- Do not tell my sister nor your brother, I beg, but I have a secret. The vase Grandmother blamed you for breaking was my doing. I am sorry. – A

- It's all right. I hardly think such a secret is worth all this paper.

- Do you promise you will not tell anyone?

- I will always keep your secret. Will you keep mine?

- Yes, of course. I worried because you had not included one. – A

- I have many. Which one would you like?

- What is your name? – A

- You have not replied. Have I offended you? – A

No. I was simply surprised. I did not think anyone cared to know. My name is Eze.

- Does it mean anything? – A

- Yes. But you would not believe it.

- Then let us make a pact. We'll say only what's true to one another. I'll start. I regret when my stories cause trouble. Everyone says I know no realism but that is false. I simply don't like the life here. I often make mistakes. And it's a bore studying at a constant. Other than visits here with you two, all that are left are the stories. Even if people see them as lies. – A

- I enjoy your stories. – E

- And your secret? – A

- I promise to give you a secret next time, but I beg, tell me a story of a boy who can fly in two days' time. And whatever happens, give the blame to me. And only me. – E

- I am very sorry. I've given this to someone to post. Please do not send a letter back here. Instead, I'll wait for your next visit and apologize directly. I'm very sorry. That was all meant to turn out differently. – E

- You've made everyone think I'm a liar. – A

- That was not my intent. – E

- You take my correspondences but do not respond. Why? – E

- Thank you for the pears. It was awfully clever. And I'll forgive you if you'd explain why you've done as you have. –A

- But that's a proper secret. And it's not mine. – E

- Could you tell me why you took a slap on my behalf? You know how she is. – E

- That, too, is a secret. – A

- You are frustrating. Very well, let us be honest. You are a terrible cook. – E

- Considering our mishap yesterday, I know. Very well, I shall tell you my biggest secret. I enjoy your company. – A

- That is no secret. – E

- I'm fond of you.

- You did not sign your name. I am suspicious of the level of commitment without a signature. But all right. I will tell you the reasons for my foolish actions. Each year we visit the king. And it's dreadful. But it's especially awful for my brother because, of the two of us, he looks far different from your countrymen. On two occasions now, the king's ordered part of his skin peeled. I swear, he may think to make him fairer piece by piece. But we go as a set. And we cannot go if one's injured. I'd meant to sacrifice one leg. Not both. My brother does not know my reasons. And you are not to tell him. Please swear that I can trust you.

- That is awful. Must you go next year as well? – A

- I will think of something next year. For now, thank you for nursing me. But you shouldn't let others see it. Especially not my brother. And he's rather clever so he will know. – E

- Nonsense. I will push your chair. Know that you are quite heavy but that is my affection. – A

- I must relay something to you. Today, as I passed the study, I heard Mother and Father arguing. They say you are my uncle. Please tell me that is not true. – A

- As promised, I will not lie. I am your grandfather's child. That much I know. Does that mean we cannot be friends? – E

- You left this summer without answering. Can we still be friends? Do not try to post a letter back. Tell me directly in the fall. – E

- I do not want friendship from you. – A

- Last night, there was a terrible ruckus from the manor. Are you all right? – E

- Yes. And I've changed my mind, as is within a woman's right Let us be friends. – A

- I'm sorry. Please don't be angry. – A

- Why accept my letter if you refuse to answer? I should tip over your maths book and let everyone see that you accept my letters but do not write back. – A

- You need not be so petty. I was simply...surprised. I've never been kissed before. It would surprise anyone. – E

- That is all you have to say regarding it? – A

- Considering our situation? Yes. For more reasons than one. All of which you know well. As I've told you. – E

- Well, I did not tell you what I found in the study that had Grandmother on the warpath. Grandfather was her second husband. With her, she brought a daughter to the new marriage, my mother. You and I share no blood relation. – A

