C2 The Library

Evelyn (or Evie), with her elegant demeanor and sophisticated nature, gracefully withdrew a gleaming silver coin from her satin pouch. With a flick of her wrist, she gently tossed it over to the charismatic vegetable merchant, who skillfully caught it with a captivating smile. "Thank you, Miss Roward, please do grace us with your presence again," he said, his voice resonating with a gentle charm.

"I simply must, Mr. Gerald. My dear old lady is absolutely enamored with your delightful tomatoes. I fear she may send me back here for more," Evie remarked, her voice laced with a hint of playful concern as she neatly arranged the tomatoes in her wicker basket.

"My humble establishment is forever open to you, milady," Mr. Gerald replied, a hint of humor in his expressive eyes. Evie's tender smile danced gracefully on her lips as she observed, "If you continue addressing me with such flattering terms, I may start to believe myself to be a true lady. Until tomorrow, Mr. Gerald."

"Of course, milady," Mr. Gerald responded, though Evie had already started walking away. As she moved through the bustling crowd, her purposeful strides mirrored her determination. It seemed as though she were rushing home to her beloved children. The villagers, however, knew better. They shook their heads in pity, aware of her true destination.

Before long, Evelyn found herself at the entrance of the local library, a gleam of anticipation illuminating her light grey eyes. A smile of undisguised delight emerged on her finely sculpted face. Throughout the modest village of Hallthom, Evie had become known, and often the subject of disapproval, as an avid bookworm. She spent countless hours in the local library or the post office, immersing herself in the world of romantic novels and captivating stories. Some villagers deemed her voracious reading habit unnecessary for a woman, believing her sole duty to be confined to the domestic sphere, tending to household matters while her husband toiled away outside. Yet, Evie paid them no mind, for her love of books kept her tethered to another world.

As she ventured inside the library, her expectant gaze immediately searched for the stern elderly woman who habitually occupied her post behind the reception desk, savoring a cup of tea. To her surprise, a young man in his early twenties, with neatly combed back hair and round, fashionable glasses, occupied the chair. A pleasant smile adorned his countenance as he warmly greeted, "Welcome to the library, milady. How may I assist you today?"

"I have come to return these books," Evie replied, delicately extracting the three novels from her basket. "And pray tell, where is the esteemed elderly Lady Hubry?"

A glimmer of warmth flickered in the young man's eyes as he kindly collected the books. "I regret to inform you that Lady Hubry is unwell and was unable to attend today," he revealed. His emphasis on the word "probable" stuttered slightly, leaving Evie momentarily taken aback.

Curiosity sparking within her, Evie inquired, "Were any new books delivered to the library today?"

"Allow me to check, Miss," the young man offered, disappearing momentarily into the adjacent storage room. While he busied himself with the task, Evie aimlessly wandered along the bookshelves, her fingertips tenderly grazing the covers. Suddenly, an icy breath swept across her nape, causing her to whirl around, finding herself face to face with a tall figure shrouded in tattered, dark garments. His face concealed within the folds of his cloak, he bore an uncanny resemblance to the infamous Grim Reaper from one of Evie's beloved novels. For a fleeting moment, she wondered if he had come to collect her soul, just like in the stories. However, when she blinked, the enigmatic figure had vanished into thin air.

"Miss, these are the books I managed to find in the storage room," the young man's voice broke through her astonishment, tenderly presenting her with two volumes. Evie carefully placed them in her basket, expressing her gratitude. "Thank you, Mr... library-man," she said, turning abruptly to leave, unintentionally forgetting to inquire about the inexplicable occurrence moments ago.

As Evie strolled back toward the bustling marketplace, her eyes failed to notice a detail that would soon hold significance. The library door she had exited moments ago now stood closed, firmly locked with a sturdy latch, as if keeping secrets hidden away in its depths.