My Dearest Lady Cotton

Speechless

  She laid in bed, unmotivated to leave the warmth around her. Frowning upon the empty spot beside her, the young woman rolled to her side, away from the dusty light trickling through the curtains.

  It was another day. Another week without him.

  Dejected, she stared at the plastered wall, sorrowfully clutching the sheets. It wasn't like he consistently left her lonely. It was just... Well, there was nothing the both of them could do about it. It wasn't his fault his position required him to leave way before the sun rose. That's just how his job worked.

  If only she could run out there and snatch him back home. Then they would have all the time in the world to cuddle and melt in each other's arms. But alas, that'll only complicate matters. His work would be ripped from him and they'd probably be homeless for the rest of their days.

  Sighing, Cotton ignored the ache in her chest and pushed herself out of bed. There was no time to dawdle, there was much to be done for the day. The sun wouldn't stay in the sky forever after all.

  Subsequently adjusting her stockings, she lazily pulled on her day dress and wrapped her apron around her waist. Scanning her glum reflection, she brushed her pale fingers through her lavender colored hair, pushing stray locks over her ears. The doleful look upon her face had really begun to root itself into her skin, leaving her appearance as tired and miserable for hours.

  The adventure each day brought into her married life was now sucked away, leaving her dry in an empty lake. All that was left were the seeds of hope planted in the bottom of her heart, hoping that things would change.

  Things will. Said the gentle voice inside her head, attempting to comfort her sore heart. We just need to wait a while.

  She scoffed at her sweet mind, abrasively bending down to pick up her worn leather boots. Who was she kidding? Things won't turn around. No matter what, he would always be pulled away into his duties, leaving her stranded at home. Alone. It was time to stop dreaming.

  Evading the pleas of her conscious to listen, Cotton stuffed her cold feet into the roasted brown shoes, only to freeze upon a bumpy and crinkly surface nestled within her shoe.

  "Oh, what now?" She hissed, pulling her feet away and already dreading the rest of the day. What could possibly be in there? Have her boots been damaged? Oh that couldn't be possible, she just traded for them a few weeks ago! This just proved how much worse her life was growing to be!

  Pressing her lips to an thin aggravated line, she shook the boot with all her might, glaring unpleasantly upon the leather foot wear.

  Hearing the plop of the free object, the lass blinked, dumbfounded to what bounded towards her toes. Exhausted, she rubbed her face, her fingers trailing to her chin in disbelief. For stars above! How in Icetonia did a crumpled parchment get into her boots? And why hers? Was there a reason for this? Was this letter for her?

  Scooping the paper into her cold hands, Cotton flopped on the bed. Unraveling the roll, her ocean-blue eyes widened as she straightened out the parchment. Her sour mood dissipated from the mere sight of the contents.

  It was a letter. A very crudely written letter. She brushed her pale fingers against the writing, riveting in its splendorous horror. She recognized the terrible handwriting. It belonged to him!

  As her eyes scanned the words, her stomach flipped and flopped from the soft velvety words scribbled hastily on the parchment. Stuffing the letter under her linen pillow, Cotton gripped her once aching chest tightly, feeling giddy and warm.

  Combing through her tangled lilac locks, the young Wife smiled softly, rejuvenated and surprised from the affectionate letter. Twisting her long hair into a tight bun, she wrapped her blue and white braided hairband around her head, tying it off at the ends.

  No matter what he did, it always left her speechless. But in a good way. He was always good at clearing the moody clouds into sunny rays. However, as sweet as the letter was, it didn't entirely cure the bleak atmosphere lurking through the halls. However, his efforts to lighten her days most definitely made the lonely hours more pleasant.

  In better spirits, she made her way down the uneven stairs, lightly stepping upon the cold wood. While working with the hearth, a sudden thought came to mind, bringing Cotton to pause in her actions and scrunch her brows in wonderment.

  Of all the places, why her boots? Surely there was a place far better than that! Was he worried that she wouldn't be able to find it? The kitchen would've been good enough. Honestly, why was her Husband so strange?

.

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My Dearest Lady Cotton,

   Another cold day at the Castle shall pass, lonely and harsh without you. But how blessed I am, how sweet it is that I wake to your beautiful face. Everyday it pains me to leave your side in the cold mornings of Icetonia, but it must be done if I wish to give you a life of comfort. 

  Fear not, for I shall never leave you. No matter the days, the nights, the hours or the seconds, I shall never stray from your wondrous aquatic gaze, nor from your gentle touches.

  My Dear Wife, like the sunny rays you are a bright light in my life, beaming with all the love and warmth I wish to caress.

Forever Yours,

Your Handsome Husband in Shining Armor,

Louis.