Chapter 26: Her Chance

Cassandra looked down at the book trying to concentrate on it but could not.

Cassandra could hear voices that were bothering her peace of mind. She tried to understand the situation but she could not.

Cassandra knew that Duke Salvador was moving somewhere but she could not understand where he was going. But Cassandra knew that everyone's eyes were gazing at him. He was like a treasure that everyone wanted to have but could not.

[Where is the Duke going?]

[Should I follow him?]

[Oh! Does the Duke like war history?]

[Why is the Duke moving towards the foundation books?]

[Doesn't Duke Salvador have such books in his library at his castle?]

[Is the Duke searching for a particular book to read?]

There were so many questions running through the Princess's mind but the Duke did not stop on any of the shelves. He walked towards a secluded area trying to figure out where the fifth princess was.

Aiden Salvador could not see Cassandra when he entered the library. He was not sure if the fifth Princess was here or was she hiding from him. The Duke only knew that the Princess had entered the library.

'Where are you?' Aiden wondered.

'I will find you soon.'

It was just a matter of time before Aiden would find out eventually where his prey was, but the eyes of other princesses were annoying.

"Is the Duke searching for something in particular?" Ask a voice. Duke Salvador came back to his senses as he looked at the first princess that was trying to talk with him.

"Does the princess have a reason to ask?" Duke Salvador's voice was not filled with irritation but his eyes surely showed that he was annoyed.

Princess Valeria swallowed hard. She knew then that the Duke might really need something to read. Princess Valeria concluded this as she tried to ignore the burning eyes of Duke Salvatore on her.

Princess Valeria had always loved the way Aiden Salvador's red eyes glow under the sun but now seeing the man whose eyes turn a little darker when he is in dark brought back different emotions in Princess Valeria.

Duke Salvador waited for the answer but he could feel the princess was only staring at him. Having no other choice he decided to ignore her and walk in search of the fifth princess. As his eyes rotated in between the bookshelves and the setting area, he soon found the one he was looking for.

Princess Casandra was sitting against the light as her whole body glowed under the sun. Her blonde hair shone like white gold. Even though she did not look at him, Aiden knew that her blue eyes would make her look like a goddess.

'Her dress is too big for her.'

Aiden's eye shifted to the bookshelf quickly as if avoiding the princess's gaze.

"Did the Duke find the book he was searching for?" Princess Valeria asked as she saw Duke Salvador's hand resting on a book in a daze.

Aiden who was confused by the first Princess's question looked at her and soon followed her gaze. Aiden realized that his fingers were resting on a particular book.

{The history of continents.}

Even though it was a very old book, the one that they all read from the start of their education, Aiden did not mind giving it a read once more.

Aiden Salvador knew he could not approach Cassandra directly under so many prying eyes. He was afraid that something might happen if he was not careful enough.

Cassandra did not know what was happening. As she could not read his thoughts, she relied on the thoughts of others. But every princess's thoughts moved in the same direction.

[Why is the Duke reading the history of continents?]

[It was a book that every household had. Why would he come to the library just to read the same book?]

Even though everyone had the same thought, no one dared to go up to him and ask the question on his face.

Duke did not reply to Princess Valeria as he took the book out of the shelf and moved towards the seat. In the quiet library, his steps could be heard clearly. Cassandra's heartbeat increased with each step of the Duke's. She could feel his case on her even though she could not read his thoughts.

[Why is the Duke walking towards the girl?]

[He shouldn't be sitting there right?]

[How can that useless girl be lucky enough to sit near the Duke?]

[I will kill her.]

Cassandra's breathing increased with every thought from Princess Valera. Her fingers on the pages clenched suddenly as she could feel a shadow about her head, but Cassandra was frightened. She closed her eyes tightly as she prayed that the Duke would pass without stopping near her and soon the shadow was removed.

It was as if Cassandra's prayers were answered as the Duke walked past. He found an empty seat a little away from Cassandra as if the girl he walked towards was a mere coincidence.

[I was thinking too much.] Princess Valeria thought. She hurriedly grabbed the book she saw first and walked towards the Duke. She knew that there were a lot of princesses who had come to get a glimpse of him and Princess Valeria did not want anyone else to have a chance. This was her chance.

Princess Valeria sat beside the Duke. Her thoughts were suppressed under the aura of the Duke. She smiled like a child.

Princess Valeria opened the book unaware of what she was reading as her eyes moved towards the Duke from time to time.

Duke Salvador was trying to ignore the presence beside him, but he could no longer do that. His red eyes shine dangerously as he looks at the first Princess and asks. "Is there something the princess wants to ask me?"

Princess Valeria was silent but soon she nodded her head. This was a chance she could not miss. It was something where she could have a one-on-one talk with the Duke and that too when the Duke was the one who had initiated the talk.

"Do you like to read books?" Princess Valeria asked but seeing that the Duke did not answer she added. "Well, I like to read a lot here too. Maybe we could run into each other more frequently here. And you can even suggest some good books to read."

Princess Valeria tried to explain but soon she was dumbfounded when Duke Salvador smiled. "The Princess has a good taste in reading."Aiden looked down towards the book Princess Valeria was reading.

Aiden smirked and added. "I should ask you for the reference in the future," Aiden smirked, making Princess Valeria's face red.

"But Princess, are you sure that the fire at your palace was someone else's doing or an accident?"

Princess Valera could not understand why Duke Salvador was asking such questions. She was silent for a few seconds until her mind started to panic.

[Does the Duke think I started the fire?]

[Why?]

[Mother said that her guards were handling the after then why now?]

[Does Duke Salvador have doubts about me?]

Seeing the uneasiness in her eyes, Duke Salvador smiled. He gave out a small laugh before he looked down at Princess Valeria's book. After giving her a meaningful gaze he looked at his own, ignoring the princesses' existence altogether.

Princess Valeria could not understand the meaning within the Duke's gaze before she looked down at her book only to realize what she had picked up.

The book was on fire mages. There were no problems in it, but the page she was reading was particularly about the incident in the past where fire mages have killed people and tried to portray it as an accident.

Princess Valeria's eyes widened.

[Did the Duke ask me this because of the page I am reading?]

[No.]

[But why would Duke Salvador say that?]

[Does the Duke think I've done something wrong thus I am reading such a book?]

Princess Valeria looked at her side to understand what Duke Salvador was thinking, but he was nowhere to be found.