The Secret Behind the Bridge

I am very curious with the words uttered by the merchant. "Thank you for your kindness." I told him. "Have fun reading." The merchant told me. It was four meters away from the bridge. I saw the library from afar and I can say that the architecture was well preserved and as the style was in the baroque period. As I entered the library, it was a classical taken. I think the architecture was way back 14th century and modernized with the new era. I get the brochure and it has fun facts to know about the library. Here they are:

Seven Fun Facts! 1.The library was a gift to the town by a nobleman. 2. It has more than 15 millions of books on the shelves that were preserved centuries ago. 3. Card catalogs are now computerized. 4. Tourists can have their own access to the archive section for free. 5. The library was renovated around the 18th century after the civil war. 6. Tourists may have free tea after the tour. 7. The library has the biggest archive in the world.

As I read the fun facts. I was amazed with fun fact number four. As this is where I can find the answer of what I am looking for. In spite of the renovation, I can still see the original construction of the library and can still smell the baroque period where it was first constructed.

I went to the reception and asked the librarian if I can have a library card. "Hello, good afternoon Miss." I told her. "I would like to have a library card, please." I added. "Sure, may I have your Town Identification Card?" she told me. "Sorry, but I do not have the Town Identification Card." I told her. "Oh, you must be a tourist here." she told me with excitement. "Yes, I am. I would like to know about the Lock Bridge." I explained to her. "Oh, you know every tourist is asking for the book. Give me five minutes and I'll prepare your card." she told me. "Oh, I also need an identification card." she added. I gave him my passport and waited for five minutes.

While I wait for her, I sit at the sofa near the reception area. People come and go to the library and most of them are students. After five minutes, she called. "Here is your card and the map of the library so that you won't be lost. The system will recognize you immediately. Since it belongs to the reserved section, you cannot bring out the book on that door or else the book code will notify us and I assume you don't want any commotion here." she explained. "Yes Miss. I understand. Thank you for your great gesture." I said to her and bid goodbye.

The reserved section is at Basement Level 4, so I took an elevator and inserted my card. The elevator asked for the pin code. I put the five digit number on the card. Then, the elevator moved down to Level 4. I was looking all over the place, then a man dressed in a tuxedo approached me and said, "How can I help you?" "Oh, I am looking for Section 237-B, Lane 42." I said. "Let me walk you through." He told me. I followed the man and led me to the door glass. "Put your card on this and the computer will give the book to you." he instructed me. The man is right. The computer is the one who found the book for me. This is the first time that I encountered this type of library. "I will go now. I need to assist others." the man said. "Thank you,'' I replied to him. "Oh one more thing, you cannot get this book out of this door or it will cause a big commotion like notifying the police." he added. I chuckled and said, "I will guard this with my life."

Then he already left the room. Inside the room there are three of us. I think most of them are scholars or researchers. Me, I am just an ordinary person looking for answers with curiosity inside my heart. I was curious about the book entitled "Legends and Mysteries." I am so excited to read it and want to know not just by the bridge but other stories. As I turned the pages, it smelled very very old. The book was published 1812 and it was revised in 1819. I looked at the table of contents. There are topics such as dragons, mystical animals, early archaeological facts and discoveries, angels and many more. As I turned another page, I saw what I am looking for, "The Legend of the Lock Bridge" I immediately looked for the page and was very excited to read.

The Legend of the Lock Bridge

There were two lovers whose world became apart but a love dies until the last breath of Arabella. An undying love chant before she died "you must seek and find as I did not respond, the evil eye of melancholic voice may arise."

Arabella's family is well known and one of the wealthiest families in the town of Fides. They are also influential as her father is once a governor of the small town and with royal blood. Every county adored Arabella and asked his father for marriage. His father refused some of them as he already has someone in mind who will marry her daughter. The young man is three years older than Arabella, Renzo Rossi. His family also has royal blood and also a good friend of his father. He always loved Arabella since they were young. Arabella is the only daughter of Great Lord Lorenzo Santino de Lucca Ricci.

He gave everything to his daughter. On the other hand, Arabella is a simple girl who wants a simple life. For her, the wealth comes from the heart and not for material things. She likes to share her blessings to the less fortunate on the town of Fides without her father's knowledge. For that kind gesture, most of the town of Fides adored and loved her since her heart is gold. She was raised by her nurse since her mother died when she was five due to an epidemic. Though it is tragic for her, she never sees the world as gloomy but wonderful things around her. She's been very close to her nurse and shared all her secrets to her.

Years passed, Arabella will turn 18th and it is time for her to get married. For her, it is not the right time as she has so much to do in her life instead of being at home. She dreams of becoming a violinist and being a performer. She asked her father's permission, but her father did not allow her and rage in anger. Arabella was so sad and frustrated. She was running in their garden crying. Antonio, the gardener's son talked to her and she told Antonio what happened. Since then, they have had a good friendship.

Antonio and Arabella agreed to meet every afternoon at the gazebo near the lake. They talked a lot about hopes and their dreams. On Arabella's 17th birthday, Antonio gave her a ring and promised to marry her. Antonio also promised that he will be a good husband and father. He will work hard for him to give Arabella the life that they will live happily ever after. Arabella was so happy and accepted Antonio's offer and confessed her love to him. Since then, Antonio and Arabella are inseparable. Arabella talked to her nurse about her secret. Her nurse is also responsible for helping her to escape during the day to meet Antonio.

Time flies so fast as it is Arabella's 18th birthday. Since it was her 18th birthday, her father decided to present her in the society as the Lady of Fides. Every noble family is invited all over the country. On the other hand, her father wishes that Arabella might meet someone with the same status quo and be her future husband. Her father does not have any idea that her heart belongs to someone else. To Antonio, the gardener's son.

Arabella invited Antonio to her party and will introduce him to her father. However, Antonio refuses as he does not belong to the crowd. Antonio told Arabella that he will see her from afar. A little sadness at Arabella's eyes, yet Arabella respected Antonio's decision.

Looking at them together, they are the perfect couple. Antonio has a great physique and is smart. To add on, he also possessed a golden heart just like Arabella.

The day of the party, Arabella pretends to be happy as she doesn't want her father to get upset. She enjoyed dancing the waltz. In her diary, she describes that day as the best birthday ever. At the same time, she can finally introduce Antonio to her father. As Arabella is getting ready to meet Antonio, her father called her.

Her father presented the library as a gift since she wants to read. She was very delighted with the library. There's a small bridge connected from their home to the library. Arabella called her nurse to accompany her to the library. As soon as she was already inside the library she checked her father if he was already inside the house. After that, she instructed her nurse to tell Antonio to meet her there. Since then, it was already their secret place to meet. A safe haven to young lovers. In day time, Arabella was with her tutor for studying and at night time after dinner, she went to the library to meet Antonio. This is Arabella's routine every day and with the help of her nurse, her plan was properly executed. However, at the back of her mind, she feels afraid that her father will catch her.