Mum's book

"I simply think that the librarian has fled," began Ava, sipping her tea. Her calm demeanor contrasted sharply with the turmoil in Lilith's mind. Lilith had been stressed since the librarian's disappearance, but the fact that Ava was speaking openly about it made her a little more cautious.

Lilith's father, the king, looked at Ava with a mixture of curiosity and concern. "How can you be so sure?" he asked, his brow furrowing with worry.

Ava stood up, her expression serious. "Well, it seems to me that you have a forbidden zone in your library," she said, her gaze piercing. There was an underlying tension in the air, as if Ava's mother had a grudge against Lilith's father.

Lilith's father cleared his throat before continuing, his hand starting to shake slightly. "How do you know about this?" His voice wavered with unease.

Ava's mother fixed her cold gaze on Lilith's father and replied, "You can't hide anything from us. Don't forget we have spies, even if we don't know the content of what you're hiding. But we're willing to forget it all, because the librarian has run off with the evidence."

Ava maintained a composed facade, trying to appear serious. Lilith's father sighed, his shoulders slumping. "We're not going to investigate," he said quietly, before abruptly leaving the room. Ava's mother followed suit, her departure laden with a sense of unresolved tension, leaving Lilith and Ava alone once more.

"I've got you covered this time, but you'll have to be more careful next time, Lilith," Ava said, her voice filled with a mix of concern and teasing. She gave Lilith a playful wink and a reassuring smile before leaving the room.

Lilith was left alone with her thoughts, still processing the close call with Ava's family. The weight of the secret she carried threatened to overwhelm her, and she knew she had to tread even more carefully from now on.

As she contemplated her situation, a voice suddenly snapped her out of her reverie.

"Lilith," said Lila, Lilith's  sister, running her hand over Lilith's eyes to get her attention. "I've been calling you for five minutes," she added with a hint of annoyance.

Lilith blinked and refocused on her sister. "Sorry, Lila. I was just lost in thought," she admitted. 

Lilith nodded as she and Lila slipped into her room, carefully. The room was bathed in a soft, muted light that spilled in through the curtains.

"It's all right, but did you pick up the books yesterday?" asked Lila in a whisper, her eyes wide with curiosity and a hint of apprehension.

"Yes, I've got them, let's go to my room," said Lilith in hushed tones. She gestured for her  sister to follow, and they moved swiftly across the room to Lilith's bed.

Lila closed the door gently, making sure they were shielded from prying eyes. Lilith knelt beside her bed and reached under it, retrieving five books. Among them, there was one with a green cover and four others with brown covers, each aged and slightly worn from years of handling.

"Interesting," remarked Lila as she examined the green book, her fingers tracing the embossed patterns on its cover. She had a natural curiosity about all things mystical and magical.

Lila opened the green book first, her eyes gleaming with anticipation. However, to her great surprise and growing frustration, there was nothing written inside. Her disappointment was palpable as she slammed the book shut and tossed it onto Lilith's bed.

"This one won't give us any information on how to eliminate demons," Lila grumbled, her frustration evident in her voice.

Lilith offered a calming smile, trying to soothe her sister's irritation. "Calm down, Lila. There are still four books left," she reassured her, reaching for the remaining books and handing them over to Lila one by one.

Lila eagerly flipped through the pages of each book, her eyes scanning for any hint of hidden knowledge. Her fingers brushed the parchment gently as she inspected the text. After a quick examination, she closed the books, her expression thoughtful.

"I'll need a little time to finish these books, but don't worry, I'll keep you informed," Lila said with determination, tucking the books under her arm before making her way to the door.

Once Lilith's door closed behind her sister, Lilith turned her attention to the discarded green book. Curiosity piqued, she picked it up and opened it to the first page. To her astonishment, a shimmering magic circle materialized on the page, and words began to form within the circle.

Dear Lilith,

I hope this book finds you well, my dear. It seems that you've managed to find my little secret, the book I kept hidden away. You know, I've always admired your curiosity, your insatiable thirst for knowledge. It reminds me so much of myself when I was your age. I suppose it's only natural that you couldn't resist the temptation to peek inside.

I have a feeling that you're reading this because I'm no longer with you, am I right, Lilith? I want you to understand one thing right from the start: my love for you is boundless, deeper than the oceans, and it will always remain so, even beyond this realm. That's precisely why I left you this book. It holds a piece of my heart, my thoughts, my experiences all woven into its pages. 

But, my dear, there's a little twist to this tale. I've imposed a seemingly cruel rule upon you allowing you to read just one page a day. It may strike you as mean, and in a way, it is, but there's a reason behind it. You see, I didn't want you to rush through the book I've written just for you. Life is meant to be savored, not devoured in a single gulp, and so is this book.

In its pages, you'll find stories, wisdom, and perhaps even a glimpse into my own soul. There are secrets and life lessons that I hope will guide you as you journey through your own life. I've hidden important messages throughout, like buried treasures waiting to be discovered. 

That's all I'll reveal on this first page, my beloved Lilith. The rest of the book, the rest of my heart, awaits you in the days to come. Take your time, savor every word, and know that I am with you in spirit, watching you grow and flourish. Remember, my love for you knows no bounds.

With all my love,

Mum

As Lilith unfolded the letter and began reading, a mischievous smile crept across her face. She couldn't help but chuckle at her mother's insistence on making her wait to read the rest of the book. It was such a typical, lovingly exasperating gesture from her mom. 

But as she continued to read, the gravity of the situation sank in, and her laughter gradually gave way to tears. The realization that her mother had passed away hit her like a tidal wave of grief. She clutched the book tightly, her eyes blurred with tears, and her heart aching with a profound sense of loss.

" Mom wrote me a book." is all Lilith could think.