The rest of the breakfast is cordial. The food is incredible... I'd never tasted anything like that. There is buttered bread, there are pattes of all kinds - tuna, chicken, deer... there is smoked meat, lemon cakes, honeyed yoghurt... My eyes are larger than my stomach.
Duarte watches with a smile as I eat.
I catch his look and slow down a bit.
"No, no. Enjoy yourself," he says. "I know it must be quite a change for you."
"Thank you," I politely reply. "Oh, um, yes. I wanted to ask about something. I've heard you have a library here... and, well, since I have to stay in my room for the next three days, I'd like to get some books to read."
Duarte thinks about my request for a bit and then nods.
"Indeed. It'd be cruel to keep you without any entertainment. Well, Larimar will escort you there."
Larimar's ears nervously flicker.
"Um, excuse me, my Lord... what about Rhodonite?"
I look at her in confusion. Duarte just waves his hand.
"Rhodonite is a loyal friend of the court. I will speak to him before your visit." He stands up. "I have something to discuss with him anyways. Now, ladies... I will leave you to it. Larimar, take good care of my wife-to-be."
My eyes follow him as he leaves... he wears all black, despite the palace shining like sun itself. How peculiar...
"Ah, my Lady, would you like to try the lemoncakes?" Larimar snaps me out of my thoughts.
I politely smile and nod.
***
It is almost noon when me and Larimar descend from the upper floor. She goes first, scouting ahead, making sure I'm not seen. We stop every few meters as she intently listens for chatter or footsteps.
Suddenly she stills. "My Lady, quick!" she whispers. She turns around and notices the door leading to one of the second floor rooms right behind us.
At Larimar's waist hangs the master key.
I can hear the chatter getting louder and louder.
"Indeed, sir Proteus. Your wedding will be quite an event."
"Ah, surely not than some other weddings."
"Which ones, if I may inquire? I don't know any that are scheduled to take place soon."
Larimar fiddles with the keys and unlocks the door... then promptly pushes me inside and slams the door. I blink.
A maid closet. That's where she shoved me. Alright, that works. Perhaps that's even better; the doors are thin and made of simple wood, as opposed to heavy doors that lead to chambers of the courtians.
I lean on the door... perhaps I can hear the chatter.
I hear the footsteps stop.
"Hello, my Lords." I hear Larimar's voice. I can see her in my minds eye do a little bow.
"Larimar, always a pleasure. Hopefully soon we won't just call you a maid, but a head maid," a deep male voice speaks.
"Sir Beryl, you do flatter me too much! I am happy with my position."
"Or perhaps they could promote you to Itzamatul's heir?" a chuckle comes from the other man. Proteus, I assume.
Larimar goes silent. And then the deep voice - I assume Beryl's - speaks again.
"Those jokes and jests are immature and impolite, sir Proteus. Most inappropriate. Young lady, take my apology for the most embarrassing behaviour of my protege."
Itzamatul's heir? I blink in confusion. What do they mean by that...?
"It- it's alright," Larimar says, voice strained. "I apologize."
"Do not apologize. It is Proteus who should fall on his knees and beg your forgiveness," Beryl speaks again.
I wish I could see them... but I can't give up my hideout. I cannot be seen.
"No need for that..." Larimar squeaks.
"Proteus, apologize to young maid for your insolent comment."
I hear a little breathy noise; Proteus presumably smirking.
"My apologies, Larimar. I meant no offense."
"It is okay."
I hear a click of a tongue, a pleased one.
"All is well that ends well... but I will speak to my young protege. He must learn some manners," Beryl says. "We will see you around, Larimar."
"Of course, my Lords."
I hear the footsteps echo and go forth. I stand, leaned on the door, and listen intently. A few minutes pass as Larimar presumably makes sure they're gone for good.
She opens the door, slamming them into me. I yelp in surprise.
"My Lady! I- I am sorry!" Larimar gasps and puts hands over her mouth. "I apologize, I truly apologize, I didn't think you were..."
I touch my nose that hurts from its meetup with the wooden door. "No worries... It's my fault. I leaned on the door."
Larimar's face flushes red and she moves away to let me pass. "It was just two lords. I don't know if your Ladyship has heard any of the converstation."
I look at her... perhaps it's better to leave questioning for another time.
"Not at all, Larimar." I smile. "Haven't heard a thing. I was lost in my own thoughts."
***
Our walk to the library goes swell and uninterrupted. No other run-ins. Still, we stay careful and alert.
