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Chapter 5 - THE LIBRARY

The mansion felt different after Clovis's quiet "thank you." The air seemed lighter, and the silence felt more comfortable than empty. Cinder found herself humming as she prepared his meals, putting extra care into the little details—a flower garnish on his breakfast plate, his favorite kind of tea leaves set out for the afternoon.

One evening, after cleaning the kitchen, Cinder felt a pull towards the one room she had only seen once. She pushed open the heavy wooden door to the library. It was even more magnificent than she remembered. The air smelled of old paper and polished wood. Shelves stretched from the floor to the high ceiling, filled with more books than she could ever read in a lifetime. It was a world of stories, a world she had always dreamed of.

She walked slowly, her fingers gently brushing the spines of the books. She felt a thrill of excitement mixed with a little bit of fear. What if she wasn't supposed to be in here? But the room felt so welcoming. She found a section with classic novels and her eyes landed on a familiar title: Jane Eyre. It was her favorite book. She took it carefully from the shelf and settled into a large, comfortable armchair in a cozy corner, losing herself in Jane's story.

Meanwhile, Clovis had finished his work. He felt restless. The numbers and reports on his computer screen no longer held his attention. He needed a different kind of escape. He decided to go to the library for a new book. When he opened the door, he stopped.

She was there.

Cinder was curled up in his favorite chair, her feet tucked underneath her. She was so absorbed in her book that she didn't hear him enter. A small reading lamp cast a warm, golden glow on her face, highlighting her look of quiet concentration. In that moment, she didn't look like an employee in his mansion. She looked like she belonged there.

He cleared his throat.

Cinder jumped, the book nearly slipping from her hands. "Mr. Blackwood! I'm so sorry, I—"

"You're reading Jane Eyre," he stated, his voice neutral.

"Yes," she said, her cheeks turning pink. "I'm sorry, I shouldn't have—"

"Why this book?" he asked, genuinely curious. He walked closer.

Cinder relaxed a little, holding the book protectively. "I like Jane. She's quiet and people think she's plain, but she's so strong inside. She knows her own worth. She doesn't let anyone, not even the man she loves, treat her poorly."

Clovis was silent, considering her words. He had never thought of the story that way. "Most people find it slow," he commented.

"Most people are wrong," Cinder said softly, then immediately looked down, embarrassed by her own boldness.

To her astonishment, Clovis let out a soft sound that was almost a laugh. It was a rare, quiet sound that seemed to surprise him as much as it did her. "You're right," he agreed. He walked to a different shelf, his movements sure, and pulled out a thick, old book. "If you admire strength, you should try this next." He held out a copy of The Count of Monte Cristo.

Cinder took the heavy book, her fingers briefly brushing against his. A small, warm shiver went through her. "Thank you," she whispered.

He simply nodded and turned to find his own book. For the next hour, they sat in a comfortable silence, each lost in a different story. The huge, lonely mansion didn't feel lonely at all. In the quiet library, surrounded by thousands of stories, the most important one was just beginning to unfold between them.

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