#page394.

delicate fingers traced over spines, searching, until they found the place to slip the book into. such a simple task should feel misplaced for the woman who’s always itching to do something, but the library had a special, different air to it. a peaceful quiet, accompanied by shelves and shelves of books. fictional, non-fictional. she smiled, then looked over the trolley to a familiar male.

“i think i’m used to it here, now.” it had only been a short while since soobin began working at the library, having taken it up as a replacement of her previous hostess job. the new life was still uncomfortable, but the library she could appreciate. “it’s nice not having to force conversation, or feign interest. nobody really wants to talk at all.”

minki had joined the order long before she was soobin. even, technically, before she was cindy. she was now a higher rank, and she wondered if that bothered him. he seemed content, but soobin wasn’t the best at reading people. changwook said she distrusts too easily. he doesn’t understand why, so his opinion is invalid.

she glanced around the library, despite already knowing it was empty. “i haven’t seen you around the mansion much lately. are you hiding someplace i can’t find you?” her tone is fond, gaze curious. “it’s hard now i live away, i can’t keep up with everyone like i used to.”