Not far away was the table, and Johnathan's left hand was a few centimeters from a book, which the young woman recognized immediately. He had specially put it there before going to bed.
Before Elizabeth even asked him why that attitude, Abblepot said, "Did someone lend you this?"
But in reality, that was far from a question. Elizabeth felt a heart skip a beat. She held the cup firmly in her hands, yet her stiffening must have been as apparent as if she was a puppet whose puppeteer had pulled all the strings at the same time.
Abblepot pressed on, but without altering his voice. Not that this mattered to Elizabeth, who was already feeling uncomfortable.
He said, "It's not mine. And nobody lent or gave it to me, and you know how well I know my books."
Although she felt flustered, Elizabe
