SILVER-HEART
Chapter 28: Days With Books

Chapter 28: Days With Books

Is he joking? Even though he has a non-removal smile on his lips I don’t think he was. How on earth am I supposed to finish a hundred and fifty books in a month?!

"The books here hold the knowledge you need to know, about words, pronunciation, the naming of things, principles, and about nature. But none of Magic, the Master has instructed that this is what you need to know. And finally, by the beginning of the next month, you shall present what you have learned"

I have to present it to him too?!

"Well then good luck young miss, if you need anything I shall come and I will ask Elvenia to prepare lunch for you," he said as he gave a bow and turned to walk away.

I instantly held the hem of his jacket and I opened my mouth to speak but then I remembered what William told me. My voice was for only him to hear...

I didn’t know if those were nice words or a threat but I didn’t wanna risk it, so I shut them.

Severus turned to me with a surprised gaze and leveled his hazels to where I held almost like it was an otherworldly thing and I quickly let go of it.

"I-Is there anything you need, Miss?"

Severus stammered for the first time since I have known him and a smile wasn’t on his lips now, it was nothing but curiosity that filled his features.

I shook my head quickly and lowered my gaze.

"Very well then" He cleared his throat and I caught a bow from his shadow.

I heard his retreating footsteps and I let out a heavy sigh turning to the books waiting for me to read. Can I really finish all these books in a month?!

I could already suddenly reckon William’s non-emotional voice when I fail.

"I gave you a simple task and you could not fulfill it, could you be any more useless to me?" he said leaning on his kingly chair, the back of his hand against the side of his mask and his elbow resting on the armchair.

I could already picture myself shaking under a deadly stare.

I shivered.

"I have no use for you, death shall be the next"

I do not want to die! I panicked mentally because the images of Williams speaking down on me were too real.

I have to get to work!

☆☆☆

It wasn’t an easy feat, reading books was challenging and I felt like my head would combust just from reading just a Chapter. I thought I should just give up and prove stubborn but I knew better, for each time the image of him popped into my head, I got more frightened. And for what made it worse I just kept picturing what he did to the Grandmaster’s hand.

Elvenia came and told me lunch was ready, but I weighed the time I would use to eat and how many Chapters I will cover... so I gave myself the challenge to finish at least two books a day.

Even at dinner, I read, William never came so it was just me... I would only chew an apple and trigger my entire focus on the book.

Even in my chambers, I read too... Elvenia was helpful to bring a lantern for me, I would burn the midnight oil to read. The only place I was unable to do that was the bath but the other places were nothing but me reading.

In the library I sat on the floor close to the shelf I was assigned to, it was the most comfortable spot for me. Reading was difficult for me, no matter how I read I’m unable to understand but from day 5... I was already getting a hang of it but it wasn’t easy, I was just down to 5 books only, and I ended up reading just one daily because I couldn’t keep up with two so I promised myself that by tomorrow I will read more.

¤●¤

"Master"

"What is it, Elvenia?" William says to her not diverting his attention from his work. There’s much to be done.

In his deep concentration, Elvenia used that opportunity to watch her Master go through scrolls and books and catalog what was needed.

Her Master’s job was a tiring one, if he wasn’t immortal he would have died from exhaustion because ever since she came to know her Master he never rests, sleep or eat, he took his work with the utmost solemnity, and ensured that knowledge was preserved and awarded to the right century and she admired that about him.

Her Master was a god and she worshiped him so, which is why ever since she opened her eyes and set her obsidian orbs on a silver-haired man like him she knew that she was devoted to him, and her lowly self will do her best to serve him and this household forever.

"For the past week, the Young Miss barely eats"

She noticed a pause from him and she blinked. Nothing ever fazed the master whenever he was busy, he possibly didn’t care about anything else other than books. The only thing her master cared about was books. But yet he paused at her simple works. She expected no less, she bit her bottom lip... The young miss was her Master’s wife.

Even though he knew only the four walls of knowledge, she knew he was bound to feel any connection to her, it was how mateship works.

"I thought I should bring it to your notice, the human side of her craves nutrition such as food, I’m afraid it will not be wise for her to keep skipping meals, as per her punishment she only carries around books and pays little attention"

"It seems she has not understood the essence of her punishment, she’s either wise or dull"

As expected of her lovely master, there was always a hidden meaning to his actions, he’s of brilliance! She cleared her throat.

"How long has it been?"

His sudden question came because she knew the Master spent all days in here and lost track of them.

"Tomorrow makes it 4 weeks, Master. Her punishment ends tomorrow"

He said nothing after as he continued to write and Elvenia couldn’t help but admire how his hands moved when he did. And his handwriting was as eloquent as he was.

"You’re dismissed"

She quickly recalled her thoughts and bowed. "Yes, master" She walked away, and along the way she stopped and for a brief moment took a peek at her Master everly buried in his work. A small smile found her lips and she continued her walk.