Albion Grimm

The library

“You.” A deep voice rumbled to my side

I looked towards the voice, the King who had coldly dismissed me earlier was standing to my side. My eyes locked onto his black gaze.

I considered asking him where the library was, his gaze however had other ideas as I stood there frozen.

“What are you doing here?” Frowning he closed the distance between us.

“I’m looking for the library. I know I’m under confinement, but you didn’t say I couldn’t leave my room. Red gave me directions but I think I’m lost” I tilted my head to the side as I held his gaze.

The King looked down at me for some time before he eventually spoke.

“The library isn’t that way.” That was all he said before he spun and started to walk away.

When I didn’t follow straight away, he turned and grace me a dubious look. Is this his way of telling me I should follow him?

“Well, are you coming or not? It’s on my way. Come on.”

“Thank-you” I murmured to his back.

He might not be so bad after all, despite his brusque manner.

Neither of us spoke as we walked, side by side. Maybe I can try talking to him.

“Do you like to read books as well?”

He glanced my way but did not answer, it was hard to imagine that he didn’t hear me. Our footsteps where the echoing through the hallway. Does this mean he has no intention of speaking to me at all? I was confused by his change of attitude, when he abruptly stopped and looked down at me.

“Red and Hansel came to petition me on your behalf.” His tone making me take a step back.

“Red and Hansel?”

“They asked that, if nothing else, you be allowed to live a normal life in the castle and in town.” My eyes widened with surprise at the Kings revelation. “They provided some very compelling reasons, but it’s mostly likely they grew fond of you during your journey to the castle.”

“They’re both very kind.” They were always asking me whether I had enough to eat. When we were camping, they would check to see if I was cold or not. I had just assumed they wanted to get me here in one piece.

“I might have expected it from Red, who’s very charitable, but not from Hansel. You must have made quite the impression on him.” He stepped closer and studied me intently. “It was rather unexpected, but as King, I cannot simply ignore their request. I’ve decided to allow you to live in the castle for the time being and see how things go.

“So that’s what this is about.”

I thought he was being nice letting me use the library and going so far as to take me there himself. But it was because of Red and Hansel. He isn’t simply being nice to me out of the kindness of his heart. To him, I was an outsider posing a threat to the World of Stories. We came to a stop in front of large ornate wooden doors.

“This is it.” He said as he opened the doors and stepped inside.

I stepped in and slowly spun around.

“There are so many books.”

The walls were lined from floor to ceiling with books and there were rows and rows of shelves down the middle. There were a few desks with comfortable looking chairs and reading lamps and a large area at the back that held a fireplace, a small glass covered book shelf, a rug and some large couches. There were ladders to reach books located high upon the shelves that could glide along the floor so that you could reach any book with ease. All that remains is to see what kinds of books these shelves hold. I had been full of motivation to find the right books. A sharp pain in the back of my head had a different idea. I’ll rest after I find a book.

“If you’re searching for a particular book, look at the signs on the bookcases. If you still can’t find it, ask someone to help you.” His voice echoed around the room

 “I’ll do that. If you don’t mind my asking, is there a map of the library?”

“At the moment, no. Are you telling me you’d draw a map of your own home?”

If my home was this big I would. The ache in my head was worsening. If I could just find a book.

“Let me point out one thing. Do not touch the bookcase with the forbidden books. Anything else, “

I could see him talking, but I couldn’t make out the words. My world tilted, and the next thing I knew, I was on the floor. My vision had blurred. The last thing I registered was Albion walking towards me as my eyes drifted shut.

I could feel myself swaying comfortably, as if I was floating. Huh… Could it be that someone is carrying me? My eyes opened a sliver and his blurry face swam in and out of focus. I knew that King Grimm disliked outsiders, including me. His behaviour towards me, bordered on repulsion. Yet at the moment, I felt surprisingly relaxed. Darkness pulled me under again.