#6.
To the clever Miss Cordelia.
I am increasingly curious about the character setting book you have.
I thought about asking you to show it to me for a moment, but I think not seeing it would be much more helpful for living life with a light heart, as I do now.
Anyway, judging by what you have said so far, that setting book is mostly accurate.
However, if it describes me as just a ‘handsome’ face, I think we should seriously doubt the recorder’s awareness of beauty and ugliness. For reference, Cecilia’s kindness towards me is not because I grovel to her, but entirely because of my beautiful face.
On the evening of the ninth day of the Early Green Moon, Arch.
* * *
To the beautiful Prince Arch.
Ah, yes.
6.9. Cordelia.
* * *
To the once talkative Cordelia,
Your response is brief, my friend Cordelia.
Arch Albert William Rendaike Ellington Winterton
* * *
To Prince Arch, who tries to make me obey by authority by writing his full name,
Actually, Author Anne Selin is quite stingy in describing the appearance of characters. I have imagined various things about the prince’s appearance, which was praised for its beauty in three paragraphs by such an author.
When I recently saw an incredibly handsome clerk at Portobello, I wondered if Prince Arch was as handsome as him.
If someone is truly that beautiful, it’s not strange for them to say so themselves. Thinking of such a handsome man, I suddenly feel honored to be exchanging letters like this.
P.S.:
By the way, just in case the prince is hesitant to ask, I am also quite pretty. It’s true.
The 9th of the Early Green Moon. Cordelia.
* * *
To the surely beautiful Cordelia.
Ah, yes.
– Arch
P.S.: So that’s how you answered in that tone.
P.S.2: You know almost everything about me, but I know nothing about you except that you are two years younger than me, a woman who makes books, believes in fairies, works very hard, and is very clever and insightful. Don’t you think that’s a bit unfair? Tell me about yourself in the next letter.
* * *
Arch,
The fact that you can tell a woman to “tell me about yourself” shows that you are indeed the charming Prince Arch that I know. It’s an easy skill, but most men can’t do it well.
While you added a postscript longer than the main text, night has fallen here. The early summer night’s air is so sweet. It feels like a breeze that could make me fall in love with anyone immediately. Is it night where you are too?
If you want to hear more about me besides this weather, well, my stories will only be boring. I’m just a newbie editor at a publishing company without anything interesting.
Since graduating from a boarding school and entering university, I’ve always lived alone. Although I get quite lonely, I don’t find it difficult to be alone. I’ve never felt bored when I’m home alone. If I get bored, I can always read a book.
My father passed away when I was young, so I never saw his face, and my mother has been gone for a long time as well. I have quite a few friends, but I can’t always be with them, right?
So, usually, books comfort my loneliness. I like talking as much as reading or writing, but I don’t want to say a single word to people I dislike, which makes working at a company not very easy for me. I wish I had a bit of your slyness. (This is a compliment. Really.)
But Arch, you seem to have a habit of turning a serious topic into a joke or someone else’s story as soon as it starts. This conclusion comes from my insight, which you always praise, not from the setting book. So, am I wrong?
Actually, I quite like your habit of joking around and avoiding serious topics, but I think it’s time to talk seriously. So, tell me. What are our beautiful prince’s plans now?
– Cordelia of the early summer night.
* * *
To the somewhat melancholic night Cordelia,
You treat me like a child.
It’s not bad. I’ve always been attracted to older women.
I’m seriously thinking about what to do now.
……
In fact, I just started thinking about it, and an idea came to me in one second. As always, I have a bit of a spark, so if I execute it as it is, it shouldn’t turn out too bad.
To try what I want to do, I think I’ll need your manuscript again. Could you lend it to me for a moment? I’ll transcribe it overnight and return it to you. (This time, I’ll return it right away, so don’t worry.)
P.S.: It is also night here. I like that I’m sharing the early summer night air with you. I’m glad it’s not different weather here and there.
P.S.2: Why would I avoid the fox hunt? I, too, am not good at pretending to like something I dislike. I’m glad you are like me. At least you’re not forcing yourself to write these letters.
On the ninth day of the Early Green Moon, Arch Albert, happy to know five more lines about you.
* * *
To Arch of the Early Green Moon.
(I really like this phrase so much. I think “June” is too bland. Indeed, it’s now the Early Green Moon.)
