“Hello, Karrie. How goes life over there in Barre? I hope this letter finds you in good health. I try to be, but you know how it goes.
Pudding was served after dinner today, have you tried it? It’s jiggly and cold and tastes like sugar.
Do you remember that blue-haired woman? She ended up becoming my tutor. Oh, I’m preparing for the Royal Academy. My days are filled with lessons on etiquette, history and even dance. It’s surprisingly fun, you should try it some time.
I don’t know what else to write so here’s the end of the letter. See you next time.
From Esther Nikodemus.”
“To my friend Esther, or should I write Lady Esther? Imagine our shock when we heard that the one you were visiting was THE Duke Nikodemus?! A week-long visit my butt. Besides the shock of your betrayal, everything has been great.
Eric came to visit on my birthday. That was fun, we even had a cake. I have never tasted pudding before but a cake must be tastier than that. I think. Mine tasted like raspberries for your information.
His apprenticeship seemed to be doing surprisingly well, he wore some really fancy clothes. Something about being custom-tailored to his body? It was to show off his trustworthiness or whatever, he said. With that face of his, I wonder how he does it.
You have probably forgotten about us normal, plain commoners already, my lady. I still can’t believe that you are a real noble. How is it? Are you wearing beautiful dresses? Flowy skirts filled with frills and ribbons just like those actors wore on stage? Just thinking about it makes me green with envy.
Have you attended tea parties yet? Or what about meeting with handsome men.” A dried stain was on the letter. “Please ignore the stain.
Oh how I wish some gallant knight or prince, I’m not picky, would come and save me from this boring outskirts town. Have you met the prince? I heard he’s around our age. Sigh…
Miss you, hope to see you soon.
From Karrie.”
“With the trees protecting the Duchy from the harsh winds turning brown and withered, it appears that autumn has taken over with its unrelenting grip on life. Piles and piles of once green leaves, now all dead, may be observed as Sir Gardener wanders the grassy gardens with his rake. Like the Goddess collecting lost souls, he too, collects them.
Raviel made me read and write poetry lately. She said it was to build up my vocabulary, which means learning more words if you didn’t know. I’m currently reading ‘The princess and the knight of white bread.’ Have you read it? I don’t think Raviel likes that book very much as she frowns each time she sees me with it. Mom seems to enjoy it well enough, even hiding it every time father enters the room.
The only tea parties I have attended were those with her Grace, the Duchess of the Guillain Kingdom. She prefers to be called grandmother. I thinks it’s a shame, her Grace sounds much cooler. The weather has become too cold to hold them outside so we moved inside instead.
I thought all nobles were like the Baron in Barre, but meeting my grandparents really widened my once commoner eyes. Grandfather acted all high and mighty, grumping at this and raising his nose at that, but he would sometimes give me candy from his pocket. They were strawberry flavored for your information. I’m actually eating one while writing this. I will ask the butler to send one together with the letter.
Grandmother would make even you shocked. To describe her in one word, she was silly. She told me funny stories from when she was younger, and would always have a piece of cake everyday without fail. I thought my sweet tooth came from my mom, but maybe it was because of her instead. She didn’t act like one of the most important ladies in the kingdom. Oh and she’s blind, I think. I’m currently collecting evidence that she is not.
Did I mention my personal maid yet? The paper is starting to run out so perhaps I can regale you with my thoughts and experiences next time instead.
Signed Esther Nikodemus.”
“Esther, that first part you wrote was just like how the Baron speaks. It’s amazing how you managed to write so much but say so little.
Unauthorized usage: this narrative is on Amazon without the author's consent. Report any sightings.
Snow has started to fall here, making it harder to sneak out of the house. My mom would just follow my footprints and find me. Maybe I should try walking backwards next time.
Carriages have stopped rolling down the roads, which made Eric and his family finally get to take a break. We made a snowman yesterday, it was round like my dad.
I don’t know if I’m supposed to write this, but his parents was talking about sending him to the Royal Academy too. That’s what you are preparing for right? Apparently he was smarter than we all thought.
Some rich noble took notice of his potential and offered to sponsor him. It sounds fishy. Eric of all people having potential? Make sure to bully him for me if you happen to meet him. Give him a punch in the middle of his upper arm, that’s where it hurts the most.
Esther… Who am I going to play with now? Where is my personal maid? It feels like all the people I know are moving away from me.
