The scent of aged paper and parchment lingered in the air of the royal library, blending with a faint pine aroma that brought a quiet calm to the soul.
Between the towering wooden shelves, Tii’s gaze lingered momentarily on the two newcomers at the entrance, a flicker of curiosity in her eyes.
“So, what brings you both to the library today?”
“M-Miss Tii, I’m just… just wandering around—ah no! I…”
Bohm hung her head, visibly uneasy and flustered, as if trying to speak but unable to form the words.
Standing beside her, Su Ling felt a complex mix of emotions. She suspected Bohm had meant well—perhaps she had just wanted to help Tii with her work, which was why she had lingered at the door earlier.
Should I say something on her behalf?
Though the thought crossed her mind, Su Ling let it go. After all, she didn’t know Bohm very well.
Taking a deep breath, Su Ling stepped forward and addressed Tii, “I came to assist Karsanna with sorting the books. Is she here today?”
Tii’s expression softened with understanding, the doubt in her eyes fading.
She smiled and nodded. “Ah, that explains it. Karsanna’s fallen ill today, so I’m covering her duties. There’s quite a bit to do in the library—it’s been overwhelming without help.”
At that, Bohm suddenly spoke up, a little too quickly: “Tii, I want to help too! Su Ling might not be able to manage it all alone.”
Tii beamed. “That’s very kind of you, Bohm. I appreciate the enthusiasm. Then the two of you can help me sort through these.”
She gestured toward a mountain of books stacked nearby. “These just arrived yesterday. They need to be organized by category. Bohm, since you’re more familiar with the library system, you can handle the categorization, and Su Ling, you can shelve them accordingly?”
“Got it,” Su Ling replied, turning to Bohm with a steady gaze. “Let’s do this together.”
Bohm nodded, a bright smile lighting up her face, and she hurried to the sorting table to begin the task.
Standing beside Tii, Su Ling gently brushed her fingers along the book spines. Yet despite the peaceful surroundings, she couldn’t calm her thoughts. As she worked, her eyes occasionally flicked toward Bohm.
She noticed Bohm’s eyes often drifted toward Tii—soft, lingering looks filled with complex emotion: shyness, longing, and a trace of unspoken yearning. Every time Tii looked back, Bohm would quickly avert her gaze, a faint blush blooming on her cheeks.
“Tii… Bohm, she…”
Su Ling started to voice her thoughts, but Tii gently pressed a finger to her lips.
“Shh.” Tii leaned closer and playfully stuck out her tongue. “Let’s keep it a secret, okay?” Her voice was soft, laced with mystery.
Su Ling glanced up at Tii. Mischief sparkled in her eyes, and a sly smile curved her lips.
“You knew all along, didn’t you?”
Tii gave a small nod, continuing to sort the books as she spoke in a low voice:
“Before you arrived at the castle, Bohm was terribly shy. The other maids didn’t really accept her. I helped her out a little back then—and since then, she’s clung to me. She always wants to help, always following me around. She’s a bit clumsy, but… I can feel what’s in her heart.”
“Then why haven’t you said anything to her?” Su Ling asked, unable to hide her curiosity.
Tii let out a quiet sigh, a soft, helpless smile playing on her lips. “Bohm is timid. She doesn’t want anyone to know how she feels about me. So I’ve always pretended not to notice. I think… everyone has their own little world. I want to respect hers.”
“You’re really kind, Tii.”
Seeing that Tii didn’t want to dwell on Bohm’s feelings, Su Ling wisely let the matter drop.
Back to work, then.
She turned her attention back to the books in her hands.
The library was clearly old, its shelves home to silent witnesses of history. Its vast collection spanned every subject imaginable—from linguistics and literature to cutting-edge science, political philosophy, and even fine arts and music.
To Su Ling, this was more than a trove of knowledge—it was a time capsule, reflecting the nation’s cultural and technological maturity.
She weaved through the aisles, feeling the weight of history in every tome.
Technology wasn’t Su Ling’s strength, but her eyes were drawn to a section on the history of Ansels.
She pulled out a worn volume with a yellowed cover and flipped it open. The vivid, detailed writing chronicled the rise of the nation—from its founding to the present day. As she read, an eerie feeling crept over her.
One chapter described the dark era 300 years ago, under the rule of the now-fallen Kingdom of Borecansel.
At the time, it was ruled by humans—but the final monarch was debauched and cruel, ignoring his people’s suffering while indulging in luxury. Heavy taxation and corruption plunged the kingdom into ruin.
“And yet, in this age of darkness, a light emerged.
A benevolent patriarch, a beloved religious leader, could no longer bear to witness his people’s pain.”
“He knew salvation required a power beyond humankind.
On the night of a lunar eclipse, he made a fateful decision—
During the Eclipse Rite, he offered himself as a sacrifice to the great Goddess of the Abyss.”
Su Ling continued reading, the strange feeling in her chest intensifying.
“The patriarch stood atop the high altar beneath a sky filled with stars and impending darkness.
He closed his eyes, whispering prayers as he gave his life and soul to the Abyssal Goddess.
He begged her to bless his people, grant them power and wisdom, and free them from their chains.”
“And at the moment of the eclipse, a mysterious light descended upon the altar.
The patriarch’s form slowly vanished into the radiance—
And the voice of the Abyssal Goddess whispered in his ear.
She had accepted his offering, and vowed to bestow power upon humanity—
Power to overthrow the reign of darkness.”
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