CHAPTER 1 — Murder in the Library
~Violet's POV~
"Phew!" I sighed in relief, cracking my neck and shoulders before placing the stainless bucket and mop in the storage room.
I stepped out, glanced around the kitchen, which had been the last place for me to clean after attending to the Princess and triple-checking her luggage, then gave a nod.
"You did well, Vi. Now for your reward."
No matter how stressful preparing the Crown Princess's things for her wedding to the Dragon king and her departure tomorrow was, what gave me solace was the fact that this work came with a free pass to the best library in the kingdom.
At least, just before I was whisked away to another land, I had this whole building of fantasy to indulge in.
The library had always been that for me—my escape into a better life, but mostly, my craziest sexual fantasies.
I giggled, locking the kitchen door and heading to the library.
I never knew why I was selected for the role of personal maid to Crown Princess Valeria, when several qualified candidates from decent backgrounds and proper training had applied.
Regardless, I hoped to complete a rare dark romance erotica reverse harem book I was reading about a human mated to a werewolf, a Lycan and her stepbrother, as well as the forbidden love between them.
I was rooting for the Lycan Alpha because he knew how to love and claim her in…
Clank!
I froze, my feet halting as my ears picked up the loud sound coming from down the massive hallway stretched out around me, leading to the library.
At the same time, a cold wind blew past me, pricking the hair on my skin as goosebumps spread on my body. I swallowed… hard.
Thanks to the torches mounted on the walls, it didn't feel too lonely.
My first thought was to take a turn and head back, but my curiosity got the better of me. I made my way to the library, hoping to catch the culprit or nothing.
"Maybe it was a book falling and nothing more," I mentally assured myself.
But when I stepped into the library, the sight that greeted me wasn't something I could have prepared myself for.
My lips parted, a soundless gasp escaping my lips as I stared at the body lying in a pool of blood on the floor.
"W-Wha…"
My eyes instantly recognised that blue flowing nightwear, which I had personally picked for Princess Valeria.
That was the last thought that crossed my mind. With the fastest speed my feet could muster, I dashed inside the library, panic filling my eyes and voice.
"No. No… Princess Valeria."
I touched her face and shook her body, ignoring how her blood smeared on my clothes…. I immediately lifted her hand.
As soon as