Avery led me out of the dining hall and back towards the reception area. To my surprise, we passed by the stairwell and simply kept walking, exiting the room through its grandiose archways. The hall ahead was no less striking, but it felt cleaner, more simplistic. The walls were a sleek navy with dark, wooden trim. Framed documents lined them on both sides down the length of the corridor, giving it a refined and studious atmosphere.

It was a little disappointing to think I couldn't stop to read them, but the prospect of the library was even more alluring.

Avery cleared his throat softly and I flushed, realizing I had embarrassed myself yet again. I had been walking at a snail's pace, rubber-necking the entire way.

Rather than provide another apology, I wanted to simply be more aware and stop getting so easily distracted. Unfortunately, even if I had lived three decades already, my brain was definitively the easily distracted one of a child. I sighed internally at the realization that this would be an ongoing battle.

“Sorry,” I said quietly, resuming pace with him. He nodded without judgment and continued on, quickly opening the conversation for what I interpreted as a way to console me.

He informed me of the library's keeper, Sir Padrian Celsor.

“The third child of Baron Simel Celsor, he is a man of many talents. With skills ranging from swordplay to cartography, he is a well-rounded noble, but spends most of his time researching and working as the library's keeper under The Duke's employ.” Avery spoke with a tinge of warmth, and I could tell he held this 'Padrian' in high regard. It had however completely slipped my mind that the library would have someone working there. I was starting to truly worry if I would be able to remember everyone's names. Well, if one could earn even Avery's respect, I was sure I too, would find him quite pleasant.

To say I was intrigued would be an understatement. I didn't want to seem rude by outright inquiring, but it really made me curious if it were normal for a noble to simply be a library worker here.

Before I knew it, we had come to the end of the navy hallway. Avery stopped in front of two large, rich golden-brown doors. Their plain design was comforting and I hoped their simplistic nature was indicative of a slightly less ostentatious environment than the reception area.

I thought he would knock, as there were no servants posted outside and we were arriving unannounced, but Avery simply opened the doors, gesturing for me to enter.

I had always loved libraries, but walking into this one was pure fantasy. Shelves of books lined every wall spanning three stories, and the furniture was all puffy sofas and soft looking chairs. Fanciful and elaborate chandeliers hung from artistically painted ceilings, somehow lighting the entire area. The wood-browns of the shelving and furniture were all warm tones of gold and auburn and the flooring pulled the warmth of the room together with lush, primrose-coloured carpeting. It was like the ultimate welcoming environment for a lover of books.

“Oh, hello there!” said a bright, friendly voice. A handsome face peeked out from behind the shelf nearest the entryway and smiled openly at me. He had short-cropped mahogany-brown hair and striking deep-blue flecked hazel eyes.

“Just a moment!” he said in a cheerful sing-song voice. His head bobbed back out of view and I heard the heavy thuds of books being set down.

“Lady Karina!” he exclaimed gaily, popping back into view.

“May the bright future of Ronan illuminate your path.” Coming from him, it sounded like a heartfelt wish. How endearing.

“Greetings to you, Sir Celsor,” I said, curtsying.

“Oh no, no My Lady. Padrian is fine. I insist. I am but a humble librarian. No need for such formalities.” His eyes twinkled with sincerity and I couldn't help but give in. It was hard to win against such a friendly gesture.

“Alright,” I said, sighing in concession.

“but only because you insisted so earnestly, Sir Padrian.”

The strange, foreign name left my lips without sounding too unnatural, which I considered a success. What a character.

Avery looked slightly tense, possibly because I had literally just made a big fuss over formalities on the way here. The circumstances were different though. There was no 'Padrian' described in the novel. With him, I didn't have pre-existing notions to tear down. Avery deserved a true friendship from me, without any of my past ideations misguiding or infringing on my treatment of how he truly was in this life. He was special.

“Padrian, Lady Karina has come to see the library while she awaits an appointment to meet Halin. I will wait in the lobby and request word be sent when the kitchens are ready for her visit.” He spoke every so slightly stiffly. I just wanted to pinch his cheeks for being so rigid, but it would surely be inappropriate.

I nodded and made a mental note to try and do something nice for him later. People were so complex.

“Ah, of course. I would be glad to entertain Lady Karina. Come, sit wherever you like.” he gestured towards the assortment of cozy looking furniture in the centre of the room.

I chose an especially snuggly-looking green chair and unabashedly sank into it. If I were a cat, I would have purred. It was delightful. My contentment must have been apparent, as Padrian chuckled, joining me on the adjacent sofa.

“Is there anything you would like to ask, My Lady? Not to sound conceited, but I know every book in this library and many more. I'm confident in my ability to help you navigate the sea of pages that rest within.”

So far, I enjoyed the formalities because it meant I wasn't being treated as a simple child, but the stark contrast between the ranks of nobility was uninspiring. More than using them, I wanted to know them. Fallon had been the same, to an extent, and Avery was incredibly subdued as well.

“Actually Sir Padrian,” I said, ready to tackle this barrier, at least.

“I would like to know about you. I expect I'll be a frequent visitor of this library, and thus a frequent visitor of yours.”

He blinked and sat silent for a moment, visibly surprised.

“You're quite right!” he said after a moment, breaking into a grin.

“Except for one thing. This is your library. You're not a visitor,” he explained.

“Consider this simply an extension of your personal rooms and be welcome here.” He was unfairly inviting. I wanted to pinch him just for saying something so affable. Truly a genial man.

“Yes, I suppose it will take some time for me to adjust to that mindset. Regardless, what led you to your employ under my father?” Better to cut him off now than be redirected into air-headed thoughts.

“Well, my half-sister works here as well. We didn't grow up together, but I had always wanted to meet her. I heard Duke Kruscia was looking for a new library keeper and thought it would be a good opportunity to establish a relationship. I wrote to her first, of course, and received her permission to apply, and here we are now.” He smiled warmly while recounting this, and I could tell their meeting must have been a sweet one.

“Her name is Fallon. I believe you've already met her, My Lady.”

Ah. They did look similar. Though, it was strange that only he had blue in his eyes. Fallon didn't conduct herself as a noble either. Perhaps they shared only one parent.

“I have been here for almost three years now, and find it more comfortable than even the Celsor estate. I'm treated as an honoured guest more so than an employee by The Duke, and Fallon has accepted me into her life as well.

“I see,” I said, genuinely absorbed in his history. For my father to hire such a young man as a librarian, there must be more to him than simple sincerity and friendliness.

“Lady Karina.” Avery's voice cut through my thoughts easily.

“The kitchens are ready for you now.”

It was quicker than expected, but I was glad of the opportunity to be near Avery again. I stood and curtsied to Sir Padrian.

“Fare well Sir Padrian. I look forward to my next tarriance in the library.”

He stood as I did, bowing as I curtsied.

“Yes, My Lady. I look forward to it as well.”

I quickly stepped to Avery's side and gave him my best smile. I wanted him to know that he was still my closest person, but these social hurdles were difficult with which to work.

His face softened though, and he offered me his arm. Perhaps I was more charming than I thought.