Chapter 10

That night, Edmund lay awake in bed, his hand clenched tightly around the small key.

He had hidden it under his pillow as if it were the most precious treasure in the world.
Even while he slept, his fingers curled around it instinctively.

‘The library key… She dropped it on purpose.’

He knew it for certain.
The way Cassia had spoken outside the door had been far too deliberate.
She wanted him to notice.

For the first time in years, Edmund felt something stir inside him—something like hope.

But along with it came doubt.

‘Why? Why would she give this to me?’

If this was all part of his uncle’s scheme, then it was a cruel trick.
But if it wasn’t…

Edmund closed his eyes tightly, shaking his head.

‘No. I can’t think like that. I can’t trust her.’

Yet despite telling himself so, when dawn came, his feet carried him toward the library almost against his will.

The villa’s library was not large, but to Edmund, who had been forbidden even the simplest books, it felt like a hidden palace.

Rows of shelves reached up toward the ceiling.
The faint scent of parchment and ink filled the air.
Sunlight filtered in through tall windows, painting golden streaks across the wooden floor.

He paused just inside the door, heart pounding, afraid someone would burst in and stop him.

But no one came.

Cautiously, he stepped forward and ran his fingertips over the spines of books.

History, geography, philosophy, magic theory—
so much knowledge, all locked away from him for years.

His throat tightened.

‘All this time… right here, and I wasn’t allowed to touch it.’

He pulled down a book and opened it with trembling hands.
The crisp sound of pages turning filled his ears.

Knowledge poured into him.
Every word was a treasure, every page a door to a new world.

For the first time, Edmund felt like he was no longer just a prisoner.

From the hallway outside, Cassia leaned against the wall, arms folded, a satisfied smile playing at her lips.

She hadn’t followed him inside—
if Edmund knew she was watching, he would only get suspicious again.

Instead, she stood quietly, listening to the faint sounds of pages turning.

‘Good. He found it.’

Her heart felt strangely warm.

Of course, Cassia knew this wasn’t enough.
A few books wouldn’t heal the scars left by years of neglect and abuse.

But still… it was a start.

‘Now, Edmund. Take the first step yourself.’

And inside, unaware of her presence, Edmund turned another page with shining red eyes.