Ch 21 *White araigne*

Todays song is Timeless by The Weeknd

 ENJOY

The heat of the water envelops me, soothing the dull ache in my muscles. I sink deeper into the tub, letting only my eyes peek out above the surface. A quiet sigh escapes me as the tension in my body unwinds.

This feels nice. Really, really nice.

After my last duel with Obrovosky, I expected some sort of lecture, a scolding maybe, but instead—silence. And that silence is unsettling. It's the kind that lingers, heavy and expectant, like the calm before a storm.

My mind drifts, lulled by the warmth. This place… it's different from what I imagined. Not as dark, not as cruel as the Celestial Kingdom made it out to be. Back home, everything was structured, orderly, perfect to a fault. There was no room for disorder, no space for playfulness or joy in the streets. Here, things feel... freer. Less rigid. Less suffocating.

And yet, I'm still a prisoner.

I roll my eyes at the thought, but even I can't deny that captivity here is far from unbearable. I have a room, good food, and even some semblance of privacy. Ms. Adele treats me kindly, and now there's Louise. Obrovosky, at the very least, respects me—or so I think.

A knock on the door pulls me back to reality.

"Princess, are you alright?" Ms. Adele's voice drifts through the wooden panels.

"Yes, Ms. Adele. I'm quite well, thank you."

"I'm glad to hear it. I'll be in the kitchen if you need anything."

"Thank you," I reply, listening to her footsteps fade down the hall.

I linger in the water for a few more moments before finally deciding to get out. I slip into a soft, pastel-orange dress, admiring how the fabric drapes over me as I glance at my reflection.

A visit to the library sounds nice.

By the time I step into the hall, the sun has begun its descent, painting everything in rich hues of gold and amber. The tall windows bathe the castle interior in light, the golden hour illuminating every surface like something out of a dream. It's breathtaking.

I pick up my pace, eager to reach the library before the last light fades. The moment I step inside, I rush to the garden-facing window, my breath hitching at the sight before me.

The garden, the trees beyond it, the sky—everything is bathed in liquid gold, a spectacle so mesmerizing it steals my thoughts away.

"Beautiful, isn't it, Princess?" A familiar voice breaks my trance.

I turn to find Louise leaning against one of the bookshelves, his gray eyes gleaming in the sunlight.

"More than beautiful… it's magical," I admit, my gaze lingering on the view for just a moment longer before settling on him. "What are you doing here? I thought you had left already."

"Adele needed some help in the kitchen."

"I see."

"And you?" he tilts his head slightly, studying me. "Why are you so interested in the young king?"

I tense slightly. "What do you mean?"

"The walls have ears, darling. They hear everything."

A chill runs down my spine. He must have overheard my conversation with Obrovosky. But how?

Louise steps closer, his smirk playful yet curious. "So, tell me, what is it about Alex that intrigues you so much?"

I force a casual shrug, feigning nonchalance. "It's just… curiosity."

His expression shifts, the amusement dimming. "You tense up whenever someone mentions him. Has he hurt you?"

"What? No!" I stammer. "He's—he's strange, but he hasn't hurt me."

Lies.

Louise studies me for a moment before sighing. "Just because he's the king doesn't mean he's untouchable. If he ever lays a hand on you, you can count on me."

I offer a small smile, though I'm not sure why his concern makes my heart ache. "Thanks, but really, I'm fine. He's… more complicated than you think."

Louise doesn't seem convinced, but he lets it go. "On another note, I heard Obrovosky will be your swordsmanship mentor."

I nod. "Yes, we made a deal."

"Good," he muses. "Since I'll be around for the Cerberus ceremony, I was thinking… how would you feel about being my apprentice in magic? I could use a sidekick, and well, you're not going anywhere, are you?"

I blink at him before laughing. "I'd love that! But I'm not exactly skilled in magic, as you might have noticed."

"That's what I'm here for," he grins.

This feels… nice.

"So, what's the catch?" I narrow my eyes playfully.

"Ah, clever girl." His smirk deepens. "I'll need a small sample of your blood for my studies."

I step back slightly. "You could've eased me into that, you know."

"Why? That'd be dishonest," he chuckles. "I don't need much. And I can extract it spiritually, completely painless. But I do need your permission."

I hesitate, considering it. My blood? That's… personal.

But something about Louise makes me want to trust him.

"Will it hurt?"

"Not at all."

"Alright," I exhale. "Why not."

"Splendid!" His grin is boyish, almost too excited.

He backs away, his demeanor shifting back to something more composed. "For now, you should rest. I'll make preparations for tomorrow."

"Sounds good," I reply. "I think I'll stay in the library for a while."

"Suit yourself, Princess. Sleep well."

"Goodnight, Louise."

 After he leaves, I wander through the library, trailing my fingers along the worn spines of countless books.

The scent of aged parchment lingers in the air, comforting in its familiarity.

But just as I reach for a book, the chandelier overhead flickers. Once. Twice. Then—darkness.

Pitch black.

"What the fuck" i whisper 

A sharp chill creeps through the room, snuffing out the lingering warmth like a candle in the wind. My breath hitches as silence swallows every sound. No footsteps. No rustling of pages. Nothing.

And yet… I am not alone.

The weight of an unseen presence settles on my shoulders, a whisper of something ancient, something watching. The kind of presence that coils around your ribs, that makes the hairs on the back of your neck rise in warning.

Then, the faintest motion—small, deliberate. A shadow shifting against the dim light of a dying ember.

A spider.

White spider

Very small

As white as untouched snow, its delicate legs moving with eerie precision. Its tiny, glowing red eyes lock onto me, unblinking.

I exhale slowly, my voice barely above a whisper. "Hey there, little guy…"

It perches atop a book. Not just any book—this one is strange.

Its cover is worn but smooth, its edges untouched by time. No author. No intricate design. Just a title, stark against the black leather:

Two Souls, One Beating Heart.

My fingers tremble slightly as I reach for it.

The spider does not scurry away.

It doesn't move at all.

It simply stays, as if it was meant to be here.

Meant to lead me to this.

The room feels heavier, the air thick with something unspeakable—something waiting.

Carefully, I make my way to the library's couch, settling in while ensuring the tiny creature remains unharmed.

"I guess I should thank you," I murmur, offering the little thing a small nod before my gaze returns to the book.

"What a strange book," I repeat under my breath.

Something in me warns to leave it untouched. To walk away. To rest, just as Louise advised.

I hesitate once more

But you know what they say—curiosity killed the cat.

With a steadying breath, I open it. My eyes begin to read.

Two souls, but one beating heart…