The days passed quickly. I spent my time preparing for Lysander Academy, getting to know my new family, and (of course) working on my plan to save the heroine.

Now that I'd met Adelaide in person, my desire to save her had been redoubled. Nothing was going to stop me from protecting her!

I hunched over my journal, scribbling down another idea I'd come up with: I could pawn some of Violet's jewelry and raise enough money for Adelaide to flee the country. I could buy her a little cottage in some quiet town, and she could spend her days in peace.

Cottagecore would suit Adelaide so well. I could picture her in a simple linen gown with a wicker basket slung under her arm as she skipped through a meadow of blooming flowers. In the margin of the page, I doodled a picture of her having a picnic beneath a cherry blossom tree.

My daydream was interrupted by a knock on my door.

"Come in."

My maid entered, holding a bundle of letters held together by string.

I had finally learned that her name was Marie, and she had been Violet's servant since late childhood. She was the illegitimate daughter of a count, and was only seven years older than me. Understandably, she held nothing but contempt for the upper class.

"Here is today's mail," she said, tossing the packet in my general direction. I managed to catch it before it smacked me in the face.

I sliced the string with a letter opener and flipped through the stack until I found the one I'd been waiting for.

The writing on it was large and crooked, but it had a simple charm about it. The envelope itself was peach-colored, and sealed with white wax pressed into the shape of a heart.

I took my time opening it, careful not to tear the envelope or damage the seal. After I managed to pry it open, I pulled out a piece of paper folded into thirds. 

Dear Violet,

Thank you again for your help the other day. I don't know what I would have done if you hadn't rescued me. I've been practicing my kicks with some pillows (also, please tell your brother that I'm sorry again.)

I imagined Adelaide setting up a pile of pillows and swinging her leg at them, and couldn't help but giggle.

There's only a few more weeks before we start at Lysander, and I'm super excited! I can't wait to make new friends.

If circumstances were different, I had no doubt that Adelaide would've been popular. She was so bubbly and sweet that it was impossible to dislike her. Yet because she was not of the upper class, she was shunned at Lysander. However, Adelaide didn't know that yet. She was still optimistic about getting along with her classmates.

Anyway, I hope you liked the café we went to last time. The owner was actually a close friend of my parents', so that place is really important to me. I'd like to go there again with you. I noticed that you got an éclair last time, so I'm guessing you like sweets? They're actually coming up with an autumn menu now, and they asked me to taste-test some new desserts. If you're interested, we could go together!!!

Was Adelaide asking me to go on an outing with her? Ahhh, I was in heaven. A nagging voice in the back of my head told me that I shouldn't accept her invitation because it might somehow change the plot of the game, but I silenced that notion. We'd only be going out to eat. What could possibly happen?

Please write back soon!

Love,

Adelaide LeClair

I reread it several more times before pressing the letter against my chest, hugging it close. I loved it so much that I wanted to hang it up on the wall and look at it every day.

I set it aside, making a mental note to ask Marie to find a spare picture frame. Then, I began to draft my reply.

Dear Adelaide,

Your letter was so cute that I wanted to eat it Thank you for your letter. I am glad to hear that your self defense training is progressing well. However, please take care not to kick anyone so hard that they are unable to bear children, unless they really deserve it overdo it.

I, too, am looking forward to our time at Lysander. I've written to the headmistress and requested that we be roommates. I hope that we can become even closer greater friends.

Indeed I enjoyed visiting the café, and I would kill love to go there with you again. I am excited for our next date meeting.

Yours Forever,

Violet DeVries

I looked up from my letter and found that Marie had materialized beside me.

"I didn't hear you knock," I said, with a start.

"You were too busy drooling," she remarked.

I swiped at the side of my mouth. Sure enough, there was a trickle of saliva. How embarrassing.

"What is it?" I asked.

"You have a visitor." Her face was contorted, as though she had just tasted something exceedingly bitter.

"Where are they?"

"In the drawing room."

Marie guided me through the corridors. I tried to guess who it might be. I hoped it was Adelaide, but I doubted she would stop by. She was still busy with gathering school supplies. Moreover, the servants probably wouldn't even grant her an audience with me. Most people had to schedule visits in advance. Whoever had just suddenly appeared and demanded to see me had to be of high status.

We approached the drawing room. Marie turned the knob and opened the door a crack, peeking inside. Whatever she saw made her tut.

"He's still here," she muttered under her breath.

She glanced over her shoulder at me and said, "Try to control yourself, my lady."

Then, she flung the door open and we walked inside.

There, lounging on the settee, was a young man with a square jaw. His blond hair was so light it was nearly white. He wore an ornate black coat with red epaulets and gold trim. He crossed his arms, glowering at me as I entered.

Marie rolled her eyes, "Presenting His Highness, the bright sun of our kingdom, yada-yada, Crown Prince Elias."