Chapter 4: The Library
Now that he had set the stage for his transformation, he needed to get informed. Everything he knew about this world came from the novel—though detailed, it could never compare to learning firsthand.
So, he needed to head to the library. Every noble had one; it was a symbol of power and prestige. But he had no idea where it was. He'd found the dining table, as most manors in the story followed the same basic layout, but libraries varied from house to house.
Some were on the first floor, others on the second, a few hidden underground, and some had a separate building dedicated to the library.
Riven glanced around, looking for someone to ask. Then, he spotted a maid. He walked toward her, his footsteps echoing in the quiet hall. She turned, her gaze locking with his, her expression shifted to a blend of fear and anger.
The expression didn't last long, and she quickly forced a smile, but Riven had already seen her true feelings. He couldn't blame her—he probably deserved it. He approached her, stopping just a few steps away from her, close enough to have a casual discussion, but far enough to give her room.
Before she could bow, he spoke first. "Good day." His voice was calm, almost too casual, and she froze for a moment, confusion flashing across her face. The greeting felt... unreal to her.
With the look of confusion plastered on her face, she bowed, "Greetings Young Master Riven." She greeted, the formality in her voice reinforced how much distance she wanted to keep distance from him.
Riven frowned a bit, but quickly changed his expression to a calm one, with a soft smile on his face.
"I'm sorry to disturb you while you are working, but it's been a while I've been to the library, and I think I might have forgotten the direction to it," Riven said. He chuckled nervously, while scratching his head.