Temporary Crown

17 | conversations in the library

Never in Nesta’s life did she expect that Lucien will be offering her food like this. No, this already happened several times back in her previous life. Her first life where her first death was but before Lucien took the initiative to build a platonic relationship with her, they had always been on each other’s throat trying to kill each other.

Lucien was always suspicious of her and never let his guard down with her even though there were several times they ate together. Nesta felt that she was just lucky gaining his trust even if it’s half for a moment. However, looking at everything now, the future and the present were starting to change, gradually little by little like a drop of water until a bucket is completely filled.

In that very moment, Nesta wondered if she should be happy or worried. Perhaps Lucien put a poison in her meal or maybe, he was really just a kind little brother who worries about his big sister.

Despite of the confusion and thoughts in her head, Nesta tried to act overwhelmed and happy. She smiled so widely it almost tore her cheeks. “Is there an occasion?” she asked warily while walking towards the table where Lucien were.

“I do not think that you are the kind of person who worries for an outsider like me. Moreover, I know that you’re still doubtful of my intentions.”

Nesta tried to opened the conversation like it was a normal topic for them to talk about. Lucien scoffed hearing this. Regardless, he doesn’t look offended at all which made Nesta even more cautious. Although she vowed to be a protector of this family, she can’t die! If she dies, what will happen to her plans and her thoughts of atoning her sins?

Lucien closed the book and put it on the table. He took the initiative to grabbed a cup of tea and sipped the tea inside proving to Nesta that there was no poison. He then smiled at her. No, he was smiling at her with his mocking face.

Nesta flinched as both of her cheeks blushed slightly seeing his reaction. Pursing her lips, she sat down to the opposite sofa adjacent to where Lucien was seating.

“Is it wrong for an obedient brother like me to serve his own sister a lunch? After all I heard from the servants that you haven’t gone out of your room after father called you and you even refused to eat lunch.”

Nesta looked down feeling a little bit ashamed of herself that she tried to doubt Lucien’s sincerity. Nesta raised her hand and grabbed some food to up it on her plate. However, before she begun eating, she did not forget to mumble her gratitude.

“Thank you, Lucien.”

“Your welcome sister,” His voice drifted. Nesta did not have the courage to look at Lucien’s eyes right now as she was still feeling a little bit ashamed. Moreover, she thought that her eyes must have been so red right now and she was a little afraid that he will ask questions. So, Nesta busied herself with food.

In the contrary to Nesta’s expectation, Lucien’s gaze were glued to Nesta’s face. No, more specifically, his tired blue eyes were glued to Nesta’s hazel eyes.

Their distance alone did not hinder him seeing the puffy and red eyes his sister had been trying to hide from him.

In the silence, Nesta stuffed her mouth with food like she had been starved for days. She was always comfortable with silence even if she was with Lucien but for some reason, today, the atmosphere between them felt heavy.

Was she imagining things?

Right on the heels of that, Lucien called her. “Sister?” Nesta did not expect it so she almost jumped making her head raised a little as her gaze traveled and met Lucien’s silent stare.

Nesta tried to smile. “Yes, brother? Is there something?”

Lucien tilted his head a little bit. He then tapped his right knee where his hands were rested. “Did you cry, sister?”

“I’m not!” Nesta’s heart palpitated heavily as though there were many drums being banged inside her chest.

Lucien chuckled. “Why do you sound so defensive? I am just asking sister.”

“I’m not, Lucien. There was just-” Nesta’s eyes shifted their gaze as they can’t handle the heavy pressure that Lucien was giving. “ Some dust that got into my eyes earlier. I was also tired but I am okay now so you do not need to fret.”

“I am not fretting Sister. I know there is nothing to worry about for I know you can handle them yourself. You are someone who managed to climbed to your position after all.” Nesta paused hearing those words.

All of her emotions that were scattered all over the place instantly dropped. Her expression then turned cold and vicious. Her gaze fell back again at Lucien.

He pointed the food on the table. “Eat now sister. We have discussions to make after you’ve finished.”

Feeling like she lost her appetite after few spoons of food, Nesta wiped her lips and pushed the plate aside. She squared her shoulder and she looked dignified now.

“I am done now, Lucien.” She grabbed a book that was near her. “We can start conversing now for I might be busy later.”

Lucien did not answer immediately. He just stared while Nesta gave a gentle smile. This time, the atmosphere got colder. However, it soon vanished when Lucien suddenly smiled back.

“Then, as my sister said,” Lucien gave a map to her in which Nesta gladly accepted. She took a look seeing it was the whole map of the empire. There were few places that were crossed out. Most of them were an island or at the sea.

After looking at it for a while, Nesta raised her gaze. Her eyes were asking questions.

Lucien did not made her wait and begun to open his mouth to talk. “I asked father earlier where was he venturing before he discovered that he had a disease. Those places were I have put an x mark were the places my father had told me. The reason I went to the library was to search information about the places he had mentioned. In a particular area,” Lucien pointed at the left side of the map where there were several places that were circled.

Lucien’s eyes mysteriously flickered. “In those places there were a mysterious myth and legends that were being passed down to the people’s descendants.”

“Myths and legends?”

Lucien gave a nod. “Yes, sister. Myths and legends.”

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