Hidden door

Next morning, When Anneliese woke up, her eyes fell on the dresses which were already placed for her to choose. She was grateful for everything the lord has done for her but waking up in the castle in a distant land felt strange, reminding her she has lost her family somewhere. She took a deep breath knowing this is not the time to turn weak but to stay strong and there is so much she needs to figure out along with finding her family. Now that she is able to stand on her feet, she decided to take bath on her own without calling the maid and went to the dressing room. After taking bath, she wore a blue-black dress she chose earlier and it didn't go unnoticed from her eyes that all the dresses present were simple and light weighted which won't cause much trouble to her injuries and because of this thoughtful gesture, she thought in her mind, "Maybe he is not as intimidating as he appears to be and not forget he is helping me when there no one left for me to lean on!"

Sitting down in front of the oval shaped mirror, she braided her hairs. Coming back to the room, she looked out of the window when she heard a knock and replied, "Please come in"

It was the maid who bowed before speaking, "Good morning Milady, the lord has requested your company in the dinning room for breakfast"

Though the maid used the word requested, Knowing little bit about the Lord's nature now, Anneliese did not think it was a request or she have any other choice but to follow the maid. Anneliese walked slowly behind the maid because of the fresh wounds on her legs. Turning around a few corridors in the huge castle, they walked down the stairs before they finally reached in front of a long door and the guards opened the door. The maid stepped aside and Anneliese slowly walked into the huge dinning room. Her eyes fell on the long dinning table before she noticed the man sitting at the other end watching her.

"Good Morning, Milord" Anneliese wished with a bow

"Just Vincenzo! Drop the title." stated Vincenzo before wishing her back, "Good Morning, Anneliese"

Anneliese frowned but did not comment back at the Lord's words. She looked at the chairs, wondering where she is supposed to sit when she heard the Lord's voice, "Sit here" gesturing to the seat on his right.

Anneliese walked passed the many chairs before reaching the destined seat and one of the servant pulled the chair for her. Sitting on the chair she watched the servant who was busy serving her breakfast. She lived a simple life surrounded by people who loved her but everything feels weird here and she wondered about the Lord's family.

She started eating and turned conscious when she felt the Lord's steady gaze on her but she didn't looked up and started eating faster so she could retire from here soon which instead resulted in her choking and she coughed.

Vincenzo who knew something like this will happen when he noticed her trying to eat everything at once, brought the glass of water in front of her which she took without resisting. Putting the glass down after taking two gulps, she finally looked at the man whose eyes were already watching her and she heard him, "Neither the food is going anywhere nor you, so you can eat slowly!"

It was his fault as he was making her feel intimidated under his intense gaze and she tried to retort but there was no point so she instead obeyed his words and started eating again, this time being cautious about choking.

Unable to handle his piercing gaze anymore, she tried start a conversation and asked, "Where are your family members?"

Looking into her eyes, he answered like he is having a normal conversation, "My mother died when I was young and after few years, I killed my father. So there is no family but yeah I have a step mother who is still alive with her two good for nothing children. They went to attend a ball hosted by one of the elite families in Versimoil Kingdom. They will be here in a day or two!"

Her blue eyes which were locked into his red ones, widened and she was thankful she didn't have food in her mouth otherwise it would have resulted in her choking again upon hearing his words.

Curiosity and horror brought the best out of her and she asked, "Why did you killed your own father?"

Vincenzo who noticed a flicker of fear in her eyes stated, "I won't harm you. You are special" before he answered her question, "Will tell you the story some other day. Finish your food, there is something I need to show you before leaving."

"Special! Maybe because I can help him against the Dark Witches conspiracy" Anneliese guessed in her mind.

After breakfast, Anneliese followed the man in the castle. Not knowing where they are heading, she asked him, "Where are we going?"

"To the Castle library" Vincenzo abruptly stopped his feet which almost resulted in her bumping into him before she managed to stop it. He looked at Anneliese before continuing, "You should read about ancient witchcraft so that you can use the Book of Spells correctly and wisely as the book is powerful and can destroy anyone who tries to misuse it even if it was done by mistake."

Looking ahead, he continued walking again while speaking, "Lightwood... I mean the Envoy has the book I gave you last time so we need to look for another book of ancient times which are not available everywhere!"

"From what I know, the ancient books on witchcraft are forbidden to use or keep! How do you have them?" Anneliese asked genuinely

"Not just ancient witchcraft but keeping any ancient book on any creature is forbidden but my father had them before they were prohibited and I did not handed them to the Conclave. That's why I still have most of the forbidden books."

Anneliese was about say something but she stopped and pursed her lips instead. Reaching an intrinsic wooden door, Vincenzo opened it before letting her know, "Servants are not allowed in this area. Only few people have access to the library, Me & my cat Oscar, Adomas and Lucas the butler.... and Now including You! There is another library on the above floor for others"

"Okay" Anneliese nodded and walked inside the library. Scanning the huge library, she noticed it's intrinsic design and she said in her mind, "Indeed a castle's library"

Not knowing where to start looking, she turned to Vincenzo, who started moving before saying, "Come with me". He stopped in front of a bookshelf and Anneliese who thought this is the shelf where the books on witchcraft are kept, moved forward to look at books when she heard him, "They are not here."

Anneliese frowned not knowing why he stopped in front of this shelf if the books are not here. She was about to speak but her words hang on her throat when she noticed the shelf move, revealing another room! She looked at the man with astound expression.

Vincenzo smiled and answered her curious eyes, "It's a secret doorway disguised as a bookshelf. It leads to a smaller, hidden library filled with ancient books full of mysteries and forgotten knowledge."

Walking into the short passageway, they reached the hidden library and Vincenzo caught the serene look on her face with a subtle smile on her lips making her appear more beautiful.

Without any warning, he placed his hand on one side of her cheeks taking her by surprise. He lightly grazed his thumb on her cheek feeling the softness of her skin. The little girl he was looking is here, Alive and safe. Now that he had found her, he won't let her disappear again. No matter the mystery behind her, he will protect her from everyone and those who will try to harm her will face his wrath.

Anneliese noticed his gaze soften but couldn't read his face. Feeling his gentle touch and she wondered, why he is being nice to her because he was same person who tried to strangle her few days ago!

He let go of her face and said, "Name of which genre the books belong, is written on each shelf so it won't be much trouble for you to find a book on witchcraft." Knowing how he always found the girl in some kind of trouble, He instructed her, "There is something that require my attention so I need to leave, so try to stay out of trouble while I am not around."

Anneliese nodded before saying, "I won't get in trouble!"

"Good girl" Vincenzo praised her as if she is still the little girl who was standing on the fire.

He turned around to leave when he heard her, "You too. Be safe". He turned a little and gazed at the girl, though he knew she only said it because he has asked her to stay out of trouble and not in concern but still it moved something in him as no one has asked him to be safe since his mother passed. Without sparing another word, he turned and left from there, leaving her to explore the hidden library which was like a hidden treasure for her.