Chapter 36

Chapter 36

Nora's POV

Jake looked surprised and very shocked when I led him straight to my room. It was also an act of trying to remember as a good student of his, as he meant to know whether I could still recall the location that he had taken me to. My room was one of the most important things, as that was where I would be staying. I didn't really expect myself to be capable, so I was surprised when I saw that I actually managed it. I got from the library to my room without any need to ask him for help.

He didn't seem to have any idea where I was truly going until we got there, but now he was looking at me with a panicked expression on his face.

"What's wrong?" I asked him. What could make him suddenly seem less confident when throughout he didn't seem to care what was going on with me and my identity and simply seemed to be out to help me?

"This is your room," he said, seeing the way I made to go in with him. "I'm not allowed in," he continued.

"Well," I said, stopping in my tracks as I looked at him. What kind of ridiculous rule was that? Or was it an unwritten one? Because if it was written, then it was absolutely stupid. I thought of the servants who came into my room to clean it up, and then I shook my head.

"You are definitely allowed in. Servants are allowed in."

"Not to talk with you," he shook his head. "You don't understand. I'm not allowed in the room of the queen. If Alexander found out..." he faltered.

"Well, I give you permission to enter. If Alexander does anything," I told him, "if Alexander finds out, then what about it? I will simply tell him that I told you that you could come in, and so you did." I frowned. I couldn't really understand what was wrong with him, and why he was acting so scared all of a sudden.

"Anything can happen," he said, stuttering. "Anything can happen."

I wondered, listening to his words and trying to make sense of it. What on earth was he talking about? Suddenly it clicked.

"Oh," I thought, looking at him in disbelief. "We aren't going to have sex or anything like that," I proclaimed, face-palming. "What are you thinking?"

He looked a little apprehensive. "I'm not sure we should be in such a private place, just the two of us, both male and female together," he said. "I still like my life," he continued.

"Oh, for fuck's sake," I said, rolling my eyes. "I'm pretty sure you can control yourself. I'm not here for some kind of romantic meeting. You're simply a friend to me and you've been very helpful," I told him. "I have no interest in you in that way," I added, wishing he would simply understand what I was saying and stop acting this way because, honestly speaking, it was very annoying.

He still looked a little apprehensive and I frowned at him. "Being in a private place is exactly the point. I don't want other people to know and I don't want anyone to interrupt our conversation," I told him, wishing he would understand and stop making such a big deal out of this.

However, as I looked at him, I knew that I shouldn't be forcing him into anything and that if he really didn't want to, then I should simply rest and figure out another solution to my little problem. He had been very helpful after all; it would be pure wickedness to control and pain him with something that he wasn't willing to do.

I was already trying to think of another solution when he smiled at me, the confidence that had been on his face for a very long time before suddenly showing up once again. At least now he was coming back to his senses. At least I wouldn't have too much trouble. Because if I was interested in him like he was suspecting, any private space at all would end up somewhere that crimes could be committed, atrocities unspeakable, and it wouldn't matter at all whether or not we were in my bedroom.

He seemed to understand that, though he was still seeming a little apprehensive, but the smile was reassuring. I might have still tried to offer another solution since I didn't like how sad and unhappy he seemed to be, but I just couldn't bring myself to keep thinking of something else right now. There were obviously many things for me to do and a lot of time would end up being wasted if I spent it doing that instead.

I nodded, opening my door as he entered in just as I intended. I sat on my bed while he distanced himself on a seat not too far away. Well, whatever was comfortable for him, I was fine with it.

Then, before long he started talking, his words were clear as he gave me a complete rundown, a breakdown. I knew that if I was present and determined personally, I still wouldn't have this knowledge on what was going on in reality. It was just kind of depressing. I was willing to keep track of so many activities and to help store much information all in my brain that I could pass on without much questioning.

I listened to him intently, happy that I had taken on this task because of how beneficial it suddenly seemed to be. I smiled as I started filling in the gaps in my knowledge. Many gaps there were, as it happened, but I was confident that before a huge amount of time would pass, I would finally start understanding.

The only uncomfortable thing for me as we spoke was that I kept on having many questions to ask and I felt incredibly foolish with each one I presented. The questions were the ones anyone would ask who was just entering into this world, and there was no way he wouldn't notice that. In addition, I just couldn't keep the questions inside me, I couldn't bottle them all because those questions were exactly what I needed answers to in the first place.

Getting those questions answered might as well be completing the use of the books I would have gotten in the library actually. And if he didn't answer them, then there would actually be not much of a point, so I didn't stop asking despite the trouble I was giving him. To my great surprise and what I thought was great luck on my part, he didn't stop answering my questions either. He made sure that each and every one of them was answered and explained in such a way that I couldn't help but just keep on smiling at the way he was helping me out.

I knew I had to find him later and give him a reward for his help. I didn't expect I would see such a person here at the palace. I made up my mind that for what he was doing, I would make sure to pay him back. If he ever needed a favor while we were here in the future, I would do something like this. After a few years, I would remember, because that would really be cruel not to.

He finally seemed to be done answering all my questions, but I had one more for him. "So who is this Emilia you were talking about, that you are her brother that I'm supposed to know?" I asked him.

He smiled a little. He seemed to have gotten used to my questions and how absurd they were because I couldn't see any other major reason why he would not question what I was asking without giving him a response.

"She is my sister," he said, as if that was identity enough for her.

I shook my head. I already knew that part; that wasn't what I wanted to hear. So I decided that instead I would wait for him to come up with the answer without pushing my question forward once again.

He was still speaking as it happened, and the words that he gave me next suddenly jolted my memories unexpectedly.

"Emilia, my sister, also the king's most trusted advisor," he stated.

Something clicked within me. I wasn't quite sure what it was, but I could tell that I really needed to figure out a couple of things with her and probably meet with her sometime.

He laughed. "Why do you have that look in your eyes?" he questioned. "Do you remember her?"

I looked at him. "Remember her?" That's all I asked.a