That was quite the show. It seems like Amber’s feelings have become more sympathetic towards me as well. She’s being quite helpful, but contrary to popular belief, rewriting the past doesn’t happen in one chapter. I think she’s ordered the others to give me space, since she’s been carrying everything into my room herself. Luckily, my time alone increased just a little while she’s working so hard. I still have no information about who or where I am, never mind when, so I really need to start investigating. Amber just left to get breakfast for me, so I have around 7.5 minutes to look around for any important items.
With that mental note, she was racing to every drawer she could find, making a mental goal of finding dates, names, and places. She makes a b-line for the desk. The desk is quite organized, a sign of a sick and calculating mind (in Verina’s personal opinion.) She made sure to put everything in its rightful place before moving on. With bookshelves scanned in minutes and basic hiding places searched at convenience, the room was back in order with 10 seconds to spare.
Of course no big secrets were revealed in such a rush, but this room told me quite a bit about the person I was yesterday. The most useful at the moment being her extensive collection of romance novels.
“My Lady, I’ve brought your breakfast!”
With that announcement, Amber opened the door and made her way towards Verina with an inspired energy about her, although still appropriately nervous.
“Much appreciated.” Woah, this is just as appetizing as it looked on the screen!
The two ladies sat across from each other in a comfortable quiet as Verina finished the platter. Amber’s new giddy demeanor was reassuring to see for someone who needs things done. Verina finished her plate and looked at Amber, sharing a weak smile with her before making the request.
“Thank you, I’m feeling a bit better now. I know I’m asking for quite a lot, but could you accompany me to the library? I have a request.”
Her reply was fervent, “Of course!” She stood swiftly to hold the door open for her.
They walked together through the corridor, passing many workers. Whispers and stares followed Verina as she feigned a troubled expression. Amber made no move to defend Verina from this treatment, but there were no signs that she had been the one to leak any information about her predicament. Verina followed behind her as they turned toward a large door that appeared to be significant. Verina’s assumption was confirmed when Amber held open the door, revealing a private, yet extensive library.
“Please leave it to me, my lady.”
Accepting the invitation, Verina walked through the entrance, silently assessing the room. The shelves towered over their surroundings, dwarfing the two women whose strides slowed toward the base of the nearest shelf. Verina glances toward the plate marking the shelf next to her, making sense of the organization system before making her move.
“Thank you for your company. I feel like reading after all of that.” She looks toward a section toward the west corner before continuing, “Although, I want to read one specific book. I’ve long forgotten the title, but it was a romantic tragedy that left an impression upon me. The protagonist passed at the end and her love was married to another, but I forgot most everything else, could you help me find it?”
I’ve been giving my best attempt at the foot-in-the-door method, yet this might be too big of an ask. Although, my sorry expression has quite the effect on her. I hope this-
“Anything to put a smile back on your face, my lady! Don’t lift a finger, I’ll certainly find it.” She was rushing towards the romance section before Verina could open her mouth to speak.” My judgment was correct, she’s perfect.
Verina took out the scratch paper and charcoal pencil she brought and raced to a nearby section. Scanning the titles, she found three titles that she jotted down before moving onto another section. This process was repeated numerous times, scanning the shelves, writing down the books that she deemed suitable, and racing to the next non-fiction isle. She had time to scan the higher zones as well in the time she scheduled for Amber to finish. Her list was soon crowded on the small piece of paper, but before returning to the place Amber had left her, she took a book from the arts & culture section to review while Amber was away.
It took less than 45 minutes for her to return with a stack of five books, where she found Verina sitting in a nearby armchair, reading an informative on letter writing. She made her way to the young lady’s side and set the stack on the chair’s accompanying coffee table.
“I found five novels that matched the description, but I’m sure that this is the novel you were thinking of.” She picks up one of the thinner books with a red cover, the flowers detailing the spine are red anemones, the title reads The Day I Saw Sea Foam.
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“You raved on about this when you were younger before you had met- my apologies, I meant… Oh! I remember you asked for a tea set to be made in its image! Its been quite a few years but I’m certain that this is the one you seek.” Amber hid her cowering expression behind the cover as she faced an unpredictable authority.
I gave her a specifically vague task just to keep her occupied for a set time, but I got quite a lot out of this. She completed this so diligently too.
“Yes, this is the one I was thinking of. In these few hours you have aided me well, I don’t think I could have gotten anything done without you.” Verina accepted the book, lowering it to meet her brown eyes with a warm smile.
“I’ll be settled here for quite a while, there’s nothing more to worry about on my end. Please, return to your usual.”
