Salviana let out a soft sigh of relief as the intimidating presence of Enid vanished beyond the library doors.
She turned to meet the gaze of the woman who had saved her, noticing at once her graceful posture and those delicate way she moved her hand, she's golden-blonde hair—a shade common among the Velthornes, yet she styled it with an effortless elegance. The woman's grey eyes held a gentle warmth that immediately set Salviana at ease.
"Thank you," Salviana said, her voice a little breathless. "For stepping in." she added when the lady looked like she didn't know why Salviana was thanking her.
The woman smiled, a small, reassuring gesture. "Think nothing of it. Enid gets off on putting people on edge or… undermining relationships. He enjoys the drama." Her voice was calm, as though this was a familiar tale, but there was a hint of exasperation in her tone. "I'm Rose, by the way."
Rose? Who was she? Salviana couldn't remember who she'd been from the explanation Sarah gave but she was sure she wasn't a princess.
Salviana offered a grateful smile, dipping her head slightly. "It's lovely to meet you, Rose. And thank you again." She paused, glancing away before softly adding, "I didn't know anyone here could be so…"
"Bold?" Rose finished for her, amusement flickering in her eyes. "Or just irritating." She gave a small shrug, letting the moment pass before she glanced over at the pouting Salviana with an admiring gaze. "But I have to say, you're quite beautiful. Alaric is lucky."
Salviana blushed, a bit taken aback but touched by the compliment from a fellow woman. "Thank you, truly… I think you're the graceful one here, though."
They shared a brief laugh, the mutual exchange warming the atmosphere between them.
"So, are you fond of reading?" Rose asked, her tone curious yet friendly as she pulled out a book.
"Yes," Salviana answered, feeling herself relax. "Reading inspires me. Sometimes, it even gives me the motivation to paint." she found herself saying.
Rose raised a brow, seemingly intrigued. "You paint? I wouldn't have expected it, but that's wonderful. I'd love to see your work sometime. Have upu painted anything in the castle?"
"No, I haven't even thought about it, everything appears so different here, I'm still settling in," Salviana explained as she looked at the window.
Rose nodded in understanding, "When do you think you'll paint next?"
"Oh, I'm not sure yet," Salviana replied, looking down briefly as if searching for the answer. "But when I do, I'd be glad to have you join me. It's always nicer to paint with a friend."
'A friend?' Salviana had slipped but Rose made it better.
Rose's expression softened with genuine delight. "I'd love that. It's rare to meet someone here who's not just absorbed in courtly politics or vying for favor." She sighed lightly. "I think we could use more people like you around."
Salviana wondered what kind of people that is but she didn't ask, this was a good thing.
They shared a warm smile, an understanding blooming between them. Salviana felt a spark of happiness at finding someone she could talk to, someone who, despite her noble background, seemed refreshingly sincere.
"Perhaps I'll see you around here, then," Rose said, her tone light as she glanced around the library. "Though I must warn you, there's no shortage of dramatic types like Enid in this castle. I'd watch my step, if I were you."
Salviana nodded, her smile lingering. "Thank you, Rose. I will."
With a final smile, they exchanged a polite farewell and drifted to different sections of the library. Salviana watched her new friend disappear among the shelves, feeling a newfound sense of ease.
For the first time since arriving at the castle, she felt as though she'd found an ally—and perhaps even a friend.
With a sigh Salviana ran her fingers along the wooden shelves, she read their categories walking around untill she found the place that read dark creatures.
She pulled the books one by one expecting the faint dust and weight of old tomes that held secrets. But the shelves were pristine, and not a single volume whispered of vampires or the dark lore she sought.
It struck her as almost ironic—The royals were living with a vampire.
She was living among royals who harbored secrets as deep as Alaric's, yet nothing in this grand library dared to acknowledge it.
Yet they didn't know about vampires, perhaps they didn't even believe in it.
She wondered who started the rumor that he was a demon in the first place. What did they see? Why did people believe?
Disappointed but undeterred, she settled into a plush armchair in a quiet corner, pulling out the pen and paper she'd taken earlier.
With a determined sigh, she began scribbling questions—things she'd been too timid or too distracted to ask Alaric before.
What truly were the origins of his kind?
How did he view his nature, his power?
Had he always been as guarded as he seemed?
Do vampires actually sleep in coffins, or is that just a myth?
Can vampires cross running water or enter homes without an invitation?
Are there any foods or drinks that vampires can consume besides blood?
Do vampires age physically, or do they stay the same forever?
How do vampires feel about being immortal—do they ever grow tired of it?
Can vampires feel human emotions like love, guilt, or compassion, or are they purely driven by hunger?
She ticked the ones that she had asked already and planned the ones she'd ask next.
Then she paused and wondered what he would ask of her today, she had asked even more than two questions again today, would he ask her to climb a tree today?
She'd never done that before. She found herself smiling before she tucked her red hair behind her ear and sighing.
After filling the page with her musings, she rose, casting one last, lingering look around the grand space before deciding to leave.
She hadn't found answers, but perhaps now, she felt better prepared to face her husband with these questions.
She'd spent quite a moment in the library so she stood up, deciding to leave.