Men and Letters
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The Estate of Duke Walterus,
Town of Crimsonton
Kingdom of Velicia,
Dawn of Morning,
The Tenth Day of the Month of November,
Thirty Third Year of the Reign of King Jesse Crestings
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Charlene Walterus sighed as she reclined on the couch of the lounge, shortly after Baron Sean left in a bitter temper. She couldn't help but feel worked up.
It was true that she had fancied him a great deal before her engagement had broken and the way he pursued her made her say many things to him and trust that she was lovely enough to deserve any man.
She knew, in fact, that Duke Cryspus had grown frustrated in the relationship because of Baron Sean and Knight Erion predominantly.
It grated on her nerves that he was expecting her to progress in their relationship and start committing to him like she was exclusively his. But she was not ready for a courtship.
And she certainly did not want to cut him off completely. The damsel wanted to stay in the phase where he loved her and she was still allowed to keep her other relationships.
Just then, an unpleasant feeling snagged her heart at the thought of Amelia winning them over somehow. After all, she knew that the damsel would have no reason to reject these men, for they were way beyond her society.
One of her scullery maids walked in to serve her biscuits. And Charlene remembered that her favourite dark haired knight had not met her yet.
"Did knight Erion come by today?" she asked the lady.
"Yes, my Lady. I believe he left only a short while ago", was the reply.
"Did he ask to meet me?" Charlene asked, wondering if he was turned away because she was with Baron Sean.
"No, my lady. He simply posted an opinion, I believe, and then he left", the maiden reported.
"Did he leave with anyone?" she asked, further, feeling irked.
"No, my lady. But the young lady from Lady Hildeth's was there before he left", the scullery maid informed.
"I see. Thank you, Della", Charlene said, before rising to her feet and walking away. She couldn't help the anxious and nightmarish feeling of another girl being chosen over her.
As she walked to the bedroom, her confidence was returning. She knew that it was impractical for men to choose a lowly peasant damsel who lacked the wealth and opulence that Charlene boasted.
And to keep her male companions in track, she decided to write letters again.
With the rose essence strewed all over page and envelop, the damsel began penning a lovely letter to Knight Erion, with all her thoughts and feelings laid down. And once she was finished, she picked the page up and read everything she had written.
"Dearest Erion,
After last night meeting with you, I simply could not sleep well, for I felt like I hadn't treated you as kindly as you deserve.
I would like to sincerely apologise, for I hadn't scarcely a clue of how much it should have injured your feelings. Especially since you had come all the way to ensure that I was alright.
Unfortunately, my mind was absolutely bothered, after the fierce encounter with my ex-fiance at the castle and I could not find it in me to be pleasant. I did not want to vent to you of all the issues and burden you with all that, and so I refrained from greeting you much at all.
I hope you would forgive me for being as unkind.
Please do come by and meet me, I have no sense of satisfaction in a day without seeing you. I did miss you all night long, but I wouldn't burden you to come see me, since you have much to do.
I am still quite afflicted by the experience at the Imperial Castle, but now, Baron Sean keeps paying me frequent visits as well and is ceaselessly pursuing me. I do not know how to handle all of this at the same time.
Please do write to me.
With lots of love,
Charlene Walterus."
The damsel liked how the letter sounded, with enough desperation to woo him and enough tension to justify her situation and to have him feel concerned for her. Once she added some more rose essence to the letter, Charlene took afresh sheet of page and an envelope and wrote a second one to Baron Sean.
It described how she had undergone much at the Imperial Castle and therefore, needed the due energy to have to socialise further and apologising for how she had not been the kindest to him during their meeting. She further mentioned that she was not willing to meet anyone that day, but had solely allowed to see him, for he was important to her.
Once both letters were complete, the golden haired damsel stepped outside her chamber and asked Head Maid Christy to fetch the delivery boy who made her letters reach the intended targets.
The young lad came and she sent him off with envelops and promises. He was expected to never dare exchange the letters to their respective receptions. And Charlene had confidence in him, for the young lad was far wittier than his age.
Once the letters were sent, she paced the room anxiously, hoping the men would receive them kindly.
Then, she took to reading her novel and phrasing opinions.
Just then, Head Maid Christy knocked at the door, before entering. "What is it?" Charlene asked.
"It is a letter for you, my lady", the woman reported.
"From whom?" she asked, curiously. She knew it would be farm more grand an arrival if the prince had written to her. But a part of her wished it was.
"From Knight Cylass, my lady", the Head Maid said.
"Oh", her disappointment was evident in her tone. "Leave it there by the study, Christy. I'll read it later", she said, returning her eyes to the novel in hand.
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