The sun had dipped below the horizon long before I emerged from the royal library. Since my initial discovery of the Liberation King’s journal, any free time I had at my disposal was spent immersed in the records in the library. Mister Alfred became accustomed to my presence and mostly left me to my own devices so he could focus on his own work. That allowed me much more freedom than previously. Even now, he had allowed me to remain within the library even after he had retired for the night. Perhaps His Majesty had told him to give me unlimited access. Or maybe he trusted that I would not damage any of the records kept inside. Either way, I wouldn't question it.
As I closed the library door behind me, I glanced down the darkened hall. It was completely empty. Ordinarily, Sir Kynes woul
