A Royal Obligation
Chapter 37: Conflicted Thoughts

Chapter 37: Conflicted Thoughts

Eirik’s eyes lit up as they stepped into the library. The grandeur of the place was undeniable, with its high vaulted ceilings, intricately carved wooden shelves, and rows upon rows of books stretching as far as the eye could see. The scent of parchment and old leather wafted through the air, carrying with it the weight of centuries of knowledge and stories. Eirik inhaled deeply, letting the familiar smell wash over him.

For a moment, he stood still, simply absorbing the sight before him. The Valeidio library back home was much larger, with endless corridors of books that seemed to hold the very history of the world within them. But this library, despite being smaller, had a certain charm to it. The light filtering through the tall windows gave the place a warm, inviting glow. It was the kind of place where one could lose track of time, where hours would slip by unnoticed as the pages of a book drew you deeper and deeper into another world.

Lysander and Darren watched him, amused smiles playing on their lips. Lysander nudged his brother, whispering something that made Darren chuckle softly. Eirik caught their exchange and turned to face them, a small, knowing smile on his lips.

"It’s beautiful," Eirik admitted, his voice tinged with reverence. "There’s something about libraries that makes you feel... grounded, no matter where you are."

Darren nodded in agreement. "This one is a favorite of ours. Many a time we’ve hidden away here to escape the pressures of court life. It’s a sanctuary of sorts."

Eirik’s smile widened at that. "A sanctuary indeed."

They began to wander through the aisles, Eirik trailing his fingers along the spines of the books, reading the titles softly to himself. He could already tell that he would be spending a significant amount of time here. The library, with its quiet corners and endless stories, was exactly the kind of place he needed to escape from the constant vigilance that his life in Zephyros demanded.

Lysander and Darren took it upon themselves to show him some of the more unique sections of the library. They led him to a corner where rare manuscripts were kept, their pages delicate with age and filled with the looping, elegant script of ancient scribes. They pointed out a collection of poetry from a long-forgotten era, its verses filled with both wisdom and melancholy.

Eirik was fascinated. He found himself drawn to a particular manuscript, its cover faded and worn. When he opened it, the pages revealed an intricate map of lands he had never heard of, places that existed only in the imagination of the long-dead cartographer who had painstakingly created it. He lost himself in the details, tracing the rivers and mountains with his finger, imagining what it would be like to travel to such fantastical places.

But just as he was getting comfortable, Lysander’s voice broke through his reverie. "As much as we’d love to let you stay here all day, we’ve got more of the palace to show you."

Eirik looked up, realizing with a start that he had nearly forgotten about the rest of the tour. A slight flush of embarrassment colored his cheeks, but he quickly covered it with a laugh. "I suppose I’ll have to tear myself away for now."

Darren grinned. "Don’t worry, you can always come back. This place isn’t going anywhere."

Reluctantly, Eirik closed the book and set it back on the shelf. He cast one last, lingering glance around the library before following Lysander and Darren out. Sadiki, who had been silently following them the entire time, trailed a few steps behind, his expression unreadable.

As they continued their tour through the palace, Lysander and Darren kept the conversation lively. They pointed out various artworks and sculptures, sharing stories and anecdotes that had Eirik smiling and occasionally laughing. They made it a point to show him the places they thought he would enjoy the most, the music room where the court musicians practiced, and even a small gallery that housed an impressive collection of paintings from across the empire.

Through it all, Eirik found himself slowly relaxing. There was a warmth to Lysander and Darren’s company that he hadn’t expected. They didn’t push him too hard, didn’t pry into his personal life or ask uncomfortable questions. Instead, they treated him like an equal, as though he had always been a part of their world. It was a stark contrast to the careful, guarded interactions he had grown accustomed to in court.

As they walked through a shaded corridor, Darren suddenly turned to Eirik, his expression thoughtful. "You know," he began, "you’re not what we expected when we first heard about the fourth prince of Valeidio."

Eirik raised an eyebrow, curiosity piqued. "Oh? And what exactly did you expect?"

Lysander chuckled, a teasing glint in his eye. "We thought you’d be distant, unapproachable. Like one of those statues in the grand hall, all cold marble and no warmth."

Eirik blinked, momentarily taken aback. He had heard similar things before, but it was always strange to be confronted with it so directly. He wondered what part of him had given people that impression. After a moment, he shrugged, his expression turning pensive. "I suppose many people have thought that. But that doesn’t mean I am."

Darren smiled gently. "We’re glad to hear that. Zephyros can be a difficult place to navigate, but it’s also a place where you can find yourself, if you let it."

For a moment, silence settled over them. Eirik absorbed their words, feeling a sense of calm he hadn’t realized he was missing. It was the first time since his arrival in Zephyros that he felt a flicker of hope, a possibility that maybe this new life he was stepping into could offer something more than just political maneuvering and obligations.

But before Eirik could respond, a servant appeared, bowing deeply before addressing them. "My lords, lunch is being served in the garden pavilion. Would you like to join the others?"

Lysander turned to Eirik with a raised eyebrow, his expression playful. "What do you think? Shall we?"

Eirik hesitated for only a moment before nodding. "I think that sounds like a good idea," he said, a small smile forming on his lips. The thought of sharing a meal with the cousins, away from the formalities of the court, was surprisingly appealing.

As they made their way to the garden pavilion, Eirik felt a sense of lightness in his steps, as though a weight had been lifted from his shoulders. The pavilion itself was a beautiful structure, with marble pillars entwined with flowering vines, creating a canopy of blossoms overhead. The table was set with an array of dishes, each more delectable-looking than the last.

They took their seats, and the conversation picked up once more, flowing easily between them. Lysander and Darren proved to be excellent company, their humor and charm making the meal an enjoyable one. Eirik found himself laughing more than he had in months, the sound of his own laughter both surprising and comforting.

For a moment, it felt as though all the complexities of his situation had faded away, leaving behind only the simple pleasure of good food and good company. It was a brief respite, but a much-needed one.

However, not everyone shared in Eirik’s newfound sense of ease. Sadiki, who stood nearby, watching over the proceedings, couldn’t help the complicated emotions swirling within him. On one hand, he was pleased to see Eirik forming bonds with others in Zephyros, people who could be trusted, who could offer him companionship in this foreign land. But on the other hand, there was a gnawing worry, a fear that these new relationships would mean he would no longer have Eirik’s attention all to himself.

He had been by Eirik’s side for years, through thick and thin, and the thought of being pushed aside, even unintentionally, left him feeling unsettled. But Sadiki pushed these thoughts down, forcing himself to focus on his duty. Eirik’s happiness and safety came first, and that was what mattered.

As the meal continued, Eirik remained blissfully unaware of Sadiki’s inner turmoil. He was too caught up in the easy conversation, the laughter, and the feeling of normalcy that he hadn’t experienced in a while. He felt like he could breathe a little easier.

As they finished their meal, the sun filtering through the canopy of blossoms, Eirik leaned back in his chair, a contented sigh escaping his lips. "I could get used to this," he admitted, a playful glint in his eye.

Lysander grinned. "We’d be happy to have you join us anytime. Consider this an open invitation."

Darren nodded in agreement. "Zephyros can be many things, but it’s also a place where friendships are forged. We’re glad to have you here, Eirik."

Eirik smiled, a genuine warmth in his expression. For the first time since arriving in Zephyros, he felt like he had found something solid to hold onto, something beyond the political alliances and the looming marriage to Kaelix.

The meal continued, filled with laughter and light-hearted conversation, and for a while, Eirik allowed himself to be just another young man, enjoying the company of new friends, oblivious to the conflicted thoughts of the loyal guard who watched over him.

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