- Is this truth? – E

- You hurt me by thinking I'd endanger our pact. – A

- Meet me tonight behind the barn. – E

- You're able to walk and said nothing till now? How is this friendship? – A

- Do you know what I risk by meeting you, only for you to stomp off angry? Crushing my flowers, I might add. – E

- I do not like that you kept this from me. Of course, I'd tell no one. Besides, I do not like daisies. – A

- Forgive me. Let us try again. I will bring you roses. – E

- Thank you for the roses. They are lovely. Also, I can offer you another secret. I am in love with you. – A

- That is no secret. – E

- All right, all right. I admit that your feelings are reciprocated. Please be more gentle with me tomorrow. Today, I feared you'd tip me right out of my chair. – E

- Should you give us a moment alone tomorrow, I'll reward you. – A

- That is far more than a reward. But it's reckless to do so in broad daylight. Do not attempt it again. – E

- Never had I taken you for a coward. We go home from holidays in four days' time. I shall give you a kiss for each day if you can get us alone. – A

- Though I make no complaints about the fruits of my labor, I do not feel right about turning a slingshot against my brother again. Your sister may get hurt also. Please think of other ways to get us on the same team and alone. You call me a coward but should you not concoct a reliable idea, that would mean you aren't as clever as I've thought. The coward and the fool would make for a terrible couple. – E

- I think my sister fancies your brother. – A

- Why would you say such a thing? – E

- He's all she ever talks about. Edmond says this, Edmond says that. And Edmond was brilliant with the slingshot. And Edmond killed the chicken easily. I don't think she's noticed but Mother certainly has. All the better if her focus is there. That gives us freedom. But what do you think of sister's new beau? Poor Edmond. – A

- You need not feel pity for my brother. He was forged in fire and fury. He has no love to offer anyone—not even himself. Do not dare encourage your sister for he will run away should he feel trapped. – E

- I wish to tell my sister about us. – A

- No.

- One word? One word is all you offer me? The cheek.

- When you do not sign your messages, I feel the words are less authentic. Remedy this. I beg. – E

- You have not signed yours on many occasions. Does that speak of lacking authenticity as well? – A

- No. It speaks of anger and seriousness. You wish to tell others about us and that is not wise. Until now, if we are caught, you've held hands and kissed a servant. And worst yet, a servant like myself. But people will assume we've done more and it's impossible to prove otherwise. I worry less about what they'll do to me, and by extension, my brother, and more so about your future. Because we both know that once this holiday ends, what we have should end as well.

- Cowardice does not suit you. Please stop pushing me away when I seek to hold your hand. Our time together is short. You do not even suggest we run away together. You simply want to give up. Have I always been so incidental to you? – A

- I regret what happened today. I hadn't intended to have an audience. To fall on you wasn't my plan. And I thank you with all my heart for trying so hard for me. But you could have been killed. So let us stop. Let us stop before blood is spilled. It's not that I do not love you. I love you. And I love you enough to let this go. – E

- You did not come this summer. I suppose you won't be coming again. How are you? Are you well? I found a darling little wolf. She reminds me of you. That is to say, whenever I try to pet her head, she bites at my hand. Very similar to you, correct? I've come often to your home in the morning. Yesterday was the first you've spotted me. I will leave this letter here in hopes you find it and not an animal. Please leave one under this rock for me and I shall pick it up in the morning. – E

- I apologize for taking so long to write back. I heard what happened to you because people saw us fall together. You'd been right all this time. I was selfish, and I apologize. And you are wrong; two days ago wasn't the first I saw you. I've seen you for weeks now. It's what keeps me motivated to go to these parties. If you'll allow it, I'll marry and inherit the manor. And then I can see you every day. – A

- My wolf's all healed and she's well-trained. I'll bring her with me next time so that you may know I've told the truth. I was able to befriend a wild beast...and this wolf. – E

- You needn't show proof but she looks splendid. I have good news. Now that I am getting suitors, you can mail me directly. It's becoming harder and harder to sneak out here under my sister's watchful eye. – A

