Maribel did not take me back into the main halls of the library.
Instead, she led me further along a quieter passage, one I had not noticed before, tucked between two towering shelves. It was narrow at first, almost hidden, before it opened into a smaller room set slightly apart from the rest of the library. The moment I stepped inside, I understood why.
It was… soft.
[Soft host?]
That was the only way to describe it.
The harsh order of towering shelves and endless rows was replaced with something far more intimate. A low table sat near the center, surrounded by cushioned chairs upholstered in warm tones.
A small fireplace flickered gently against the far wall, its flames steady and quiet, adding just enough warmth to chase away the chill that lingered in the larger halls. The scent of tea leaves and faint florals hung in the air, and on the table, neatly arranged as though they had been expecting us, sat a delicate tea set already prepared.
I glanced at Maribel.
She smiled.
