Chapter 191: Opening up

The horse started neighing.

Soon Severus reached his destination. He came down when the horse stopped. As he did, he witnessed a colossal building in front of him.

Well, he needs to salute Znye kingdom for creating such a luxurious library. 

"This way sir," Rze said as he took the lead. 

Severus was literally in awe, the building was designed intricately with sculptors on its wall. Several wall paintings depicted the ancient history of the kingdom. The library was not divided into sections instead it was divided into floors. 

Each floor was dedicated to one genre. The basement had a hidden pantry where small snacks were prepared. The ground floor was mostly filled with ancient history and biographies. The second floor contained only fictional storybooks.

The third floor contained books on subjects like algebra, chemicals, medicals, and other studies. It was solely focused on students who wanted to either study or research. The fourth floor contained other books. Who specifically didn't belong to any genre. The fifth and highest floor contained all the scrolls and ancient books. It was a restricted place and only those who had special permission from the Crown prince could access it, however, the crown prince had never given anyone the permission to venture inside. 

Rze explained the inner structure of the library to Severus.

Severus took his seat on a nearby couch as he patiently listened.

"Can I access the fifth floor?" Severus asked without missing a beat.

Uze expression tensed for a second and then returned back to normal. The smile on Rze face didn't slip. "Of course. The crown prince had granted you special permission to check out the fifth floor."

He spoke.

It sure was going to be a long day.

Without wasting any other second, Severus entered the ground floor and started exploring it. He saw that room contained several biographies. He asked Rze to bring down the biographies of ex-king and some famous scholars. 

Rze did as he was instructed.

Severus also asked him to take down some books on ancient history.

Soon Servers table was filled with so many books that there was not even enough space to put even a glass on it. Raze instructed one of the guards to join another table with the current one so it became long. 

The soldier did as he was instructed, and son books piled on this long table. Noworry was already seeing stars. This much paperwork was giving him a headache, so he did what he was best in.

DITCHING!

He snuggled close to Severus and slept.

"..."

Severus really wanted to kick Noworry out. However, on the second thought, even if Noworry could help him, he wouldn't be able to. Rze and Uze were eying him as well as Noworry as a predator's eyeing their prey. Severus was sure Minya asked them to accompany him not because of generosity but because of doubt.

Severus had no other choice, so he prayed and started reading those heavy books. Uze and Rze felt bored to death. Academics were not their forte and on top of it, the complete silence inside the library was making them feel sleepy, but they dared not sleep.

Uze took the guard duty while Rze…

He said he was going to read some literature books but when Uze checked up on him, he was dozing off on one of the couches.

Hours passed in a blink.

Three hours passed just like this. Severus felt his complete body turning sore. His joints started hurting so he stood up and stretched a bit. He felt a lot after stretching.

From afar he saw a maid coming his way. She was holding a big tray that contained a teapot and some bread. 

Garr…

Severus' stomach rumbled. He felt embarrassed but he was hungry. Severus passed a sweet smile to her and finished everything as soon as he could.

He felt his energy being replenished. 

Without wasting time, he again started reading the biographies.

Uze did not disturb him while Rze just slept.

Soon it was dawn.

Workers started lighting the candles. Severus started feeling the strain in his eyes so he shut the book and called it a day.

AHHHH

He stretched.

"I guess it's enough for today. We can come back tomorrow for research. Am I right?" Severus asked Uze.

Uze wordlessly nodded.

Severus did not mind it. 

Severus was still dizzy as his body was not accustomed to such long sittings. The moment he took his first step, his legs went numb and he dis-balanced. It was Uze's fast reflex that saved Servers from an embarrassing fall.

Severus smiled apologetically. When he tried getting up, Severus noticed the tattoo on his wrist. Since they were in their homeland, they were not wearing gloves but the large sleeves in their uniform always covered the tattoo. However, right now, when Uze tried saving Severus, in his attempt his cuffs on his sleeves were pulled upwards thus showing his bare wrist. 

Uze noticed that Serves was keenly observing his tattoo. He quickly helped Severus and pulled his cuffs down. His reflex was so fast that it made it look suspicious.

Not like Severus was not, but it confirmed his suspicion.

Rze who was earlier dozing off was woken up, 

"Are you done?" He asked Severus.

Severus nodded his head.

The three of them went out and sat inside the carriage. Severus wanted to initiate the conversation, but it seems like after he saw Uze's tattoo, he was behaving more carefully around him than he always was. 

Expecting anything from Uze would be useless.

Severus changed his target. He noticed that Rze was rather more talkative so he wondered whether he could get anything from Rze.

"Ah…." Severus groaned in pain.

Uze didn't respond while Rze just stared at him curiously.

Severus felt embarrassed.

"My leg. It is numb so whenever carriage cross bumps I can feel it too." He sheepishly explained.

O

Rze made a sound of the O vowel and then asked the charioteer to drive slowly.

"Thanks" Severus thanked him.

Rze replied. "Mention not."

"Ah Znye Kingdom sure is vast. You people have such diversity while the knowledge you have, I can say that Rivera doesn't own half of it. I must say, you all are far ahead than others' ' Severus complemented without talking to anyone particularly.

Uze still ignored him but this time Rze didn't.

With a broad smile, he replied. "You think so too?"

"Damn I always thought we were ahead of others. After all, we belong to Znye" He proudly declared.

"Yea. I heard the backstory from crown prince Minya. Your kingdom is the best suitable palace for anyone to live peacefully if we disregard the havoc created by the cursed spirit" Severus discreetly mentioned.

When the cursed spirit was mentioned, Uze ears perked up but he still didn't show any interest in the conversation. On the other hand, Rze became immensely interested.

"So, you know about her."

"That bitch…. just because she was a guardian spirit once that doesn't mean she has the right to create havoc. Because of her many people were killed. Several families were dis-banded. Children turned into orphans. The widespread trauma caused by these atrocities and suffering of the civilian population is another legacy of these conflicts, the following creates extensive emotional and psychological stress".

"Blood was shed, peoples were massacred, women's tuned widows, and what not happened. The entire economy came down tumbling like a house of cards. Crimes increased, and people turned their backs on good and started worshipping evil. Destruction was everywhere" Rze said with contempt.

Rze had a strange look in his eyes. "Only after the crown prince regained total control, things started turning for good. Crime rates started decreasing. He changed several laws and strengthened the army to protect the kingdom from sudden attacks. It wasn't easy but he did it. He was just 19 when he regained control over the entire kingdom. Now no one dares to challenge his authority."

When he finished, Severus could see the appreciation and gratitude in his eyes. Earlier he didn't believe Moon but now witnessing the cynical devotions from his own eyes made him stooped for words.

He didn't know if he should pity him or punch him. 

Everyone had their own life and a path to walk on it. It was Minya's choice to save the kingdom or do what he did. It was understandable that he was grateful but the level of devotion he showed toward the crown prince was just absurd.

It was more like infatuation….

Severus felt awkward sharing space with the two of them. To think that they both are infatuated with Minya and may have even shared a bed….

Severus wanted to hit his head for thinking such atrocious thoughts.

[Stop thinking about it, Severus...] Noworry cursed him.

Severus glared at him. "So, you are awake. Nice to know"

[.....]

[ I can listen to your thoughts so it would be better if you could stop running your mind wild. Damn! Sometimes it sucks to share physic with you] Noworry grumbled.

"....."

As if I am enjoying it.

"Yea, the crown prince sure is formidable. He is just so awesome" Severus sang the same tune just like Rze.

He noticed that Rze started opening with him and they both talked nonstop until they reached back to the palace.