- I do not feel comfortable putting my letters in the post. What is wrong with our current arrangement? – E

- You are so stubborn. Very well, I shall attempt your way, but you will never hear the end of it from me if we get caught. How are you? – E

- Perhaps only in pretense but I want my first letter to arrive from you. Also, in a week's time, it will be the first ball. Would you come and see me on Saturday? And it must be at sundown. Mother and Father are away for the day. Please arrive early. There is something important I want from you. – A

- I know I surprised you and I should be more chaste, and I apologize for catching you off guard as I did. But I couldn't risk you turning me away. I would regret it forever, I'd thought. I still think it. So, thank you for allowing me this experience. The dance was a bonus. It was the only excuse I could think of when Edmond appeared. I'm glad he arrived long after we'd shared each other. I do not regret this. Do you? – A

- I think I should steal you away.

- Yes. Of course. Where shall we go? – A

- Yes? You do not debate leaving your home, your family, your sister? Your family has but two daughters, all four of us leaving, rendering them heirless is evil. So, we would have to leave her. But I cannot leave my brother. I simply won't. So, it must be the three of us. Is that really all right? Don't you hesitate at all? – E

- If I hadn't hesitated in giving myself to you intimately in the barn for the first time, why do you think I would hesitate even now? I'd decided to run with you, even if you resisted, the very moment I sent that letter inviting you to my home that evening. My heart is away from here. I cause my parents nothing but grief. My sister's near perfect. Having me around to drudge up scandal harms her chances of marriage. It's long been best that I leave. So, when do we leave? – A

- It is not so simple. Brother does want to go. But not with anyone else. He wants us to return to our homeland. However, I cannot stand the thought of you feeling as lonely there as I've felt here. Best if we two, he and I, go and find our fortune then return but I loathe the thought of leaving you. Please be ready. I will think of something compatible for all of us. – E

- Leaving is no longer our choice. Your grandmother dragged Brother back as he ascended the steps, and he took a tumble. Nothing is broken but the words he's said to her in anger means one thing, he's never returning. I have inherited two horses, I'd argue for three but I have no luxury of time. I will carry you on mine. We must consider our options after we leave. Find a way to the manor and I will find you. I promise. – E

- You hate me now, I know. I know this, but you need not hate me. I did this for you. My wolf, the one thing that reminded me so fondly of you, is gone. And the shock of it wasn't only because it was a friend, but because it was something impossible put in my grasp—being with you was also impossible. Yet I couldn't save her. I saw her as you being shot and me powerless to save you. Taking you away with me was the dream of a foolish boy. Should anyone bring you harm, I'd have no power to rescue you or even avenge you, I know that now. So don't hate me. Please. You are safest where you are. I will be back. And I'll be back long before you're a spinster. I swear. When I returned to the manor and found your sister, she told me a lie, saying that my brother was with a doctor. I know that to be a lie because we've never once seen a doctor of any kind. But she was protecting him, and I trust him in her care. I see now that I cannot bring him to where I have planned. I will seek my fortune. And then I'll be back for you and my brother. I swear it. Please do not lose faith in me. I beg. – E

- You would not like where I've ended up. I joined the king's army. Yesterday was the first I'd seen bloodshed. This was the only option for me. A ship would take me away from you. And if I want property and a future, I'll have to fight for it. I've had thoughts of deserting but there's nowhere to go and no one to go back to. I suppose you've married now. Why won't you answer me, darling? I'd thought often that I'd imagined it all. Even perhaps that I've imagined you. My brother refuses to respond to my letters. Could you tell me if he is still at the manor? Could someone tell me something? Anything? – E

- I do not hate you. And my heart beats only for you. Hearing where you are terrifies me. I pray that you come home safely. Your brother is still at the manor as far as I know. We nearly lost him the winter you'd left. He's recovered now. In time, I'm sure he'll come to understand your efforts to protect him. I do not need riches. Simply for you to survive. That is all I desire. I long for you. – A

