He Calls Forth the Better Feelings of my Heart

Epilogue

To my dearest cousin, my sister, my lifelong friend –

I can say with utmost certainty that I finally understand what you meant. Before I left, you told me, "I do not think you are the only one." At the time, I had not understood your words. They weighed heavy on my mind during the entire journey home, and yet I was never able to decipher their meaning until now. You had been referring to Henry Clerval. I confess that I now feel like the most dimwitted man on the planet for not realizing this sooner.

You would be most delighted to learn, then, that you were correct (as you so often are.) Dear Elizabeth, do you see? I believe this is the first time my ink has ever trembled along the parchment due to happiness. I am unsure of where to begin, and I believe telling the entire story would be both far too long and far too personal. You must trust then, my dear cousin, that it was a most romantic affair.

The days since Henry confessed his feelings for me have been a bit of a blur, so I hope you forgive the lack of a date. Nevertheless, whatever night it was, he confided his feelings to me. Can you imagine my surprise upon hearing such a thing? I have never felt so elated in my whole life. My heart feels weak from all of the excitement - is that typical after such an event? You have read far more romances than I ever have, surely you know the answer.

I truly wish Henry and I could live in a different time. I do not even know a proper word to describe our relationship - is that not sad? He is my lover, I suppose, although it feels far deeper than that. We have already agreed that, if it were legal to do so, we would be married in an instant. Even if it is a silly thing to dream about, it is oddly comforting.

Do you believe there will ever be a time in which our relationship could be accepted, both in the eyes of the public and in the eyes of God? I prayed, Elizabeth. I did everything I could to make these feelings go away, and yet God never fixed me. Henry believes God made us this way, says He would not consider something so euphoric a sin. As for myself, I am unsure. But it is worse, I believe, to go on living a lie. I love Henry Clerval, and that is a fact God will simply have to deal with.

Anyway, there are your bragging rights. You were correct, and I should have listened. Please tell me how life has been at home. And if you ever come upon a romance of your own, tell me all about it. I pray that you will.

Elizabeth, could you please burn this letter once you have read it? At the very least, find a very good hiding place for it. You are the only person on this Earth (aside from my dear Henry) whom I trust with any of this information.

By the way, happy New Year, Elizabeth!

— Your brother, forever and always, Victor Frankenstein
December 31st, 17–

Just as I signed off, a comforting grip took its usual place upon my shoulder. A smile instantly crossed my face, and I looked up to reveal my love, Henry Clerval. His smile mirrored my own as he leaned down, pressing our lips together. The sensation was still new, but I was quickly becoming accustomed to it. By the time we separated, my hand was in his hair and his was upon my cheek.

"Happy New Year, Victor."

"Happy New Year, Henry."