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Asriel followed obediently, taking his arm loosely and letting him take the lead in this one. She'd like to say she got most of it down despite the fact that there were so many rooms she could go in and couldn't that she practically saw the castle as a maze more than an ornate display. She didn't voice her confusion; she didn't need to memorize so many things before. Yet she assumed that she had the rest of her life to get used to it; that was, until she was murdered first. Led into a large room filled with books, Asriel marveled at the extensive collection. She ran her fingers lightly upon the spines. Leather ones, small ones, rugged-looking ones, fabricated ones, paperbacks, hard covers, titles embroided with golden leaves and other titles swirling in lovely letters. It was because of books that Asriel knew what she did. It was her past time while she was in her room.

Eventually, while Alister roamed on, she let her arm slip from his hold as she plucked a book on astronomy from one of the great, sturdy shelves. She flipped through it quickly, liking the feeling of paper rustling under her finger tips until she put it back. "If I had these many books...I'd live my life reading all of them," she murmured quietly, running her fingers along the spine of a thick book. "You know, I thought you to be a stern, thick coated military man but you aren't one at all. You like gardens, being outside, reading books here in this library; you're very feministic," she commented, even though it sounded much more like an insult.

How dare he touch a woman in this fashion. However, Asriel was not to be mistaken, right? For she was this man's wife. For a moment, she held herself back, about to raise her hand against him. Yet in doing so, that choice probably would've been the incorrect path to have taken and probably the most problematic at that. She was representing her country. After all, the marriage and her sacrifice, are all for the sake of the country. It's a tool, right? A part of her really wanted to laugh for a moment. And yet, if she indeed showed hostility, he had every right to dispose of her. She could die if Alister so wished it. This country or that, it's all the same. rather it's just the place where she will die has changed that's all. And with that thought in mind, she gave a smirk to herself, still looking at the countless titles that stared indifferently back at her.
Then, she finally turned slightly, glancing over her shoulder to the man who imprisoned her with his arms. She had no where to go from here, the book case and Alister's body blocking her means of escape.

Frazzled though she was, she had managed to keep a cool face, blue eyes gazing upon his amber orbs with a look of bewitchment. "I don't see what's restraining you. You’re this country’s prince. There’s nothing here you can’t lay your hands on," she stated rather coldly.

Feeling rather dissapointed, though she couldn't possibly know why, Asriel leaned back on the bookshelf. Such bitter words came from her mouth; she touched her lips lightly. And that look on his face? She slumped down, staring at the ceiling. It was always like this, perhaps? Surely, he hated her already. He had done nothing wrong to her and yet she was ever so distant to him. She wiped at her eyes, hating how she was feeling. Yes, always like this. Alone in a room with books as the only comfort to her. She rubbed her eyes again and stood. Deciding in going back to her room, Asriel sauntered back down the hall. Thanks to the tour, one of the various things she learned was to at least be able to get back to her room. However, Asriel stopped and turned when a maid passed. "Where did Alister go?" She asked quietly. She didn't know why she asked but felt compelled to. The maid shook her head silently and scurried off. Not knowing where Alister was put her mind at unease. So he ran off again, right? She entered her room with emptiness and lit a candle.

Upon her trunk, Asriel proceeded in opening it. The trunk contained the few personals she owned. She unlocked the trunk and opened its lid, fabrics of various colors topped the chest. She dug under them. Under those were a few books, poorly covered and the pages yellowing. They were of the few books she owned and merely touching them comforted her. She hadn't went through her trunk since she came to this foreign land; these were the only things that accompanied her to this land and with them, she didn't feel as lonely. And yet, there was something else in the trunk. She pulled it out; at first not knowing what it was or who it belonged to until she ran her finger over its handle and switched the blade. It was a pocket knife, its handle intricately engraved with delicate ivy and faded initials. She remembered then how it came into her posession.

Of the few comers that came to her room, a man would come to give her meals to her sometimes. He was a knight who guarded the castle and only came to give her meals when it was his shift to watch over her tower. Probably the only being in the world that had ever showed her kindness was him. He didn't talk to her, sure, but he didn't insult her. Until the night before she was to leave for Demetria, he came to her giving her last supper. It was the first time he spoke to her. "Be careful not to get yourself killed. If ever faced in a situation you displease, please find this as your source of strength. I'm sorry, princess, I can not give you anything more than this," he said before her left her. She failed to ask for his name and the fading intials helped none. She held it tightly and got dressed, placing it upon her dresser. She then went to bed, feeling rather unwell and not having any appetite to eat supper, before she shoved the knife under one of her pillows.

| Emm...Asriel was already sleeping but I can edit. It'll be more entertaining that way. |

Asriel turned then, sharply as if to expect Alister. She blew a steady breath, watching his look of bewilderment; as if he had seen a ghost. What did he expect to be in her place? She glanced towards the pillows, where she had hidden the knife only moments prior. Her mood had calmed down a bit since the library. Asriel's back to the window, she didn't know how to face Alister. She lowered her eyes, not knowing what to say. Wanting to find at least something to say to him, Asriel found herself struggling for the right words. She went to the bed, sitting on it, her back facing him. "I..." She had never spoken such words to anyone before but was determined to force them out of her mouth. "I am truly sorry for the way I spoke to you. As if you were a spoiled child." She inhaled deeply and gave a sigh. "It’s just some useless accomplishment. Such a treaty; dressed and adorned in silk and gold, its authors made it seem like an honor to be wedded. I think no one could've continued without some kind of peace," she said slowly, looking at him then.
"I'm not here for a welcome reception. I'm not here to play like this marriage is fulfilling or like it's all just going to work out. I'm just a sacrificial goat," she explained. "And all I ever think about is when I think someone will have the guts to kill me when I least expect it, when this blood will be rung out and I'd die here in this country. It came to the point where I seemed to have forgotten that you were forced into this marriage as much as I, though nearly not in the same circumstances, and that all I have ever done was treat you unkindly. It was unfair for you," she murmured, ending the last of what she felt burdened her, what she truly wanted to say to him. She hugged her knees, laying her chin on them.

| No need to apologize. |

Asriel felt his good intentions and admired him for his attempts. However, Asriel could only help but give another sigh. Though Alister reassured her she would not die by the hands of another, he could not stop the hostility she would receive from them for she would always be the black sheep. It was funny to think Alister thought of her as a sweet person when he knew nothing of her. As she crawled into bed, she held a small smile. She needed affection, hmm? Where did he get that implication?
She gave a glance to him, watching his back as he breathed. His scars shown more clearly than before. Asriel reached over to touch one but withdrew her hand. "Alister?" She whispered. "Why do you have so many scars?" She asked quietly. Was it too late to ask questions? She again, much like yesterday night, was not tired.

And she indeed would ask him such a question. "So how did you get those scars on your back from here?" She asked as she laid on her back, staring at the ceiling. Alister was such a mysetry; Asriel didn't know what he was thinking. So she had to be wary where she stepped and what she asked. After a moment, she quickly added, "You don't have to answer if you don't want to or if you're too tired." She was curious though; she wanted to know just how much Alister suffered and why he acted the way he did.

Asriel bidded to herself and closed her eyes as well. Yet sleep did not come. She opened one eye to peek at alister. He looked so innocent in his sleep, so vulnerable. Yet with such a troubled face, he looked as though he suffered many burdens. Asriel wanted to know this man; she did not want to share the rest of her life with a stranger even if not to love him. She rolled over, her back facing him as she curled into a ball and counted turning pages as she went to sleep.

Unlike yesterday, however, Asriel woke up quite early. She sat up slowly, yawning before looking to where Alister formerly slept.