The Letter ~A Red Queen Love Story~

Dear Admirer,

    Dear Admirer,  

    I was surprised, to say the least, when I received your letter. It's  rare to find a letter filled with so much passion and love while writing. I can tell you must put a lot of work into writing your letter.  Why did you write it? It's clear that it was a confession, but why did you write it? 

    Maven

    Maven sat at one of the tables, sneakily writing back to the stranger who had sent the letter before. Everyone was busy dancing and chatting. Since it didn't matter what Maven did. He chose to take a step back and write. He wasn't sure what drove him to write back, but he was curious. Nothing about the world made Maven laughed. Reds were suffering while Silvers continued to ignore the problems going on and party to their hearts content. This wasn't a world where he should be happy. Where anyone should be happy. So why was this person so confident that he could make him smile?

    "What are you writing?"

    Cal pulled a seat over and just as Maven was about to pull the letter away. Cal snatched the letter and was about to read it, bit stopped himself before handing it back. He shook his head and smiled at his younger brother.

    "It seemed personal. If you want me to read it. You could show me." 

    Maven nodded and looked at his letter. Should he write some more? Is it enough? What else should he add? He wasn't good at love letters. He never wrote one after all. He looked over at Cal who was taking a sip of champagne and picking at his fingers. So formal. 

    "How would you write a love letter?" Maven asked.

    Cal stopped and looked over at his brother. I'm sorry, how to write what? His face said. 

    "Someone. I don't know who wrote a letter addressed to me. I believe it's what you would call a love letter, but I must say. I've never received one. How would I write back?" 

    Cal moved closer to Maven and said in a quiet voice. "Why would you talk to a stranger? Mavey, you know you shouldn't be talking to someone, especially if you don't know who they are." 

    Maven knew, but curiosity got the best of him. Why would they write a love letter? That was what it was, wasn't it? What else could it possibly be. There were no other reasons for a letter like that. Why confess in a letter though?

    "I don't know. I suppose I was curious. You receive these all the time, but I have never and this person seems… real." 

    Maven stayed silent afterwards while his brother waited patiently. Maven didn't think about it before, but even though he was curious. Why did he want to write back? He didn't  know who it was. For all he knew, this person was playing a joke. Maybe it wasn't real. Eventually, Cal spoke up.

    "Do you want to play chess?" 

    Cal never offered to play chess. Though not many knew, Cal was the definition of a sore loser. He didn't like losing, not that Maven blamed him. He didn't either. They were both raised to exceed at everything and never fail. Maven agreed and they silently snuck out the ballroom and went over to Cal's room.

    His room was clean. Maven didn't expect it to be clean. Normally, there were books and files piled all over the place. Armour all over the room and tools everywhere, but today, it was clean. Maybe he finally let the servants clean his room.

    Cal took out a glass case and they sat on the floor as they set their side of the chess board. After Maven had learned how to play chess. He had the servants buy a chess board as a gift for Cal. Mostly to convince him to play with him, but also it was so he could spend more time with him. They rarely had time for each other since Queenstrial was happening in a couple years and they were already preparing. 

    "What do you know about this mystery person?" 

    "Nothing, yet." Maven shrugged.

    He moved his first pawn and Cal followed afterwards with his own pawn. They both played a couple moves before Cal spoke up again.

    "Nothing? And you're not worried that something bad could happen?" Cal was worried now, but Maven? He wasn't. 

    "I don't believe anyone would be trying to kill me. I don't have anything that would motivate someone to kill me. Besides, they said they could make me smile. Is that supposed to be threatening?" 

    Cal let out a small chuckled and Maven switched his king and rook. Castling. 

    "I guess not, but you don't know anything about them and if I'm being honest. I don't think you talking to this person would be smart. You're a prince after all. You risk everything by talking to this stranger that you have no reason to trust."

    "Mayhaps, but I have decided. I'd like to see where this goes. Not because it's a love letter, but simply out of curiosity. Curiosity killed the cat, but satisfaction brought it back, Cal." 

    "I know." Cal sighed. 

Author's Note: Everything, but the story is own by Victoria Aveyard.