A thick, leather-bound book lies open on an old wooden desk. Its pages are yellowed and frayed at the edges, revealing Latin text and hand-drawn alchemical symbols. The desk's surface is covered in scratches, revealing the deep, dark brown wood grain. Three thick beeswax candles in brass candlesticks burn with flickering orange flames, dripping and hardening white wax. The candlelight warmly illuminates the pages of the book and the desk, casting a deep shadow around it. Next to the book are several small glass bottles containing amber and dark green liquids. A quill pen rests against a black inkwell, leaving ink stains dotted on the desk. Faint pale moonlight streams in through the window, dust dancing in the rays. The overall sepia and dark amber tones, with a strong contrast between light and dark, create an atmosphere of Gothic romance. This bird's-eye view, close to a flat lay, focuses on the pages of the book while the surrounding area is softly blurred.