27 Wesve Already Me (2/2)

Yesterday, Lady Elixabete said she was challenging me. I don't understand what she meant.

The man frowned nodding, ”Yes, she would. That is an old tradition. People from the lower classes have a right to challenge someone who is slightly above them to a duel for their position. As his former fiancee she was well within her rights to call for you to defend your place.”

I have no magic and even if I did it would be light, how am I to fight, she asked, shocked.

He shook his head, ”There are three possibilities. You could have fought her using non-magical means, your pet, for instance, could have defended you and you would have likely died. Someone other than your husband could stand in for you. Or you could forfeit and lose your place as the Prince's wife.”

Is this something that is common? Will I have to worry about this?

Mattin laughed, ”Doubtful, Elixabete likely had her own reasons for pursuing the Prince but your position as his wife is not one that most women would trade you for. If you had married Lehan, there's a chance it may have happened again. There will be fierce competition for the next Queen of our lands.”

Thank you for explaining it to me, she said, I have to get back to my rooms.

”I heard that you were injured, you should rest more. You're still young, you think your body is stronger than it is. I wouldn't want to see you hurt because you came out of bed too soon,” he scolded gently.

She smiled and waved her goodbyes, Ilun following behind her.

Quickly she made her way back to her apartments. She closed her bedroom door and pulled out her trunk, digging for the box of letters.

The handwriting on them was long, scratchy script, different from the precise print of the copies and fakes. One by one she unfolded the letters, looking for his response to her struggles with the language.

Finally she found it.

Dear Isilla,

Do not worry too much about mistakes. Your writing is perfectly fine. I hope I haven't intimidated you with my own. Learning another language is hard, especially when you aren't able to use it very often. Perhaps we should write more often so you can practice?

I can try to write you in yours but I only know a few words so I'm afraid my letters wouldn't be very interesting to you in that case.

If we could write more about things you're interested in, maybe you won't be as nervous. What sort of things do you like?

Sincerely,

Lehan

The letter that was in the records was very different from the one she held in her hand. The letters kept in the records made it seem as if they had never become close at all, that they were barely acquaintances. She picked up another letter, this one at random.

My Dearest,

It is night here, as I am writing this. The days are beginning to become short, the cold weather is coming but so are you and with you, you will bring your warmth and beauty. You will be as a sun in my world. Already I imagine I can feel your warmth and my heart beats faster.

I wonder what it will be to touch you, to hold your body close to mine. The softness of your skin. To taste your lips. Already my heart feels as though it will break free of my chest, how will I survive your lips against mine?

I think of you constantly, your portrait fills my mind. I will it to move, wishing my magic could make it real, that I were strong enough to bring you to my side this instant but I cannot reach across that chasm between our realms, not matter how strongly I wish to. But in a few weeks, you will be here and that worries me. Will you be happy with me? Will you be happy here?

It is late, my heart, and if I continue this letter I will say things I should not, more so than I've already said. But I could not sleep without saying something to you. Please allow me this small trespass.

-Yours

He didn't sign it, she thought, staring at the bottom of the page. There was no name. Just the word, 'yours'. She sorted through the other letters, quickly. The later ones had no signature. I never noticed before, she thought.

She gathered the letters up and put them back in their box. If he is real, why hasn't he tried to contact me, she thought for a moment before rejecting the idea, the reason obvious. To reach her, he, whoever he was, would run the risk of upsetting the Lord of All Shadows.

She laid her head on Ilun, at a loss.

Her door swung open and she looked up at Hanna.

”What are you doing on the floor? Get up, get up! Someone's here for you! You've got a proper lady in waiting. Well, close enough to one.”

Isilla stood up and straightened her skirts. Ilun stood, following her out of the room.

Hanna moved quickly, exiting her room and turning down second hall. She passed two doors and opened a third out onto a a sun room that Isilla had never seen before. The opposite wall made entirely from glass looked out on a small garden, barren for the coming cold but it seemed to be cared for otherwise.

The maid pushed her onto the couch and Ilun sat at her feet, his body taking up a considerable amount of the small room. ”Now, don't be frightened, she's here to serve you. You have to remember that. This is just an introduction but she'll be your companion from now on.”

Isilla nodded slowly and folded her hands in her lap.

Hanna took her place behind Isilla's chair and the door opened.

Isilla sucked in breath and gripped her skirts.

”May I present the Lady Elixabete of the Southern Firth, she will be serving you from now on, Princess Isilla,” the attendant said at Elixabete's arm.

”We've already met,” Elixabete sneered as she bowed over her pregnant belly, her eyes shooting hot daggers at Isilla.