Page 56 of Dueling the Suitors

To them, she was bested by a mere street performer. A practical beggar. She only hoped that when Cyrus established the truth, her people would hear it and realize she wasn’t bested by someone so beneath her, but one who was really—

She stopped. Oh, he wasn’t great at all. Great was just in his title. He was a monster.

Emily fixed her hair, not opening her mouth unless it was necessary, and led Astoria back to her room. Skylar was on the bed. Astoria joined him and lay down as Emily moved about the room, emptying her luggage and arranging the items in their new places.

“Your Highness, where do you wish me to keep this?”

Astoria glanced over and saw Emily holding a rectangular box in her hands, covered with violet wrapping paper.

Violet wrapping paper.

Astoria sat up immediately and asked Emily to bring it to her. Her fingers untied the white thread, parted the covers, and revealed an elegant box. Her heart raced. It had to be from Emmett. The violet paper was his favorite for wrapping.

Astoria opened the box. There was a sealed letter inside, and a green drawstring bag, one that fit the box’s size. Astoria didn’t dare open it until she read the letter.

The moment her eyes landed on‘My dearest Storie,’’ her vision clouded over.

Do you remember the time we visited Emora? You were only ten and you refused to leave my side to play with Silas and the Emoran Princes in their silly games. On one of those days, you told me you missed home and that I smelled like home, that you didn’t wish to leave my side. Thus, you saved me from the noble girls who tried to flirt with me. You said the same thing when we visited Feren as well, and when we accompanied Grandpa to one of his tournaments in Arden.

It’s nearing midnight now, and I am thinking about those times because things may change tomorrow as you travel to your husband’s hometown. Heavens, Stor, I cannot believe you are married now. I know this isn’t what we both wanted for you, but no matter what we did to prevent this, it has come to this. And I believe in you, little one, that you can do this.Whatever life throws in your paths, you will fight them like you fought all your other suitors. And this time you will not lose, because I promise to be right by your side when you are near, and in heart and soul when you are away.

I know this journey is only for a week, but I am dead set on convincing Father to let me come with you. If you are reading this and I made it to accompany you, do come and tease me about my gift. It’s a silly one. I thought that if I truly smelled like home to you all those years ago when we were away from home, you should carry my signature perfume with you. So, if I end up unable to come with you, I hope it will help with your homesickness and missing me, even though it will be only for a week.

I should really stop and go back to bed. I have no idea why I am writing this ‘note’ like an actual letter. You would be back within a week.

Until then, I will miss you terribly, and I promise to count the days till we see each other again.

Always your loving brother,

Emmett.

Astoria rarely cried. But by the time she finished her brother’s letter, tears streamed down her face. She missed him already, and thinking about him broke her heart.

If onlyshecould let him know what had happened to her rather than Cyrus’ note…

Princess! The note! That’s it! You can send Prince Emmett a letter like you and the Emperor did back that day after the duel!

Astoria glanced at Skylar with gratitude and asked Emily to get her an enchanted quill and a few parchments. She paced the length of her room in anticipation until Emily returned with them.

Emily asked her hesitantly if she was alright. Astoria told her the letter was from her brother—she didn’t want her to think it was from a lover—and that she was going to write him back. Shecommandedher not to tell this to the Emperor.

Astoria wrote the letter, folded it, slipped it into an envelope, wrote Emmett’s name on it, and sealed it with wax—in case it fell into the wrong hands. Then she closed her eyes and held the letter in her palms.

Why isn’t it going?

Astoria opened her eyes at Skylar’s question and tried again. She concentrated hard, but the letter still sat in her palms. She opened her eyes in frustration and tried again and again, only to fail.

I don’t understand.She stared at the letter incredulously.Why can’t I send it?

Do you think it’s because of the distance? We are at least a thousand miles away from Daliston,Skylar said.

Should that be a problem? This is magic.

How about you ask him, then?Skylar suggested.

Astoria slapped the letter on the table and stood.Forget ever asking for his help!

You are not asking his help, Princess. Just ask him why you cannot send a letter via magic. We are in his palace, after all.

---