SILVER-HEART
Chapter 29: The Silver Flower And The Butterfly

Chapter 29: The Silver Flower And The Butterfly

Elvenia stood watching the firewood she set on fire to heat up the kettle, and then a memory found her senses. She could still remember when her Master personally tutored her with books about cooking, how engrossed she was watching her Master perform wonders with food, and how deeply concentrated and patient, as he showed her the steps through everything.

She smiled at the distant memory although it seemed like it was only yesterday, it was pleasant and sweet while it lasted. If only she had not learned everything, if only there was more to learn, an excuse to have her master teaching her again.

"Where is Sophia?" Severus asked the moment he walked into the kitchen.

Elvenia cleared her throat. "Where else? Playing in the garden," she said in her usual stoic tune and the smile of hers seemed to have never happened.

"Ha I see" he sighed, taking a seat.

"Here" she dropped a plate of food for him.

"Aww thank you, for always taking care of me" he mused.

"I’m only performing my duty given to me by the Master, I’m the caretaker of this place and must make sure everyone is fed"

"Ha yes yes," he says, already gobbling on the food. Work at the library must be tiring but the master does most of the work.

"You know the young miss is really determined"

Elvenia stopped midway through chopping the vegetables.

"Days and days of reading, I wonder if she has slept"

"That is not for you to care about except if you’re eager to lose your head"

He shrugged. "I’m just worried she might not finish on time, the deadline is already tomorrow"

"I’m afraid the young miss is yet to grab the Masters wise words"

"Hmm must have a hidden meaning then... Master told you?"

"Yes"

"Elvenia"

She paused her action because his tone had changed.

"You do not need to say it... I’m fine"

Severus sighed, he knew Elvenia has always looked up to the Master in high regard, they all do, but Elvenia has been here the longest than any of them and was, therefore, the closest to Master. She has known Master for centuries and respects him very much. But Severus knew there was more...

"You know you’re like the butterfly dancing around a flower that remains still..." he began. "No matter how the butterfly yearns for it to move it cannot, only the wind can move the flower"

Elvenia’s lips pressed in a thin line, there was a long air of silence and then she resumed chopping the vegetables.

"That butterfly has long given up hope for the flower... the flower would never move for the wind only has that power... "

Severus says nothing but then a smile finds his lips.

"The only thing that can make that silver flower move is the wind, I’m glad it’s finally here"

Elvenia faces Severus. "Let’s hope that wind is worthy of such power, for the silver flower roots set too deep into the ground" She faces her work.

’If the wind is worthy of the Silver flower’ she thought darkly.

¤●¤

My eyes slowly opened and everything was foggy and my brain was a mess, I couldn’t recall anything until I laid my thoughts and my blurry vision cleared. It settled on the book against my lap, one I have just finished but sleep took me. I just silently prayed I didn’t doze off for long, this was no time for sleeping.

I looked up at the shelf... I don’t even know how many days are left for me, I have lost count ever since I was buried in books. So many topics flooded my brain, I couldn’t think of anything but it... but it was too much, too much for my little brain to carry. But I won’t give up yet, this isn’t my limit.

I groaned, forcing my body up that had been weak for days now, my head was pounding too and my muscles were heavy and sore but either way, I lifted myself up determined to finish my punishment. I whined again as I reached for the iron stairs. I was already panting like I ran when it was just a few steps to the stance.

I took a deep breath and relaxed. I had to climb but my eyes were spinning. Why was everything spinning?

I shook my head as I climbed the stairs to get to the book I would read next, I grabbed the book and leaned on the shelf to rest a little, I was even having a hard time keeping my eyes open, it was like all my strength was draining from my very body and everything was suddenly fading.

Has Death come?

My eyes closed... maybe it has... I let myself fall, who knew I would die from too much reading?

It took forever or maybe I was already dead... but my senses seemed to be stirred when I fell on a set of arms, Arms? not the floor? whose arms? I tried to open my eyes but I was just too weak, I was panting and sweating, my head kept pounding too, and I kept shivering.

But the moment I felt a palm on my forehead I froze. I knew without a doubt that something caught me.

"Foolish mate"

Is that William? I forced my eyes open but they were halfway open and it was a blur again but I was certain it was William.

"Do you honestly think you would finish a hundred and fifty books in a month"

Wasn’t that the case for my punishment? I was unable to think more now because I was getting dizzier, the comfortable feeling I was getting from being in William’s arms was too great so I did the unthinkable or maybe I was not thinking at all. I wrapped my arms around his neck tightly and buried my face in his neck I inhaled his earthly scent and it numb my brain further allowing sleep to consume me

"So comfortable" Those were my words as darkness took me.