Klein’s Bookstore is a small little store in town and yet it had the biggest collection of books which could easily fill up my own private library back at the palace. The moment I entered the premises I was greeted with tall shelves that reached the ceiling cramped into the building and the scent of paper surrounded the atmosphere. Some might find this place to be a little cramped and suffocating but I found it the perfect place to completely disappear from reality.

　　“Hello dearie.” The old lady behind the counter greeted me. It took me a while to even spot her from the mountain of books stacked up by the counter.

　　“Hello, Madame.” I greeted with a tiny curtsy.

　　“It has been so long since you last visited. I was starting to think that something might have happened to you.” She said as her brows furrowed.

　　I made my way towards her to engage in the conversation further. “I apologise for making you worried but things have been pretty hectic for me.”

　　“Oh? Could it be that you are married now?”

　　“What?” I gawked, wondering how she could have predicted that.

　　The little old lady let out a small laugh. “I only jest dearie, you are still young after all, there’s no need for you to rush things.”

　　“I appreciate your kind words, Madame. I shall browse around now, I’ll talk to you later.”

　　“I will give you a welcome back discount for your books!” she joyfully said as she waved at me. I waved back, grateful for both her kindness and generosity.

　　I then looked round as I ventured deeper into the store with half of my mind desperately wanting to pick up a book and browse while the other was telling me to look for Augustus since he entered earlier as quick as lightning. But soon my mind had completely forgotten about Augustus when I stumbled upon new releases of some of my favourite authors.

　　I ran my fingers along the spines of the arranged books, slow enough that my fingers could trace the shape of the lettering, the firmness of the spines and the texture of the book against the pads of my fingers. It was incredibly calming, even when I picked out a book to look at the cover, everything felt right and peaceful and I silently wished that I could stay here forever.

　　From a distance I could hear the Madame’s soft voice speaking to another customer and that was enough to snap me out of my daydream. I was instantly reminded of why I was here in the first place, yes I wanted to get some books since I’ve finished all the new books I have bought but I always came here for the sake of fixing my tense relationship between the three alphas I was going to be wed to. I replaced the book back to its designated spot and continued my search for Augustus.

　　Although this place could be cramped and hard to manoeuvre around, it was still a small space and I would not fail to look for a man of his stature and unique hair colour. Just as I was about to walk past yet another bookshelf, I came to a sudden halt when I caught a glimpse of familiar silver hair.

　　He was so deeply immersed in a book that he did not notice me walking towards him, did not even notice me when I was standing directly next to him. I cleared my throat, hoping at least that would catch his attention and when he did not look up from his book, I could not help but to believe that he was ignoring me on purpose.

　　“Are you perhaps fond of leaving me behind?” I asked, thinking of how he had constantly walked ahead on numerous occasions now. What was the point of coming out with him if he wanted to pretend as though I was not even here?

　　My question urged a reaction from him as he finally pried his eyes from the open book to look over at me. “I was not aware that you wanted me to coddle you,”

　　My face fell into shock for a split second before I quickly controlled my emotions. “Coddle? Haha, I would say that I prefer having my companion be by my side instead of rushing ahead.”

　　“I do not see the point to that. It’s a waste of time to loiter around waiting for someone. Besides, it is not as though I left you in any unfamiliar places. You know your way around your own palace and this bookstore, do you not?”

　　He made a point which was infuriating me. If I had told him that I would like to be in his presence when we are out like this then he might just twist and turn my words with his interesting outlook on the situation.

　　I let out a soft sigh, not wanting to continue this conversation with him any longer. “Very well then, let me know what book recommendations you have and I shall be off to look for them by myself.” I said, lazily looking away from him to look at the books in front of me.

　　“Ah, I had completely forgotten that was the reason why I agreed to come out with you in the first place.”

　　I forced myself to smile in an attempt to hide my annoyance. He was definitely doing this on purpose but I could not determine as to why he would even want to annoy me with his feigned forgetfulness. Was he truly an aloof individual or was he trying to make me hate him for whatever reason?

　　“Well?” I pressed.

　　Augustus pondered for a moment before holding the book in his hands to me. I looked down at the simple cover where the title was in bold lettering at the centre.

　　“A collection of poetry?” I read it aloud. I looked up to watch his expression. “I did not know you were fond of poetry.” I said, hoping to instigate conversation.

　　“What part of reading all genres did you not understand?”

　　I let out a soft laugh to hide my frustration. I reached out for the book, quickly pushing my finger into the page he was reading prior to this before it was closed shut when I took it from his hold. “There is no author?” I asked him when I noticed.

　　“It is written by an anonymous writer. But if you observe the writing style and word choices they made then it’s obvious who the author is.” He said as his eyes scanned through the shelf for another book to read.

　　I opened the book to the page he was reading earlier and I did not have to analyse the contents of the poem to figure out who Augustus was referring to as the title of the poem was telling enough. “The Tale of Traitorous Love.” I read aloud. “Are you saying that this collection of poetry was written by R. Vitale?” I asked him as I quickly scanned the poetry. It was just a poem of the Cursed Prince and Annaliese’s first encounter told in the perspective of an outsider who was clearly against their relationship.

　　“Ah. So you’ve read the book?” he asked.

　　I snapped my eyes back to him before I could properly understand the poem. “It was rather popular at that time, everyone was reading it, everyone was openly giving their opinions about it and-”

　　“And it became the most controversial piece of literature that led to mass rioting and even burning of the books by displeased individuals.”

　　“Is this the part where you are going to justify the actions of those who did not agree to R. Vitale’s message?”

　　“No. I believe that no matter what the contents of a book is, radical or not, it shouldn’t be burned nor treated like garbage.” He said, sounding sincere for the first time ever since I met him. “But I’m curious now that you have mentioned it, what do you think R. Vitale’s message was when they wrote that novel?”

　　“Was it not to normalise the bond between alphas and omegas?”

　　“Bond? Surely you are not referring to the concept of fated pairs?”

　　“No, but I do believe that genetically alphas and omegas are drawn to each other for a reason.”

　　“Then what about you? Were you drawn to any of us the moment you met us?”

　　“For your alpha traits? I suppose, yes. But for your personality? No.” I smiled sweetly.

　　Augustus then let out a small chuckle which caught me by surprise. “You are starting to sound like Annaliese.”

　　I frowned at his words since Gideon had mentioned the same thing yesterday. “Is that a good thing?” I questioned, remembering how Annaliese would often use her second gender as an excuse and constantly manipulated the people around her. But then again, both Annaliese and the Cursed Prince had traits to them that were severely questionable but their flawed personalities was what made the entire story to be—realistic.