Deciding against flustered stuttering, she nodded with enthusiasm and took off toward the exit.
A moment after the door closed, Verina stood up, took out her list, and began to revisit their sections.
She returned to her armchair with the five most appropriate books for her situation. Although it was just a fraction of her list, it is quite enough for her to complete today’s agenda. In reading order, the titles were: A Complete History of the Vauquelin Empire, The History of Montagne, Montagne Family Record, and Magic Processes Book I.
Sitting back in her chair, she picked up the guide to letter writing to start. In the budgeted time, she estimated completing these in the late afternoon. The task was immersive, these textbooks read like captivating fantasy novels to someone whose previous life was spent in a tedious, text-heavy profession. The studying proceeded swiftly, without breaking focus once, Verina was able to finish on time. As the sunlight began to shine brightly through the tops of the windows, she was beginning to return them to their original places. The exception to this was the stack of novels Amber had chosen for her, which she carried back to her room.
Retracing the steps alone, she avoided eye contact with the few people who passed her. Reentering her room, she sat at her desk to do a more in-depth search. The most alluring task was going through the letters that collected in the bottom drawer, getting to know the people close to her is deemed important by someone taking over her identity. She opened the drawer and began reading the envelope when-
“My lady, you’re back! I’ve brought you food now that you have time. What are you working on? Rest is very important today.” She was right behind Verina before she could even set down the letter. A chill ran up her spine as she felt Amber reading the paper she was holding, “Lady Verina, why are you reading the letters he sent you?”
Damn, am I screwed? I should have been more aware of my surroundings. Another thing, why does she move so quietly? She was also way too fast, how did she cover that much ground before I could react? Does this body have poor senses? Shit, I haven’t said anything yet, I need to do something to save face!
“I mean- I just…” Wow so articulate.
Amber pulled a move that Verina didn’t expect, she was running toward the balcony, letter in hand as Verina was right behind her.
“My Lady, you can’t! It’s for your own good! You have to move on for your own happiness!!!” She slowed for a split second to open the door when Verina grabbed her.
NO!!!
“Please wait! It’s not like that, I swear!” I couldn’t think of anything more convincing??? “Please slow down for one moment, I’ll prove it to you!”
Amber seemed to pause for a moment before turning back towards the desperate lady.
If I lose this letter I won’t have all the dates in order! Plus I have no clue what my fiance is like and this is the most recent letter, it is vital information.
“I really wasn’t thinking about it that way, believe me. You can watch me, just don’t do anything rash right now.”
As Amber softened, Verina snatched the letter back and sat back at the desk.
Shit. I really needed to do some in depth analysis around her relationship, but that’s going to be interrupted.
She opened the letter and the two read over it. The subject was Verina’s 17th birthday. The prince’s correspondence was limited, the subject line of, “Happy Birthday,” was over before the end of the first line. Yet the letter continued with responses to letters that she assumed Verina had sent before. He answered coldly, writing something along the lines of: stop asking when the wedding is, showing up uninvited to my residence is annoying, and stop being so clingy. After the list of grievances disguised in well wishes, it was gracefully signed Alaric Vauquelin.
“…My apologies, My Lady clearly knows what she’s doing.”
That was much more jarring than I expected. The only other letters signed from him are birthday wishes, but it seems that Verina was quite forthcoming when it came to writing and impromptu visits. This unintentionally raised my pity points with Amber, but I’m not quite happy about the image it creates for me.
“Of course.” Verina returned the letter to its place in chronological order, “Amber, what’s the date?” She had already begun to reach for parchment and an envelope.
“It’s the second of April. Is this…” She trailed off as she watched her begin writing.
“Thank you. It’s time I repair my mistakes.” I can’t believe she allowed herself to be humiliated like this. I suppose this was going to happen sooner or later, so there’s no harm in proclaiming this during my first day as Verina.
Her hand glided across the paper swiftly and with purpose. Amber could only watch in panic as her lady was making such a seemingly rash decision. Verina was signing it before the ink could dry completely, it read:
To everyone it may concern,
I have come to the realization that I have not been honest with myself, I long for a relationship that is built on mutual feelings. I held hope for my future with Alaric, yet my heart has refused to get used to the same pain. It is clear that this path has no room for my dreams of true love and I cannot continue this further. I’m sure that my past behavior has painted this message as good riddance, so I do not expect any resistance on your end. I am annulling my engagement to Alaric. Signed,
Verina Montagne.
She encased the message with a seal before presenting it to Amber, “Send this to the Crown Prince with haste.”
“I…yes, My Lady.”