Librarian

A million stars seemed to dance in the sky, and a bright morning arrived, breaking the silence of the night. The golden rays of the sun slipped between the gaps in the leaves, bathing the world in a warm light. For Claire, this day felt like a priceless gift, a new beginning that promised an extraordinary adventure. Her spirit was burning, more than usual, and her steps felt light as she prepared to return to the Vesper woods.

​Her mother, Agnes, who was preparing breakfast in the kitchen, looked at her daughter with an enigmatic smile. It was the same smile she had seen yesterday when Claire came home, an expression that sparked great curiosity.

​"What happened yesterday?" Agnes asked, her voice filled with warmth and an unhidden curiosity.

​Claire paused for a moment, taking a deep breath.

​"Yesterday... I met the devil," she replied, her voice trembling with happiness.

​She then told her everything, from the unexpected meeting, the awkward body language, to the promise made under the twilight glow. Every word that came out of her mouth was a sincere outpouring of emotion.

​Agnes listened, surprised but also touched. She had never imagined that her daughter, whom she considered still very young, had experienced such a profound adventure.

​"Oh, I see..." she murmured, smiling slightly. There was a mix of admiration and anxiety in her smile.

​"In that case, finish your breakfast, darling."

​While Claire was eating, a question suddenly crossed her mind.

​"Mom, do we have any books on basic languages? Sign language, maybe?"

​Agnes frowned, suspicious but still trying to look relaxed.

​"Yes, we do. They're in the library. Why do you want to borrow them?"

​"It's a secret," Claire replied, smiling

mischievously. She knew if she told her the truth, Agnes would definitely not let her go.

​After breakfast, Claire rushed to the library.

​As soon as Claire disappeared from sight, Agnes closed her eyes for a moment. Her worry was too great to be expressed in words. She focused her mind, sending a skillful telepathic wave, searching for the familiar frequency of one of her most trusted friends.

​"Veronica," Agnes called in her mind.

​"Are you there? I need your help."

​"Of course, Agnes," Veronica's calm and clear voice immediately sounded in Agnes's mind.

​"What's wrong? You sound worried. What happened?"

​"Claire just left for the library," Agnes explained. "She wants to borrow a book, but she won't tell me why. I have a bad feeling about this, Veronica."

​There was a brief pause. "Claire?" Veronica sounded surprised.

​"She doesn't even know how to sneak in. Why should you be worried?"

​"That's the problem," Agnes sighed in her heart.

​"She's getting smarter and more cunning. I'm afraid she'll take a forbidden spell book, or an ancient book about creatures she shouldn't know about. She has a strange interest in dangerous things lately."

​"Forbidden spells? Agnes, she's just a child," Veronica tried to reassure her, although her tone began to be filled with doubt.

​"That's why I need you. Please, Veronica. Stop her, ask her for her reason. If she can't give a convincing answer, don't let her take any book. Tell her I forbid it," Agnes commanded. Her voice was now filled with the firmness of a mother.

​"Alright. I understand. I'll make sure she can't take any books without a clear reason," Veronica replied, ending their communication.

​Just before the communication was cut off, a final whisper floated in Veronica's mind.

​"And, after that... follow her. Watch her from a distance. There's something much bigger out there, Veronica. We have to know what she's found."

​Claire arrived at the library. Her heart was pounding as she saw a woman sitting at the front desk, a guard she knew well: Veronica.

Her hair was golden, her eyes like gems, and her charm was so captivating that it made Claire feel nervous. Claire immediately hid behind a door, hoping to sneak in unnoticed.

​"I wish I could just take the book without a fight," Claire muttered.

​Suddenly, a cold and authoritative voice spoke.

​"Come out. I already know you're there." Veronica asked, without looking up from the book she was reading.

​"Huh?!" Claire shrieked, startled.

​How could Veronica know she was there? She came out of her hiding place, her hands trembling, cold sweat beading on her forehead.

​Veronica stood up, looking at Claire with a sharp gaze.

​"I heard you came here to look for a book? I also heard you won't tell me why."

