Evelyn, a modern woman, finds herself suddenly transmigrated into a novel where her peaceful life is turned upside down by a crazy Duke who happens to be her husband. Her new life is a maze of danger and betrayal, as the Duke is determined to kill h...
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They moved further into the shop, weaving between towering bookshelves that reached almost to the ceiling. Arya finally stopped in a small, secluded corner.
“This spot should work,” she said, glancing around as if measuring the space with her eyes.
Mervin gave her a skeptical look, crossing his arms. “Here? Really?”
Arya met his gaze with a smirk. “Don’t give me that look. Do you have any wooden planks?”
Mervin scratched his head. “Not exactly, but I can arrange some. How many are you thinking?”
She gestured to the four corners of the bookshelves. “I’ll need enough to create a cross-bridge between these shelves. And we’ll need a support there for stability—it’s going to be the base of the tower.”
Mervin frowned, looking around as if trying to visualize it. “I thought towers were supposed to be tall. Like, really tall. Are you sure you want to start from this low point? It won’t be much of a tower.”
Arya shook her head. “What we need isn’t height. It’s a tower that’s composed, stable. It needs to be unnoticed, hidden in plain sight.”
“Ah, I see. A secret tower,” Mervin muttered, nodding in understanding. “Alright then, I’ll go arrange the wood. Anything else you need?”
Arya thought for a moment, then nodded. “I’ll need some tools as well—nothing fancy, just basic ones.”
Mervin grinned. “Got it. I’ll be back soon, just wait here.”
As he hurried off, Arya stood in the quiet corner of the bookshop.
“What exactly are you dragging my brother into?”
The voice was sharp, cutting through the quiet space. Arya turned to see Amilna step out from behind the shelves, her arms crossed and her gaze suspicious. Mervin’s sister, tall and fierce, with a presence that immediately filled the room.
“I thought you’d be up north,” Arya said, offering a casual smile. “Guess I’m not great at guessing after all.”
Amilna’s eyes narrowed. “A noblewoman of House Dragun. What business do you have with my brother?”
Arya met her glare calmly. “I understand your concern,” she replied, her tone gentle but steady. “But rest assured, it’s nothing dangerous.”
“The words of nobles are hard to trust,” Amilna shot back, taking a step closer, her posture guarded.
Arya didn’t flinch. “Fair enough. But since you’re here, how about joining us? If it seems dangerous to you, I’ll step away.”
Amilna’s lips twitched with something between a sneer and a smile. “You speak as if you already know the outcome. People like that are dangerous, no matter what.”
