Episode 1

June, 21,24

He had read the history in books since years and experienced doing what he had read from. He was conversing with old people, realized he was more in contact with them. All his friends for years, people being constantly busy with what he had no time for him and himself. Most of the day, he was reading. He had a burning desire for the written words, which he himself could not write.

He was reading all the books around himself. Good writing authors were his, and he loved them fresh. He knew there was not much from the people of his circle, who really read. "It was a very modern time now. TV, music, and games were much more popular than reading nowadays." was what he thought. He was the one of them.

There were so many things attracted him since he was a boy, and he knew no one he could gave him the same reactions. All of them had been around him, relaxing, but not like they were. "It's hard to relax, if you get so many satisfaction troubles inside of you. That made me feel secure to let them do what they want to do, but I had my dreams for a long time."

One day, he had got an opportunity to see the world by the opening of seas to the ocean. He knew he had to do it for the rest of his life. "I want to be a writer before I die, and I wanted to do it for myself."

At that time, he had built up a small library, that was filled with countless books. He went to his house after a day and opened his door. The only thing he thought he should have been able to see was books, not the ones being read.

"You have your own library? That was a great idea. No one reads anymore. Don't you have a TV in the corner by your bed, or the internet by your lunch table?" the young girl stood at the door and began eager to enjoy of what she could trip on him.

The man looked at her with disgust and anger. "Why are you here, why would you go through my house! This isn't yours!" It was clear that he was upset, as he wasn't used to have someone bothering him.

She was looking down, with tears in her eyes, as she spoke with a broken voice. "Sorry! I'm sorry! I shouldn't come in!" She tried to go out the house quickly, but his father caught her wrist.

"Don't you dare leave! I don't know where to even start with you! What the hell are you doing in my house, what am I supposed to do with you!?" he yelled at the girl, while holding her tight.

"I... I just need some money for groceries!" she was crying, as her voice started cracking every second.

After a while of arguing, she began begging. "Please, can't you give me a job?" the man sighed deeply and let her go.

"Just find something else to make your food, and bring it here. You'll sleep here tonight, and I won't tell anyone about this, or you will never leave my home again, understand?" the girl nodded slowly.

Later, after he fell asleep, the girl sneaked out and left, leaving behind all of the books. She took advantage of the chance to steal his car, and drive away.

"This is it, I'm free..." she smiled and wiped her tears.

October, 20th, 1892

He sat at his usual café with the others, eating his chocolate cake and sipping coffee. He heard footsteps coming near to him, causing him to look up in order to see who approached. He was quite surprised, since he was expecting the police to arrest him for stealing and murder; especially after the case of a few years ago, when the man was a serial murderer.

"Hey, what happened to you?" asked the person, noticing the bruise on his cheek.

The man turned and recognized him immediately. "Oh my gosh, what are you doing here? You've grown a lot since last time we met."

"Yeah. You're doing well too. I think I'll ask how's your business going?"

"Good, it's fine. Well, what can I get for you?"

"A chocolate cake, and I'll take two coffees. Thanks."

While walking to the counter, he said to the waitress, "How did you know I was at this place?"

"Well, I saw you walk in yesterday. You're new in town too, right?"

"Yeah, I'm new here. My name is Victor." They shook hands for the first time that week.

"So, Victor, I have a proposition for you. Why don't you join us on our weekly coffee ritual. I think the more people you know, the better," said the man, smiling at him, trying to appear friendly.

Victor laughed slightly, knowing his situation. "You'd love to, right? Maybe next time," he replied while walking away.

When he was sitting in his usual place, he felt someone taking a seat beside him.

"Who is the guy with glasses and the dark hair?" he asked, turning to the side.

"Oh, that's Felix. He works as my manager at the office. He also knows everything about you, because I told him about your recent activities. And, you know, I told him how your relationship ended." He chuckled as he sipped his hot cocoa. "But enough about that. Let's talk about something more interesting."

"What's that?"

"You know what I mean."

"No, I don't."

"Oh, shut up," Victor said playfully. "Let's start with a little story, alright? Once upon a time... "

August, 19th, 2009

It's been almost two months since his return from England, and he has already settled into his life again. He loves the place and its atmosphere, but he misses the sea. So, he decided to visit his hometown.

He was driving towards the coast of Cornwall. As he drove, he noticed something strange. There were no cars on the road.

"Hmm, not so good," he muttered. But before he could think about anything else, he stopped the car abruptly. He was standing still as he watched what appeared to be a woman on the road, in front of him.

He quickly moved his car away from the road. After he parked it safely, he exited the vehicle and ran to the road to check what was happening there.

The woman was walking slowly towards him, seemingly lost. She wore a red dress, black high heels and a necklace with three stones. She looked familiar, but he couldn't remember who she was.

"Who are you? Are you lost?" he questioned, trying to find an expression on her face that he might recognize.

"No, I'm not lost. Where is everyone? Where's everybody?" she asked, confused as she walked faster towards the man.

"I'm sorry, I don't know what's going on, either."

Suddenly, her eyes widened. "Wait, you're Victor?!" she gasped.

Victor was taken aback for a while. "Yes, I believe that's right. Do you know me?"

"Of course! I wrote your book!"

"What book?"

She began laughing loudly. "Your novel, my book!"

Victor didn't know how to respond, and it seemed the woman didn't either. He was just looking at her.

"Are you crazy? Of course you're going crazy! That book's dead. You published it over six decades ago and now it' gone!"

She kept laughing. "Come on! Everybody knows that you're dead by now! People are getting tired of saying you died in prison during the revolution. I wrote about your trial! It was a big event for our country!"

He was still unable to believe that this was real. A part of him didn't want to believe it was real, but it made perfect sense. He didn't say anything else for he could see her face changing slowly and the smile slowly fading.

"Didn't you know? How could you not know?"

"I don't follow you."

"We have a meeting at the palace, tomorrow morning. The king wants to discuss your book. If you're not there, I doubt anybody will even show up. It's been so long since you were seen there anyway."

"That's a nice surprise! I hope everybody remembers me. I'd like a letter of introduction at least," he said laughing nervously. His heart had begun racing.

The woman smiled and nodded. "I'll send it over to you today. I'll wait for it at the entrance of the palace. Be sure to wear your best outfit; they always dress very formally there."

The girl then turned around and started walking away.

"Weren't you going somewhere?" Victor called out to her. But she ignored him and didn't stop until she disappeared on the street.

He continued driving towards the direction of the palace. "Where the hell am I supposed to go?" he shouted to himself and slammed the steering wheel.

In a few seconds, he arrived in front of a huge gate, and the guard opened it for him. "Welcome home, Your Highness."

When he entered the building, he immediately spotted the King and Queen sitting at the table talking. He went towards them and bowed respectfully.

"Hello, Victor. How are you?" greeted King William.

"Very good, thank you for asking," he responded.

They both gave him puzzled looks.

"Are you certain?" they asked simultaneously, raising their eyebrows.

"Uhm... yes, yes, I guess," he answered slowly, looking between the two of them.

"Why are you dressed in this way?" William inquired, pointing towards his formal shirt with a dark brown waistcoat and white trousers.

"I'm wearing my favorite suit. It doesn't feel right to wear these clothes when I'm not in court," he explained. "Why do you want to know?"

The two kings shared a brief glance with each other. Finally, the queen broke the silence with a smile. "We were just wondering why you are so late."

***Download NovelToon to enjoy a better reading experience!***