Revealed

The light from the lamps cast her shadows on the floor as they burned brightly, like their oils were just refilled. Part of her dress scrubbed the floor as she located the library, like the maid directed her.

She held the handles of the double doors and pushed them open. When Belle stepped inside, she wished she had not upon seeing who else was inside the library.

"Close the door behind you, Ms. Thornhill." Kione instructed without raising his gaze. His eyes were glued to the page of the book he held, and his legs were crossed in front of him.

Belle kept her silver gray eyes on him. He looked relaxed and laid back as he sipped his wine.

She noticed that his coat had been discarded somewhere, leaving him in his white long-sleeve shirt where the top buttons had been let loose.