The library is located in the lower rooms; on the underground floor. Near Citrine's workshop, actually.
The door to the library is massive. Absolutely huge. It's been carefully carved from dark wood... one I don't seem to recognize. I'm just about to inquire when Larimar helpfully supplies.
"Dragonwood... you cannot find it in the mortal lands," she whispers. "Lord Itzamatul is very well-spoken and educated. He appreciates the written word. Perhaps the only one who surpasses him in that appreciation is Ix Tziba, the Lady of the Written Word."
I nod. I know of Ix Tziba; the scribes of the mortal lands perform monthly rites to her. She is a well known name even among us.
"I've heard of her."
"Oh, um. I've heard her speeches are quite something..." Larimar blushes and I can see her deep appreciation for her. Well, I am full of the appreciation as well. Ix Tziba gave mortals the greatest invention of all - the alphabet. Where would we be had we been unable to write down all the knowledge we'd accumulated over milennia?
"Do you enjoy books, Larimar?" I ask.
"Ah, yes, but... you know, my work does not leave much time for reading." Larimar bows her head. "Lord Itzamatul insisted on my education though."
How peculiar, I think... why would he insist on education of a common maid?
"I know what you must be thinking... but really, he wants all of his servants to be well educated," Larimar quickly chimes in.
"Quite some Lord, huh?"
Larimar shrugs and smiles, and knocks on the door, then pushes it open.
We are greeted by an incredible sight.
This must be the tallest room I'd ever seen. I have to crane my neck way way up just to see it... the shelves stretch from floor to the top. My head spins as I think about it... how many books could there possibly be here? All books ever written?!
The scent of the old books makes my head dizzy. It's not just the smell of age... but it's also warm and resinous, like smoke after a sacred fire. Yes, sacred... perhaps that would describe this place the best.
I step forward, completely enchanted. I look at the books... I cannot name any of them. I rise my finger and drag it over the leather spine of one of the books... and then notice something interesting. To make sure it's not just a coincidence I crane my neck and take a look at few more books...
All of them are marked with a golden sigil at the bottom of the spine.
"I hate people who don't return books."
The masculine voice jolts me and I jump, waking up from the trance.
In front of me stands a tall man of skin deep brown, rich and even. His hair is a cloud - half of it is pink, half black. His face is calm, smile mysterious. And his eyes cackle like two gemstones... one pink, one black, matching his hair.
"I..."
"I mean," the man continues, "many of these are priceless. They cannot be replaced. So you can just imagine how much I'd hate for any of them to get lost. Sigils are there to ensure their safe return to this library."
I stare at him, speechless. Something about this place took away my ability to say a word. Its antiquity, its beauty and grace have rendered me mute.
"Impressive, isn't it?" The man smiles. "My name is Rhodonite. The head librarian... at your service, your Ladyship."
He bows and takes my hand, then presses a polite kiss to it. I look away in embarrassment.
"Larimar." He nods towards my maid. "You have not visited in a while."
"Oh, um..."
"And I wonder if it might have anything to do with you being late with your return of 'A Story Written in the Margins'?"
Larimar's face goes deep red and I stiffle a chuckle. I'd never imagine she would be the one to be late with a book return.
"I just... um... I've had a lot of work and... I will bring it back later, I promise."
"Not later. Now." Rhodonite says. "You've had it for ten years. If you do not plan to read it, return it."
I blink. Ten years? Is that how quickly time passes for dragons? Where ten years is a blink of an eye?
"But..."
"No buts, Larimar. Go and get the book. Me and the Ladyship will wait for you here." Rhodonite crosses his arms on his back.
"O-of course, Sir." Larimar nods.
She practically runs out and I can feel her anxiety; like her heart will give out. Only when she's gone do I allow myself a little laugh.
"Something funny, your Ladyship?" Rhodonite smiles at me.
"Oh, nothing. I just... can't imagine Larimar would be irresponsible like that."
"Have you never failed to return a book in time?"
I look away. But my embarrassed gaze tells the librarian everything he needs to know.
"Ah. You've never had an access to a library." He cocks his head, studying me. His words burn. They don't sound accusatory or judgemental... but I still feel ashamed of the gutter I grew up in.
"No. I'm afraid I'm not of high birth."
There is a silence for a few moments.
"My Lady..." Rhodonite finally speaks. "I do not judge you. I'm not of high birth myself either. And that serves to keep me humble."
I nod, though my cheeks still burn red.
"Come. Share tea with me. And let me discuss something with you. Celestia knows you will need all the help you can get."