Total pages in book: 142
Estimated words: 137017 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 685(@200wpm)___ 548(@250wpm)___ 457(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 137017 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 685(@200wpm)___ 548(@250wpm)___ 457(@300wpm)
I’m so happy to hear that you’re adjusting well and that the Grand Duke is treating you kindly! I admit I did have my reservations, especially after hearing your thoughts about the engagement, but I’m pleased to find out that my concerns have thus far been unfounded. Leon was, of course, rather upset when the discussion between our families was cancelled. I think he’d taken a liking to you. Alas, he will survive.
There isn’t much news to report here in the capital that you won’t hear after you arrive, but I did hear from my mother that Marchioness Vermillion and Lady Sophia are having some difficulties in their relationship. It appears that the marchioness has blamed the invitation scandal on Lady Sophia, although she’s not fooling anyone. Gossip spreads easily between the servants, and many of those at the Vermillion estate know the marchioness was the one handling all your letters, so the nobles all know this, too. The marquess has reportedly withdrawn Lady Sophia from high society and is making her retake lessons. According to my father, he’s also demanded that the marchioness cease her search for an engagement until he deems her education suitable.
All in all, the Vermillions are quite the hot topic recently, and many are eagerly anticipating the debut of yourself and the Grand Duke as a couple at the hunt. If this letter reaches you before you leave Stein, do let me know where you’ll be staying. I have a gift for you that will make our communication easier.
With love,
Vivi
I traced my fingers over her name and smiled.
Gosh, I missed my friends.
It seemed so cruel that I’d made such wonderful friends so soon before I’d had to leave the capital. Maybe it was because they were my first friends since I’d come to this world, but the ache I felt when I thought about them all was relentless.
But a gift? What could it be?
I pulled my stationery towards me and wrote out a reply to her. How did letters travel between here and the capital so quickly? It’d only been three days since I’d sent her letter, so surely there had to be magic involved somehow.
I finished up the letter and tucked it into an envelope before addressing it to her and setting it aside. However it got there, it seemed to be super-fast, so with any luck, she’d receive it before we arrived at the Imperial Palace.
I couldn’t deny that her letter had brought me a lot of joy. Hearing that my stepmother and Sophia were suffering because of their own actions was the perfect kind of karma, and I just knew that Sophia would be struggling with the lessons.
She’d hated them when we were children, and my stepmother had indulged her, allowing her to skip them in favour of socialising. There’d been a time where, in my inherited memories, the previous soul had resented it—as a young girl, she’d wanted to have fun, too.
Now, the strict education that she’d gone through was benefitting me. Her, too, in a roundabout way, because our combined knowledge of two worlds and two lives was making a difference in this life.
It was almost redeeming Alicia’s name.
With my response to Vivi done, I picked up the next letter on my pile. The seal was that of House Evsea, and my tummy tingled a little.
After all, this was the viscountess’ response to my request for her to host the ball here at the castle.
Dear Lady Alicia,
I was thrilled to receive your response to my letter so quickly. I pray you that you are not offended by the fact I failed to greet you after your presentation.
The offer to host the ball at Stein Castle is most welcome. I am quite overwhelmed to be granted such an honour—the Grand Duke has hosted only two balls since he arrived in Stein and admitted his lack of interest in such events, so he must have great affection for you to be so insistent upon being involved in this way.
I showed my husband your letter, and he was quite shocked to hear that His Highness has a jealous streak—who knew?! If you don’t mind me saying so, he’s never shown such a side of him, so this was somewhat of a surprise. Although I am quite glad to hear it, in a strange way. Sometimes, the Grand Duke can seem almost otherworldly, so this makes him seem a little more human in my eyes.
In any case, I humbly accept your offer and thank you most kindly for allowing me to be a part of your formal introduction to Stein’s high society. I have already confirmed with the Grand Duke that the date of the ball is to be the sixth of the following month, and I will co-ordinate with Sir Edward Arkwright as soon as possible.