The Letter ~A Red Queen Love Story~

Patience

 He paced around his room for hours, wondering what could be in the letter. The more he thought about it. The more worried and the more nervous he was. The last thing Maven remembered writing was talking about Queentrial and wanting to avoid it. He had originally written another letter asking if Thomas would want to come, but he thought better than to send it. What if he rejects my invitation? Maven kept wondering, knowing that it was stupid to think like that.

Just as the thoughts started to get the best of him. There was a knock on the door. Cal. Maven assumed and immediately opened the door to find a letter. None of the maids nor butlers had given it to him personally and it looked nothing like the letter Cal has. Confused, Maven bent down to pick up the letter and noticed Cal's handwriting. He carefully shut the door before opening it.

Meet me outside.

Cal.

Maven didn't understand why Cal would slip a note under his door only to ask to meet with him. What was wrong with meeting him here? He wanted to ask, but decided never mind. He was getting his letter at least. Maven covered a couple blankets, ensuring that nobody would find out he was still awake. He remembered doing this as a kid, but since Cal had been busy with his kingly duties. Maven never had a need to do them anymore, because the only reason he did them in the first place was to spend his night playing games and laughing with his brother. Moments like those that don't exist anymore.

"Cal?" Maven said, walking around outside.

"Hey,"

Maven jumped at the sudden voice, turning back to find Cal covered in dirt. If Maven didn't know who he was, he would've assumed he was a Red. He pulled out a handkerchief, offering it to Cal. Cal took it, but he didn't use it.

"Why are you asking me to meet you out here?"

"The sky looked pretty tonight. I thought we could watch the stars together."

Maven knew that Cal was lying, but instead of asking him what was really going on. Maven shrugged, deciding why not. He could ask for the letter later. Cal smiled, taking Maven's wrist as they walked to the royal garden where not only the best view was, but where the prettiest plants one could ever see existed. The two of them sat side by side, looking at the stars.

"I see why you like that Red of yours." Cal said.

"What do you mean?" Maven raised a brow.

"I met a girl today. A Red too. In fact, she actually tried to steal from me. Never thought I'd ever have to worry about a thief stealing from me." Cal laughed.

"You let her steal from you?"

Cal shook his head.

"No, I stopped her before she could. I did however give her a coin. She needs it more than I probably do. I must say, since sneaking out. The Reds really are something else, I see why you're so fascinated by them."

"I'm not fascinated by them." Maven objected.

"Oh? Is that so?"

Maven looked away, a silver tint appearing on his face. His insides felt like they were on fire, thinking about it. It wasn't that Reds didn't fascinate him. It was that there was only one Red that fascinated him.

"Tell me about that Red of yours, what are they like?" Cal smirked, knowing it would make Maven feel more embarrassed than he already was feeling, but Maven obliged.

"Well, I suppose he—"

"He?" Cal interrupted.

"He's a male?" He added.

That wasn't supposed to come out. Maven's eyes went wide, he could feel his insides really on fire now. He quickly got up, scrambling to gather his thoughts. He wasn't ready to confess to Cal. He wasn't even ready to confess to anyone. In fact, he never even had the chance to really admit it to himself. What was Cal going to think? Their relationship was already hard as it is with the amount of distance between them. Just as Maven thought they were getting closer, he ruined it. Without saying goodbye, Maven takes a step away from Cal, ready to leave.

"Wait!" Cal shouted, holding onto Maven's sleeves.

"I— I didn't mean it like that. I was just surprised that this mystery person was a man, that's all." Cal explained.

"You don't care that it's a man?"

Cal shook his head and smiled, letting go of Maven's sleeve. This was his chance to leave, but instead he stayed.

"Why should I care? If he makes you happy. There's nothing I can do to stop you from liking someone. If anything..." Cal hesitated.

"I'm jealous."

"Jealous? Why would you be jealous?" Maven asked, walking over to take a seat beside his brother on the bench.

"Because you have the luxury to fall in love with whoever, you aren't bound to someone you don't love forever. I wish I could love whoever I wanted." Cal confessed.

Maven didn't know what to say. He never thought about it like that. For a long time, Maven was focused on the fact that his brother had everything. He was going to take the throne, becoming the most well loved king to ever exist, and no matter what he did. Father was always going to be proud of him.

"I suppose that is quite unfortunate."

"Yeah." Cal replied back.

They sat there in silence, looking at the stars. Maven wasn't sure what Cal was thinking of, but he knew what he was thinking of. He wanted to meet Thomas. The only question was when?

"Hey, before Queenstrial. Father and I are going to the military base. So, I'll be gone for a while. Will you be okay here with your mother?" Cal asked.

Maven nodded.

"Of course, I must say I am relieved that I do not have to come. It is always so boring and a pain for me. Watching as people sweat and fight. Blood splattered everywhere, what a mess you guys make. I rather stay here, listening to mother and her friends ridiculous gossip that nobody cares about."

"Sounds relaxing. Well, I should head to bed then. Long day ahead of me. Here." Cal said, handing me the letter.

"Please don't kill me after you read it."

Author's Note: Everything, but the story belongs to Victoria Aveyard. That being said also, it's been a while so hello! I haven't been writing this story clearly, so I just want to apologize and say that I am sorry for not working on it/updating sooner! Online classes have been killing me and I just want to sit back and binge some wicked shows haha! Also, VICTORIA AVEYARD HAS A NEW BOOK COMING OUT!!!!! AHHH SO EXCITED!!!! I can't wait to read it and once it's out, maybe I'll write a story for them??? Who knows! With that said, this story will be coming to a close soon. My guess there will only be one or two chapters left, but I hope you enjoy it! When I have time, maybe just maybe I'll go back and rewrite/perfect my two stories and make it better! Also, please let me know what you wanna see! I appreciate yall so much and stay tuned for a ton of random stories or whatever that makes no sense lol!