(Y/N POV)

We entered the shop, the all-so familiar bell ringing above our heads. "Sophie!" Charles stepped over our way, pardoning a woman and her child from his service. "Oh, and, umm... Emily." he corrected. "It's nice to see the both of you!"
"And you, Charles!" I greeted. He edged forward, but whatever he was planning on doing, he stopped himself.

"So why are you here? New dress, I presume? Let me take a lo--"
"Actually, that's not what we're here for." I intruded.
"O- Oh, umm... Alright."
"Can we talk about this somewhere private?"
"Sure, I'll just deal with these customers, then I'll be straight to you." He stumbled back to the woman and child, rubbing his hands together frantically.

"I can't believe we're doing this." I gritted under my teeth.
"It'll work. He's your friend, he'll understand." Emily replied. She had initially dragged me out of the house prior, just to get an army uniform. She had also forced a wig on to my head, but I persuaded her to wear one too so I didn't feel left out. Honestly? It felt like thousands of flees were shredding my hair to pieces bit by bit.

"Thanks for coming, miss!" Charles finished up, opening the door for the pair. They didn't respond, not even thanking him. "Okay, um, let's go into the back."
"Where's Hugh?" I asked, following him into a spare room.
"Off sick." He dragged two chairs over for us, grasping another one for himself.
"Thank you."

"So what's going on?" Charles interrogated.
"It's going to be hard to explain, but--"
"She wants to join the army." Emily stated for me.
"What?!" He stood up in shock, mouth wide open. I removed my wig, revealing my shortened hair. "Sophie, this is suicide, wh-- What were you thinking?! A crossdresser, seriously?!"
"I know it's ridiculous, but Charles, I have a good feeling about this!" I defended.
"A good feeling about what, winding up dead?!!"

I pouted, clasping my hands together in a pleading matter. "Uggghhh, how can I say no to that?" Charles sighed. "But no!"

I teasingly pretended to put my head in my hands in distress. "Okay okay fine!! I'll do it!" Charles gave in.
"Good! Now where do you keep the uniforms?"

~

"Hey, Sophie?" Charles came over to me as I made an attempt to shove the uniform into a bag.
"Yes?"
"Erm, I'm just really worried about you. I don't think this is a good idea... What if you're hurt?" he theorized tensely.
"Charles. As long as we're all still here, nobody is going to get hurt. Not one of us." I gave him a comforting smile. "We've got to stick together, have trust in one another."

"But you're the closest friend I've got, I..." He pulled away, gazing at the bag. "What do I tell Valentino?"
"Tell her the truth," I insisted, "She deserves to know."
"O- Okay..." Charles turned away, preparing to return back to his desk. "You should get going before your uncle finds y--"
I strained him into an aching hug, melting into his arms.

"You stay safe, alright? And don't let that illness of yours get you into any havoc! You're like a brother to me, Charles." For a slight second, he loosened his grip. But once he realised he was doing it, he only hugged even tighter.
"...I will."

"Hey! So are you coming or not?!" Emily urged. For that brief moment, I'd completely forgotten that she was there.
I let Charles go. "I guess this is goodbye for now."
"Hah, yeah..." he giggled. "Goodbye... a- and good luck!"
"You too..."

~

"Sheesh, why don't you two just get together already?" Emily questioned, placing a hand on the doorknob.
"We've talked about this, Emily. I don't plan to be with anyone."
"I do."
"Well you shouldn't, because you can't guarantee we'll be staying here forever."
"Ugh..."

Alexander usually wasn't on the sofa, so it wasn't out of the ordinary that he wasn't here. He'd most likely be in his room writing letters. "We'd better get this upstairs; god help us if Alexander found it."
"Good, just... hide it under your bed." I instructed Emily.
"Mine? Why not yours, it's your stuff!"
"Whatever, just put it somewhere where no one can find it! I'll go and distract him whilst you're at it."

We clambered up the stairs, Emily taking the left whilst I took the right. I gently knocked at Alexander's door. "Come in." I granted myself access, finding him sitting at his desk writing something. Like always, I waited for him to finish up writing. "Ah, Y/N! I have some good news for you!" He put his quill back into his jar of ink, steadily pacing over. "It appears that I have permitted you your job back, how great is that!"
"...Fantastic..."
"Oh, and I can safely say that Mr Cogswell kindly had a word with Miss Eve!"
"Edith."
"That's right, yes."

"And you seriously believe that?" I questioned him. "That man should be taken gingerly."
"Oh, he's phenomenal! You just haven't uncovered it yet!" Mr Cogswell was far from 'phenomenal'. The times I'd witnessed him beating workers into doing what he wanted was outnumbered.

"Mmhm... So what are you doing?" I peeked over his shoulder at the piece of paper.
"Just writing a letter to a friend." he stated. There was a tinge of sadness in his voice.
"I HID THE CL--" Emily bolted into the room, stopping when she remembered Alexander was there.
"Hid... what?" he questioned.
"N- Nothing..." I stuttered. "If you'll excuse me..."

I glared at Emily, and she gave me a sympathetic look back. I left the room for her and Alexander to chat, treading into the comfort of my own bedroom. I noticed that the bag was sticking out from under my bed, so I kicked it so it was no longer noticeable. I sat down at my desk, pulling out a sheet of paper. I occupied myself with a quill, dipping it into a jar of ink and began to write:

Dear Charles,

I am writing you this pitiful letter to explain my obligation. As a member of such a beloved society, it is my duty to journey out to the war at dawn. I shall be leaving alongside Mr Hamilton, though I have high hopes that he does not distinguish me among the others.

I cannot guarantee my survival, and therefore find it in my power to express how much I truly favour you beyond all others. Though, unfortunate circumstances occur, to the point where I cannot find it tolerable to gain affections for your endearing personality. And so, I take this time to tell you that I will write to you as often as possible, until the moment that you never hear from me again.

I advise that you tell your darling sister and the others that I have ventured off to find a wealthy husband: they will not hesitate to accept it. I implore that you take good care of my sister whilst I'm gone, as she will do the same for you. In the meantime, never forget my dire need for your company. You are truly an extraordinary individual.

May this letter find you in good health.

- Y/N L/N

~~~~~~~~~~~

A/N

HAPPY (late) PANCAKE DAY!! (Idk if you celebrate it outside of Britain, but oh well).

LET ME PRESENT TO YOU

THY GLORIOUS BABY