I walk through the double doors and admire the floorboards, which have a rather old smell.
(…..The library is rather calm today.)
As soon as I stepped inside, the noise of the village faded behind me, replaced by a soft, controlled silence.
(…This is nice.)
Ivy stayed close to my side and seemed also curious about the place.
As I approach the counter, I don't see anyone there, in fact the entire building seems to be empty.
Then we proceed to take place in a small table next to the window. After taking I turn around to look for a book that would fit our current preoccupation.
( Well first we need something that fits as a map, a bestiary for either the monster and the beast actually.)
I begin to look around the alley, after looking around a little I see some sections with some writing in it, and take some of the book present.
— General Knowledge —
[Common Beasts]
[Flora and Fauna of the Lower World]
[Titles, Ranks, and Their Privileges]
— Noblesse & Society—
[Telskyura : The Amazonesses Contry]
[ The Three Great Unexplored Regions]
[On Noble Etiquette and Conduct]
[Marriage, Noblesse, and Power]
[The Legend Of Grozo]
— Monsters & Dangers —
[Classification of Magical Beasts]
[High-Risk Creatures and Their Territories]
[On the Intelligence of Certain Monsters]
The pages of the books are mostly were worn, the edges might have softened by time and countless hands.
I carried the small stack back to the table and other with telekinesis and set them down carefully.
Ivy barely reacted at all that manoeuvre.
She sat in the sunlight spilling through the window, eyes half-closed, her posture loose—almost melting into the warmth. If I didn't know better, I'd say she had completely abandoned any intention of helping.
(…She really is just soaking it in.)
For a brief moment, I considered calling her out.
But finally I didn't, and only because she can mostly take me down any time of the day.
Instead, I pulled the first book closer.
[Common Beasts]
Inside, there are some interesting descriptions accompanied by detailed illustrations. Creatures of all shapes—furred, scaled, feathered—each labeled, categorized by threat level.
My eyes skimmed quickly.
I flipped a few pages ahead, stopping at a diagram showing territorial ranges marked with inked boundaries.
(…Now that's more like a map, and it seems that the case of the wolf are pretty concerning.)
I clicked my tongue softly and reached for another book.
Finally after 10 minutes straight I barely finished half of the book and proceeded to turn another page—
—and paused.
A creature, precisely sketched but really imposing, filled the center. Its description ran longer than the others.
I read more slowly this time.
Even Ivy shifted slightly, as if sensing the change in atmosphere, though she didn't open her eyes.
I exhaled quietly and closed the book halfway, resting my fingers on the page.
(….So a Unicorn is really a thing here.)
I glanced toward Ivy.
A small smile tugged at the corner of my lips.
"…You're hungry ?"
She just look at me for a moment and deny my allegations.
So I dismissed that through and pushed the heavy book aside and picked up another.
[Marriage, Noblesse, and Power]
( The title is really catching.)
And I read the quote in the cover.
"If monsters ruled the wild…
Then nobles ruled everything else."
And somehow, I had the feeling one might be just as dangerous as the other.
I opened the book.
The pages shifted softly beneath my fingers as I skimmed through another passage, but my focus had already begun to drift.
(…Someone's here.)
I quickly realised that my impression was indeed correct after making a quick scan around me and identified the nobody.
Strangely Ivy didn't react at all.
She still there basking in the sunlight, completely at ease.
Which also meant something for—
(…It seems that that person is mostly not hostile.)
My gaze shifted slightly, just enough to catch the edge of a nearby bookshelf in my peripheral vision.
(…Probably hidden behind it.)
I exhaled quietly and closed the book in front of me.
Then, I decide to make her stand out.
A faint pulse of psychic energy spread outward from me.
The books stacked along the shelf in front of the presence began to move—sliding gently aside, one after another, as if guided by invisible hands, which is the case.
Until there was nothing left to hide behind.
(Now who is the person—)
A take a proper look at the individual and the— her appearance is really particular.
(…A elf girl ?)
