"This is so unnecessary…." huffed Lady Francesca.

  Lily fixed her ponytail, letting her fringe frame her face and cover the scar on her temple before coming out of the carriage to stand behind her Lady. Excitement swirling in her stomach, she looked around the peaceful town's street after hours of riding since the deep night. It was quaint, with sweetly patterned cobblestone roads and peaceful houses lining the green hills.

  Lady Francesca has been sent with her lady maid Clara and extra support Lily to personally retrieve a list of books the Marchioness eagerly recommended. They were in the legendary library which rested on the outskirts of the neighbouring Duke's share of the land. She had studied them herself in this exact place at her daughter's age and greatly enjoyed them, deeming Francesca should experience it as well.

  "But why do I have to go? Can't we just send someone?"

  "I went there myself and even stayed there for weeks, darling. It will merely be a day for you. You have to experience this firsthand! Oh, you're so lucky! You can also select for yourself something fun-!"

  "This is what she was gushing about?" Francesca looked around.

  The whole building was built from old bricks with hedges hugging the bottom. It was narrow and taller than the houses around but enough only to pose as a sign of existence rather than an oddity. A few sneaky vines grew up the cracks of the walls.

  "It's sweet," observed Lily.

  "Won't be after hours of reading…."

  Lily pushed the old door for them to be hit with the smell of old paper and rustling pages. The three went inside, the guards left to wait outside as they would make it unnecessarily smaller in the already maze-like space. The medium-sized library had a tall ceiling, only providing tight walkways between the simple shelves holding old books in a free manner.

  As Francesca assessed the place, Clara twiddled her fingers before leaning in to whisper, "I like your hair. It looks alive."

  Distracted by her amazement at the book collection, Lily was taken by surprise before replying back, "I like yours too. It's glittery."

  Clara's face was framed with blush pink synthetic material rolled up into a nice side-bun which shimmered underneath the sun. She ducked her head bashfully, the rest of her body human shaped but face angular with a triangular nose.

  Francessca turned to the two. "Enough with chit chatting. Clara, you and I are going to find as many books as we can from this…." She unrolled the parchment, the bottom reaching the floor. That was impressive, considering how Francesca stood taller than both of the maids. "...list. While you, Lily- For my own amusement, I want something entertaining. Only the best. Find me something popular."

  Lily squared her shoulders. "On it!" And the three split up.

  Some corners were dark but many towering windows allowed sunlight to generously pour in love. Curtains were hung up to shield the books whenever the bookkeeper found it suitable as nobody wanted the knowledge to vanish to dust.

  After a good half-an-hour of searching and slowly reading through summaries, Lily understood she was out of her depth. Carefully making sure to not knock over the stacked books balancing on the edges of the shelves, she shuffled over to the counter to ask for help. "Excuse me-"

  Suddenly, Lady Francesca's voice rang out very loudly amidst the peacefully silent corner of the world. "Du- Duke Cedric?!"

  Lily and the human bookkeeper stilled, started by the noise rise.

  A warm voice, despite trying best to stay the quiet volume, broke the echoing silence, "How pleasant to run into you here, Lady Francesca!"

  Lily knew that voice. She definitely saw, met and talked to that voice. 'The— The— The Duke?'

  Lily had assumed he was an Earl, Viscount or a Marquis like the rest of the friend group was. No, he was a whole Duke!

  "Indeed how pleasant! Are you browsing this fine library too?" Francesca dived into the conversation from somewhere in between the tall shelves, nervous giggles inserting themselves in.

  Focused back to her task by the bookkeeper, Lily picked up her list of recommendations before backing away into the opposite direction. She wasn't sure why but she didn't feel like running into the robot again now.

  Hours passed and hauling the books, Lily with difficulty found her Lady laying her head on an old but freshly polished wooden table. "Here are all of the best books, Lady Francesca. They're well talked about amongst the crowd."

  "What? Oh, okay. Good job," the Lady said distantly, gazing past the shelves in confusion. "You can go now."

