Chapter 18: Caught Red-Handed

After the events that transpired yesterday, Selina decided to take a mental health day. That's right, no training, no socializing with people she didn't want to, just time to herself to do the things that she likes! But the question was, what exactly did she like about this world? There weren't any videogames, tv shows, her friends and family, what could she do?

But the question lingered—what even was there to enjoy in this world? There were no video games, no TV shows, no lazy afternoons hanging out with her friends. Her family wasn't here. For all the grandeur of the Amister estate, its library was boring. Dry histories and accounts of battles she couldn't care less about.

Then, an idea struck. The capital's public library. She hadn't visited it yet, but surely it had more to offer than endless chronicles of dead nobles. Maybe, just maybe, she'd find something interesting to occupy her thoughts for a while.

With a half-formed plan, Selina got dressed and headed downstairs for breakfast.

"Oh, Reinhart, you're here early. Hungry?" Selina asked casually as she spotted her ever-watchful guard.

Reinhart's piercing gaze flicked up. "Yes. Eat quickly, and I'll escort you to the training grounds after."

Selina winced internally. Of course, Reinhart would assume her day was already set in stone. "Sooo, about that," Selina began, voice light but hesitant. "I don't really feel like training today."

Reinhart's expression didn't change. "What will you do instead?"

"I was thinking...a stroll through the capital, maybe the library, and definitely some tea. You know, something relaxing."

There was a pause before Reinhart replied. "Then I'll accompany you."

Selina blinked. "Don't you need to train or something?"

"One day off won't hurt me. It will hurt you, though."

"Rude!" Selina exclaimed, offended. "But fine, I'll let it go this time. Let's go, oh mighty bodyguard."

Reinhart didn't dignify that with a response.

….

The carriage ride into the capital was surprisingly quiet, though Selina caught Reinhart sneaking the occasional glance at her. She tried not to let it bother her, instead focusing on the city that came into view.

As they arrived, Selina's eyes lit up at the sight of the library. The grand building towered over the surrounding shops and homes, its intricate carvings and massive arched doors practically calling to her.

Inside, the air smelled like parchment and ink, and Selina immediately felt at ease. Rows upon rows of books stretched out before her, a world of possibilities waiting to be explored.

"This place is incredible," Selina thinks to herself.

Being a newcomer, Selina doesn't know where literally anything is, so she asked the librarian where the "good stuff" was. Ahem, after walking a bit, she arrived at a surprisingly bountiful section of totally age-appropriate books. Nothing suspicious to see here folks. 

"Ooh, this one seems interesting." Selina casually picks out a book and reads the summary on the back.

"100 Deaths Calls for 100 Kisses"- All Lady Isabelle wanted was the attention of her hot, muscular husband, Duke Lanchester, but all that greeted her was an emotionless face. After getting left on her wedding night, Isabelle decides to take matters into her own hand and break into his room! However, a stab wound was what kept her aching every night. So many retries yet no child in sight, Isabelle decides to call it quits this time, but why does her husband come over every night on the 100th attempt?" 

Selina quickly gets absorbed into the book, skimming through for the smut-I mean the totally age-appropriate scenes. Unbeknownst to her, there was an intimidating figure towering over her.

"I didn't expect you to be interested in these…types of stories, milady." Reinhart blurts out, her eyes staring in disgust at the particularly worded page Selina was reading.

Selina jumps clearly startled and immediately closes the book.

"I-uh, don't seem to quite get what you mean." Selina responds anxiously. 

"My lady, what you do in your personal time is none of my business, just… don't get ahead of yourself."

Selina cleared her throat, clutching the book against her chest like a shield. "It's not what it looks like," she blurted out. "I'm just… doing research!"

Reinhart tilted her head, one brow arching in skepticism. "Research?"

"Yes! For, uh, character development. You know, expanding my horizons, understanding different… perspectives." Selina cringed internally at her own pathetic attempt at an excuse.

Reinhart's lips twitched, was that amusement? "Is that so? Well, far be it from me to question your… academic pursuits."

"Just get out!" Selina huffs and walks away.

"Don't walk off to far and get lost" Reinhart adds, barely suppressing her laughter

"I'm not a child!"

 She decided to steer clear of the romance section entirely and wandered off, desperate to reclaim some of her dignity.

Selina finally had regained a bit of her self-esteem back and turned back but noticed something off.

It was quiet, eerily quiet. There were no librarians and not even any passersby, she was alone. Selina thought that maybe she just ended up walking a bit too far and retraced her steps, but nothing changed. It felt like she was walking endlessly, everything looked the same. The same paintings, the same bookshelves, something was up.

Selina decides to investigate and picks up a random book. The book seemed like a pretty generic history book, ew, but when Selina opened it, it was blank. She picked up another book, blank, and another one, blank once more. At this point, Selina was terrified, what if she wasn't alone? What if someone was following her, watching her make a fool of herself? 

This was supposed to be her break. Instead, she was trapped in a nightmare.