I shivered for the 5th time before getting to the library. Is it just me, or has the entire castle been so cold since this morning? It was odd because the sun had risen well outside and it seemed warmer outside than inside.
"Oh my" Alice was in awe the moment she stepped into the library, the curved shelves like a grand canyon must have caught her attention and the varieties of books that graced them.
She turned to me. "This is so wonderful I have never seen so many books in my life" she squeaked like a child. A faint smile found my lips.
"Is this your library, is this all yours?"
"N-No it’s Lord Cedric’s, he’s very studious, I come here from time to time so it feels partly mine too," I said with a smile against my lips.
"Then I guess it’s mine too"
I couldn’t help a spark of pain that shot through me, my smile leisurely fades, she may have only said it, but it runs deeper than I intended it to, I quickly looked away as I felt uncomfortable.
"Forgive I must have spoken too soon," she said, covering her mouth as her eyes widened.
I forced a smile. "It’s okay... you’re right, it will be yours when you’re married to him," I said but my chest twisted in pain as I did, I felt faint. She took my head, taking me by surprise.
"Thank you, Sylvia you’re very nice, I know we’re gonna be great friends"
Was it just me or was she overly positive about this, I just smiled nervously, her features turned sad.
"I know how you feel," she began in a whisper. "I too feel uncomfortable, scared, and confused... I mean my father’s dying wish was for me to be married into the Empire to secure peace, none of this was my wish not that I didn’t want peace but I just wanted to..." she sighed heavily.
"To be free" I finished for her.
"Yes," she said with trembling eyes. "Arrange marriage... I never sit well with it, I wanted to marry for love" she said with sad eyes before her gaze shifted to me.
"This was an arranged marriage for you too wasn’t it? a loveless marriage"
I gulped at her words, yes it was at first until...
I just forced a smile, I took my hand gently away from her hold. "Enjoy the rest of the library I must leave now," I said with a welcoming smile"
She gave a nod, I walked away, Olivia following behind me.
☆☆☆
"My lady," Olivia said with worried eyes.
"She’s so nice... and like me in a way," I said, staring at the open book I was using as an excuse to keep myself busy. "Both in an arranged marriage we never actually wanted".
"Will Lord Cedric really marry her? What about you my lady"
My gaze shifted to hers, she was both angry and sad for me. "Don’t be like that, Olivia, it’s his duty, and it’s important to him, I matter less" I said, shifting my gaze to my book.
"Please don’t say that my lady, you’re his wife"
"And he will have another..." I said without meeting her gaze my grip on the book tightened, I might better well accept it for there was nothing that would ever change the fact he was actually gonna marry her.
A loud squeak came in, I was startled at the sound so was Olivia and that sounded like...
"Princess Alice," I said, panicking as I rushed out of the small reading room into the library, panting as I did, as I was just about to get to the library I retreated to the wall when I saw the scene, I peeked.
Alice was on the ground, several books scattered around her, like she was hit by them, she relentlessly rubbed her knee in pain.
"Are you alright?" Cedric asked, she turned to him blushing, he stretched out his hand for her to take. She stared at him like a lost puppy.
She nodded before taking it, with one pull she was up but she stumbled her body clashing with Cedric’s body, my body flinched at the action.
"F-forgive me, Lord Cedric," she said blushing.
Before I knew it I was already striding away, not looking back until I was far away from the library, the tears threatened to fall but I forced it after, I won’t cry, not anymore, I will just have to endure it, best as I could.
☆☆☆
I pulled my knee to my chest, Olivia sat on my bed watching me with sad eyes.
"Do you think he would..." I swallowed hard. "fancy her like he does me" I add with trembling eyes, she was nice, attractive and beautiful, I couldn’t help the thought that ran through me about Cedric being fond of her as he did me.
"My lady please don’t say that" Olivia pleaded, I turned to her with a smile against my lips.
"Forgive me Olivia for I’m wearing you down with my mood and all that"
"Not at all my Lady, I do not like seeing you this way, feeling down and sad, I really want you to be happy"
My smile broadened, I moved close to her, taking her hand. "Thank you Olivia, you’re not just a maid to me but a friend, I’m glad I have you"
"You will always have me my lady for I’m here for you, always".
I felt teary, and I nodded. I couldn’t tell how much her words warmed my heart.
"You should sleep, it will help you take your mind off things, I know you didn’t get any last night, please sleep my lady" she pleaded.
"I will" I said settling into bed, she pulled the covers on me tucking me in.
"Goodnight my lady... I will be here first thing tomorrow morning".
"Goodnight Olivia", she bowed before walking away, I watched as she retreated, and then the sound of the door slamming shut.
I sighed shifting into the bed more, she was right I should sleep, it would take my mind off something and I really wanted that, I closed my eyes.