The Herbwitch's Apprentice Ireen Chau (best life changing books txt) 📖

a tall desk. The nameplate in front of him identified him as Mr. Charles Northberry. He was fast asleep and snoring up a storm.

The library was a sprawling space with a domed ceiling, the walls lined with countless volumes of every size. Tall, narrow windows let in streams of daylight, illuminating the tops of the bookshelves. I squinted. There was hardly a speck of dust in the air, much less on the furniture.

I walked through the immaculate shelves to the east end, wondering why Queen Cordelia told me to pay extra attention there. Maybe the east end was neglected. Less than a half minute’s walk led me to an opening. A comfortable corner with plush armchairs was situated next to a window seat surrounded by more books. It was not significantly dustier than the rest of the library, but there was company.

Prince Ash reclined on an armchair, his feet thrown over an ottoman. His hair, instead of neatly combed, was in a state of disarray. I stepped back, not expecting to see anyone—much less him—at the library.

The movement must’ve caught his attention. “Who’s there?”

“Housekeeping,” I said, hoping he wouldn’t put down the book that obscured me from his vision.

Brown eyes emerged from behind the cover. “Ah. There you are.”

“Your Highness,” I said with a quick curtsy. “Er...were you expecting me?”

Prince Ash pulled himself up into a proper sitting position. “Yes, indeed.”

“Oh,” I said. I thought he really believed me to be a servant until he broke into a smile.

“Miss Amarante,” he said, standing and giving me a smart bow. “You didn’t think I’ve forgotten your face already, did you? What brings you here this fine morning?”

“I’m carrying out a punishment of sorts,” I murmured.

He raised his eyebrows. “Is it for...?”

My cheeks burned. I supposed throwing punch at someone in a public party wouldn’t go unnoticed. Shortly after the episode, I begged Tori to call a coach to take us back early. I didn’t bother counting the people who saw the whole thing.

“Yes,” I said, raising my chin and daring him to comment further. “I’m here at the queen’s orders. She told me to clean the east end.”

A peculiar look crossed Prince Ash’s face. “Did she?”

I nodded, running my duster along the shelf next to me. It was spotless.

“Are you here to take care of the mice?” he asked.

I froze. “Mice?”

“That’s right. But you won’t have any luck. We’ve tried everything,” the prince said with a shrug. “I don’t mind them. They’re quite cute.”

I looked at him in disbelief.

“I’m joking,” Prince Ash said, chuckling at my expression. He swung his legs down from the ottoman. “Come. You can help me instead.”

I approached his corner, which was rather cluttered. A jacket was flung over the armchair and sheets of parchment covered in indiscernible scrawl littered the low table.

“What were you doing here?” I asked, tiptoeing through the paper.

“Filling up time, as usual,” Prince Ash said, pulling on the jacket. “I was researching.”

“Not debutantes, I hope?” I said, referencing our first conversation at the Debutante Ball.

“Not this time, though I’ve crossed many off the list since,” he said, laughing. “I’m afraid my poor brother is going to be a bachelor for a long time.”

A book lay face down on the seat. I picked it up. “History of Witches?” I said, shocked to see the title.

Prince Ash took it from me. “Just some light reading,” he said, handing me a pile of books. “These go on the bottom shelf.”

“What are you reading about witches for?” I said as I knelt. My voice wavered a bit, but he didn’t seem to notice.

“If you must know,” he said, “I’m trying to prove something.”

“Prove what?”

“That I’m competent. To my father, anyway,” Prince Ash said with a shrug. “Like I said, he doesn’t let me help with state affairs. I’m thinking if I show him I can solve this mystery—”

“What mystery?” I asked. I knew I was being rude, but I couldn’t help it.

“Ah, apologies. I’m rambling like an idiot,” he said. “You’re familiar with Navierre’s Trial, during my grandfather’s time?”

His grandfather. King Humphrey. The king who began the Non-Magic Age and banned witches from Olderea after Navierre, a witch in the royal court, was found guilty of attempted regicide and beginning a witch rebellion.

My throat went dry. I had nearly forgotten Prince Ash was his direct descendant. My opinion of King Humphrey had certainly changed since discovering the circumstances of my birth.

“Yes,” I said. “What of it?”

“Well, it’s a bit of a family secret,” Prince Ash said slowly, “but there hasn’t been any hard evidence that Navierre committed the crimes he was charged with.”

I stared, stunned.

“I know. It sounds bad, but there has to be evidence somewhere,” the prince said quickly. “There are pages missing from my grandfather’s journal. Someone probably wanted to hide Navierre’s crimes. I hope to find them eventually.”

“You’re saying the Non-Magic Age happened on baseless accusation?” I said, aghast. My nannies were right. History about witches was skewed beyond belief.

“Not so loud,” Prince Ash said, darting his eyes around. “It wasn’t completely baseless. But that isn’t the point. If I find that evidence, I’ll finally win my father over.”

“I suppose,” I said.

I wanted to ask him why he was so sure that there was evidence, that perhaps it was King Humphrey who wanted to hide his crimes. But I held my tongue lest I offend him, or accidentally reveal myself. After all, he did just tell me a royal secret, though I hardly knew why he trusted me to keep it. I continued to shelve the books until he spoke again.

“Your knee,” Prince Ash said almost hesitantly. He clearly didn’t expect my curt tone or my silence. “Is it still hurting?”

I paused. Maybe he believed I thought him silly for wanting to win his father’s confidence. “It’s doing fine,” I said, feeling slightly guilty. “Thank you, Your Highness. And I wish you the best of luck with your research.”

I saw him glance at me from the corner of my eye. “You can call