Agatha was in bed, enjoying the breakfast that Wanda and the others had brought up for her. It was delicious, not that she would tell any of them.

Her wounds were practically healed, but Y/N still insisted that she remained at rest. Agatha smiled at the thought, you were taking care of her very well.

Since the morning after the attack of the wolves, the brunette started to see you in a different light. She had saved your life, yes, but you needn't have saved her condenmed life and gone back to the castle with her. Perhaps in your place, even she would not have done so.

And then every morning you were beside her, placing your delicate hand on her forehead, looking for a fever that never came. Still, every morning you did it, placing a cold cloth on her forehead. And, more often than not, you stayed there even when she went back to sleep.

That day had not been one of them, however. You had told her you were going to see how Jarvis was doing and left, leaving her with an unknown feeling. A nuisance, perhaps? As much as she didn't like to admit it, Agatha had grown accustomed to your warm and soothing presence. You made her feel safe, despite being completely powerless.

The witch quickly finished her breakfast and put the tray back on the cart, before getting up and heading over to the big balcony window, but not before glancing at the rose that mocked her inability to break the curse. Shaking her head, Agatha returned her gaze to the garden, where she found you caressing your horse affectionately. A twinge of jealousy made her heart shrink, even though she knew how irrational it was.

The truth was, she wanted this, wanted to be the center of your affection. But Agatha would never achieve that from inside her room, so far away both physically and emotionally from you.

No, that simply wouldn't do.

The woman did not take her eyes off you while speaking to her servants, "you know... I want to do something for Miss Y/N," she frowned, before adding quickly, "to thank her for bringing me back to the castle, naturally. "

"Naturally," Monica repeated teasingly.

Agatha decided to ignore her tone, instead continuing, "but I don't know what to give her."

"Well, I would recommend the usual: flowers, chocolates, promises you don't intend to keep," Darcy listed.

"No!" Jimmy interrupted, "my lady, you have to do something that is special, something that piques her interest."

Agatha bit her lower lip, trying to think of something. She hasn't known you for a long time and, therefore, didn't know about your personal tastes. She was about to consider Darcy's advice or, well, part of it, before her eyes lit up.

Shakespeare.

Sometimes, before she fell asleep completely, Agatha would hear you reciting a few quotes from Shakespeare's books.

Books! Yes, books were the answer.

"Make sure the library is spotless by the afternoon, I'll take her there," she finally took her eyes off you to make sure everyone understood.

Everyone nodded with a smile, before leaving. The library was huge and they would need all the help and time they could, but it would all be worth it when the curse was broken.

Agatha was still limping a little when she entered the dining room and it made you frown, but she made it clear that she already felt better before you could say anything. You had no choice but to believe her, knowing that if you asked her to have lunch in her room, you could start a new fight, and you knew how fights with the brunette ended. And then, for the first time since you arrived at the castle, Agatha finally sat at the same table as you for lunch, at the far end of the table, but still.

As soon as the soup was served, Agatha levitated her plate in front of her, taking a small sip before letting the plate return to the table. You raised your eyebrows unconsciously, not yet quite used to seeing her using her magic. This did not go unnoticed by the witch, who lowered her gaze to the plate and sighed.

The rest of lunch went on in a less than comfortable but acceptable silence until you finished your plate. Then Agatha stood up, waiting for you to do the same before asking you to follow her.

You did, but not before expressing your curiosity, "where are we going?"

"It's a surprise, dear," Agatha replied simply, making you blush at the unexpected use of the petname.

When you arrived in front of a door, she offered you her hand. You looked down, seeing her black-stained hand with sharp claws, and for a moment Agatha thought you weren't going to hold it. She wouldn't blame you for being afraid.

But as she was going to lower it, you reached out and intertwined your fingers. You didn't know how cold your were until you felt the warmth from her hand, which fit so well with yours.

Your eyes met hers again and Agatha smiled slightly, before opening the door, guiding you into the room.

You were unable to hold the gasp when you realized where you were. The castle library. The place was majestically enormous, and every corner of the walls was filled with books and more books, countless pages and words that you couldn't wait to read. That could only be a dream.

"It's... wonderful," you mumbled, still overwhelmed by the beauty of the place, looking around like a child.

And Agatha vowed never to have seen anything more precious in her life. Your expression of wonder, your eyes shining as if the stars had descended from the sky, your genuine smile of happiness. You were truly wonderful, and the witch's heart could only melt in adoration.

"If you really like it, then it's all yours, dear," Agatha squeezed your hand before letting go.

Your heart missed a beat, and you couldn't say whether it was from the surprise of receiveing that valuable gift or from sudden sadness of letting her hand go. Maybe a bit of both.

When Agatha turned, ready to leave the room, you couldn't help but ask, "have you read all these books?"

She turned, running her eyes over the books before shrugging, "well... not all of them, some are in Greek."

You chuckled in response and once again Agatha found herself discovering something new.

She had just found out her new favorite sound.