Chapter 77: Hissing Woods & Hidden Truths
Eirin made her way to the backyard of one of the buildings, clutching her bread and banana milk. She hadn’t realized this particular spot bordered the library’s rear, or that one of its window led directly to the farthest end of the silent archives.
"I’ve been telling you, you should keep everything proper, Mr. Cromwell. How are you going to regain the Queen’s favor this way?"
A booming voice from the nearby window made Eirin jump. Her head tilted instinctively, and curiosity pulled her gaze to the window. There, she spotted familiar jet-black hair and a constant grumpy expression.
’It’s Shade Cromwell. Has he been here the whole week?’ Eirin wondered, her gaze sweeping across a room overflowing with towering bookshelves. It was the hidden room of the library.
The young man near the window stood up, and Eirin instantly ducked out of sight.
The sharp crackle of fire filled Eirin’s ears as she sat on the grassy ground. Soon, the librarian’s voice followed, telling Shade Cromwell to finish his work quickly to end his suspension. This left the teenage girl confused.
Why was Shade Cromwell the only one suspended from a mission handed down directly by the Queen? Didn’t that sound incredibly unfair?
It was then that Eirin fully grasped the severe disparity in treatment between a regular Senerra Academy student and Shade Cromwell.
The next day, Eirin sneaked to the back of the library once more, having feigned other engagements to Coleen.
’Ugh, why am I here again?’
Eirin scanned the vicinity of the Hissing Wood; it was utterly deserted. Not a single sound emerged from the library.