BETRAYAL OF DIGNITY
Epilogue
Part 5: Love Letters
Anna chanced upon the letters during a summer vacation at Castle Verdier. As she fumbled with the keys of the antique piano once played by her mother, her eye caught the corner of a piece of paper wedged between the desk and the wall.
Carefully, she extracted the old letter.
"To my respected Duke Damien Ernst von Thisse," she read aloud.
Through the window, Anna observed Declan crossing swords with Weiss. Having reached the age of nine, Declan had begun to train with a real sword. Initially, he had even sparred with his father, but after a few overzealous swings sent the sword sailing through the air, Chloe insisted on making Count Weiss his new instructor. This arrangement suited Anna well; Damien would spar with her secretly when her mother's attention was elsewhere.
"Declan seems to be losing his edge," Anna murmured to herself before settling against the window sill, engrossed in the letter. The unfinished correspondence was marred by a blot of ink, yet it contained several passages that piqued her curiosity. Most intriguing of all was the fact that the letter, clearly penned by her mother's hand, had never reached its intended recipient. After all, it was Anna who had unearthed it.
Anna giggled as she carefully folded the letter and made her way to the room that had once been her mother's sanctuary. Her mother and father were ensconced within the chamber, drinking tea. She vaguely recalled hearing that it was the very spot where her father had first proposed.
"Anna, where are you dashing off to?" asked Declan, who had just returned from his duel with Weiss.
"I intend to strike a deal with His Majesty the King. Would you care to join me, Declan? It promises to be most amusing."
Declan put on the air of the wise older sibling. "Are you scheming to play yet another trick on Father?"
Anna leaned in and whispered conspiratorially, "I've discovered an old letter. Its contents are rather peculiar."
"Let me have a look."
"Not yet."
Snickering, Anna bounded up the stairs. Declan trailed behind, his brow furrowed out of concern that she might stumble. Upon reaching the room that had once housed a young Chloe, Anna announced her arrival at the door. "Your Majesties, it is me, Diana."
"Come in," came the response.
As the door swung open, Damien and Chloe, comfortably seated on an aged sofa as they sipped their tea, turned to look at her.
"You brought Declan along. What brings you here?"
"Your Majesty, Princess Diana of Swanton comes bearing an urgent request." Anna's formal overtures were often a prelude to mischief.
Damien arched a golden brow and nodded. "Proceed."
"Would you grant permission for Prince Declan and me to visit our aunt in the Duchy of Carter this winter? The timing coincides with Sofie's journey home."
"Anna." Damien's voice took on a note of authority, revealing his reservations about the idea of the Prince and Princess traveling unaccompanied. Moreover, he was not particularly fond of the people of Carter; he had even entertained the idea of betrothing Sofie, whom the children adored, to a noble of Swanton.
Sensing his reluctance, Anna drew her lips into a pout.
"Should you refuse, you shall find yourself regretting the decision."
"Is that a veiled threat?"
"Just the truth. I've stumbled upon a treasure, you see." Chloe quietly observed her daughter over the rim of her teacup. Though Anna bore a striking resemblance to her, there were moments when her daughter's pluck in addressing Damien caught her off guard.