Oh, the candy you sent was really sweet! I can’t believe you get to eat these things whenever you wish, send me more next time. And before I forget, Happy Birthday Esther!” A lot of hearts and even a cake was drawn on the page. A half finished flower was crossed out in the corner. “It may be a bit early but letters take time to send don’t they? Better safe than sorry.
Much love, Karrie from Barre.”
“To my friend in the outskirts town, Barre. Your letter arrived a tad late, in spite of that, it made me happy nonetheless.
With the help of the Duchess, my mom prepared a magnificent birthday party for me. A sea of plates, all filled with different cakes, cookies, pudding, and pastries filled the banquet table. Did you know we have different tables for different occasions? Well this one had enough room for two whole dozen people.
I thought I had tasted my fair share of various desserts, but our chef must be a mage or something. A dessert mage. With his magic he created variations that even my mom hadn’t seen before.
Oh, have you seen a gold coin before? It looks like this.” I drew a gold circle. “I got some of those as a gift. Maybe I should send one so you can compare it to my good drawing. How does it feel that your friend is some rich noble flinging their worth around? Raviel told me that I shouldn’t send one, that you wouldn’t like my charity. Ridiculous right? I will ask Sir Alden to send two instead.
Maybe that’s why that noble you mentioned wanted to sponsor Eric, to help poor souls like you. We met some of them trying to hide their identity a while back, I wonder if it was them. I think their name was Lavenza and Noel? I will write him a letter asking about the details.
The day when I will be going to the capital is fast approaching. Much like how an actor performs on a stage, winter must too take its leave at the end. Giving the other seasons a chance to come and play. I will be in the capital when this letter finds itself in your hands.
Signed, Esther Nikodemus, daughter of Count Nikodemus.”
***
Someone knocked on my door. “Sweetie, are you finished with writing your letter?”
“Yup.”
“Did you remember to pack everything you need? What about your books?” She was fussing while straightening out some of my hair.
“Mom, Melissa already helped me to pack everything, you don’t need to worry.”
“What if she forgot something? You need to always double check your things before leaving home.”
I opened my briefcase to ease her worries. An extra set of clothes in case there was a sudden downpour, my coin pouch filled with my birthday gold coins and my lucky silver coin, the handkerchief from Lavenza with an embroidered bird, and a jewelry case that required a key to open containing a ring with our family crest. My father chose a tree instead of a rose.
Hidden under all that was an oblong box. Plain and boring, it was a dagger case. I got it for my birthday.
“Galen, don’t you think a dagger is a bit dangerous?” My mom said that day.
“That’s why she will need it. Who knows when some scoundrel won’t know their place and try something.” He shook his fist.
“Stop acting like some hoodlum, who would be stupid enough to touch someone bearing the Nikodemus name?”
“Father, I don’t think you know how commoners actually see us. Give them an opening and some of them won't hesitate to take it.”
The Duke grumped in reply. “Are you trying to lecture me?”
“Dear, it’s better to be safe than sorry right?” My grandmother took my father's side.
Slowly unwrapping the red fabric in the box, lifting it up and wrapping my fingers around the decorated handle, I had to smile. It fit perfectly in my hand. The ergonomics were beautifully adjusted in tune with the natural bends of my fingers. Did the craftsman study biomechanics?
The shiny blade was double the length of the handle, a comfortable length for someone of my stature. I wanted to try giving it a go against the air, but my mom’s concerned face told me that I shouldn’t. Bummer, it was really well made. Two letters, T and K, were engraved on the blade.
Standing with the repacked briefcase in my right hand, I noticed my mom’s height. She had become shorter, my usual eye level at the top of her shoulder had risen to the bottom of her ear. All that eating for the past year had paid off. Would I become taller than her in a few years? My heart prickled at the thought.
I gave the bedroom that I had used for a year a last lookover. The room was as large as the house in Barre. Was someone else was using it now?
My bed against the wall had its cover neatly folded. The closet was filled with impressive clothes and dresses in all sorts of colors, although most of them didn’t fit me anymore. And littered on the desk were pens, ink bottles and containers filled with powder.
My face had gotten sharper and in the process, lost some of its childlike features. It was nothing in comparison to the portrait of my aunt, she was like an elegant sword and I, a soft butter knife. Still, it was enough to stop being called a child wherever I went.
“I can’t believe it’s been a year already…” Did she reminisce too?
“Someone said that time flies when you have fun,” I said.
“Really? I wonder who said that.” She kissed the top of my hair. “Should we go and say our farewells to the others?”
I gave her a big smile.
patreon, cough.)
How should I format my next chapter
