The library mystery

"I don't think it's such a good idea, Lila," Lilith hesitated, casting a wary glance at her sister. The key in her hand felt heavy with the weight of responsibility.

Lila fixed her gaze on Lilith, her eyes reflecting the solemnity of their shared memories. "Remember all the nights we spent mourning Mom's death, all the moments we were taken away from our mother," she added, her voice tinged with sadness.

Lilith's heart constricted at the mention of their mother. Despite the passing of time, Lilith still couldn't accept her mother's unjust death. The pain of their loss was a wound that never truly healed. Tears welled up in her eyes, and she nodded silently, acknowledging the deep pain they both carried.

"I'll give it a try then," Lilith said, her voice soft but resolute. She clutched the key in her hand, feeling the cool metal against her skin.

"Be careful not to be noticed by the others, and especially by Dad, as this could upset him, you see," Lila cautioned, her concern evident in her words. Lilith nodded in understanding, fully aware of the risks she was about to take.

"I'll let you sleep now, so you can rest easy, and as soon as you have any information, you can come and see me in my room," Lila said before leaving Lilith's room. The door closed behind her, leaving Lilith alone with her thoughts and the looming decision she had made.

Once Lila had left, Lilith walked over to the candle in her room and snuffed it out. The day had been incredibly complicated, and now it was time for her to finally get some rest. She carefully hid the key in a drawer, ensuring it was out of sight, and then lay down on her bed, succumbing to the embrace of sleep.

The next morning, Lilith was awakened by one of her wolves, Luna, playfully nuzzling and tugging at her hair. She couldn't help but laugh, finding Luna's antics to be a pleasant wake-up call. Once her wolf had climbed out of bed, Lilith got up and headed for the bathroom to start her day with a fresh shower and teeth brushing.

After her morning routine, Lilith opted for a simple white dress and tied her long hair into a practical ponytail. She checked the sun's position streaming through her window and concluded, "It must be at least 9 o'clock in the morning, so I'm going to have breakfast and then go to the library."

With purpose, Lilith left her room, her footsteps echoing through the palace's spacious corridors as she made her way to the dining room. As she approached the dining room door, she couldn't help but sigh heavily, knowing that Ava was likely having breakfast with her father. The thought of encountering them together was a constant source of unease.

However, when Lilith opened the door to the dining room, she was met with an unexpected sight. The room was deserted, save for the diligent servants bustling about their tasks.

"Where are my father and Ava?" Lilith inquired, a puzzled furrow marring her brow.

One of the servants nearby responded, "The king asked to have breakfast in his room, and Ava decided to take her breakfast outside the palace."

The realization that breakfast would be a quiet and solitary affair washed over Lilith. She took her seat at the table and went through the motions, her mind preoccupied with thoughts of what lay ahead in the library.

Once she had finished her meal, Lilith rose from the table and left the dining room with a renewed determination. "Now it's off to the library," she declared to herself, ready to unlock the secrets hidden within the forbidden side of the library's doors.

Once Lilith arrived at the imposing door of the palace's vast library, she was greeted by the sight of two guards standing sentry. As soon as they saw her approaching, they immediately knelt down, their respect for her position evident.

"It's a pleasure to see you here again, Princess," one of the guards remarked with a respectful nod, his voice carrying a hint of admiration.

Lilith acknowledged their salutations with a polite smile, then turned her attention to the imposing library door. Her purpose here was clear, and she stepped a little closer to the door, her eyes fixed on the ornate handle.

"As for me, I'd like to come in, please," Lilith requested, her voice steady and determined.

The guard who had spoken earlier nodded in agreement, recognizing her authority. He gestured toward the door, granting her access to the treasure trove of knowledge beyond. "You may enter," he said, his tone deferential.

With a sense of anticipation and a tinge of excitement, Lilith pushed open the heavy door and stepped into the library. The transition from the palace's bustling corridors to the hallowed silence of the library was palpable.

This library was a place of both knowledge and mystery, a sanctuary for the written word that extended over several floors.

These floors were interconnected by spiral staircases and wooden walkways, creating a labyrinth of intellectual exploration. The walls were adorned with towering shelves, each one housing a multitude of old books.

Their bindings were worn, their titles faded with time. Some tomes were so rare and precious that they were encased in glass display cases or locked chests, safeguarded against both time and casual perusal.

Others lay strewn across tables or mounted on trolleys, waiting for scholars and researchers to consult or carefully return them to their designated shelves. The atmosphere was thick with reverence, each corner of the library steeped in its own unique aura of wisdom.

The only sounds that broke the silence were the occasional turning of pages, the measured footsteps of diligent servants, and the hushed exchanges of knowledge-seeking patrons.

The lighting was subdued, filtered through tall windows and oil lamps that cast a warm, golden glow upon the surroundings. Specks of dust danced in the shafts of sunlight or moonlight, depending on the time of day or night.

Lilith whispered to herself, her heart quickening with both anticipation and trepidation. "Now it's time for me to go into the forbidden zone." She knew that the answers she sought might be hidden within the forbidden section of the library, a place where only the most privileged and powerful were allowed to enter.

She had spent her childhood studying the layout of the library, memorizing the locations of the books and the routes of the servants. She had waited for the perfect opportunity, when the library was less crowded and the guards were less vigilant. 

She navigated the library with purpose, careful not to draw undue attention from the diligent servants who were merely performing their duties. She pretended to consult various books, her steps leading her deeper into the labyrinthine stacks. With each careful stride, she approached the corridor rumored to lead to the forbidden section, her determination unwavering.

However, just as she was a few steps from the fabled corridor, a hand intercepted her path, bringing her to an abrupt halt. A voice, low and authoritative, addressed her.

"Where are you going, Princess?" the voice inquired, its owner concealed in the shadows.