Temporary Crown

16 | Meal at the library

“You are now excused. We will meet next week, my dear daughter.” the duke stood in his seat and went to his table. His hands were clasped on his back as he walked. He then added, “Rest well.”

Nesta nodded obediently as she tried hard to control her tears. She stood up and bowed.

“Yes, father. I will forever remember your grace.”

Without waiting for the duke’s reply, Nesta already opened the door. At the heels of that, she tried to walk casually as though nothing had happened. She held her head a little lower than before. Her eyes started to burn as she tried hard not let her tears fall down.

Nesta tried so hard not to cry for she had experienced many things harsher than this, however, this was the first time that she hoped for the bottom of her heart. In her mind, she was weigh her actions. She knew to herself that what she did was right. That this was for the better good however, the duke did not even thanked her instead, she was reprimanded to mind her standing and position in this whole house.

Never in her life she thought about this. It hurt so much than getting beat up after she was caught stealing. Regardless, she did not blame the duke. Although it hurt, she did not take it to the heart at all.

However, that doesn’t mean that she can’t cry at all. As Nesta reached her room, she opened the door and when she got inside, she slowly closed it. In that very same moment, as she was leaning on the door, her tears pooled out like a waterfall. She tried hard to still her cries as she clenched her jaw.

Nesta tried so hard to conceal her cries but her sobs however, she failed. Her knees were shaking. It was a good thing that she was leaning on the door for it helped her to keep her balance. She will keep on going and save this family no matter what.

Even though this hurts this much, she had swore that she will help them get redemption. No matter what happen, she will save this family she had ruined back in her previous life. This will be her atonement.

--

Lunch came by but Nesta remained in her room resting and trying hard to heal her puffy eyes. Furthermore, her feelings were hurt. Although some people might find it childish, she wanted to justify and feel her emotions and let it go after everything subsided.

The maid asked her about lunch earlier but she told them that she will just have some tea and snacks in the afternoon.

As Nesta laid in bed, she watched the snow falling down and the forest whose leave had fallen because of the harsh winter and the animals trying hard to find their home. She suddenly reminisced the time in the slums trying hard to find a warm home hoping that she won’t die and continue to live life even if she was living as a dog.

Right now, she should be thankful for a she have and let her thoughts be peaceful. There are many more things more important especially when she was thinking ways to save this family. Heaving her breath she turned burying her face on the pillow smelling the good fragrance. For some reason, she felt relax and comfortable laying in bed like this.

“My lady, are you there?”

Nesta lifted her head as she looked towards the door. “Yes?” she replied.

The maid continued, “My lady, the young master request your presence in the library.”

“Lucien?” Nesta asked in disbelief. No, she really thought that it would be rational that Lucien would look for her but, Nesta just never thought that he would call her after being with her early in the morning.

“Yes, my lady.”

She sat down on her bed. “Is it important?” she yelled for the maid to hear through the door.

“I do not know my lady, but the young lord said that it’s a very pressing matter that needed your opinion.”

After hearing such reason, Nesta stood up immediately and patted her dress to removed the wrinkled. She then moved and walked towards the door and opened it. She then saw the maid, “Lead the way.”

“Yes, my lady.” The maid gave a bow before pointing the way on where to walk.

--

As Nesta and the maid reached the door of the library. The maid knocked informing Lucien of their present.

“Young Lord, the lady is here.”

“Come in,” Lucien gave permission.

The maid moved and twist the door knob. Nesta took a step inside the library. She found stacks of book shelves arrange side by side. The windows were wide and big enough to let the lights come inside from the sky. There were few furniture laid there. The tables have stacks of books on them as though someone had purposely left them in that way.

As Nesta’s eyes traveled through the whole room, she opened her mouth and whispered Lucien’s name.

“Sister?” She heard him answered back. She looked to her left and almost let out a gasp.

In that moment, she was speechless to see Lucien sitting on the sofa while his legs were crossed. He was holding a book flipping pages one after another. Although Lucien looked marvelous in his sitting potion, what caught her guard off were the different food laid in the table.

“What?” she muttered in whisper but it seemed like Lucien heard it. He closed the book and crossed his arms over his chest.

“I heard that you haven’t have lunch yet. So I asked the servants to prepare some foods here as we begin our discussions to the information I found. Please do not stand in ceremony and eat, sister.”