​"Y-y-yes!!" Claire replied, her voice caught in her throat. She was scared, very scared, if Veronica asked for her reason. Negative thoughts began to swirl in her head.

​"Heh... What book is it?" Veronica asked, her tone changing to a chilling one.

​"Uh?! W-Well..." Claire's head felt dizzy. All the fears she felt yesterday came back, stronger than before. Her body couldn't handle the pressure, and she fainted, losing consciousness.

​An hour later, Claire woke up. She felt the softness of the chair under her body. She was inside the library, in the same chair where Veronica was on guard. Veronica, who was writing something, stopped her activity.

​"Are you alright?" Veronica asked in a flat tone.

​"I'm sorry, I didn't know you were this weak. But I can't break my promise, but as an apology, I'll make one exception for you."

​Claire's face, which had been pale and gloomy, now brightened. However, she was confused again.

​"But I don't know where the book is. Can you find it for me?"

​Veronica shook her head, smiling.

​"You're just like Agnes, you like to waste time. What's the name of the book?"

​"Uh... Yes, the book on basic languages and body language," Claire replied.

​Veronica closed her eyes. Her right hand was raised, her fingers curled like claws, and an ancient spell came out of her lips,

​"Deus Omnipotens, te rogo ut mihi ostendas."

​A ripple of bluish energy spread in the air, moving the floating dust. Suddenly, a book from the farthest shelf shot out, flying gracefully towards Veronica's hand. Claire was stunned.

​"Ohhh... Cool!" Claire exclaimed, her eyes wide. She clapped her hands, amazed.

​"You're lucky," Veronica said.

​"This is your book. Now, go." She handed the book and continued her work.

​"T-Thank you, Miss Veronica," Claire whispered, embarrassed.

​"And a-also, my name is Claire. Claire Earthelinda. I hope you call me that, not little miss..." Her face turned red, and she immediately ran out.

​"Stupid child. Go quickly, before I change my mind," Veronica muttered.

​Claire ran with a wide smile.

​"I finally did it! Thank goodness Veronica didn't ask for my reason," she muttered.

​However, deep in her heart, a question about the rumors circulating about Veronica bothered her.

​"Why is Veronica... a famous sorceress in the kingdom, who can summon books with her magic... working as a librarian? She should be in the palace, advising the King. What's really going on?"

​Claire shook her head.

​"Ah, it's useless to think about rumors about her. I'm here for a purpose. I have to know what happened to him. I shouldn't waste time thinking about other unimportant things. The important thing now... is this book."

​She focused her gaze on the Vesper woods.

​"Wait for me there, my savior," she whispered, full of excitement. "I'm going to teach you until you can talk to me!"

​After Claire disappeared from view, Veronica let out a long sigh. She took a sheet of parchment and a quill pen. With a smooth movement, she began to write.

​"To Agnes, my good friend," she wrote.

​"I have to apologize."

​Veronica immersed herself in the words. She explained about the meeting with Claire, about how sweet the little girl was, and how she couldn't bear to ask for Claire's reason for borrowing the book.

​"Your child is so adorable, Agnes. She reminds me of you when we were young," she wrote,

​"so full of spirit and so pure."

​She continued, explaining how her daughter was the most beautiful gift.

​"I couldn't help myself. There was something in her eyes, a sincere longing. I knew she wouldn't use the book for evil, so I gave her what she wanted. Forgive me, Agnes, I couldn't fulfill your request. I was too weak to resist your daughter's charm."

​Veronica folded the parchment. She cast another spell,

​"Pergamon ad ventum."

​The parchment shone for a moment, then disappeared, carried by the wind. She was sure the parchment would reach Agnes's hands.

​Veronica returned to her chair. She closed her eyes, replaying their telepathic conversation.

​"There's something much bigger out there, Veronica. We have to know what she's found."

​Agnes's words kept swirling in her head.

​"I don't know what you're talking about, Agnes," she muttered softly, her eyes open, staring far out the window.

​"But, I'm very interested in finding out."

​To be continued.

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