  Lily halted at the praise before sharing a concerned look with Clara putting her own finds onto the table. But before either can ask, the bookkeeper swung by, asking if they were finding everything they needed. The woman also proved to be a great conversationalist as she settled beside Francesca, snapping her out of her thoughts. Lily was a little envious of what she overheard, wishing she could join.

  Deciding to expand her own mind, Lily explored the maze excitedly, forgetting about the Duke who she was sure would have left by now. Except when she accidentally bumped onto a small pedestal table with the scrolls sprawling onto the floor, and crouched to pick them up, she came face to face with him hiding low behind a city wall of books.

  "I know this isn't appropriate but I really don't wish to give her the wrong idea."

  Lily blinked. "What?"

  Cedric hung his head, hugging his knees. "I keep running into Lady Francesca and I think she is starting to think I am doing this from an interested purpose."

  "But it is rather easy to get lost in here. I am sure she will understand it's coincidental."

  He helped Lily pick up the scrolls, putting them onto the table in a neat pyramid. "Before I had spent too much time with a lady in a floral shop. I am afraid the flowers weren't the only things that bloomed that day."

  "Ah."

  When he stood to his full height, he had no need to slump. Lily finally noticed his attire, a simple white blouse with a brown vest and pants.

  He still looked well off.

  "So you're a Duke."

  "I presume you heard it here."

  Lily nodded hesitantly. "Quite an unusual place to borrow books from." 'For a Duke' was left unsaid.

  "But the best. This library is well known by the right people. You can find everything you need." He stretched out his long arms best to his ability and spun around. Lily smiled. He was still the same.

  "What are you searching for?"

  Surprisingly, he stiffened before swiftly replying, "Boring managing information."

  Lily raised her brows. "Really?"

  "You know, managing is a lot of work."

  On a distracted note, Cedric found the movement and the expression compelling. But compared to the other humans, her's was the best in his opinion.

  Unauthorized duplication: this tale has been taken without consent. Report sightings.

  Lily glanced at him a little cheekily. "No wonder you are careful to reply. A Duke just learning management….."

  "Wow! Wow!" He played along immediately, secretly relieved. "What if I am just honing my knowledge? One never stops learning until death."

  "Until the death of their skills. You're right, you should keep improving."

  His posture dropped. "You're bold!"

  Lily got a small grin and he mentally filed how it looked a little more raw and open in comparison to her soft smiles.

  Human's facial muscles were truly something else!

  "You're asking me, but what is the lady here searching for herself?" He entered a row of shelves but when she followed, he disappeared.

  "I am not yet sure." She brushed the spines of the covers with her fingers, her boots clicking against the creaking wooden floor. Deep colors passed by like the trees on the side of the road until one bright purple spine above called for her name, her fingertips tingling as they connected.

  "You look pretty," she complimented without a thought, admiring the golden painted lines and how regal everything looked. She took the book out with a stretch, leaving a gap to the other side.

  "Is there a mirror over there?" he asked.

  With a shake of her head, Lily rose onto her tippy toes and peered through. The familiar faceplate leaned into view effortlessly. "Positive self-talk is the way to go."

  "Did you learn that from the managing book?"

  "Shh!" a human girl sitting on an alcove nearby hissed. Lily silently apologized before she rose up again. Except he wasn't there anymore.

  "Touche." Cedric said from somewhere on her right. Following it, she marginally slipped out two books to find him again. "You made a good choice."

  "How do you know what I took?"

  "I don't." He closed their window by tugging them back before sounding far to her left, "Any book here is simply good. That is why I have been trapped here for far longer than I should be."

  Lily didn't amble behind. "Here, I was thinking you had gotten lost."

  "You don't exactly have faith in a Duke, do you?" Before he could create a gap, Lily did it first on the bottom shelves, sliding to the side a laying stack.

  "I found you hiding from a lady."

  The two crouched and he held his head with his hands. The thumb's division of the palm was covered in a flexible rich green panel. "With only books as our witness…. I hope?"