Her posture stiffened instantly, like someone frozen mid-thought—(which, to be fair, she was)—her long ears twitching slightly as she pulled the book she was holding up closer to her face, as if it could somehow shield her.
"…I—"
She hesitated.
Her gaze flickered between me and the books before dropping quickly to the floor.
"…I wasn't spying."
(…Sure.)
I let the suspended books fall neatly back into place with a soft series of taps.
"I didn't say you were."
My tone was strangely cheerful .
Maybe a little too calm.
Because she flinched.
"…I just—" she started again, voice already losing steadiness, "…I… just looked… around… and… I…search …for… a….interesting…book….."
(…Well, aside from how timid she is, that at least sounds honest.)
I rested my elbow lightly on the table, studying her more carefully.
(Now that I see her up close… she looks familiar.)
Long, light-colored hair falling neatly around her face. Pointed ears—unmistakable.
Her eyes were large, expressive—gentle, but now clearly unsettled. Her whole presence felt soft, composed… the kind of person who didn't belong in sudden, sharp situations like this.
Her clothes matched that impression—neat, slightly formal, refined without being excessive.
Picture:
(…And definitely well put together.)
I tilted my head slightly, studying her.
Then—
A small smile formed.
"Hm."
She froze.
"You seem to look like proper lady," I continued casually, like all I tell is the absolute truth."but quietly hiding behind shelves to observe people…"
I leaned back just a little, resting my chin lightly on my hand.
"That's quite a refined hobby, i must say."
Her shoulders tensed instantly.
"—Wait I-it's not like that—"
"Really?" I added, still cheerful, almost playful. "Because from where I'm sitting, it looked very much like… professional-level spying."
"I—I wasn't—!"
Her voice came out sharper than she probably intended, and she immediately shrank back from it
But obviously I didn't stop, the pleasure has just begun.
"Hiding perfectly still, choosing your angle, making sure not to be seen…" I gestured lightly toward the shelf. "You've practiced this before, haven't you?"
"I haven't!"
She shook her head quickly, clutching the book tighter.
"I don't do that—I mean, I didn't mean to—I just—"
Her words started to tangle.
Trip over each other,
My smile softened slightly, but the teasing tone lingered.
"It alright, everyone should have their hobbies" I added lightly. "But if someone else saw you, they might start thinking you're dangerous."
"Please—really —I'm not—"
Strangely
—CRAAAKKK—
Suddenly the front door of the library opened.
Both of us froze.
I hear a man voice and some hurried footsteps quickly followed.
"…My Lady?"
The entire body of the Elf girl stiffened instantly.
"…No…" She whispered under her breath.
(…That's not good.)
The voice came again, a bit closer this time.
"My Lady, I know you're here."
She turned to me abruptly, eyes wide—no hesitation left this time.
And before I could even fully grasp the situation—
She grabbed my wrist and hurriedly pulled me between the shelves, straight toward the nearest door she could find.
Her grip surprisingly firm for someone who looked like she might collapse under pressure.
A small storage cabinet.
She opened it without thinking—
—and shoved us both inside.
—CLICK—
Silence and Darkness.
And only 2 seconds after, I grab the situation were we are.
My back brushed the wall, and she was right there—pressed against me, one hand still clutching my sleeve, the other braced somewhere near my chest as if to steady herself.
(…This is really a special situation.)
There was barely enough space for one person, and now I also smell a odour of vanilla around her.
And it was all it needed to make my dih begin to rise.
I through of controlling my dih with my psy, but a little through make me quickly dismiss that idea. And because my hands are currently in a pretty explicit place so I think I should stay still.
(…I just wanted to tease her a little, but now, she completely haves the upper hand.)
I use all my last mental power, to keep my dih in check.
But It be a while that I take care of him, and now he just wants to rise whatever happens.
And the stimulus in the other hand are really not helping in the situation.
Fortunately neither of us moved, her body stiffened again—but this time for a completely different reason.
—END—