It was a reprieve from his business in the role of king when his sister's letter came. He excitedly opened her letter and read it with a smile on his face. She had written one to Elswyth as well. Asrar had written him one as well, but it was Hazel's he read first.
"Brother,
I miss you too. And I know that there is no way you would ever ruin Amriel.
Are you absolutely sure there is nothing going on between you and Elswyth? What a pity! I rather liked her from her letter.
Stop messing around with my love life, brother. If you have dared arrange a marriage with me to some baron I will not be pleased. Nor will I save you face, but will run away.
That being said, I really really do miss you. I hate the fact that I could not see you before leaving. Why could father not wait a few days until you came back at least. I mean would it have really hurt anything?
Your adorable sister, Hazel."
He chuckled to himself, "Silly girl. I'm not marrying you off to a baron."
She had no clue did she how invested he was in her relationship with her best friend. As if he could pursue any romance when he still needed to make sure she could have hers. It wasn't like he had anyone in mind anyway.
He opened his letter from Asrar.
"Your Highness and my dear friend," Oh so he had loosened up a little like Hazel had said. That was good.
"I have missed you as well, it's been too long. Hazel is much the same as ever, bright and cheerful and full of life. I have had to kill several spiders but there has been nothing worse.
We didn't even see the assassin that hurt the queen of Carendlus. If we had I would have protected Hazel with everything I had.
Hazel has adjusted well to Carendlus. Old prejudices have not kept her from making friends here, and she is doing her best not to be too overcome by culture shock.
Ever, Your servant,
Asrar"
He chuckled at the fact that the knight had said nothing in answer to his statement about the romantic feelings between Asrar and Hazel. It didn't surprise him too much. He did wonder if they had made any progress in it though.
Or if Asrar was still living in denial. Hazel had never quite lived in denial but he wondered if she had been more outspoken about it. Perhaps though being in a new place might shake things up a little.
They might even be together by the time he next saw them. How perfectly delightful. Asrar was such a good fit for his little sister.
He folded up the letters and stuck them in the drawer he had begun to devote to keeping letters in. He glanced up, wondering if Elswyth had finished reading her letter and realized that she had left the room.
Oh. For some reason that made him feel slightly lonely. But he shook it off. He didn't need her around constantly.
Besides she might have wanted to read the letter in peace. He could understand that.