Bab 22: Peculiar Interest
Just as I finished reading the last lines of the entry, I noticed a figure that appeared in the aisle. I looked up to see a woman dressed in fill length dress. Her deep emerald green gown was adorned with intricate lace and delicate embroidery, two long blacck gloves covering her hand and a matching hat with a single black feather perched atop her head. Her presence was both nostalgic and unsettling, sending an uneasy chill down my spine.
"Are you fascinated by those kinds of things as well?" she asked, seeing the book with title unusual accurance and cases. Her voice smooth with a hint of mockery.
I studied her warily. The Fool's card in my pocket seemed to hum faintly, a subtle warning that made me feel even more on edge. I knew I needed to be cautious.
"I suppose you could say I'm intrigued by them," I replied carefully.
She smiled, but it didn't quite reach her eyes. "A fellow seeker of knowledge," she said cryptically. "I noticed your interest in the more... peculiar sections of the library. It's rare to see someone so engrossed in such tales."
Her presence stirred a sense of nostalgia in me, though I couldn't quite place it. Beneath that, however, was an unmistakable sense of danger. I chose my words carefully, not wanting to give too much away.
"Knowledge is a powerful thing," I said. "And sometimes, the most peculiar tales hold the most truth."
Her smile widened slightly, and for a moment, I thought I saw a glint of approval in her eyes. "Indeed. But remember, seeker, that power comes with a price. And not everyone who seeks is prepared to pay it."
I paused for a moment, She knows about extraordinary, I concluded. Her words too similar to my uncles in the letter to be just a coincidence. The Fool's cards humming didn't tell otherwise.
I took a deep breath, trying to calm my racing thoughts. I had to be extra careful now. The path I was on was fraught with peril, and I needed to stay vigilant if I hoped to uncover the truth.
As I glanced at the book in my hands, I closed it and returned it to the shelf. The mystery of Jasmine's death at the Crossroad Inn was my next lead, and I was determined to follow it. But I couldn't shake the feeling that the woman in the emerald gown would be keeping an eye on me, a shadowy presence in my quest for answers.
I felt her gaze on me even as I called out, "Who might you be, if you don't mind me asking?"
Her lips curled into a smirk. "It's quite ungentlemanly to ask a lady's name before introducing yourself," she said, her tone laced with amusement.
I felt a flush of embarrassment creep up my cheeks. I managed an awkward smile. "I'm Jesper Hasington, the new librarian assistant."
Her eyes sparkled with curiosity and skepticism. "Oh! Is that right?" she replied.
But before I could say anything else, the librarian appeared, bowing respectfully to her. "You're early today, Miss Rose. I see you've already met Mr. Hasington. He's just joined us as a new assistant to help manage the library in my absence."
Miss Rose shifted her gaze from me to the librarian, her expression softening a little. "Indeed, I have. It's always a pleasure to meet new faces, especially those with an interest in the more… peculiar aspects of our collection."
The librarian turned to me with a smile. "Mr. Hasington, Miss Rose is one of our most distinguished patrons. She has a keen interest in the rare and unusual volumes we keep here."
I nodded, feeling a mix of relief and curiosity. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Miss Rose," I said, trying to sound more confident than I felt.
Miss Rose gave a slight nod. "The pleasure is mine, Mr. Hasington. I do hope you find your time here enlightening." With that, she turned and began browsing the shelves, leaving me with a lingering sense of unease.
The librarian then addressed Miss Rose. "I thought we wouldn't see you for a while, considering you might be busy with the ceremonies for Miss Sena's coming-of-age celebration."
Miss Rose offered a serene smile. "I always have time for knowledge," she said, her voice carrying a weight of certainty. "Have you found the volume I requested?"
The librarian nodded enthusiastically. "Yes, indeed. It's cleanly packed, just for you."
Miss Rose's eyes glinted with appreciation. "I shall collect it on my way out."
The librarian gave a slight bow. "Of course, Miss Rose. It's always a pleasure to assist you."
I observed their exchange with keen interest, noting the palpable respect the librarian had for Miss Rose. Her focus on knowledge seemed unwavering, even in the face of societal events that preoccupied others. There was something admirable, yet unsettling, about her.
As Miss Rose disappeared into the labyrinth of bookshelves, she cast a subtle glance in my direction. I shivered slightly under her gaze, feeling both intrigued and unsettled.
The librarian clapped me on the shoulder. "Don't worry about Miss Rose. She's an intriguing character but quite harmless. She's one of the wealthiest patrons we have, only child of count obel and her love for books is well known in Babel. Now, let's get you settled with you duties today."
I followed the librarian, casting one last glance at Miss Rose as she vanished into the shadows of the towering shelves. The encounter had been peculiar, but I knew I couldn't let it distract me. The mystery of Jasmine's death and the strange occurrences at the Crossroad Inn demanded my attention, and I was determined to uncover the truth, no matter what it took.
As I began organizing books and assisting patrons, the weight of my discoveries felt heavy on my mind. The Fool's card in my pocket seemed to pulse with silent urgency. I knew my quest for answers was just beginning, and I steeled myself for the challenges ahead.
Hadiah
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