Page 30 of A Kingdom so Crimson

"Was there a reason?" he asked quietly.

I shrugged my shoulders. "Jesri likes to keep his possessions close…" I trailed off, suddenly aware of the irony in my words, given that he was the one forcing me to leave.

"Well," he leaned back, his head resting against the wall. "The world is vast—much bigger than you might imagine. It's a place of contrasts, Eliah. Not every garden or flower is in full bloom; shadows linger in even the brightest places. But there is also light, goodness, and beauty amidst the darkness; you just need to look for it."

I nodded, eager for the new adventure that awaited, yet unable to shake the feeling that darkness still clung to me like long, spidery fingers that pulled me deeper into its web. It was as ifthe echoes of my dreams were warning me, whispering secrets I couldn't quite decipher.

12

Over the next two days, we traveled through a blur of cities, lush foliage, towering mountains, and quaint inns that took my breath away.

Levon and I scarcely exchanged words since our first night at the inn. The silence between us felt palpable, especially considering we shared a room, and all I had was a tattered nightgown that left little to the imagination. Levon left the room to give me privacy, but the awkwardness grew when he returned and found me hiding under the thin covers that smelt of mildew. As he clicked off the light and settled into his bed, I could sense his eyes against my back from across the room.

I found myself unable to sleep and was up before dawn, longing to discard the constraints of my nightgown. Quietly, I tip-toed through the darkness, clutching my clothes from the previous day, and hurried to the bathing chambers to change. After my return, I was greeted by Levon's warm smile, accompanied by a bowl of steaming broth. He had already finished his meal, slipping past me with his footmen in tow.

We left before dawn broke and continued in silence, giving me time to collect my thoughts over the next two days. Levon's mention of darkness sent my mind spiraling with questions about the Spellcasters and the haunting shadows in my dreams. I hoped Levon's library was extensive, given how he always kept his nose in a book, and my first question would be the whereabouts of his library.

Upon arriving at Levon's estate, which was surprisingly larger than Jesri's, I was immediately struck by its vastness. Nestled against a mountainside, it was enveloped by a dense forest of towering pines.

The estate exuded a charm that made it feel like a noble home. Its architecture was a unique blend of elegance and strength, with golden accents that caught the sunlight and sparkled like precious gems. The sprawling structure boasted high-arched windows, intricate carvings, and a roof that shimmered with gold. Balconies protruded at intervals, offering stunning vistas of the expansive landscape below.

From the estate, gazing southward, one could take in a panoramic view of the town, a bustling hub of life. This view, far from the isolating estate, added a sense of connectedness, making one feel a part of something bigger, a vibrant community that thrived beyond the estate's serene borders.

The meticulously maintained estate grounds were stunning. Pathways wound through lush gardens filled with vibrant flowers and well-manicured shrubs. Fountains adorned with statues of fictitious creatures gushed crystal-clear water, adding a soothing melody to the quaint environment. The air was filled with the intoxicating pine aroma and the blooming flowers' fragrance.

Before Levon could help me, I hopped out of the carriage and walked inside, completely awestruck at the beauty. My bootsclicked against the opulent, polished floors as I saw the massive library on the far left of the door.

His library was extensive, with towering shelves extending far and laden with countless books of all shapes and sizes. Its grandeur was evident in the polished floors and the orderly arranged dark wood shelves, untouched by even a hint of dust. It starkly contrasted Jesri's cramped, suffocating library; this space felt expansive and inviting as if urging visitors to immerse themselves in every page.

I approached an older woman with silver streaks twisted throughout her dull brown hair. She was sorting through some papers with a stack of books at her side. She glanced up at the sound of my footsteps with confusion. I offered her a small smile, noting her gaze quickly shifting towards Levon's ebony carriage outside the window. Recognition dawned on her face with a smile as I neared her table.

"You must be Lady Eliah!" Her voice, though crackling, carried warmth.

I nodded and offered a small curtsy. She emerged from behind the desk in a pale blue gown, appearing almost gray in the lighting.

Extending her hand, she said, "I am Madame Katherine Hannel. Apologies, I was so consumed with my studies that I hadn't heard you arrived."

"No apologies are necessary. We did just arrive," I explained, my voice faltering. Her expression changed to confusion. I quickly added, "It was a long journey, and I had much on my mind. I am hoping you might help me with my search?"

"Oh, of course. What are you searching for?" she inquired, her curiosity evident.

I opened my mouth, then quickly shut it, remembering the consequences of containing information about the Spellcasters.Her large brown eyes waited. "Could you direct me to the wars over the last few hundred years?" I quickly asked.

Her brows shot up, and she caught herself with a laugh, clearly surprised by the question. "Any specific war you're interested in?"

My mind drifted back to the book about King Leonard I had burned, and I wished I had read it instead, yet I was unsure if I would have been able to imagine those innocent Magics burning like the book.

"I am to learn new battle techniques and hope to utilize some of them once Sir Alder attempts to challenge me. I heard that the Leonardian Era was to have contained several great warriors?" I improvised the made-up fact, hoping I wouldn't catch her too off guard. Her brows knitted together in deeper confusion but managed a tight smile. With a slight nod, she gestured for me to follow and led me to a column of books in the far back corner of the library.

"This wall here is where you might find most of the histories of war during that era and this column here," she said, pointing to the far right end. "Is where you might find specific war techniques and battle strategies."

She smiled and waited for me to say something, but I only nodded in gratitude before walking away, feeling her gaze pierce through my lies. I made sure I was out of her sight before I went searching. The books were old and tarnished from use. I ran my fingers over the backs, scanning for anything related to King Leonard, the Magics, or any indication of the Spellcasters.

I heard footsteps echoing into the library when I found a book that looked more tarnished than the rest. It was a dulled-out brown book with black strappings not clipped into place properly. I picked it up, feeling the weight of its contents, and noticed it had no title. I began to open the pages when I heard Levon's voice echoing to Madame Hannel. Feeling like achild caught stealing pastries, I hastily returned the book to its shelf and hurried toward the section on battle techniques. Just as I was about to reach it, Levon rounded the corner of the bookshelf, catching me off guard; my shoes squeaked against the floors and caused me to stifle a startling screech with my hand.

"What in Tyran's name are you doing?" His brow was lined with sweat, and guilt washed over me. I realized he was probably unloading my things and more, but I pushed back the growing embarrassment.

"I—" I stopped short, not knowing what to say.

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