Happily Ever After

Chapter 17

My dearest Alois,

I passed by a shop selling some wonderful music boxes yesterday. Their lovely melodies reminded me of the time you first arrived at the manor. I remember that you used to have trouble falling asleep. So, Nanny Isabelle would lull to sleep you with a sweet lullaby almost every night during your stay.

I figured that you must have felt lonely living alone in Paris, so I decided to send you a piece of home. Here is a custom made music box for you, and guess what, it plays Nanny Isabelle's lullaby! I wish for the sweet melody to comfort you in times of trouble and lull you on sleepless nights. May its gentle music warm your heart whenever you miss the snug embrace of homeland.

I wanted to be the one to do these things for you. However, I know that we are both aware of the fact that things do not always go the way we want them to. For now, at least, this is the best I can do for you.

I miss you so much and I long for your presence. A day cannot pass without me thinking of you. I wish for your safety and good health.

Your Beloved,
(Y/N) (Y/L/N)

~•~

Dear Alois,

Happy birthday, my love. I know you haven't heard my voice for such a long time since your departure. You have told me in your recent letters that you wish nothing more than to hear it once again. So, as a birthday present, I would like to grant your wish.

Here is a gramophone disc record for you. This is not an ordinary record like the others. This is a special record made just for you and you alone! Play it whenever you miss me, or whenever you wish to hear my voice. You shall feel my presence and warm embrace each time you listen to it for I have put my heart and soul into making it.

I wish you a happy birthday, Alois. May you have good health and live a good life. I wish for your joy and happiness. May you always stay safe and be kept away from the harmful dangers of this world.

I love you so much. I cannot wait to see you again.

Your love,
(Y/N) (Y/L/N)

~•~

*Gramophone disc record playing*

On a land, far, far away, as the spoiled princess plays with her golden ball, it bounces into a fountain. A frog offers to get the ball for her, if she will become his friend. She wants her golden ball so badly that she agrees, not meaning to keep her promise. The frog gives her the ball and the princess runs home. The frog follows her to the palace and pleads that she has promised to be his friend. The king overhears the conversation and makes the pampered princess keep her promise.

The princess can't stand to be with the frog. Disgusted, she throws him against the wall; the frog falls to the ground, lifeless. Frightened and remorseful, the princess picks up the frog and kisses him. A witch's evil spell is broken and the frog becomes a handsome prince. They become best friends, and, when they grow up, they marry and live happily ever after. The end.

You know, their story resembles ours in a way. We met due to an unfortunate event. We stayed together because of a promise. We grew up, became best friends, and fell in love with each other.

Unlike the princess, we do mean to keep the promises we made to each other on that special night. Our promises have not been broken... at least not yet. Well, I do not wish them to be. I have faith in you, and you have faith in me. I am certain that we shall fulfill them one day, for we both know very well that promises are meant to be fulfilled, not broken.

The princess and the frog had their happy ending, despite the circumstances they went through. We have also gone through some tough obstacles of our own. We are facing some of them right now, and we shall certainly face some more in the future. I hope we overcome whatever lies ahead of us and obtain our own happily ever after in the end.

I love you from the deepest depths of my heart. Stay safe and take care, my love.

*Ending gramophone disc record recording*