As days passed, Elara found solace in the castle’s grand library. The room was vast, with towering bookshelves and cozy reading nooks. She often thought about how glad she was that Gareth showed her this place, marveling at the extensive collection. It was perfect for losing herself, especially with everything she had been through. One afternoon, after hours of reading, she fell asleep with one of the books as her pillow.

* * *

As I entered the library, deep in thought, I wondered aloud, “Where did he say he left those documents?” Scanning the room for the papers, my eyes fell on a pile of documents on the librarian’s table. “Those must be them,” I muttered, heading towards the table.

As I moved closer, I noticed a figure in my peripheral vision. Turning, I saw someone at a table in the far corner. Her long ginger hair was a dead giveaway. “I didn’t realize you were here,” I said, expecting an answer. When there was no response, I walked over and discovered she was sleeping, her face partially hidden by a cascade of ginger-colored hair.

Without thinking, I gently brushed the strands away from her face, revealing her serene expression. “How could she let her guard down and fall asleep in a public space?” I thought, noticing the stack of books beside her. I picked up the top book from the pile and read the title aloud: “Basics on Pastries.” “Is she trying to learn how to bake?” I mused, finding it cute.

I put the book back on the table and looked at her once more. Noticing that her thin gown didn’t provide much warmth, I quickly removed my jacket and draped it over her. “She might catch a cold if she stays like this,” I thought, adjusting the jacket to cover her properly. After ensuring she was comfortable, I quietly left the library, glancing back one last time before closing the door softly behind me.

* * *

I woke to the soft light of dusk, feeling the warmth of a jacket on my shoulders. “Oh my! Did I really sleep that long?” I exclaimed, noticing the jacket draped over me. I examined it closely. “This is definitely a man’s jacket. Maybe Gareth put it on me; I should return it to him when I can,” I thought to myself.

I packed the books I was reading and carried them to my room. Once there, I settled into a comfortable chair by the window and opened one of the books, hoping to continue my reading. However, I found it difficult to concentrate. My thoughts kept drifting back to the Duke, and the fact that his room was just one door away from mine. The proximity made my heart race with a mix of excitement and nervousness.

With a sigh, I closed the book and glanced at the door that led to the hallway. "Why does knowing he's so close make it so hard to focus?" I wondered.

The evening light dimmed as dusk turned to night, casting a soft glow in my room. I decided that perhaps some rest would help clear my mind.

I changed into my nightgown and slipped into bed, pulling the covers up to my chin. I stared at the ceiling, my mind still filled with thoughts of the Duke. His strong presence and the way he carried himself—all of it left me both intrigued and flustered.

Turning onto my side, I closed my eyes and tried to push the thoughts away. "Tomorrow is a new day," I told myself.

Eventually, the soothing sounds of the castle at night lulled me into a light sleep.

* * *

My mornings began in the bustling kitchen, where the head cook and her assistants taught me the art of baking. The smell of fresh bread and pastries filled the air, and I found surprising joy in kneading dough and learning secret recipes. My afternoons were often spent with Lila, Sofia, and Amelia, fetching water into barrels. These simple tasks, though mundane, brought me a sense of purpose and connection to my surroundings.

When I wasn’t in the kitchen or with the maids, I frequented the library. The quiet sanctuary of books became a retreat where I could lose myself in stories and histories, momentarily escaping the complexities of my own life.

 As I settled into bed, the worries and uncertainties of my past began to creep into my thoughts, and soon, the nightmares followed.

"Where am I?" I asked as I found myself enveloped in darkness, a thick mist obscuring my vision. The silence was punctuated by the distant sound of horses’ hooves. 

"Hello!!" I called out, my voice echoing into the void. "Can someone hear me?" I shouted again, desperation creeping into my tone.

Suddenly, screams erupted from all directions, chilling me to the bone. Panic surged through me, but just as abruptly as it began, the chaos ceased, leaving an eerie silence in its wake. My breathing grew rapid and shallow as I looked around frantically, unable to see anything through the dense fog.

Then I heard it again – the unmistakable sound of hooves, this time approaching from behind. I spun around to face the noise, only to see a shadowy figure on horseback, brandishing a sword. The figure charged at me, raising the weapon to strike.

I jolted awake, my heart pounding in my chest. I was back in my room, the familiar surroundings a stark contrast to the nightmare. "A nightmare," I whispered to myself, wiping the sweat from my brow. "This is the third time in the past few days. What could it all mean?"

During nighttime, I was plagued by unsettling dreams. They were shrouded in fog and filled with haunting images of fire and distant screams. Each nightmare left me more restless and drained, the lingering fear and confusion weighing heavily on my mind. These dreams blurred the lines between my reality and the past I could barely remember, leaving me feeling vulnerable and uncertain.