The library was draped in a comfortable silence, underscored only by the soft rustle of pages and the rhythmic scratch of pens. A gentle breeze drifted through the open window, fluttering the silky curtains that filtered the sunlight. In those shifting, golden beams, tiny motes of dust danced, stirred from their rest among the library's centuries-old collection.
A human boy and an elven girl sat opposite each other, heads bowed, immersed in their own respective books.
The librarian sat behind the desk, scribbling down in a ledger.
A fluffy cat wandered around the place like a patrolman, its soft, padded paws making nary a sound against the sandalwood floorboards.
After a while, Mr. Ivans closed his ledger and stood up, pausing to gaze at his pupils. His eyes held warmth and contentment.
It always brought a smile to his face to see law-abiding, knowledge-seeking young children.
In his humble opinion, Elizabeth and Jonah were miles ahead of the brutes who only ever trained in martial arts, barely even bothering to learn how to read.
Careful not to disturb his pupils, he walked toward the exit. The cat, however, noticed his movement and turned to watch him. Mr. Ivans offered a curt dip of his head at Mr. Kregils, and the feline reciprocated.
The door closed with a slight thud, making the young Elf's sensitive ears twitch involuntarily.
A long moment passed, and Jonah gazed up from his book.
He tutted, and the cat, who was steadily patrolling the library, abandoned his post and trotted over, jumping onto his bench.
Jonah didn't dare pet the fluffy creature, no matter how much his entire existence yearned to do so. Mr. Kregils showed no kindness toward whoever dared to sully his perfectly pruned hair.
Instead, he retrieved a pouch from his pocket and slid it across the bench.
The feline sniffed it, nodded toward Jonah, bit onto the fabric of the pouch and sauntered away.
Only then did Jonah dare to exhale aloud, promptly diving back into his book.
The library required absolute silence, and Mr. Kregils enforced the rule. However, even the mighty Kregils wasn't above temptations. Premium catnip always worked.
Elizabeth, who had been covering her face with the book and peeking at the interaction, smiled in relief as the cat walked away and put down her book.
She stood up and stretched with an audible groan.
Jonah peeked over his book. The way Elizabeth puffed out her cheeks while stretching… he'd always found it cute.
Aaand there she was doing handstand pushups. Her form was less shaky now than a few days back. Evidently, she'd been practising. And the way her silky skirt stayed upright even while upside down showed she hadn't been slacking off in her mana control practice either.
Jonah focused back on his book.
For everyone else, Elizabeth was a perfect student, always immersed in her book, the sweet pupil of Mr. Ivan's. But Jonah knew just how much she hated studying, and just how much she loved martial arts. At least she didn't absolutely hate magic.
"I thought he'd never leave," Elizabeth said, lowering her form just enough to tap her nose against the sandalwood floor.
"Yeah," Jonah agreed, turning the page, "I thought he caught on."
"Nah," Elizabeth snorted, "You're worrying too much. I don't think he even cares."
"Nop!" Jonah looked up, "I'm very much sure he hates even the thought of his student pursuing martial arts. The other day, I saw him fighting with Mr. Verslis, arguing whether martial arts or magic were superior."
Elizabeth paused, her hands upright, leaning to one side, trying to balance herself in one hand. Her form, which had been perfect up until now, began shaking, and she had to give up. However, she still stood on her hands, her form slowly stabilising.
A bead of sweat rolled down Elizabeth's nose, dripping onto the sandalwood floor.
"Bah," she spat finally, letting out her frustrations at once, "Who cares about his opinion anyway?" There was a high note to Elizabeth's voice as she once again slowly lowered her form.
Jonah shrugged, not looking up from his book.
A comfortable silence passed as Elizabeth's breathing, Jonah's turning of pages, and the rustle of Mr. Kregil's playing with the catnip pouch remained the only sound in the library.
A soft wind blew from the open window, rustling the silky curtains, breaking the silence and cooling Elizabeth.
Jonah, still focused on his book, spoke casually.
"You remember my uncle, Divan?"
"Uha."
"He got married the other day?"
"Really?! He got married? I thought he said he never wanted to marry!"
"I know, right?! I asked him that too!" Jonah looked up from his book, "and he said, Ahem–"People change with time, boy.""
Elizabeth chuckled at Jonah's weak attempt at imitating Uncle Divan.
"I don't get it!" Jonah continued waving his arm around, "Do you know how much it costs to arrange a wedding? I heard the engagement rings alone cost around a grand. I mean, why would anyone spend that much money on a damn ring! How many books could we buy with that?! I bet I'd be able to fill my bedroom shelf!"
Elizabeth paused, her breathing a bit rapid, "So you're against marriage?"
"No, but one could do it cheaper!" Jonah dove back into his book.
Elizabeth couldn't really pinpoint why, but she felt really annoyed at that moment.
She pushed up against the floor and leapt, landing directly on the table, crouching, looking directly into Jonah's–who had looked up from his book in start–eyes.
Jonah looked straight into Elizabeth's emerald eyes with a raised eyebrow.
She jiggled, the sweat on her face fell on the book infront of him, her long ears twitching slightly.
She asked;
"Say, If we, we both remain unmarried for the next, wellllll, thousand years, how about we marry each other?"
"Hmmm," Jonah hummed, "Alright, but only if you agree to do it frugally."
"Let's hold off on the details. Who knows, maybe people really will change with time," Elizabeth leaned over, her forehead touching Jonah's.
Jonah was a bit annoyed at the touch of her sweat-soaked forehead, but he grinned at her.
"Oh, trust me, Elle, I'll never change!"
…