The Letter ~A Red Queen Love Story~

The Front Lines, You Say

A couple weeks passed after Maven had his own letter sent. From the letter, all he was able to gather was that it was from the front lines. The front lines? I would've never guessed.

After that letter. They started exchanging letters on a weekly basis. He learned that they were a servant serving on the front lines. Apparently, they were lucky to escape from conscription. This, though the person didn't say themself, was indeed someone younger than eighteen. The age where you were forced into the military if you didn't have an internship of any sort. That was a relief for Maven. He couldn't fathom the idea of someone older than himself, especially if it classified him a minor and the other person... Well... You know what it is.

He also learned that it was a boy. At first, it shocked Maven. He was surprised to find out that the person he was writing to was a boy and not a girl. Though, he wasn't repulsed by the idea. The person had said that if he didn't want to talk anymore afterwards. That it was okay.

Maven wasn't fond of the idea at first, but the more time he spent laying awake in the middle of the night wondering if he wanted to stop talking to this mystery man. The more he spent thinking about it. The quicker it was to drive him insane imagining not talking to this person.

He found himself liking talking to this stranger. They didn't treat him like royalty. Well, they did, but they weren't afraid to call him out and laugh at him. He felt oddly free. So, he agreed to continue talking. After all, he himself was interested in both guys and girls. Not that he'd ever tell his family.

He knew his father would only be disappointed in him, if it was even possible to disappoint his father anymore. His mother may be more accepting, but he wasn't sure. His mother was always pushing Maven to find the perfect girl. Someone strong, beautiful, and would make a lovely partner. Which, it was clear that wasn't happening.

Maven, though he'd never admit it, had found himself more and more invested into this mysterious person than any of the princesses his mother forced him to see. Unlike Cal, Maven had the luxury to marry whoever he liked. It didn't matter who he married, but clearly his mother thinks otherwise.

If Maven was being honest. He wasn't sure how Cal would feel about it. Maybe Cal would continue to love and support him or he might react with a look of disgust and never look at Maven the same. He doubted it, because Cal was kind hearted and could never possibly hate anyone. He was sneaking to the Stilts every night for god sake. The many times Maven had to lie and cover for him has been more times than he could count on his fingers. It was a good thing that he was quite the liar.

The last major thing he learned which he only recently discovered was his name. Maven had written a letter telling him that he didn't know how to address the man. Admirer? Mystery man? Or his most recent nickname. Mr. Stranger. It seemed like a good name at the time. He took out the letter where the mystery person confessed his name and flipped the letter to touch the dents made from writing. Unlike Maven with his gentle and soft lines, his every stroke was deep and could easily have bled through the sheet if he pressed any harder.

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