Loyalties [Valentina]

Despite the impressive nature of the palace’s library, few people seemed to use it on a regular basis. Most serious scholars tended to settle in Drasil and most of the residents of the castle only used it for the occasional research or as a means to impress visitors. Kate, however, was an exception. She had taken to spending enough time in the library over the years that nobody had thought it strange when she had requisitioned an old storeroom in the back to use as a private study. Of course, it hadn’t really been the privacy she’d been after; one of the old bookcases set against the wall hid a rather convenient entrance to a secret passage that led out of the palace.

However, Kate did appreciate having a room where she was unlikely to be disturbed, especially when she was up to certain activities that her father would not approve of. Earlier she had been hoping to venture out into the city in her disguise, but the rain that was steadily beating against the windows had put a stop to that. Not that she really minded the rain, but it would be rather difficult to explain how she’s managed to become soaked while reading in her study.

Instead Kate had ended up working on her next essay that she hoped to have published anonymously. However, even she had to admit that it wasn’t going well. An analysis of how the king’s policies were negatively effecting the economy had sounded like a decent idea to start with, but Kate hadn’t realized just how horribly boring it could turn out to be.

She scratched out another few lines that she was displeased with before leaning back in her chair to reread what she had so far. Kate scowled at the paper; it really would be best to simply start over from the beginning. Dropping the paper back on the desk, she stared out the window at the grey skies and tilted the chair back even farther so the front legs were off the ground. Maybe she should just scrap the idea completely and try to pick something else to write about.

A sudden crash of thunder made her jump, which normally wouldn’t be a problem. However, Kate’s chair had been balanced rather precariously and the sudden shift in her movement caused it to tumble over backwards. Before she could move to catch herself, Kate plummeted down, smacking the back of her head against the floor.

“Oww,” she muttered, rather glad that nobody had been around to witness that. Picking herself up, Kate rubbed the back of her head. Maybe it was about time for a break since she was clearly not getting anywhere. Perhaps a snack and a short walk would give her some fresh ideas.

Kate righted her chair and scooped up the messy essay from the table, stuffing it between the pages of a book before hiding the book in a large pile of other books. She held no illusions about what might happen to her if the paper was discovered; her father would certainly see her thoughts as treasonous. One could never be too careful, even if she made sure to keep the door locked at all times.

Starting towards the door, Kate was surprised to hear a hesitant knock sound from the other side. She unlocked the door and tugged it open to see a rather nervous looking servant standing on the other side.

“I’m sorry to disturb you,” the woman said, “But I heard a crash and wanted to make sure you were alright.”

“I’m quite fine,” Kate responded, trying not to go red with embarrassment. So someone had been close enough to hear her fall. “I just knocked over a few books. It’s certainly not anything to worry about.” With an easy smile she shook off the woman’s offers of cleaning up after her. Even if cleaning was the woman’s only intention, Kate really didn’t want anyone poking around in her study. At least the servant seemed to accept her excuse for the crash readily enough. That wasn’t surprising though; few people would have imagined that she would be the sort to accidentally tip her chair over backwards.

Kate waited until the woman had left before turning to lock the door behind her and leaving the library. Several Azurine guards saluted as she passed through the corridors and she simply nodded to them in return. She knew most of them by name and so she was somewhat surprised to see an unfamiliar face when she turned a corner. However, although Kate was curious, she couldn’t just stop to question every person wandering through the castle. Instead she simply gave the same nod that she had directed at the other soldiers, intending to simply continue on her way.