'Maybe loving you was so irreprehensible that it swayed my devotion to God.'
Rain hammered on the panes, and the low light of the grey clouds cast an ominous shadow over the castle – dampening the mood of its residents; it's been a while since there was heavy rain. The goblets of water and their hefty weight hammered on the glass and streaked down like tears on a face. The meagre light from the weather made the hallways darker, particularly around corners where light touches from the candles – gradually dying, their wicks small.
In the heart of the castle was the Royal Library; there lies a library that embodies the essence of wisdom and power. [Name] prefers to spend his free time there – due to the magic he feels whenever he enters, and the excitement to visit the Royal Library has not dulled, even with his frequent visits. A sense of serenity envelopes his mind, and the smell of polished mahogany, the crinkle of parchment, and the smell of ink – brings [Name] a sense of comfort he could not find elsewhere. Additionally, the library was well-lit – the ceilings were high, and the orbs of light were luminous through the tall shelves laden with heavy tomes. Through the tall shelves hid secret nooks and alcoves, all concealing their secrets and treasures of knowledge – treasures near the back of the library where the tapestry hung low, and behind these were the more taboo reads, consisting of ancient grimoires with pages labelled with gold ink.
Another corner, bathed in a soft, blue glow, houses a collection of rare crystals and magical artefacts, their power palpable even within their glass cases. The library's atmosphere is a haunting sense of nostalgia and bittersweet longing. The whispers of past scholars and adventurers echo in the cold silence as if their spirits linger amidst the bookshelves, sharing their knowledge and stories with those who seek them. The beauty of the written word intertwines with the melancholy of forgotten tales, creating a space that stirs the hearts and imaginations of all who enter, a sanctuary where the magic of literature and the longing for the fantastical coalesce.
[Name] practically lived in the Royal Library, and his visits were so frequent that he had made good connections with the Scholars of the Castle and the librarians too. One in particular, Michael, the son to a close advisor of Darnados and whose family has been in service to the Royal Family for the past few generations – the two bonded over their mutual love for more 'slice-of-life' books rather than the well-hailed romance or non-fiction their peers were fond of.
During their conversations, Michael notices the reader's keen insights and unique interpretations of literary works. The reader's thoughtful analysis and ability to extract deep emotions from poetry and prose captivate Michael's attention. He is intrigued by the reader's intellectual depth and the eloquent way they express their thoughts and feelings.
Over time, and as the duration of [Name]'s stay grew longer, leaving the castle and spending more time away from their duties, and exploring new places to hang out, exploring bookstores, attending poetry readings, or simply sitting in a cosy corner discussing their latest literary finds. The shared experiences create a sense of intimacy and emotional connection for Michael that he hadn't had with anyone else.
••••
Then all of a sudden, there was a change in their dynamic – [Name] never seemed to frequent the library, opting to be at the training barracks with the other soldiers, laughing and sparring with them. [Name] still visited the library, but it was nowhere near as much as he used to – where it used to be a few times a day and had fallen to once a week.
[Name] didn't seem to notice the change in Michael or take issue with his weekly trips to the library – as Michael's obsession with the reader manifests in various ways. Over time, Michael became possessive, constantly seeking [Name]'s attention and becoming jealous of any potential rivals for their affection. Monitoring [Name]'s companions, searching for any signs of romantic lure from others and feeling anxiety and anger when he perceives any potential threat.
His behaviour became increasingly intrusive and invasive. Michael starts to invade the reader's personal space, showing up unexpectedly at their room and favourite hangout spots. He begins to collect personal information about the reader, crossing boundaries by delving into their private life without their consent. This invasive behaviour caused by his need to know everything about them and have complete control over their world.
••••
[Name] was disturbed by Michael's increasingly intrusive behaviour – which has also become invasive. Micahel's obsession led him to try and isolate [Name] from his friends. Trying to make [Name] question his relationship with his friends and their intention being his friends. Further attempting to sabotage their relationships or undermine their trust in those close to them, all to have [Name] solely to himself.
[Name] wasn't particularly sure when the change happened, but the more he tried to distance himself from Michael, the more hectic and erratic his behaviour became.
Michael couldn't help himself anymore – to the point Michael's identity became intertwined with [Name], losing sight of his previous goals and interests – not reading or being a tutor to his students, and being absent from class and meetings with his father, neglecting personal growth and centring [Name] and the affection of [Name] as his sole goal in life.
••••
"Darnados, I can't take him stalking me anymore."
"How long has this been going on for? Why didn't you say anything–"
"Every time I've tried you, were busy!"
"How bad has it gotten?"
[Name] took a breath, "He's been watching me sleep, and me putting locks and guards are not helping – some of my stuff is missing, he's been trying to manipulate me and isolate–"
[Name]'s breath turned ragged as he felt the fear rise like bile up his throat.
"Hey, hey, hey! [Name], look at me," Darnados kept a firm grip on [Name]'s shoulder, trying to calm the other down, "Don't worry, we can get him removed from his position without detriment to his father. Alright?"
"Are you sure? Isn't his family close with–"
"Don't think about it too much – I will blacklist him if it comes to it."
[Name] slumped further into Darnados' hold.
'I want to leave.'