I watched as the girls walk in front of me. Arms locked to each others. We parked the car in the town's grand car park, and now we're walking on foot.

"Mom!! We're going over there and come back okay." Susette tells me.

"Over where?"

"Just right over there." She says waving her hand in the direction across the street, down the lane.

Shaking my head.
"You girls be safe."

"We'll meet you at the bakery when we're finished." Cindie says and they run off, giggling.

They think I'm not aware of "The Lane" where most of the young people of this town, hangs out. It's like their own personal street.

I walk around town, passing a few stores. I'm not really a town girl. Griar is more of a countryside. Full of trees, open fields, carriages. Adamas had more buildings and cars now.

There once was carriages as well. Reason why the town is like this. But times change and cars were invented. The former King decided to just build a carpark outside the town which was once just trees and open field.

There's the city part of Adamas however Cosha is where the castle resides. Which is not far, but it is a good drive from here. One of the reasons why we moved here was because of the open fields and trees.

I spot Madam Ria's bookstore and I walk over to it. The comforting smell of lavender mixed together with the smell of books.

"Oh!" She claps.
"Well if it isn't my favorite customer." Madam Ria happily says walking from behind her counter, and coming over to hug.

"Hi Ria."

Ria Cartridge is a very beautiful brown woman. She's average height, and has the most beautiful white hair that was always in an Afro. Her brown eyes were truly a sight to behold. In the dark they looked black, but when a single ray of light hits them, you would see the most beautiful shade of dark brown.

No one could touch her when it came to fashion. And must I say, the dress she's wearing today was stunning.

"It feels like I haven't seen you in forever." She tells me, pulling away.

"I'm always around. You look very beautiful."

"Oh thank you darling. Trying out my seamstress skills." She says giving it a twirl. The green fringes at the bottom of the print dress was beautiful.

"Well it looks beautiful." I tell her.
"Any new books?" I ask walking over to the new arrivals shelf.

"There's one I think you would love." She walks behind her desk again, going to the back, and coming back out with a very beautiful book.

"It's called The Art of Love by Seger Rose. It's a limited edition. One of a kind."

She hands me a beautiful hard cover, blood red book. The edges of the book, were lined with gold flakes, and the title of the book printed in gold metallic cursive handwritten. Small swirls of gold lines surrounding it like vines.

"Wow. It's beautiful." I say in awe.

"I knew you would like it." She says watching me, with a pleased smile.
"I'm sure it'll be the best book you ever read. Might even change your life." I watch her curiously and she smiles.

"Well! Your favorite spot to the back is clear as always."

"Oh thank you."
I walk to he back, taking a sit at the familiar small table I have gotten well acquainted with. Opening the book ad beginning to read.

💎💎
𝘓𝘦𝘰𝘯𝘢𝘳𝘥𝘰

"Your Majesty, I don't think it is wise for us to had left the castle. Your father is not going to be happy about this."

"Philip live a little." I tell him, getting out our car and walking in the direction of the town.

I decided to sneak out of the castle today, and my trusted advisor Philip is having a complete nervous breakdown behind me.

"I'm always coped up in the castle. A little fresh air is nice no?" I ask, turning to look at the poor fellow behind me. He hesitates a little, slowly nodding his head. I hit his shoulder turning back around and continuing to walk.

A few people watch us as we pass, but I wasn't too worried. One thing about the Adamas people they mind their business. Most times.

"I heard there's a bookstore somewhere around here. I think that will ease your worrisome mind."

"Your Majesty-" Stopping abruptly, causing him to bump into me.

"Philip, while we are "secretly" outside castle grounds, why don't you not call me your Majesty." I say turning to him.

"Then what should I call you?" He asks unsure.

"Leo...call me Leo." Turning around to walk again. I see the book store in the distance, heading towards it.

The fresh, but slightly old good smell of books fill my nose, as we enter. A feeling of peace surrounding me.

My father always tells me, I got my love for books from my mother.

"Hello gentlemen, I am Madam Ria, owner of Ria's Collectives. How may I help you?"

"I'm here to purchase a few of your books ma'am" I tell her.

"Well there are many amazing books to choose from. Why don't you take a look around and find what you like. We have a more private reading section to the back if you desire. I'll be right here when your ready to purchase."

"Thank you."

I walk around. My eyes scanning the titles of the books as I pass. There weren't that much people in the store. Which was good.

"Your-" I raise an eyebrow at him.
"Leo. I think we should get the books and lea-"

"Philip. We have no need to worry. I haven't been seen outside the castle in 5 years, and my disguise looks very neat don't you think." He deadpans me. I laugh.

I only had on a pair of fake tested glasses, my brown hair cut shorter than normal.

I tried to look as normal as possible with my clothing. I think I did a great, seeing as no one has approached me yet.
"We'll find some books and then we'll leave. Does that make you happy?"

"Very." I roll my eyes.

"Why don't you look for a book to read as well." I tell him.

"I don-"

"Look for a book Philip." Not even waiting for a reply, I continue my search. Finding a few good books to buy.

I walk more to the back of the library, seeing the seating arrangements placed for customers reading pleasure.

There were only about three people here. A little child and who I would believe is her older brother, and a woman to the far back corner of the room.

The book in her hand catching my attention.

"Shall we leave now your majesty?" I ignore him, walking over to the woman.

