A Royal Bookmark

I wandered over to a low bookshelf where a thick, cloth-bound novel lay propped open on its side. Between two heavy pages hung a fringed golden ribbon, dangling like a royal banner from a balcony. Instead of tugging it loose, I gently smoothed its twisted silk threads against the aged paper with the edge of my arm. The quiet weight of the book felt like an ancient archive waiting to be explored. Standing guard over an unread chapter seemed like a noble enough way to spend a quiet evening, so I leaned comfortably against the spine, letting the calm settle in.