Hey my sweets! (~˘▾˘)~

As I mentioned before I was planning on publishing a second work, but of course Lovely Villainess will be my focus. I am debating between two plots as my second book. But I thought I would let you decide! (｡◕‿◕｡) Would you like a modern world plot or a historical one like lovely villainess? Let me know in the comments!

Love you all and thank you for reading my work!(▰˘◡˘▰)Remember to like, follow, and comment! If you would, share and recommend this book to others! (づ｡◕‿‿◕｡)づ

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Chrysta luckily brought a spare cup for tea.

After she poured us some tea, she handed me my pills.

"Here you go miss." Chrysta carefully handed them to me, I tensed up from her coming close to me. I was still on edge from my emotions, and accidentally showed that I was guarded towards her.

"Thank you." I smiled warmly at her while taking my medicine. I could tell she noticed, but she was good at hiding it. I turned to face Ethan before I could begin to stress on my slip up.

"Leave us." He waved his hand to dismiss Chrysta, and she bowed before leaving.

I couldn't tell if he really had something to talk about or if he noticed my guard against Chrysta. I smiled at Ethan before taking a sip of my tea to wet my dry throat and calm myself. I couldn't let my emotions get the best of me. I was scared but had to be brave, I couldn't hide from the dangers, I had to face them head on.

"Alina." I was brought out of my thoughts by Ethan calling my name. I slowly lifted my eyes to meet his, I prepared myself to hide my emotions.

"Yes, brother." I smiled warmly to cover the storm of emotions within me, but as soon as I met his eyes it felt as if he could see through me. That as if everything was lain bare for him to see. It startled me but I kept my smile.

"Are you okay?" He asked in a low voice filled with mixed emotions that I couldn't quite make out.

My smile faltered as soon as he finished his question.

'Was I okay?' I couldn't help but question myself, but stopped.

I was okay but I did not know if the same could be said for the future.

'I'll manage. I always have, and I always will.' I had always had to manage my way through life. There was never a breather, I was always fearing or dreading tomorrow.

How was now any different?

'Ah...my life is on the line.' I couldn't help but furrow my brow, but I soon realized that I was taking too long to answer as Ethan's face began to darken with worry.

"I'm fine." I managed the brightest smile I could, while patting his hand to reassure him. His face lightened with my smile, but he seemed to hold more complex emotions in his eyes.

"Alright." He answered me as if he believed me, but I could see he wasn't convinced.

We spent the rest of our time together chatting about different things, although I would call it me talking while he gave small to no response.

We decided to stop tea once the sky started to darken, I was taken aback at how long we stayed out. I was more impressed with how Ethan let me talk his ear off and not get annoyed or leave.

I thought he would be the one to never warm up to me, and hate my presence. But I was surprised at how he cared and put my past actions as Alina aside.

'How could Alina not like them?' I questioned myself but soon my mind went to the memory of Alina being beaten.

'Was it ingrained into her to hate them? Why? What could they gain?' My mood grew sour as I still could not figure out their reasoning. I decided to go to the library to try and sort my mind until dinner was served.

I soon found the library and walked in. Once I did I struggled to keep my jaw from hitting the floor.

It was huge.

"Is there anything I can do for you miss?" The librarian rushed over to me as soon as she saw me. She was an older lady with grey hair and doe-brown eyes.

"No, I'm fine. Thank you." I smiled warmly while dismissing her.

I did not know what I was looking for either to be honest. I just needed some kind of knowledge to move forward.

I made my way to the back of the library where there was a table in the corner so I could read peacefully. I began to go through and picked out the books that could hold useful information. I got as many as I could carry and set them on the table where I chose to sit. I turned to Chrysta who had followed me and helped carry some books.

"Chrysta can you get me some paper and a pen, please?" I needed to write down my thoughts so I could see and sort them.

"Yes, miss." She quickly and quietly left.

As she left I noticed the smell that lingered in the air when she was near me was gone. I wasn't a foul smell but more of a smell that was unique. I made sure to be mindful of it, it may lead to something.

'Who is the ancient beast? Is it literal or figurative?'

From what I could recall from the book ancient beasts were never brought up. They were all killed for their blood in the founding of the empire, and with the plot of the book I'm sure they would of at least teamed up with one or fought one to highlight the main characters.

'Is there more to the story? Something darker?'

My head was starting to ache from stress, I was never the smartest person but I could hold my own. I just needed more information, I felt as if I was in the dark with nothing to protect me from what lurks within.

I was broken out of my thoughts from Chrysta setting the papers and pens in front of me. I turned to smile at her, but when I saw her face I felt something amiss.

I saw an emotion pass through her eyes, I couldn't place my finger one what it was. I didn't let it show and kept a smile on my face as I turned around, but when I finished turning around where she couldn't see my face I realized what the emotion was.

Amusement.

I felt chills run down my spine, just what was she amused about? Was she amused with the books I had? Alina was known as a spiteful and ignorant girl, She had no manners and was as thoughtless as a rock. Did she find it amusing for me to read on nobles and history? Or was she amused because of something different. Did she see my papers with my writing? Does she find it amusing that I have my guard up to her?

My mind kept spiraling down into darker and darker thoughts. I had never been in a situation like this before but the one thing I knew was that I had to keep a calm outward appearance. There could not be no break or flaw in my facade. I hardened my resolve, even if I'm faced with death I cannot show my fear. I could no longer afford the leisure of succumbing to my emotions.