Letters of Admiration

Bela

"Did you receive a new letter today?"

You look over at Sasha, who you've been assigned the to same task with today. You'd definitely consider her one of your closest friends, hence why she knows about the unsigned letters of admiration you've been receiving.

"Yes, why do you ask?"

"Nobody has that big of a smile on their face after being told to clean the library," she replies in a low voice. Remarks like that are best uttered that way, lest you be overheard by one of the Dimitrescus. "How long will it be before the two of you properly meet? I'm dying to know who this mysterious, charming woman is."

"I'm not sure, but I'm hoping it will be soon. I am thinking about leaving something where she leaves her letters, asking her to meet me somewhere."

"Do it," Sasha encourages. She pushes open the library door before coming to an abrupt stop, holding out an arm to make you do the same. You shoot her a questioning look and she nods towards something.

One of Lady Dimitrescu's daughters is occupying a chair, legs drawn up towards her chest and head propped up with one of her hands. Judging by the blonde hair hanging out of her dark hood, it's Bela.

Time to be on your best behavior.

"Good morning, Lady Bela."

There is no response. She doesn't even move. You approach her a little and realize that she appears to be asleep. You inform Sasha of this.

"Are you sure?"

You nod. "Should I wake her?"

You know that every Dimitrescu daughter is dangerous. Any one of them could cut you open for a mistake, or simply because they feel like it. But you also know that Bela tends to be the most corrigible and controlled of her siblings. Plus, she can't possibly be comfortable sleeping in that position.

"No!" Sasha whisper-shouts. "Do you have a death wish?"

You turn back towards Bela and your eyes fall on the book she has sitting on the arm of the chair. What catches your attention is not the book itself, but rather the notes resting on one of its open pages. They're done in pretty handwriting that you recognize.

It's the same as in the letters you've been receiving. Realization dawns upon you.

"...I'm going to wake her."

Sasha sternly says your name. You ignore her and raise your voice a bit. "Lady Bela?"

Bela jerks awake and pulls her sickle out of its sheath, knocking her book and papers to the floor in the process.

Having preemptively stepped back, the point of the weapon hovers a few inches away from your face. You offer a smile. "I thought I might try to spare your neck and back. You fell asleep."

Bela holds your gaze for a moment longer before putting her sickle away. "...Thank you."

You bend down and pick up her things, making sure the notes are on top when you hold them out towards her. Bela looks at them, then up at you. She knows you know. You see the flash of recognition in her amber eyes. "When you're finished with your work for today, I would like to have a word with you."

"Understood, my Lady."

Bela takes her stuff back. Her hand brushes against yours. Then, she leaves.

Sasha has gone as white as a sheet. "I can't believe you. My heart is still pounding. Do you think you're going to get in trouble? I've never heard her tell someone that she wants to speak with them like that."

"No," you answer easily. "Now, should we get started with this library?"

When you finish your last task for the day, you find Bela already waiting for you.

"This happened sooner than I anticipated. I was thinking about how to go about revealing myself to you before I drifted off, actually. More specifically, I was in the middle of deciding what flowers to give you." She holds out a bouquet that had previously been behind her back. "I hope that you feel the same as I do."

You gingerly accept the flowers. "I do."