sophiabcaumont¡:
@joeljihoo
What Sophia wanted to do most as queen consort of the vampire kingdom was give back to the community in any way that she possibly could. Her husband might have been responsible for taking a stance in the upcoming war, but that didnât mean that she couldnât support Candoris in her own personal way. Acts of charity had always been high up on her list of priorities; she had grown up in Paris as a helpless street orphan, after all, and so she knew better than anyone else what it felt like to be alone and without support. She had several ideas in mind for the sort of organization that she wanted to fund - something to do with children, if she was given her way - but she wanted to do a bit of research before she presented it to her king. She was already trying so desperately to prove herself to him as it was, and the absolute last thing that she wanted was to look like a fool in his presence. She needed this - she needed something to keep herself from wasting away in the sprawling, luxurious castle that still felt like a barren prison to her.Â
And that was why she had decided to spend the afternoon in one of Candorisâ finest bookshops. She had always been an avid fan of the written word - Laurent had made sure of that - but todayâs readings would be solely-research based. She was certain that there was plenty to learn about charitable organizations and even orphanages depending on where she looked, and so it was with a sunny, hopeful smile on her delicate elfin face and two burly vampire bodyguards flanked at her sides that she pushed open the door leading into the bookshop and stepped inside. âBonjour!â she chimed out in her soft, musical voice, gracefully fluttering towards the front counter and appraising the shopkeeper with a warm and friendly smile. For whatever reason, her two guards - Percy and Maxene - seemed to stiffen where they were flanked, but Sophia paid them no mind. They were men of very few words as it was. âSâil vous plait - I was wondering if I could ask for some assistance? I have quite the project in mind, and I was told that your bookshop was one of the best places to seek out information!â
It took a lot to get Joel to look up from whatever book he was reading or rereading at this point. There were only a few books in his keep that have not been paged through by him, those only being ones written in a language he has yet to learn or stories too sad for him to want to live through. Yet to find a book he has not read appear on his shelf was a rarity, and this one that was in front of him seemed to show up without him knowing. There was a lot of books on the shelves and they were in a land of magic. Fifty years amongst these copies were still too short to firmly understand every tale and every researched word that lived in his darkly lit shop. He relished the moments when he was discovering new words, and as it was, the shop only got a few visitors a week. Joel could say it was due to its elite quality and high standards, but there was a more obvious reason.
âBonne journĂŠe, mademoiselle. Bienvenue.â The French rolled off of his tongue like he had just spoken it yesterday when the language has not passed is mouth in years. He had only recited the words in his head when the pages in front of him would be filled with the romantic language as it reminded him of a time long passed. The slight flutter in the corner of his eye made Joel ease his head up and finding himself being greeted by the loveliest person he had ever had the joy of looking upon. But it was all for naught when he caught the insignia of the men that flanked her. His throat ran a bit dry, but even still, Joel swallowed his fear and guilt. There was no point in worrying. Not yet, anyway. âWhat information do you seek? Iâm sure I can find you a book or two if not, I have read a lot in my day.â












