The Letter ~A Red Queen Love Story~

Father

    "What do you propose?" Maven asked, slowly opening the door wider for his brother to come in.

    Cal was wearing a simple white shirt paired with jeans. There was dirt on his face and his hair wasn't slicked back like usual. Whatever the deal he was about to make. Maven wasn't quite sure if he wanted in on it.

    "I was thinking the other day. What if I went to the Stilts? To see my future citizens. You know, to learn about them. I tried asking father to allow me to go, but he refused and since I am practically done working on my bike. I thought I could take it for a spin." Cal said.

    "Go on." 

    Cal took out a letter from his pocket and held it in front of him. It was the letter Cal had taken just under a week ago. He was going to make a trade. Maven thought. 

    "I will give your letter back." 

    Maven immediately reached out to take the letter, but Cal was quicker and switched it so he was holding it with his other hand. Maven sighed, hoping he would've been able to snatch the letter before Cal made his proposal. 

    "In exchange, I need you to cover for me during dinner."

    Oh God, no. Maven's immediate response would've been, but he wanted his letter back. He tried writing a couple letters to Thomas, but it was hard to write to someone when you didn't know what they were writing or even what to share. Maven held a hand out and sighed once more. If he was going to get his letter back, he was going to have to cover for his brother. Which, he definitely didn't want to do because then his father would only lecture him on everything he isn't and compare himself to Cal all throughout dinner while his mother would stay silent and eat.

    "I suppose. Now hand me the letter." Maven moved his hand closer.

    Cal smiled and handed him the letter. After last time, Maven learned it was better if he didn't read the letter immediately. He would only make a fool of himself. Like he did the other time when he was reading it in the hallways and had the biggest smile on his face that he accidentally caught his jacket on fire and had to put it out.
   
    "When are you leaving?" Maven resisted the urge to read the note and slipped it inside his jacket pocket.

    "In a couple minutes." Cal answered. 

    "If you don't mind me asking, why exactly do you want to go to the Stilts? You have been there and let me say. You stand out. Quite a lot, brother." 

    "Perhaps, but I still want to go. I should get going. Promise you'll cover for me?"

    "Yes, Cal. I promise. You have my words." Maven rolled his eyes.

    Cal couldn't help, but smile at his little brother. He ruffled Maven's long curly hair before leaving. Maven watched his brother go and waited until he was out of sight before going back in his room. He sat himself on his bed and carefully opened the letter he finally got back. He kept wondering what Thomas would write back. In Maven's last letter, he mentioned about a party his parents were hosting so Cal could meet all the lovely ladies before Queenstrial. He told Thomas how he wanted a way out and would much rather be in his room all day then stuck watching as girls desperately pine over Cal. 

    Maven noticed the letter he wrote a couple days ago about inviting Thomas to Queentrial. He wondered if he should send that too. Maven did want to see him. He had no idea what he looked like while Thomas obviously knew what Maven looked like. It was hard not to notice any Silver royals. The amount of attention and spotlight they get was exhausting. It was one of the few things both Maven and Cal didn't like, but they dealt with it since it wasn't like they could do anything else otherwise. 

    He decided it was better not to send it. There was so many things that could go wrong and besides. Would Thomas even want to go? It's a ball full of princesses of all houses all ready to settle down and marry Cal. The idea of Cal married or even crushing on someone was a weird thought. Maven quickly dismissed it before he started writing the pros and cons to having a sister in law that he was likely to dislike. Not that he'd ever tell her or Cal or anyone for that matter.

    "Your highness, dinner has been prepared." A maid said from outside the door.

    "Thank you. I will be down in a minute." Maven replied, he would have to read the letter later.

    When he reached the dining room, he noticed his mother was nowhere to be seen and his father was eating alone. How wonderful, it is just father and me. Maven carefully pulled the chair out and sat down, looking over the food to make sure it was things he was willing to eat.

    "Where is mother?" Maven asked the same time his father asked "Where is your brother?"

    "He was invited to dinner someplace else." Maven lied.

    Lying had always been easy to him. Unlike Cal, who was honest to a fault. Maven had no trouble lying through anything. After living in his brother's shadow for so long. Lying became his only friend. It was the only way he could convince himself that being second to everyone was okay, was perfectly fine when it wasn't. After all, anyone could care less about him. He wasn't going to become king, he wasn't meant to be the favourite child, his birth wasn't even necessary. Not when they had Cal. Cal, who was the heir to the throne, a general, and loved by everyone around him. As much as Maven resented Cal for being the reason as to Maven's misery. He loved his brother. No matter how much he hated being in his shadow and being compared constantly. He knew his brother was always going to be there and would always love him. 

    "How come I wasn't told of this?" His father frowned.

    "I would have assumed you were. Perhaps you should ask Cal when he comes back." Maven took a bite of his food.

    "And when will he be back?" 

    "I would not know. I will let Cal know beforehand to come find you when he comes back." 

    "Fine." His father grumbled, clearly annoyed.

    "Fine." Maven copied.

Author's Note: Everything, but the story belongs to Victoria Aveyard. Also, I don't have a schedule as to when I post so please bare with me as I slowly write and publish them!! Any comments, suggestions, and jokes are all welcome!! Thank you for reading!! I appreciate it!!