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The Heir of the Librarian
Chapter 22: Contemplation

Chapter 22: Contemplation

As Aiden rubbed his tired eyes, barely stifling a yawn, Regis stepped forward, his tone gentle yet commanding. “It has been a long day, Master Aiden. I believe it is time for you to rest.”

Aiden nodded, realizing just how heavy his limbs had become. The whirlwind of the day—the revelations about Astralis, the magic, and the Castle—had left him drained in ways he hadn’t noticed until now. Regis led him down a quiet corridor, the soft glow of enchanted candles lighting the way as they passed through the sprawling hallways of the Castle.

Finally, they arrived at a set of large double doors, intricately carved with golden filigree that shimmered faintly in the dim light. Regis opened the doors with a quiet gesture, revealing a room that left Aiden momentarily speechless.

The master bedroom was enormous, easily the largest he had ever seen. The walls were adorned with a beautiful blue-and-gold tapestry, depicting scenes of the stars and celestial bodies, giving the room a serene, almost regal atmosphere. The ceiling stretched high above, its surface painted with soft swirling clouds and constellations that seemed to twinkle faintly, as though they mirrored the night sky outside.

A massive bed sat at the center of the room, its headboard an ornate piece of carved wood with gilded accents. The deep blue bedspread shimmered with golden thread, catching the light and reflecting the luxurious fabric beneath. Soft, plush pillows were arranged meticulously at the head, and the bed itself seemed almost too inviting, a haven of comfort waiting for him.

To the side, tall windows framed with heavy velvet curtains overlooked the sprawling gardens outside, the faint glow of Astralis’ six moons still visible in the distance. A large, comfortable armchair sat near one of the windows, its fabric matching the rich blue of the room, while a golden-framed mirror hung over a polished wooden vanity.

“It’s... incredible,” Aiden murmured, running a hand over the edge of the bedpost as he took in the sheer grandeur of the room.

Charlie, who had been following him closely throughout the day, barked softly and padded over to the bed. The small dog hesitated for a moment before jumping onto the bed with ease, his tail wagging contentedly. It hadn’t taken long for Charlie to settle in at Astralis, even leaving Aiden briefly earlier to get some well-deserved attention from Lyla. But now, he was back by Aiden’s side, and within moments, the dog curled up beside him, falling asleep almost immediately, his small chest rising and falling steadily.

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Regis stood at the door, watching the scene with quiet approval. “I will leave you to your rest, Master Aiden. Should you need anything, just ring the bell at the bedside table. Sleep well.”

With that, Regis gave a small bow and quietly left the room, closing the door softly behind him.

Aiden sat on the edge of the bed, his mind swirling with the events of the day. It had been overwhelming, no doubt—discovering that he had inherited not just a house, but a world, complete with its own magic, strange creatures, and mysterious history. And yet, as he sat there in the quiet, in this magnificent room, he realized something that surprised him: he was okay with it.

It was surreal. Ridiculous, even. But somewhere deep inside, it felt right. Maybe it was the influence of all those stories his grandfather had told him growing up, the ones filled with magical worlds, strange adventures, and endless possibilities. Maybe his imagination had prepared him for this in ways he hadn’t realized. Or maybe it was just the strange, comforting magic of the Castle itself.

Aiden leaned back into the bed, sinking into the softness of the pillows as he stared up at the ceiling. The stars painted above glimmered faintly, almost as if they were watching over him. He thought about what tomorrow would bring—there was still so much to learn, to uncover. The Castle, with all its mysteries, was waiting for him to explore. The magic he felt so distant from would need to be understood. And perhaps, in the coming days, he could begin to grasp what his grandfather had left behind.

His eyes grew heavier with each passing thought. Charlie let out a soft snore beside him, and Aiden smiled, feeling the weight of the day finally slip away. He closed his eyes, the comforting warmth of the bed wrapping around him like a protective embrace.

As his mind drifted toward sleep, Aiden couldn’t help but feel that, despite how strange everything had become, he was exactly where he was supposed to be.

Tomorrow would bring new challenges, new discoveries. But for now, he let himself sink into the quiet, into the magic of the moment.

And with that, he drifted off to sleep.