Captured in Letters

Chapter 1

"The girl who had filled his lifeless life with joy and well, life."

"Wonderful! You've done an absolutely delightful job!" The trainer beamed at Aurelia.

"Thank you." She replied sweetly.

"Now, Abelia, show me the stunt once." He said, getting off the mat.

Abelia groaned, "Seriously, Marcus! Why me?"

"Your sister has already proven to me that she is more than capable of performing martial arts. Now, it's your turn. It's been so many years, for heaven's sake. You should be able to do this at least."

Abelia snorted and tried to perform the complex stunt. It resulted in her falling on the floor face first.

"Now, now, we wouldn't want her face to look like a barn owl's, now do we?" Aurelia grinned. Marcus laughed at this and helped Abelia get up from her rather unladylike position.

"It might strike you both as funny, but I don't see the humour here." Abelia scowled. "Well, we do." Aurelia replied, smiling.

"Whatever. I don't want to waste my precious hours by talking to you both or by practicing stupid martial arts. I'd rather select a few dresses for tomorrow." Abelia said.

"Tomorrow? What's tomorrow?"

"Aurelia! My dear sister! You are by far the craziest person alive! Tomorrow is the Annual Masquerade Ball of Elysa Institute! It's for seventeen and eighteen year old's like you and I. You said you'd accompany me!"

"Of course! It slipped out of my mind the way you slipped on the floor!"

Abelia huffed, "I hate this! I don't see why I need to learn martial arts! At the rate we're going, I shall find no suitor!"

"I am sure there will be someone or the other who would be willing to marry you even if your face is broken." Marcus said, softly.

"I don't think so! All the men I've known love women with beautiful faces and long gowns! If my face isn't pretty who will have me?" Abelia asked.

"Abelia, it isn't the time to discuss about our marriage. That can wait. I am certain that there will be many suitors for you despite your face being broken. You don't need to worry about it." Aurelia said, sharply.

Abelia simply nodded and stormed out of the room.

"I suppose we shall continue the lesson next week then?" Marcus asked, taking off his robes. "Yes, you may leave." He was just about to leave when Aurelia stopped him, "Don't think I haven't noticed." "What?" He asked, clearly confused.

"Don't think I haven't noticed the way you look at Abelia or the way you talk to her."

"I do not know what you are talking about."

"I'm no fool, Marcus."

Silence engulfed the room. Neither of them said a word for a long time. Finally, Marcus broke the silence, "Perhaps not, but you must also know that I wouldn't do anything to spoil the reputation of this family."

"Marcus, I didn't mean it like that. I know that you won't do anything like that. But I just wanted to tell you that if Abelia doesn't want anything like that with you, you must leave her. You cannot force her into anything." Aurelia said.

"I would never do that. You didn't need to tell me."

"I'm glad."

"I should leave now, but you must give me your word that you won't tell anyone this. Especially not her."