𝐃𝐀𝐓𝐄 / 𝐓𝐈𝐌𝐄; August 498 AD, early aftertoon 𝐋𝐎𝐂𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍; Castle Library, Olcon 𝐒𝐓𝐀𝐓𝐔𝐒; open to all ♡
IF HER MOTHER COULD see her now; nose buried in a book, chalice filled not with wine - but with water. The Queen would often scold her daughter for wasting her obvious intelligence in favour of treating her tutors with a certain degree of apathy and disinterest. Of course, she was Lothar’s daughter; she who could simply bat her eyelashes, wish the world away, and her father would oblige. Eliana passed her tutelage with a spotless record - no doubt her teachers would have met a cruel fate had she attained anything other than perfection. Sabine called it a waste. Eliana would rebuff her with claims that studying was a misuse of her efforts; how the times had changed. In hopes of appeasing both her God and the Priest that both haunted the halls of the holy castle, Eliana took to scouring ancient manuscripts, studying the intricately written words in hopes of finding some insight. Surely, this demonstration of dedication towards Osiris would be rewarded - only time would tell.
Candlelight flickers. Shadows scatter across weathered pages, ❝ I thought I had hidden myself away here adequately enough, ❞ Eliana hums, arm reaching for her chalice, eyes unmoving from the pages beneath her. She takes a sip of her water, a slice of lemon flavouring it pleasantly enough to quench her thirst, ❝ Whatever it is must be of utmost importance for you to have sought me out here of all places. ❞