The Alchemist's Daughter

Chapter 7: Secrets

Dear Aden,

Of course I remember you! You were my dearest friend for nearly four years. I consider you a dear friend even now.

Please, send me stories of your travels! I would love to hear them. Even if I were not confined to a sickbed, I would be ravenous for them. What was Astrya like? The customs, the homes, the fashions, the people! Tell me all of it! Do they have any interesting alchemical practices? Tell me everything! How I wish I could sit across the table from you and hear it in your own voice.

Alas, I cannot. We shall have to carry on our friendship in letters for now. As soon as I am strong enough I will be off to boarding school. Madam White's Finishing School. It is said to be one of the best. With my father gone to war, he wants me looked after. And I can hardly argue with him, given my current circumstances. Of course, I won't be able to study or practice alchemy. But I'll have the rest of my life to learn once my father returns.

Heath has promised to get my letters to you, and have your's delivered to me. He regrets the poor impression he's made on you. I do hope you can get along with him. He can be thoughtless at times, but his intentions are pure.

I cannot say that I was awaiting your return, as I'd thought you lost to me forever. But I did think of you often. I am delighted at your return, and once we are both done with school I promise we will have the happiest of reunions.

Your friend,

Briar Rose

Briar had written and rewritten the letter at least ten times. She had to be careful hiding the drafts, balling them up and throwing them out in the cafe across campus' rubbish bins so Aden would never accidentally come upon them. When assembling the final letter, she was sure to write as delicately and gracefully as possible. Big looping letters and neat penmanship. The opposite of her scrawled notes and alchemical papers. She couldn't have him wondering why 'Heath' and she had the same handwriting...

She was sweating nervously when she finally built up the courage to hand him the letter. It was after just after they had both finished eating lunch. She tapped him on the shoulder as the tide of boys ebbed and flowed out of the dining hall back towards the classrooms.

"I have something for you," She said awkwardly, reaching into her jacket pocket, glad the envelope was dry at least. "From my cousin."

Aden snatched the letter out of her hand so quickly it made her flinch. "She wrote back?!" He beamed giddily. "Does she remember me?! Wait, don't tell me-" He paused furrowing his brow, "Unless she doesn't. Maybe soften the blow for me, eh?"

Briar blinked at him, his jovial energy hitting her in the face like a sunbeam through the crack in the curtains. "Ah, yes. She remembers you," She offered, trying to keep her composure.

"Yes!" He crowed, actually jumping up in the air as if the ground could not contain his glee.

Before Briar could say anything else he took off like a shot across the courtyard and was gone in the crowd, the letter clutched to his chest.

That went... well? She tried to convince herself. She'd only know how it'd truly gone once he'd read it.

She chewed her lower lip as she headed towards her next class. She'd tried to be as warm and friendly as she could while making sure he wouldn't skip class and run straight to her house.

She only hoped that she could keep up this ruse. Continue their friendship through letters, and that once she revealed her secret to him he would hold her in such esteem he would forgive her.