Hope
I was in the library for the fifth time this week. And every time I came in here, I always heard that chiming noise. It sounded distant sometimes. Other times, I felt like the source was closer, and if I could just take a few steps further, I would get to it.
I didn’t do that though. Only the heavens knew what waited for me if I ever followed my curiosity to find out the source of the chiming noise. As I read about a human girl who was sold to a Lycan mercenary group and fell in love with the head, the chiming noise resumed.
It was one of those days when the noise was loud and near. Putting away my fear, I shut the binds of my book and stood up.
“Hello?” I called out, walking to the west of the library where the noise was louder. “Is anyone there?” I asked as I got closer to the shelf.
What I got in response was more chiming noises. I knocked on the shelf of books but I was met with no reply. I tilted my head to one side, then trudged to one end of the shelf. With all my might, I tried pushing the shelf forward. But I couldn’t succeed, because it felt like the shelf was connected to the wall.
“What the…” I halted trying to push the shelf forward. I inhaled a deep breath, then placed my hands on either side of my waist.
“Maybe, I could just…” I started pushing the shelf backward, and it moved. I stopped immediately, and the chiming noise increased.
There was something behind the shelf-wall place. Everything about this situation was abnormal. Should I be doing this? But with the continuous chiming noise, it felt like I was being called upon. I shoved away all my inhibitions and pushed the shelf till it opened enough for me to enter.
It was another room altogether as I stepped in, the shelf wall behind me closed up, causing me to yelp back in shock. I looked ahead and could see the bell that made the chiming noise. With it was a woman who looked to be five or six times my age. Her back was bent and her long gray hair swept the floor. She was dressed in a dark long gown as she continued to ring the bell.
Who was she?
“Hello?” I forced out from my mouth with a firm tone, and she turned to look at me, throwing her bell away.
She grinned, then flew over to where I stood. Literally. “Human? In the Lycan palace? What are you doing here?” she asked with an amused tone, touching my shoulders and checking me out.
I felt a bit awkward because of her long fingers. I thought her face would be wrinkled since she seemed incredibly old but it wasn’t. She had nice skin with white irises. I couldn’t tell what her exact age was since she moved with such ease.
“I’m married to the king,” I answered, trying not to sound awkward.
Her eyes widened at my answer. “Darius? Darius married you?” she repeated. I nodded. She instantly let go of my shoulders and took small steps backward, shaking her head.
“It wasn’t supposed to be you. It was supposed to be the other skinny one.” She said to herself, pulling her hair, and I watched her with confusion and amusement.
I wouldn’t say it out loud but this lady acted funny. I hardly ever got to meet funny people in my lifetime. I was only surrounded by serious people who always expected perfection from me. The only person who didn’t do that was Light…
“You!” she called out to me. “What is your name?” she asked, looking directly at me.
I shook my head. “What is your name? And what are you doing in this palace?” I asked with confidence.
She didn’t seem like a Lycan so I didn’t need to worry about her killing me. I had no problems with actually talking to people. Lycans were another matter. I couldn’t even stand up straight if I were to be in a room with one.
“Ahaha, smart girl. Smart queen,” the woman chuckled to herself. I frowned unconsciously. I wasn’t smart in any way. Everyone knew that. “I will tell you, I will tell you.” The woman said, walking back to sit on her bed.
She drew out a small stool from underneath the bed and patted it, gesturing for me to sit on it. I looked behind me, warily. The shelf wall was still closed, there was no getting out of here. I sucked in a deep breath and went over to the seat. She smiled once I settled down.
“I am the great Amara. The last witch alive.” She spoke in an exaggerated prophetic tone, and I widened my eyes.
She was a witch? I knew the story of witches. They were once great creatures who could partake in spells and see visions. They were wiped out hundreds of years ago by Lycans who were insecure about their existence. Now, this woman was proclaiming that she was a witch. And one who lived in the Lycan palace.
It was difficult to believe. I stared into her eyes, searching for a lie or joke behind them but I couldn’t find any. Perhaps she was mad which was why she thought she was a witch. I tried not to be rude as I nodded my head, pretending to believe her words.
She cackled out loud, standing up from the bed. “You do not believe me, do you? I wouldn’t blame you. I look nothing like I did in my prime. I’m old and wrinkly and can hardly perform any magic to prove the truth. But I tell you, back in my day, the Kings ate from my palms.”
She went ahead to tell me the story of how my husband’s great-grandfather used to seek advice from her concerning any little thing. It sounded awfully far-fetched, but since she seemed to be enjoying her time quite well, I didn’t say anything.
I stayed with her for a while, listening to her amusing stories and chipping in with ones of my own. Then she said that she was tired and wanted to sleep, falling back to her bed. I stood up in resolve.
“How can I go back to the library?” I asked her before she closed her eyes.
“Exactly the way you came. Just push it.” She spoke in dismissal, yawning a bit.
“Oh, thank you. I’ll be going now.” I said. She waved her wrist in farewell.
With squinted eyes, I walked over to the wall I came through and pushed it with all my might. Once it opened wide enough, I walked right back into the library. I looked up to see that it was almost sundown. I rushed out of the library and back to my chambers.
Today, I found the first person that actually treated me normally in this entire palace. I hoped that I would not lose her soon.