54. Finding answers (2)

"I have never seen it either."

Mona's shoulders sank after listening to Sandra's answer.

They found her at the library, wiping dust on books. She was surprised to see her doing such a chore since she always thought that Sandra's job was to attend to her only.

The library inside the Grand Duke's castle is huge. It has two levels where shelves reach up to the second level's ceiling. Books are stacked properly and some scrolls are laid on the tables, which Mona guessed as maps.

There was even a scale model of the entire northern territory on the huge table in the center, encased inside a transparent glass box. Windows are less so lamps mounted on the walls are lit, even if the day is yet in noon. It gives the interior a very serene yet cozy atmosphere.

And the smell of old books even made the room warmer and more tranquil. But the presence of potted plants neatly arranged in every corner of the room gives more life inside.

"You said you've read it somewhere?" Kyden asked. He was leaning on a shelf calmly while his hands were folded in his chest.

Sandra nodded obediently.

"So then, where is this 'somewhere' you're talking about?" He asked again, expecting an answer from her after emphasizing his words.

"The...Holy Nation, your grace. At the library."

Mona noticed her maid's discomfort. She intercepted their conversation and answered at the Grand Duke's place instead.

"I've already read everything in the holy nation's library, be it in every temple. But I've never encountered a book that contains about dreamcatchers and their alters." She said casually. Observing Sandra's expressions.

The maid looked at her with unreadable eyes. Her stare was intense which tells Mona there was something else.

"Was it inside the hidden library? The great ancient library you mentioned before...." Her words trailed off when she saw her friend's hand shook lightly.

That's right. She remembered Sandra telling her about the hidden library, and why it was hidden. But she also said that entering is prohibited and only the Oracle can get inside.

She quickly turned her head towards Kyden and spoke, "I think we should just visit the south. If it's a relic that shelters demons for hundreds of years, then I'm sure some evil aura still lurks on it. We can just find it by tracing negative elements."

The Grand Duke raised an eyebrow. She smiled after thinking that the man was probably seeing her as stupid for suggesting such an idea, knowing how vast the southern territory was. But in the end, Kyden only sighed and nodded.

When the sound of a heel hitting the marble floor caught their attention, they all turned on the entrance to find out who was coming.

Marcus came out and looked at them with a dumbfounded expression on his face. He must have been wondering why everyone was staring the moment he stepped in.

Clearing his throat, he began to tell his purpose, "Your grace, a letter from the royal palace has arrived."

Kyden paused for a moment, then he put down his folded arms and stood straight.

Turning in her direction, he said, "I'll be back."

She nodded and followed him with her gaze. She also smiled when she met the attendant's eyes who bowed lightly at her.

When the two men were gone, she shifted her head to Sandra and asked her casually, "Do you still do chores even after being my lady-in-waiting?"

Sandra looked at her and answered, "No, my lady. I was just... cleaning the library whenever you spend time alone or with his grace."

"Why the library, though? Do you like books?"

"Not really. I have no interest in reading an entire library."

She chuckled at her words, and responded, "Reading became my only pastime when I was in the temple. Besides, I was ordered to memorize many rules and read many books. That before I realized, I already finished everything."

"That's incredible."

She laughed, "Yeah. But it was maddening. The amount of knowledge I consumed from every page of every book almost clouded my sanity." She caresses a book and reminisces about those times. "So, maybe I've already forgotten some important things."

She smiled gently and approached the maid. She wrapped her arms around her stunned image and gently patted her back.

"It took me a month to break free, but I still want to thank you for taking care of my body every day." She released her and stepped away.

Sandra was the type of person who wasn't accustomed to an affectionate way of interactions. As one who grew up without a family, and lived in a place where kinship and transparency are observed, she did not know how to react towards a heartfelt action.

Mona was aware of that personality, so she immediately put distance between them in order not to make her uncomfortable.

"I... should also go and meet Miss Shelly to thank her as well. I heard that she also helps in checking my pulse every day." She said and turned her back on her.

"I am sorry, my lady."

Mona heard the maid's reply. She knew what the apology was for. For not answering her question about the ancient library. Sandra must have realized that she tried to mislead the Grand Duke into asking more by changing the topic and suggesting a ridiculous idea.

And the idea that will surely be difficult for her and the Grand Duke.

Mona felt that the maid doesn't have yet the courage to speak about it. But there was one thing she made sure of. Sandra ran away from the nation after disregarding the restrictions on the hidden library, then entered it and learned the secrets of the room.

Secrets she had no courage to spill.

She doesn't want to be curious further, but part of her wondered why her maid friend disobeyed the rules and chose to enter the room. Seeing how nonchalant and unbothered she was.

"That's fine at all." She looked back and gave her a gentle smile. "People have their secrets. Anyway, can you show me where can I find the head magician?"

Sandra nodded and put back the book she was wiping on the shelf, then pocketed the rag on her maid uniform.

"This way, my lady." She gestured her out of the room and started guiding her. But then, Sandra stopped abruptly and whirled towards her in haste, "The Grand Duke said he'll be back if he returns without you here...."

"I'll be quick. I just want to thank Miss Shelly personally then return here." She answered with conviction since she was afraid the maid would refuse to escort her suddenly.

Sandra stared and nodded afterward. "Let's be quick, then."

She followed her silently. They passed the soldiers' annex and reached the end part of the west wing, where the room was shaped hexagonally. Along the way, she saw how the servants whom they passed were left staring at her again, but this time, their looks weren't filled with hostility or animosity. But showed curiosity and approval.

When they reached the entrance, Sandra knocked thrice but the door kept closing. She knocked another three times and yet the door never opened. When Mona sensed the aura around her became intense, she quickly grabbed her shoulders and pushed her aside.

"Let me knock instead." She said nervously, clearly seeing the smoke rising in her maid's ears from annoyance. Of course, Sandra wasn't the type to knock on doors at all. She would just barge in anywhere, except if the Grand Duke was inside.

She knocked twice and called out even.

"Helloooooooo!"

But the door was still unopened. She tried to drum the door and even put rhythm on it while calling out to someone even more loudly. Luckily, the room was in the back part of the castle and isolated, else people would see her outrageous acts and might ruin her newly built reputation.

When she finally finished drumming her knuckles on the beat of her favorite boyband's song, an explosion erupted inside the room, and the hinges of the door unhinged from the jamb before the door completely fell.

As fast as lightning strikes, Sandra is already standing in front of her, blocking any bits from an explosion reaching her.

She peeked above her shoulder, and inside the dust-covered room, she saw a silhouette of a girl coughing on her own failed inventions.