ILLICIT AFFAIR | mileven

eighteen

"dearest eleanor,

i've received your letter and am utterly ecstatic to have been invited to your wedding with prince michael, though i suppose i should get used to calling him king michael with the coronation happening soon. as much as i'd like to be there for both occasions, i regret to inform you – with a very heavy heart – that i won't be able to make it.

my time in france is very occupying and while i wish to jump onto the next possible ship to get to the kingdom of hawkins, it would take weeks for me to arrive.

you've asked me how i've been doing here, would you believe me if i said that i've never been happier? it has taken me awhile to familiarize myself with my new surroundings, since for the first time in my life, i've gone somewhere for myself, i've done something because i wanted to.

i've enrolled in a university, my days and nights are consisting of learning about architecture, of sketching my ideas on papers and surrounding myself with like-minded people who share common passions and interests with me.

you've also asked me whether i found my former lover again and truth to be told, that was the thought that was distressing me the most when i took off for france. i wasn't sure if i'd find him, i was even less sure if he'd still want me if i'd find him.

i feared that he married someone else already, that he found someone new to love, someone who wasn't quite as forbidden to him as i once was. i feared he might've even forgotten me.

but what michael and your story has taught me is that if love between two people is real, if your paths were meant to cross and flow into one, then nothing could possibly stand in between.

the odds weren't in favor of your romance and yet your love has amended the rules of an entire kingdom.

your love has given me hope and that hope came back to reward me.

i have, indeed, reunited with my former lover – mathieu though i suppose, i am finally able to call him my lover simply.

he hasn't married, and he surely hasn't forgotten me. he's told me i've been all he torturously thought about, day and night, since we've been separated.

i've never felt quite as close to bursting into pieces as in that moment.

but i don't want to waste you lovely bride's time with a long letter, i promise to visit you as soon as i possibly can – with mathieu by my side. i cannot wait for you to meet him.

have a wonderful wedding, dear. i know you keep thanking me for 'saving' you and granting you this opportunity in marrying michael, however it was your doing far more than it was mine.

contrariwise, it was you who saved me, i'm living the life i've been dreaming about thanks to you.

i'm saddened to miss your special day – but write me a long letter afterwards, princess eleanor, about the entire wedding!

bien amicalement,
lydia"

**

"you are by far the most beautiful bride this kingdom has ever seen, i fear prince michael won't make it out alive once he sees you." lilian brushed her hands down eleanor's arms, giving her hands a squeeze while looking her up and down.

her gown was crafted from silk satin with delicate lace accents following it all around. her silhouette was voluminous, with a fitted bodice with hand-sewn pearls, a full skirt with layers of tulle and a veil that cascaded sweepingly down her back. her neckline was in a decolletage to make room for the diamond necklace with gemstones, torched down from queen karen to her.