Vlad was quite surprised that someone was interested in Georgian literature, but he liked it, because although it wasn't as popular as Russian or French literature, it was no less interesting.
Elizabeth said:
— After "Oh, My Wondrous World," what book do you want to take?
Vlad replied:
— I'd like to try reading The Count of Monte Cristo in Russian. I haven't read it in French.
Elizabeth looked surprised and asked:
— You know French?
Vlad nodded:
— My parents made me learn it, and German too. I don't really know why… They said it would be useful.
He fell silent for a moment, as if listening to something inside himself, then added:
— And what book do you want to take?
Elizabeth answered:
— I'd like to take something romantic.
Vlad smiled slightly:
— You could read Lolita. Though it's not exactly typical… Did you know they wanted to burn it? And even did, at some point…
Elizabeth said quietly:
— Yes, I've heard… Gogol did something similar with the second volume of Dead Souls. Only he did it himself…
Her voice became softer, as if her words were dissolving into the air.
At that moment, Kirion, one of the counselors, entered the library. His steps were almost silent.
— Children, would you like some tea or water? — he asked gently.
Vlad looked at him a little longer than necessary:
— Do you have juice?
— Of course. What kind would you like?
— Do you have fruit juice?
— Yes… — Kirion nodded and turned his gaze to Elizabeth. — And you?
— Green tea…
— Alright… — his voice was calm, even, almost lulling. — Maybe something to eat? Or headphones with music?
— No… no food… — they answered almost at the same time. — But headphones would be nice…
Kirion smiled faintly and left.
In the kitchen, it was quiet. Too quiet.
— Make fruit juice for Vlad and green tea for Elizabeth. And add more for Vlad, — Kirion said.
Esmeralda, without looking up, asked:
— Why more for Vlad?
Kirion paused for a moment, then replied:
— He took Haxil…
Esmeralda nodded. That was enough.
She added a little more to Vlad's glass — the movement precise, almost practiced. As if it wasn't the first time.
When Kirion returned, Vlad was already reading, but his gaze sometimes "slid" across the lines, as if the words were losing their clarity.
The drinks touched the table quietly. The headphones were placed beside them.
Kirion said nothing and left.
Vlad took a sip.
At first — a normal taste. Fruity. Sweet.
Then… something else.
As if warmth slowly spread through his throat, moving lower, flowing inside him.
He blinked.
The letters in the book suddenly became softer. They didn't disappear — they just… stopped being important.
He took another sip.
His thoughts slowed down. Calmed. Quieted.
As if someone had turned down the volume inside his head.
Elizabeth also took a sip of her tea.
Warm. Slightly bitter.
And strangely… right.
Her fingers reached for the headphones on their own.
— Just music… — she whispered softly, as if convincing herself.
Vlad finished the juice.
To the last drop.
He closed the book. Not because he wanted to — it just happened.
The headphones were already in his hands.
He put them on.
And at that moment…
the silence inside became complete.
Calm.
Comfortable.
When they finished reading, everything around them seemed a little softer. A little more right.
— Can we… have juice more often? — Vlad asked, not taking his eyes off the table.
— And tea… — Elizabeth added. — After it… it's calm…
Kirion smiled.
— Of course.
He looked at them a little longer than usual.
— You'll like it.
And somehow…
they didn't doubt it.