❝ ANWYN'S REACTION ❞

At the knock on her door, Anwyn slipped off her bed and hurried over. Opening it and grinning at the familiar face who greeted her, she noted the letter in Analis' hands.

"Good morning, Analis," she said in a sing-song voice.

The servant grunted and passed her the letter, crossing her arms and tapping her foot. "For you to read, Anwyn."

She snorted at the girl. "Why're you so grumpy today?"

Analis swatted at her before taking Anwyn's hand and placing the letter in it. "Read it." She narrowed her eyes. "Alright?"

She laughed. "Alright, alright."

"Good." Grumbling and marching off to the kitchens, Anwyn heard a mumbled, "Dammit, it's time to make bread."

The Illadorian snickered at her muttered complaint before settling down on a chair and staring at the letter. She didn't recognise the handwriting, of course, and as she pried open the envelope, she wondered who wrote to her. It couldn't be mother, because she knew her mother's handwriting, as well as her sisters' and brother's.

Finally opening the letter, she read it through, a light flush tainting her cheeks as her eyes scanned the page.

Oh, gods.

Stace had read her story.

Anwyn buried her head in her hands, a little wail slipping out of her mouth. Seeing that the winner would be announced at the tea party, she thought that the princesses would be the ones to read them, although, at this point, she preferred having a weathered historian as the judge.

Her ears were red, her cheeks flushed, as she took a piece of parchment paper from the table, dipped her quill in ink, and started to draft a reply.

Dear Stace,

A response probably wasn't necessary, but I thought it felt right to thank you for the heart-warming letter full of compliments. I'll be honest with you — I didn't expect you to ever set your eyes on my scribbled nothings. However, I am grateful for your kind words. Seeing that my story brushed your ego, it's only right to tell you that your letter did brighten my mood. After all, it's not every day a prince comments on my writing, is it?

Always with a smile on my face.

— Anwyn

Satisfied with how the letter turned out, Anwyn placed it in an envelope, scrawling the name 'Prince Stace' on top of it. Analis was sure to come back soon; she had asked for a stack of books the night before, and the servant girl was happy to oblige, as the errand was a little excuse to permit her a rest from her work in the kitchens. Then, when Analis wanted to leave, Anwyn would pass her the letter to pass to Stace.

Moving to the bed and curling up on it, Anwyn took a tome from her bedside and opened it, a smile already curling on her lips, excited to delve into another world once more.