  Lily laughed, the sound light as a feather. "I won't tell anyone, don't worry. I would have done the same to be honest."

  She watched him perk up, assuming wrongly at which part exactly. "You could've blackmailed me but instead you chose to become my accomplice-"

  "Maybe I should take my words back-"

  "You're of a good heart." He placed his hand over his chest. "But it's strange how despite our partnership we haven't introduced ourselves. I apologize for my rudeness. I am- Oh, look at this!" He took one of the books and pointed at its title containing his name. "Cedric."

  "And I am-" Lily spotted a plant compendium standing tall on her left. Taking it, she rustled through the alphabetically ordered flowers before showing it to him. "-Lily. It is nice to formally meet you, Duke-"

  "Nope. Call me Cedric."

  "But-"

  "No justifications or reasoning." He slid the books back, voice trickling through them, "I don't throw this around either."

  Lily clambered up to her feet. But when she rounded the corner to catch him by surprise, there was no one.

  "I liked this author's previous works."

  She whipped around before he tapped her book's cover, a respectful distance from her which she appreciated. The sunlight bathing them through the arching windows allowed specks of dust to be admired floating serenely like newborn snowflakes of the beginning winter.

  Her choice read, 'Poems of Despondent Love.' It was by someone named 'Q' written in an extensively curling cursive. It was very elegant.

  "Have you read this one?" she asked.

  "Can I be honest with you?"

  "Yes?"

  "Regretfully. I think it was too defeated." Curious, Lily perused the book as he continued, "While I understand the author's feelings, I don't think he should be giving up on finding his ideal harmony in relationships. All kinds of personalities exist after all."

  She read a sample:

  'I find myself,

  sitting beneath the flower tree

  where I confessed I can't

  experience those feelings,

  like your ceilings

  of expectations waited for.'

  Lily closed the book, tucking it under her arm gingerly. "Sounds a little lonely."

  "Yet also accompanying and hopeful. Perhaps you will find it helpful?"

  Even he was surprised at how it came out like a wishful question.

  Lily pondered, attention captured by many factors, one being that she never really thought about romantic love. "Perhaps. The cover alone intrigues me to read it."

  "Part of the charm. It makes you wonder how they dye it so well."

  "Yes! Doesn't that sound interesting? Isn't it so fascinating how natural resources produce such vibrant colorful dyes?!"

  Cedric got a little whiplash at her sudden eager excitement as her eyes shone. 'It seems like it is colors after all. Interests: scents and colors.' "It is indeed interesting to learn about. If you are comfortable with it, I wouldn't mind hearing your opinion on this book. You can write to me when you find yourself done with it."

  "Oh, I am a slow reader so it might be a while."

  Now Cedric himself was eagerly excited. 'Someone to talk about it with!' "I will wait with ease so please, take your time. I understand you're busy as well."

  "Lily!" Francesca's familiarly loud voice rang. "Where are you?! We need to go! I am finally done!" Frustration laced her voice as her steps neared.

  "See you around, Lily."

  Before Lily could open her mouth, Cedric saluted, and opening one of the windows, jumped out. The hedges shook as they swallowed him.

  "Who were you talking to?"

  Lily turned to Francesca crossing her arms impatiently. "With Duke Cedric. I asked for a recommendation but he-" She halted, unsure how she should continue, considering the Duke had just vanished the second Francesca appeared. "-had urgent matters."

  'Bet Duke Cedric just jumped out that window,' noted Francesca.

  Alright, it seemed like Lily didn't need to concern herself with his reputation.

  "Let's go. Clara is already at the counter and I stayed here long enough. It's like time doesn't exist here."

  Extra:

  Cedric stopped his carriage and stepped out to a green field where oak trees grew spread out from one another. The wind tickled him as he laid out a blanket far from the dirt road, settling under the leaves and the dappled sunlight playing across the wild grass.

  He slid out the small compendium he borrowed from his vest:

  'How to be best friends with a human: We are not as different as you think we are!'

  Cedric opened it to the first page.