EMOTIONS

The library in the east wing was quite large and its ceiling was high. Every duke who lived here had left a fairly rich archive by this time, and some books were said to have existed since ancient times. The one-legged large marble table placed in the middle of the library was covered with ornaments that would make every book put on it look like a precious treasure. There were little angels on his only passing foot, and his hands and heads were pointing up like a plea. The torment on their faces was realistic enough to show that they wanted God's forgiveness.

The candles placed on it were just enough to illuminate the paper on the marble. The shadows of the three were falling on Scarlet's more prominent writing on a large piece of paper rather than on the wrinkled little paper. Scarlet turned her gaze to the two men, frowning at the paper. She put the second paper she was holding next to the other. On the paper, there is a very elaborate and detailed drawing of the flower, and besides, information about the plant was written in proper handwriting.

Adrian held up his head, inconceivable. His only eyebrow was in the air, he thought they were here only to solve the riddle, but another paper put on the table confused him.

"This plant is a red spider lily. Your father created a garden from this flower and I saw it by chance today. When I asked the gardener, he said that your father had this flower planted in particular and was interested in it. " She put her finger on the second name written on the paper. "It meant rebirth after death." She cleared her aching throat. She explained the short conversation she had with the gardener. When she was silent, the confusion and tension in the air were palpable.

"This information seems to have nothing to do with this riddle." Caren scratched his head and turned his bored eyes to Scarlet.

"Maybe it may not make sense right now. But there is something strange about this flower." her determined voice supported her gaze. Adrian exhaled and read the first line of the stanza.

Scarlet's one eyebrow was raised, her eyes wide open as if she could see the mystery. Adrian's mind began to retreat, digging back his memories with his father. He had done it again, and this time he left it alone with his hardest riddle.

"When it comes to my father, it didn't surprise me that he wrote such a riddle. As a child, he asked me riddles and left clues so I could find them. " He hesitated for a short moment. It was as if memories lined up to his throat and prevented him from speaking. "I don't think it's talking about a real dragon roar here. He's talking about something else equivalent to his strength. "

"Like a lion's roar?" Caren said excitedly as if it was a brilliant idea. Scarlet rolled her eyes.

"No, I don't think you're talking about it. So I don't really think it will portray any other animal, it may be talking more about a vary loud roaring voice, but that puts us in a lot of dead ends. I can count a lot of noisy things. The important thing is, I keep thinking about the "scattered colors" that he says next. Besides, it does not end with only this. Also, it doesn't end with that. The remaining 3 lines are the other parts of the whole that will show the main path." She created a bomb effect with the sentence she put forth with a concerned and expressionless voice.

Caren grunted and was quickly eliminated that way.

"How can you lose your soul so what can be its compass? What do you mean by real life? " Adrian paused before asking more questions. "Also the flower added to all this mess" he rubbed his head and for a moment the feeling of sitting covered his whole body. He needed a strong drink now.

"Can we just skip all this and go somewhere not hot and dreary?" Caren moved his head to the left, looking at the dark libraries.

"I think we should quit, it was a hard enough day for us anyway" his tired voice was directed at Scarlet. "I also remind you that we have our engagement dance today, I recommend you sleep as it will be very tiring." Scarlet nodded in agreement and took the papers. She was also tired and sleepless, and that engagement was causing her whole body to contract for no reason.

"Yes, sir. We continue another time. With your permission." she said. She took action to leave the library. The library slowly sank into darkness as Adrian and Caren followed.

The woman who helped put on "Lady hold your breath please" was busy tightening the corset she wore for her body, which she didn't need at all. She rolled her eyes, but she didn't notice. Although there were hours to the ball, the servants acted as if it was their last hour. She prayed to God not to die of breathlessness tonight as the corset tightened for the last time.

"Lady, you can be the most beautiful woman I have ever seen," Lydia's admiring voice followed by the validating voices of the others. Although Scarlet only smiled, she felt nervous in ways that she didn't understand why. She looked at the tufts of red dangling from her messy bun gathered in braids and her neck complete with a necklace covered with exposed tiny diamonds. Her shoulders shined and her elegant dress was complemented by white gloves that reached her elbows. Her red lips came back to life with a smile, and she inhaled the floral-scented essence Lydia had rubbed. When everyone came out, his body contracted with the relief of being alone in the room and began to wander with excitement as he relaxed. She took a deep breath and closed her eyes and used the exact concentration breathing technique she always did. She helped calm her mind and heart while her whole body was being relaxed.

At that moment the door clicked and Adrian entered the room in all his glory. His black suit was as if he was cut out for his body. His hair, which was always messy, was combed neatly this time, but the rebellious tufts of flawlessness were falling on his forehead, always softening his frowning eyebrows a little. She watched the bored expression on his face turn into brief surprise when he saw Scarlet and then into interest. Scarlet greeted him with a formal greeting and walked over to him. She stood in front of Adrian's eyes, he examining her every step and getting darker as she approached. She opened her long, painted eyelashes and fixed her bright red eyes on him.

Adrian was bored before the ball started, and his soul was more bored with the many aristocrats he would speak to below. When he came to the front of the room, he thought he wanted to take Scarlet right away and end the night as soon as possible the sooner he thought. But when he entered the room this thought disappeared in his mind. With the divine beauty he saw, the only angel he saw was the angel before him. He wanted to take his eyes off her and not show that he was so impressed, but his body disobeyed him, his eyes begging for a little more of her splendor.

Seeing this beauty by others also led to unpleasant disturbing feelings in him. He couldn't take his eyes off her white receptive skin and inviting neck. The closer she came, the more the sweet scent stimulated his aroused nerves and attention. Her burning ruby ​​red eyes were the most beautiful of the stone, and they were soft and comforting, like the crimson of the setting sun.

They glanced briefly. Scarlet saw the passion in Adrian and Adrian saw the charm in Scarlet. Scarlet cleared her throat and averted her eyes.

"I think we are late enough, we have to go now" her weak voice did not seem to support what she said. Adrian remembered his purpose in coming out of the trance, and he cleared his throat.

"Yes, you're right, it would be rude to make guests wait." Turning sideways, he extended Scarlet to his arm. Scarlet looked at the thick muscular arm in astonishment for a moment and placed her hand slowly on his arm. They did not speak until they came to the front of the ballroom. When they stood in front of the door, they waited for a moment before announcing the names of the butler waiting at the door. Adrian knew Scarlet was tense from the unconscious squeezing of his arm. He turned to comfort her and sent a crooked smile.

"You don't need to be nervous, you look beautiful." His eyes were bright as if supporting what he said. She opened her eyes in surprise and tried to understand Adrian's true intentions.

"It's playtime, darling," he said and turned his head from the attractive woman to the intense light. The doors swung open before Scarlet could react.