"Your- Leo!" He whisper yells. I get a clear look at the title of the book, my heart skipping a beat.

"How?"

"Pardon?"She says looking up to me.

"Oh! Sorry, I didn't mean- well I- The book that you're reading. It was my mother's favorite book." She closes it, looking over the cover.

"Was?"

"Umm..yes she passed away, a few years ago."

"Oh. My condolences." She sympathizes.

"Thank you."

"It seems your mother had great taste. It's a beautiful book. Inside and out." She says chuckling a little.

"What is it about if you don't mind me asking? I never got to read it, and my father hasn't been able to find my mother's copy ever since she passed." I say walking closer to her.

She watches me for a minute. Her face, scrunching up, as if she was trying to figure me out.

"Do I know you from somewhere? You look very familiar."

"You don-" I place my hand to stop Philip from speaking. She watches him curiously.

His nervousness is just making things more suspicious.

"We haven't met before, but I have been told that I have a face that is very familiar by many people." I say smiling. She shakes her head, laughing lightly. She gestures for me to sit in the chair across from her.

I sit down, giving her my thanks. She gestures for Philip to sit as well, but I sent him a look that said sit somewhere else.

"I'm Leo." She shakes her head, seeming amused that I just told Philip off.

"Nice to meet you Leo. I'm Catelyn." She says, stretching her hand out for me to shake, and I obliged.

"The summary says the story is about a woman who fell in love with a man she thought she couldn't have." She explains.

"She thought she couldn't have him?" I ask.

"Hmm. From what I've read so far, she constantly thinks like this. They haven't met face to face as yet though. She watches him from the distance."

"He's the son a high official. The author wrote the book in a very journal like style."

My mouth makes an O shape. My eyes stare at the book in her hands,with a sense of longing.

Did mom relate to the character in this book?

I see her close the book, before sliding it over to me.

"Why don't you take it." She says. A kind look on her face.

I watch her shocked.
"No no. You've already started reading. I simply couldn't." Sliding it back over to her.

"It okay. I think you derserve to read this more than I do." She says sliding it back.

"I really couldn't." I say, sliding it back to her.

She watches me, thinking.

"How about this? Why don't we read it together."

"You don't have-"

"It's not a problem." She says, a kind smile on her face.

"Okay. Thank you." I say smiling at her.

"Again,not a problem. I've already read a little bit though. How about I start over?" I nod and she flips the pages, going back to the top, beginning to read.

I listened along as she read. Her voice was very soothing and calm. It reminded me a little of my mother when she would read to me when I was younger.

Time seemed to slowly pass by, as she read.

"I hid myself behind the bushes, watching him from a distance. I wish we could meet face to face soon." She reads.

Did my mom find herself being able to relate to Alice? Is that why she loved the book so much?

I remember can recall a little of how mom and dad met. It was somewhat the same.

"Mom!! Oh my gosh there you are!! We've been looking for you for hours!!" A young woman says, coming to the back.

"Stop exaggerating Brianna. I told you to check the bookstore first. But nooooo you guys wanted to go here and there!" The other girl says.

"Oh be quiet Susette." The third one tells her.

"Who's this?" I see Philip's posture tense up at her question. The three girls all watch me, suspiciously.

I'm not surprised that many people do not recognize me as much as before. After my mother's passing, I locked myself up in the castle, only leaving when necessary and even then, I wasn't seen much.

"This is Leo. We're reading this book together."

"Oh! Umm, the art of love? Oookay." Susette I believe her name is watches her mother, blinking her eyes several times as if signals something.

Does she think?

"Oh Susette no!!" Catelyn exclaimed. Eyes wide. Philip as well looked taken aback. I let out a chuckle, shaking my head.

"Well a handsome young man, and a beautiful woman sitting at a table reading a book called the art of love.. I mean what would anyone think."

The one on her left, hits her arm hard.

"Ow!! Don't hit me. I'm just saying. Some guys are into these type of relationships these days." She says hitting her back.

Shaking her head at her daughters, Catelyn stands to her feet.
"Seems we're going to have to stop here Leo. It was very nice meeting you. You as well Philip." She says standing from her seat.

"You as well Ma'am"

"Oh please call me Cateyln." She says walking off.

Realizing she forgot the book.
"You forgot the book!" I say, picking it up and handing it to her. Her daughters kept watching us. The one in blue, looked at me like she was trying to figure me out.

"Why don't you finish read it and tell me how it ended the next time we see each other."

"I really coul-"

"I insist." She waves to me and Philip one last time, leaving. Her daughter Susette, stares at me. Gesturing that she's watching me, before following after her mother.

I look down to the book in my hands, admiring the exquisite cover details.

"I think we should go as well, your Majesty." Philip tells me.

"Hmm." We walk out to the front, so I can pay for our books.

"All finished?" Madam Ria asks. Taking our books, cashing them out. I hand her the art of love and she stretched her hand out stopping me.

"Oh no. Catelyn has already paid the expense of this book." She notifies me.

"She did?"

"Mhmm." She hands me our books, and we thank her leaving.

Philip drives out the car park, heading home. I glance down at the book in my hand again. Running my fingers over the title.

I'll have to keep you hidden from dad for now.

SEE YOU IN THE NEXT CHAPTER.