Morning arrived in silence, as though the entire castle were holding its breath.
Golden light streamed through the enormous windows of the main corridor as Elisa made her way toward the library. The book Arthur had lent her was pressed against her chest. She had finished every page in the early hours of the morning, unable to sleep after reading stories about ancient kings, forgotten queens, and wars that seemed to conceal more than they revealed.
When she pushed open the heavy wooden door, she found the same scent of parchment and wax.
And, as she expected…
Arthur.
He was standing on a small ladder, arranging books on the highest shelves. His brown hair fell across his eyes as he balanced three volumes at once.
—I thought it would take you longer to finish —he said, climbing down the steps.
Elisa smiled.
—I couldn't stop.
Arthur accepted the book carefully, running his hand over the cover as if greeting an old friend.
—So?
She hesitated.
—I think… the story isn't complete.
His eyes met hers.
—What makes you think that?
—The chapters end abruptly. Some events are only mentioned. It's as if someone tore out pages.
Arthur was silent for a few seconds.
—Because they did.
Elisa furrowed her brow.
—What do you mean?
He glanced discreetly at the door, making sure they were alone.
—Not every story can be read by just anyone.
A shiver ran through her.
—You talk as if there were hidden books.
Arthur smiled crookedly.
—There are.
Her eyes lit up immediately.
—You're kidding.
—I never joke about books.
She crossed her arms.
—Then prove it.
Arthur remained thoughtful for a few seconds.
Then he sighed.
—Come with me.
The two of them crossed narrow corridors between gigantic bookshelves until they reached the back of the library.
There were no windows there.
Only a stone wall covered with ancient maps.
Arthur carefully moved one of the maps aside.
Behind it was a small keyhole.
He took a key from inside his vest pocket.
—You have a key?
—My grandfather was the librarian before me.
The lock turned slowly.
The entire wall gave a soft click and began to slide open.
Elisa was speechless.
Behind it was another room.
Smaller.
Much older.
The smell was different.
Stronger.
Like aged wood, dried ink, and dust that had accumulated over centuries.
Hundreds of manuscripts filled the stone shelves.
Some were secured with chains.
Others were simply rolls of parchment yellowed by time.
—My God…
She stepped inside slowly.
It looked like a church built to protect words.
—This wing of the library doesn't officially exist —Arthur explained.
—Who knows about this place?
—Very few people.
—And why are you showing it to me?
He took a few seconds to answer.
—Because you ask questions no one else does.
Elisa looked around in wonder.
She delicately picked up a parchment.
Before she could even open it, Arthur caught her wrist.
—Not that one.
She stared at him.
—Why?
—Some documents should never be touched without permission.
She let out a laugh.
—You're trying to make me curious on purpose.
—Is it working?
—Very much.
They both laughed.
It was the first time Elisa noticed how different Arthur seemed when he smiled.
Lighter.
Less distant.
For nearly an hour, they talked between the hidden shelves.
She told him that, as a child, she had imagined living adventures like the ones in the books.
Arthur confessed that he had always preferred observing people to talking to them.
—They reveal much more when they think no one's watching.
—That's frightening.
—It's useful.
She smiled.
—I think you'd make a great investigator.
—I think I'd rather remain a librarian.
For a moment, neither of them said anything.
The silence wasn't uncomfortable.
On the contrary.
It felt as though they had known each other for much longer than just a few days.
Meanwhile, the entire castle was plunged into commotion.
Servants hurried through the corridors carrying fabrics.
Seamstresses rushed from one side to the other with dresses embroidered in golden thread.
Servants polished armor.
Cooks prepared enough banquets to feed an entire city.
The great spring ball would take place that week.
Representatives from various kingdoms would arrive that night.
The queen personally supervised every detail.
The king, however…
Was hardly ever seen.
He would always appear for a few minutes, then disappear again.
When Elisa left the library, the sky was beginning to take on shades of orange.
She was walking distractedly through the corridors when she spotted her father in the distance.
It was strange.
He wasn't accompanied by guards.
Or advisers.
He was walking alone.
With quick,
discreet steps.
Elisa slowed down.
She watched.
The king turned into a little-used corridor of the castle.
She followed him from a distance.
Without making a sound.
They passed through the kitchens.
Then the storerooms.
Until they reached the servants' wing.
Elisa immediately found it strange.
The king never went to that place.
Never.
Much less alone.
She hid behind a column when he looked around.
He seemed to be… making sure no one was watching him.
Then he opened a plain wooden door.
He went inside.
And closed it right behind him.
Elisa remained motionless.
Her heart was beating faster.
Something was wrong.
Very wrong.
Drawing a deep breath, she waited a few seconds.
Then she silently walked to the door.
She placed her hand on the doorknob.
And decided to find out what her father was secretly doing in that place.