The Electricity

In the icy depths of the night, the three of them waited patiently inside the opulent guests' quarters. Time seemed to stretch as they anticipated Ambrose's return. Finally, he appeared at the doorway, a mere glint of annoyance in his eyes.

"Since you are here as my esteemed guests, we shall not need to sneak again and we may now venture into the Royal Library without encountering any hindrances or limitations."

Crystal couldn't help but feel a flutter of anticipation in her chest. There was a big chance they might not find any information about the Aether faeries but still, she was ready to take the smallest chance provided.

Together, they followed Ambrose through the grand corridors of the Fae Palace. The cool, ethereal glow of the faerie lights illuminated their path, casting shimmering shadows along the marble floor. As they traversed the regal halls, Crystal couldn't help but marvel at the intricate crystal sculptures adorning the surroundings, their delicate beauty reflecting the magic of the Fae Kingdom.

Upon reaching the entrance of the library, Ambrose turned his head to the other three. The doors towered above them, intricately carved with rainbow crystals motifs that glimmered with a frosty sheen. As they swung open for Ambrose's presence, a rush of cool air greeted them, carrying the faint scent of ancient parchment and ink.

"While we may have the privilege of an uninterrupted environment, it is prudent to exercise caution and refrain from discussing anything related to THAT," he warned them as they nodded their heads.

Inside the Fae Royal Library, the grand chamber was adorned with towering bookcases carved from shimmering glaze. Delicate crystal chandeliers bathed the space in a soft, iridescent glow. Sunlight streamed through stained glass windows, casting colorful patterns on the polished marble floors.

The air crackled with magic as ancient books lined the shelves, their pages whispering secrets of forgotten worlds. Plush velvet chairs and elegant wooden-carved tables beckoned readers to explore the realm of knowledge. In this sanctuary of peace, the four of them entered, making sure not to disturb the tranquility of nature.

After entering the Fae Royal Library, the group dispersed, each heading in a different direction to search for information about the Aether faeries since the "Ex Pleutio" spell did not work in the Royal Library.

Crystal wandered the aisles alone, her eyes scanning the shelves for any relevant books or scrolls. As she perused the titles, she felt a familiar presence approaching.

Turning her head, Crystal found herself face to face with Ambrose. A soft smile graced her lips, and he returned the gesture, but she couldn't ignore the subtle traces of pain in his aura. It was evident that his encounter with his father, the Fae King, had left a mark on him and he had been feeling upset since then.

Crystal walked up to Ambrose, her eyes filled with sincerity and a hint of vulnerability. She took a deep breath and spoke softly, her voice carrying her emotions. "Your Highness, if you don't mind, there's something I'd like to share with you," she said, her voice tinged with earnestness.

Intrigued by her request, Ambrose nodded, his curiosity piqued. He could sense the weight of her words and wanted to hear what she had to say. Crystal smiled in relief and began to open up to him.

"You see, when I was on Earth, I never experienced what it was like to be truly loved by my parents. The people who were supposed to be my parents didn't know how to show love or care for me," Crystal confessed, her voice tinged with a hint of sadness.

She continued, her gaze never wavering from Ambrose's. "But what I've learned is that everyone has their own unique set of parents, whether by blood or by the bonds they create. Sometimes, the path we walk leads us away from those who are meant to love us, and that's okay. It's a part of our journey."

Crystal's eyes sparkled with a newfound sense of belonging as she spoke. "But I know that everything reaches an end. Now, here at the academy, I feel like I've found a place where I truly belong. Away from those who never understood me, I've discovered friends who accept me for who I am."

As she finished speaking, Crystal searched Ambrose's eyes for understanding. She hoped that her words would resonate with him and offer a glimpse of solace in his own struggles.

Ambrose couldn't help but chuckle at Crystal's attempt to make him feel better. It was the second time she had done so, and he found her kindness endearing. "Ah, Crystal, it appears your attempts to uplift my spirits are proving quite effective," he said, a playful glint in his eyes. His words caused a faint blush to rise on Crystal's cheeks, and she coyly shrugged her shoulders, giving him a small smile.

They continued their search for books, their interactions now laced with a touch of awkwardness. As they haphazardly moved between shelves, their hands reached for the same book, their fingers brushing against each other. In that fleeting moment of contact, an electric jolt seemed to pass through both of them. Startled, they quickly withdrew their hands, feeling the intensity of the moment.

The book slipped from their grasp and fell to the ground, forgotten for a moment as they became aware of the charged atmosphere between them. Crystal's heart raced, and she told herself that it was nothing more than the intensity of their connection, the twin flame phenomenon. She reminded herself not to dwell on it too much, as the concept of the red thread of fate had no real significance to her—at least not yet.

Ambrose, his face as red as his hair, swiftly ducked down to retrieve the fallen book, a veil of awkwardness falling between them.

He stood up, holding the book in his hands, and read the title aloud, "All About Aether Faeries." Crystal's eyes widened in surprise, and they exchanged a shocked gaze. Curiosity piqued, Crystal moved closer to Ambrose, both of them examining the book intently.

The cover of the book was made of worn-out leather, its once vibrant colors fading with age. Detailed engravings decorated the front, depicting ethereal faeries with delicate wings. The title was written in elegant, swirling letters, almost as if they were dancing across the surface.

Ambrose opened the book, his brows furrowing in confusion as he flipped through the pages. To their astonishment, all the pages were completely blank, devoid of any ink or writing. Both of them shared a perplexed expression, trying to make sense of the unusual discovery.

Crystal reached her hand forwards and as fingertips grazed one of the blank pages, a sudden burst of vivid purple flames erupted from the book. Startled, she instinctively pulled her hand back, but to her amazement, a small, flickering flame remained suspended in the air before her. The flame emitted happy, melodic noises, swirling and twirling around her like an excited sprite. It repeated a phrase over and over, "The Aether Faerie is here."

"What is this?" Crystal asked, her voice filled with a mix of awe and bewilderment and her eyes as wide as the ocean. She pointed towards the flickering purple flame that continued to swirl and dance around her in mesmerizing patterns. Ambrose looked at her with a puzzled expression, clearly unable to see what she was referring to.

"What are you pointing at?" he asked, his confusion deepening. Crystal's troubled expression grew more pronounced. Was she the only one who could see the flame? Or was she perhaps succumbing to some sort of hallucination?

Crystal hesitated for a moment, uncertainty lingering in her eyes. She cautiously extended her hand towards the flame, the flickering tendrils brushing against her fingertips. The sensation was real, the warmth and energy palpable. She could hear faint whispers emanating from the flame, like distant echoes of forgotten secrets and she knew that the flickering purple flame was real.