Ellipsism

Chapter one; hidden ink

A letter from the admiral arrived, delivered by a scrawny boy who was expecting a bit of bani* in exchange of his delivery.
The King entered the throne room, his wife, Queen Dochia, looked at him expectantly. He opened it up, and read it slowly, as if it was going to bite him. "What does it say?"
The Queen asked cautiously, by the look on his husbands face, it probably weren't good news. Vladislav didn't say a word for a couple minutes, and just crushed the paper in his hand. Finally, he spoke.
"Hamza said that they need more reinforcements. He is the most useless admiral I've ever had."
Dochia looked scared to say what she was thinking, she knew better than to talk when ever her husband was pissed.
"Butler!" Vasile, our butler approached his master with fear in his eyes.
"Yes, my lord?"
"Bring me paper and ink, now." He ordered coldly.
"Immediately, lord." The butler walked away from the throne room, and entered shortly after with paper, a quill and ink. "Here, my lord."
Vladislav sat at his writing desk, and started writing something down. The dark ink drew letters on the ivory paper, the calligraphy of the King was small and narrow. He usually had a very elegant one, but it depended on his mood. He handed the envelope to the butler.
"Vasile, make sure this makes it's way to the admiral safely. Now go." He didn't need to be told twice to leave the room.
Petru, the ruler's seven-years-old son came running to hug his dad. The King immediately loose his moody attitude and took a loving one.
"Hi there, Petru." He patted his children's back.
"Dad, did you know what I'd just done?" Vladislav shook his head. "I've just rided a horse! Like, a true horse! A big, black one."
"Oh, that's nice. And who gave you this horse?" He asked with a glint of suspicion in his eyes, the Queen already knew the answer.
"Iris."
"I think I will talk to her later, but now you must go, I have important things to talk to your mother."
The child nodded and ran away.

On the other side of the castle, Iris walked calmly through the halls. The big, glassy windows always amazed her. Though she lived there, this castle always had something new for her, like it was growing. Last week, she discovered a big, fancy room full of the most beautiful jewels and the softest silk dresses. Then the next day when she went searching for it again, it was gone. Iris kept looking, but nothing popped up like it usually does.
She decided to visit the old weapons room. It never called her until today.
With caution not to be caught, Iris started walking and touching everything she saw. An armour dropped when she touched it, Iris started walking away as if nothing happened, but then she caught a sight of something shiny.
When se approached it and lift the armour, a wood box was hidden in there, it was engraved with beautiful drawings of maidens and dragons. A piece of silver leaf was incrusted on the top. Iris took it and ran away to her room, where she opened it impatiently. She expected a bit o opposition from the box, maybe a lock or something. But it just opened.
Inside of it were some envelopes and a silver ring with an emerald in the middle. Iris opened the first envelope, an old, crusty letter slipped out of it.
It was written in a shoddy handwriting, it has taken a few moment to realize what it was saying.

"My lovely Dochia, how have you been? I hope you still think of me as much as I do of you, I'm writing to tell you that I love you, and that we will soon be together.
                                       Truly yours,
                                                         Ion."

Iris stood there, shock written all over her face. Did her mother had a lover?
And who is it? She opened the next envelope.

"Greetings, my dear Ion.
I've been doing quite great, but being here without you is boring. All my parents talk about is this prince named Ferdinand the third, and how he has so many possessions. I really couldn't care less about this young man, but I must fake my interest in him for the sake of our love.

     Truly yours,
                  Dochia."

Iris was in awe, so her mother did have a secret relationship, but it wasn't new. It had to be at least fifteen years old. First because Dochias parents were dead, and two because there was no trip to another part of the country to meet "Ferdinand the third". As she opened another envelope, her sister, twelve years old Chira came storming into the room, not giving the princess time to hide the things she found.
"What are you doing, sister?" She asked curiously, trying to take a look at the letters.
"Nothing." lied Iris.
The smaller one got closer and took an envelope.
"What do we have here. Is it from another secret admirer?" She asked sarcastically.
"Give that back. And it's not mine. It's mothers." Chira looked at her with the same look Iris had the first time she read the letter.
"What?"
She red it frantically.
"This is preposterous, how could mom do something like that to father?"
"Well, it's not an actual letter, I think it's older than me, actually."
"Then let's read it. I love romance."
They opened the next letter. This one was really long.

"My freolic Dochia,
  The distance between us can separate our bodies, but not our hearts. Every day when I wake up, your face with your dazzling smile appears to make my day brighter.
I dream every night how I caress your auburn hair while staring into your hazel eyes. Your beautifullness got me mesmerized, oh my lovely Dochia, how I wish we were together at this moment, walking between little white flowers on a field. Dear Princess, I have a very important question for you; Would you like to be my lover? I hope with all my heart that you will accept this poor boys feelings. I know I do not posses any goods but my undying, endless love for you, but I hope it will warm you like it does your fleece blankets. We shall runaway from this country and go see the world, as I have promised you.

                                     I love you,
                                                  Ion."

"Is this not heartbreaking? Seeing two persons love each other so much but not being able to show their affection." Said Chira, wiping away a tear that was rolling down her pale cheek.
"It is, sister. Do you think we should ask mother about this?" Asked Iris, closing the box.

*Bani is the old Romanian coin.