Chapter 27 Cold Night Library
Marcus won, not his group. And now I clearly understood why Principal Greaves, or whoever the hell organised the competition, would design the trial like that. We were required to solve the clue as a group, but only one person was meant to win in the end.
“No. If you had found the clue in that chapel, you should have won,” Oliver said gently, as if reading my thoughts. He sat across from me in the library and rested his hands over mine.
“What are you saying? That I wasn’t smart enough for this trial?”
“No…” he started, but I cut him off.
“Then what? Principal Greaves gave clear instructions: there is only one Golden Quill, but not the person who retrieves it is the victor. So why make us work together if we’re not going to win together? Why structure it like that when the reward is individual?”
I spoke fast, the frustration spilling out before I could stop it.
Oliver smiled softly, then his thumb brushed over the bracelet on my wrist. “It’s designed to test teamwork and support,” he explained. “To show who stands with you… who supports you when you ascend as president. Hope that makes sense?" He arched his brow but I didn’t give a reply. He reached forward and gently pushed a strand of my hair behind my ear. “Don’t be upset that Marcus won. He only won on the basis of this trial’s rules. Maybe the next two trials won’t even require teamwork.”
His voice, his eyes, his calm way of speaking, everything about him cooled the anger I held. I exhaled and looked down at the table.
“What about the manuscript?” I asked, shifting the subject and pulling my hands away. “Have you found anything yet?”
He straightened in his seat. “Leave that to me. Just focus on the presidency first.”
“I don’t have much time left,” I murmured. “Professor Ashcroft was kind with his punishment the first time. I don’t think he’ll do the same with the manuscript issue.”
“Why do you think so? He’s not that harsh.”
“I… brought it up to him myself,” I admitted. “Because I wanted to know what was inside it.” My gaze drifted to the restricted section. “And it’s the only book written in Latin on those shelves.”
Oliver smirked. “Curious spider. I promised to help, and I will. Once you’re done with the trials.”
Silence settled between us, not uncomfortable, but heavy, carrying its own coldness. It gave me space to think, and for the first time since the trial ended, my mind went back to something strange that happened earlier.
When I put my hand into the box… I did not pick the clue.
It came to me.
“Uh… Oliver?” I called softly.
“Mmm?” he replied, his eyes fixed on mine with full attention.
“Something happened during…”
The library door clicked open. Both of us turned sharply. At 8:49 p.m., no student should be entering the library. Gravenmoor’s halls were practically empty at this hour.
Adrian stepped in. His eyes swept the room before settling on me, and he smiled. “Lexie.”
The way he said my name made my heart dip, and before I realised it, I smiled back, brightly.
I felt Oliver notice. He didn’t say anything, but he looked down and rubbed his forehead slowly.
Adrian walked over and sat beside me. “What are you doing here? I thought you’d be resting for tomorrow’s trial.”
Then a thought struck me. “I didn’t see you at the trials today. Where were you?”
“I… uh… got occupied,” he answered. “But I really hope you win next time.”
I did not believe him. But somehow, I still smiled.
“Meet Oliver,” I said. “My old friend.”
Oliver snapped a look at me, sharp, almost offended, but he said nothing. Maybe he wanted to protest. Maybe he couldn’t.
Adrian reached forward to shake his hand. “Nice to meet you. I’m Adrian.”
Oliver forced a polite smile. “No need for a formal introduction. We’re in the same class, remember.” He stood abruptly, pushing his chair back. “I’ll get going. Try to rest for tomorrow’s trial. Goodnight, Double L.”
“Night,” I said.
He nodded once, walked to the door, and shut it firmly behind him, leaving Adrian’s hand hanging awkwardly.
“What’s with him?” Adrian muttered, dropping his hand.
I met his gaze, smiled gently, and placed my hand on his. “It’s nothing, really.”
The library felt even quieter after Oliver left, too quiet, like the air shifted and wrapped itself around just the two of us. Adrian’s hand was under mine, warm and steady, his thumb brushing faintly against my skin. I didn’t pull away. Not yet.
He leaned a little closer, his voice softer. “I really did want to be there today, Lexie.”
I swallowed, my chest tightening at the nearness of him. “It’s fine,” I whispered. “I’m glad you’re here now.”
His eyes flicked to my lips for the briefest second before catching mine again. My heart thudded once, hard. The lamp on the table cast a soft glow across his face, highlighting the sharp line of his jaw, the faint tension in it. He shifted closer, slow enough to feel deliberate.
“Lexie…” he murmured.
My breath caught. I didn’t move away. I didn’t even blink. Something in his gaze made it impossible.
He leaned in, close enough that his breath brushed my cheek. My pulse leapt, heat pooling low in my stomach. If he moved even half an inch more, our lips would meet.
But then, just as the moment tightened into something unmistakable, he stopped.
His breath hitched. His hand, the one holding mine, tensed, then slowly pulled away.
Adrian leaned back, jaw tightening as if he were holding something in place. “I… sorry. I shouldn’t…”
The space between us felt sharp. Empty. Like a string pulled too tight and snapped.
I blinked, suddenly aware of how loud my heartbeat sounded in my ears. “I… I should probably go,” I said quickly, standing so abruptly the chair legs scraped lightly against the floor. “Back to my dorm. I need to… rest. For tomorrow.”
He nodded almost immediately, not meeting my eyes for a second. “Yeah. Yeah, you should rest. You’ve had a long day.”
I swallowed and smoothed my skirt even though it didn’t need smoothing. “Goodnight, Adrian.”
This time he looked up, softer, almost regretful. “Goodnight, Lex.”
I stepped away before anything else could spark between us, but I felt his gaze follow me all the way to the doors.
And even as I left the library, the warmth of almost still lingered on my lips.