- Finally. This is all I need to keep my spirits up. Surely, you've got plenty suitors now. I will not blame you if you get swept away by another. I only ask that you tell me quickly so that I do not interfere where I have no business. I long for you as well but do not wait for me. Should someone catch your eye, allow him your heart, too, if he's worthy. – E

- You have not answered in so long. That is all right. Because I must confess something to you as well. I've betrayed you. I regretted it immediately. It was one of the nurses here. And it was nothing of substance. So should you marry, know that you leave behind a letch. – E

- It's been a long time. Find comfort wherever you can seek it. Know that I do not blame you. I'll still wait. – A

- Can terrible people change? I was nearly a believer. Call it luck or misfortune, but a prince is here. No one knows of his nobility. But I know it, because it's the twisted king's twisted son and I'd seen him take great pleasure in the pain of others. Secretly, I wanted to push him in front of a cannon. But instead, I stole his royal seal. You should have seen his face once he'd realized it was gone. Twenty years old and crying like an infant. Revenge wasn't my only reason for it. He'd got his own handler killed last week. With no one to identify him, and no seal to offer, should he try to leave, he will be shot in the back as a deserter. The very moment he realized that his life was tangibly on the line, he behaved differently. I should think I may never give this seal back. – E

- Well, the prince finally admitted to recognizing me. His story is incredible and far more ridiculous than mine. He'd run away in secret and come to war to prove his father wrong for calling him weak. After nearly a year with him here, I will say without a doubt—his father'd been right. Still, now that he knows that I know who he is, he is right to expect that I'd defend him somewhat. It's a thankless endeavor and it's more dangerous now because should we be captured, I'll hang with him. – E

- Four years now and you have not said a word, brother. I trust that you've passed on my letters to her for I haven't heard from her in near two years. I do not mind if you read them, you'll see there's nothing scandalous. It's terrible out here seeing death and pain. I beg you to at least respond. Even if it's to curse me. Please. – E

- Dear sir. I've fought alongside your brother for near three years now. He fights well and has earned the respect of many. It's due to that respect now why I relay these events. This last month, he's been the worst. He charges in first, like a man looking to die. He's talked fondly about a woman when drunk. But no correspondences ever arrive for him. Many fight for riches and glory; there is none if a man is alone. I beg you, even if it's a lie, you can perhaps pay a woman in the city to write to him. Fabricate something. Say he's given her a child. I do not care. But at this rate, the next letter you receive will be with a confirmation of his untimely end.

- You have a son, and we are waiting for you. – A

- I've included a drawing this time. Please take more care with yourself. – A

- The prince has gone home. He took an injury to the leg. Surprisingly, he didn't mind when I gave him back his seal. He'll forever walk with a limp, but I wish I could say the same. A son? All this time. Then if you're not at a convent, that means one thing. It's good that you are married now, my thorn princess, because you would not want me. My discharge is here as well. I will arrive to retrieve my brother by the end of the month. I've earned my land, but I know you are married now and I do not want to interfere with you. Let this be our last letter to one another. – E

- My dearest Eze, I am sorry that I'd lied to you about our son. I am sorry I hadn't stayed away. I am sorry I longed for more than one month in your company after seven years. I am sorry I went back for my daughter without telling you. And I am sorry I could not take her away by myself. And I'm sorry you rescued me. I shouldn't have let you force me on your horse. Had you known, perhaps seen, that Gareth had tampered with my saddle? Now when I replay that day in my head, in our haste to escape his gun, I hadn't been careful with you. You took the risk and let me ride on. The moment you fell, there was no escape for me. I'm thankful to have held you when you took your last breath. But I regret nothing more than the day you'd met me, because you would have lived a full life if not for my foolish delusions. So, I will write this last letter to you, praying you forgive me. I will not go to your land. I do not deserve it. You have waited long enough for me, and I you. I shall join you shortly. I promise. Please forgive me. And please allow me to rest with you. Yours always, Arabella.