Chapter 28

There she was, standing on an empty platform. Around her was numerous floating bookshelf filled with countless book. There was no wall, nor skies that limit the space, no ground to stand. Everything was black, and dark, and yet, it was brighten with the blinking stars. Around the platform was lights. What it were made from, she do not know. How can one explain how was she able to see despite being engulfed by darkness.

She pondered, how could she grabbed the book, when there was nowhere to stand or walked beside the platform. She took a gamble, and step forward, outside of the platform. One step, two step. She did not fall. How, you said? There was an invisible force that seem to support her every step.

She grabbed one of the book from the nearby shelf, and read it. It was a book, unknown to her, never have she read it. The more she read, the more she was sure of it. This was a history book. However, never, in their period, exist such place that was written in the book. It never existed on the current map that she knew about. She pondered… and ponder yet again, trying to dig into her memories. "Ah!" she exclaimed. She remembered, the name was briefly mentioned in the old history book she had read before.

"Could it be?" she thought. If what she speculated was right, then, the ability she gained will allow her the access to all the knowledge of the world. There was nothing she could not read about. Perhaps now, she could learn about the ancient people, she grinned.

"Is there no way to grab the book faster?" she mumbled as she stared at the endless amount of books. She could see no end to it. She sighed. "A fortune was never a fortune," she whispered. Suddenly, an idea came to her mind. Perhaps, that could work, she thought. She went back to the platform.

She stood straight, and took a deep breathe. She said, "Eins Empire." The shelves moved, leaving few shelves in front of her. She smirked. "It worked." She was excited, however, she wondered for a moment, how long had she been in here, and how could she went back to her real world. She closed her eyes.

Once she opened her eyes, the scene changed. Here, she had gone back, it seem. To the real world. "The Library of Knowledge," she muttered in low voice. She smiled triumphantly.

However, the person by the side of her bed were not smiling. Her youthful face were grim and haggard. Her eyes had lost it shine and the dark circle under her eyes were as dark as the night sky.

"Nika?" Aretha called her.

In the flash of light, Nika stared into Aretha's face, she said in her wavering voice, "My Lady?"

"How have you come to look so… so tired?"

Tears trickled down her cheeks. "My Lady, you have awaken. We were so worried about you."

"Oh dear me… Am I the reason for your tears?"

"No… No, My Lady, this is the tears of happiness. Please pardon me, I have to call Madam Pomona and Miss Sanchez."

Nika rose up and ran out of the room. Her loud voice calling for people make Aretha chuckled in amusement. Her heart were tickled seeing people care and worry for her.

Moment later, Nika came in, followed by Madam Pomona, Casandra, and her other maid, Yua. "Casandra, it's a pleasure to meet you again," she said.

"It was nice to meet you too, My Lady. However, I must say that I am not glad meeting you like this. I would prefer seeing you in your most vigorous being, not laying on bed with your face pale and devoid any color. It sadden my poor soul." Casandra replied.

Aretha chuckled. "I suppose I have to take better care of myself, then."

"Please do so, My Lady. That would also save the old maid here… another twenty years of her life." Casandra turned her face toward Pomona.

"I must have make you worry."

"My Lady… this old heart of mine could not bear any more shock. Although I was worry, I am also delighted that you have gone through your manifestation period. After this, we just have to take care of you, so that you, My Lady, would never fall sick," Pomona breathe a sigh of relief.

"Hearing that my well-being would be in your hand gave me assurance more than anything else."

Casandra smile, she intercepted, "His Excellency was also extremely worried about you, My Lady."

"His Excellency?"

"Yes, My Lady, His Excellency had already came back two weeks ago."

"How long I have been out for?"

"It has been around three weeks, My Lady."

Aretha was silent, as the others were looking at each other. Pomona sat on the bedside and patted Aretha hand. "My Lady, please do not worry about anything else and think only about your well-being."

"How is he—"

Before Aretha could finished her question, the door swung open. Pomona stood up when her eyes saw the person who came. He took few big stride and sat on the bedside, taking Aretha hands in his. "How are you feeling?" he said, as he swipe off the sweat on her forehead.

"Thanks to your concern, I am doing well… Did you not believed me? Look, am I not looking well right now?"

"Not at all… You must have been in pain during those period. There was no need for you to put a front here. Rest well." He kissed her forehead and patted her hand before going out. Vladimir did not forgot to remind Pomona and Casandra to look after her and fulfill every of her need no matter how impossible it might be.

When the sky turned dark, and the stars shine bright, Aretha woke up from her sleep. She rose from her bed and walk out of the balcony. She stood behind the railing, taking in the fresh wind that blew on her face. The silent and cold night brought peace to her mind. The she remembered the moment during her manifestation period. She closed her eyes. The second she opened them, the scenery changed. The floating shelves were upon her eyes. Here she stood on a platform with no ground, not the balcony she was. She was now in The Library of Knowledge that she had gained.

"Alodias Kingdom," she said. The shelves moved. Still too many, she thought. "Hortensia Village." The shelves moved again. "Year 1212" Five books floated out from the shelves and fled to her. "Mavro," she said. It was the name that she heard from Ted once. One book remained, and the other four fled back to its place.

Aretha grabbed the book. She read the content word by word, not wanting to miss anything. Tears trickled down her cheeks. The water flooded her eyes. She fell on her knees. She blinked her eyes. In an instant, the scenery changed. Now, she sat on the balcony. Her hand clasped the necklace hanging on her neck.

[The pirates, lured by a noble, invaded the small village in the corner of the kingdom. People named it Hortensia Village. What was once the peaceful and beautiful village had been reduced to ashes. They killed all the villagers, including a brave couple, Sebastian Argus, and Andrea Argus. They took all the villagers possession and burnt the place until nothing was left. The only survivors were few children, not knowing what fell upon them.]

Aretha again and again reminded by the line where it tells the facts regarding the death of the villagers including her grandparent. Her sob stifled. She does not want anyone to hear her cries. No one should see her in agony, for this agony should belongs to her alone.

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*Little Theater*

Peter : "I heard our sister fell sick, so why can't we visit her? We just wished to see her."

Linda : "It was not sickness. Instead, Lady Ella was going through manifestation period, henceforth, she must not be disturbed. This is a crucial moment for her."

Diana : "Then… what about after that? Can we visit her?"

Linda : "That— Let me asked His Excellency first. I am sure His Excellency would allow you guys to meet her."

Cole : "She's our sister. Why should we asked for his permission?"

Daphne : "Cole… We currently lived in his place. There was no other choice. In Rome, do as the Romans do…"

Cole clicked his tongue.

Linda sighed.

C.Udon : "Indeed, it is stressing when we have to follow quite unreasonable rule… But, what to do? That's life… Either accept it or change it."