, you can always ask me if you need help with anything."
Gwen raised an eyebrow as suspicion clouded her pretty eyes. "Since when did the spoiled heir of Cromwell Castle start caring about his sisters, huh? I find that hard to believe!"
Ethan scanned his memory and realized that the old Ethan, even though innocent in public, was dismissive of his sisters in private. He wouldn't play with Gwen or give her the time of his day.
In fact, the old Ethan would destroy her favorite things for fun. He would play pranks and bully her with a free hand. Since Velma was always partial towards her fertile son, the boy always got away with punishment. Basically, the sisters received second-hand treatment.
Ethan rubbed his chin thoughtfully. He decided to mend his relationships with his pretty sisters by hook or by crook.
"It's true I misbehaved with you in the past, Gwen. But now I am an adult and soon-to-be Count of Cromwell Castle. Why are you so surprised that I would be inclined to take care of my little sister?"
Gwen was taken aback by Ethan's sudden change in demeanor. He had been the worst bully of her life and had traumatized her growing up. Suddenly, he wanted to care for her? What happened to the ruthless sibling she was afraid of?
Gwen also observed that her brother wasn't as dumb and dorky as he used to be. He stood upright and made logical arguments like their father, Elend.
"Fine!" she replied with crossed arms. "I'll call you when I need your help. Right now, you can leave me alone."
Ethan was persistent. "The Head Librarian told me you were looking for fairy tales. Can I help you find the right books?"
Gwen dropped her gaze and looked at the floor as if she had developed a particular interest in the carpets. Her eyes were shifty, and she licked her lips nervously.
"No, I'm good, brother. I already found what I was looking for."
Ethan narrowed his eyes at the sudden reversal of Gwen's attitude. What was she hiding?
The girl hurriedly picked up her books and notepads and stormed off. Ethan noticed she had accidentally dropped a sheet of paper. After she was gone, he ensured nobody was watching before picking it up.
It was a torn page from the popular magazine, DAMSEL WEEKLY—an adult magazine featuring the hottest women in Promiscua. Why was Gwen reading such material?
Ethan figured coming-of-age girls often read such magazines to learn about fashion trends. They were also sources for beauty tips, tricks, and relationship advice.
The boy scrutinized the torn page closely. It showed a picture of a twenty-year-old human woman named Claudia, who was rather voluptuous for her age.
Ethan observed that Claudia's bust area was circled, and an ink note was made next to it.
HOW DO I MAKE MY BREASTS BIGGER?
Ethan's heart did a double take. Was it Gwen's handwriting? She was a beauty by human standards but had relatively small breasts for her age.
Was Gwen looking for tips to aid in her mammary growth? The truth was simple. That's why the girl was hanging around the restricted section! Perhaps there were forbidden books with magical spells, potions, or techniques to achieve her goals.
An evil smirk appeared on Ethan's face. "I need to fulfill my duty as a brother," he said to himself. "My lovely sister, Gwen, I'm coming for you!"