I don’t know what you are planning, but I should respond to your trust with trust. There’s no need to transcribe it. There’s a big, unattractive gray magic box where I live that can create an identical copy of this manuscript in 10 minutes. I’ll be right back. I’ll give you the manuscript in 10 minutes, so wait for me.
P.S.: If you see me running excitedly, you’ll take back the baseless assumption that I’m forcing myself to write these letters! Honestly, these days I’m so engrossed in looking at this box every day. I hope that our letter exchange is as meaningful to you as it is to me.
The night of the 9th of the Early Green Moon, Cordelia.
* * *
To my faithful friend, Cordelia.
I really like your handwriting today, swaying as if it might fly into the sky.
I intend to show the manuscript to my mother.
If she sees how happy Princess Edwina is with the knight in the forest, it might lessen her guilt. I could tell her verbally, but you know. When I try to talk seriously, I have a habit of joking every 10 seconds. This habit especially manifests in front of my family. It’s not the best habit for convincing Her Majesty the Queen.
Still living in the Early Green Moon, Arch Albert.
P.S.: Knowing that I’m not the only one waiting in front of the box is quite a joy to me.
* * *
06-09-SUN PM 9:00
From: Garrett <[email protected]>
To: Cordelia <[email protected]>
Did you find the manuscript?
I’m at a pub near your house after visiting the British Museum exhibit. Want to come out?
* * *
06-09-SUN-PM9:10
From: Cordelia <[email protected]>
To: Garrett <[email protected]>
Yes.
And no.
* * *
06-09-SUN-PM9:11
From: Garrett <[email protected]>
To: Cordelia <[email protected]>
When did you get into the habit of replying like that? Is it because you’re holding your phone with one hand? Surprised? Actually, I’m watching you right now. You’re standing at the crosswalk, holding a bunch of manuscripts and papers.
It’s a pity you’re out copying documents at this hour on a weekend without a boyfriend. Come to the pub instead. Let’s have a beer and take a walk in Russell Square.
– Garrett, who sees you every day at work but wanted to say he doesn’t mind enjoying a meal with you on the weekend too.
* * *
06-09-SUN-PM9:20
From: Cordelia <[email protected]>
To: Garrett <[email protected]>
Save those cheesy lines for your girlfriend.
I’m busy.
* * *
06-09-SUN-PM9:21
From: Garrett <[email protected]>
To: Cordelia <[email protected]>
If you’re embarrassed because you’re wearing shabby clothes or not wearing makeup, you can go home and come out again. You know that café we went to before in Russell Square? I’ll be there for about two hours.
P.S.: No girlfriend.
* * *
Dear Prince Arch,
Have you been waiting long?
I brought the manuscript. I was a bit late because I went ahead and bound it as well.
Since it’s for Queen Adelaide, I thought a more proper cover would be better than just fluttering papers. It’s only an extra yellow sheet added, but it looks quite decent, doesn’t it?
I don’t know exactly what your plan is, but I hope it goes well, lucky prince.
On a beautiful night of the Early Green Moon, Cordelia.
* * *
To the wizard Cordelia,
It’s impressive that your gray box can accomplish this.
Thank you for the manuscript. I’ll show it to her well and write back to you.
Good night, Cordelia.
With love, Arch Albert.
* * *
Sweet dreams, Prince.
* * *
You too, Cordelia.
P.S.: Why do you keep looking at the box even though you said you’re going to sleep?
* * *
Arch,
Because you keep sending messages, I keep peeking at it.
Why are you still looking at the box even though you said good night?
* * *
I didn’t want you to feel disappointed looking at an empty box, Cordelia.
So, let’s end this letter here for today. May your dreams not bother you.
Your friend, Arch.
* * *
To the ever so kind Prince Arch,
Saying you didn’t want me to feel disappointed looking at an empty box—there’s no more self-conscious and arrogant yet kind thing to say. And it’s undeniably true. If the box were empty… I would feel a bit lonely. Every time I see the thin paper sticking out that you sent, my heart swells.
Arch, I’m glad you’re with me on this night.
Even if we’re not together, we must be feeling the similar cool breeze of the Early Green Moon, right?
You might be grumbling now to stop chatting and go to sleep, but rest assured. Even if I’m not sleeping, I’ve been lying in bed for a while. As I mentioned earlier, my desk is right next to my bed, and the box is there too, so I just have to stretch out my arm. Now, really, good night.
Night of June 9, 2019, from Cordelia who shouldn’t write more replies.
* * *
Have a good night, Cordelia.
– Deep in the night of the ninth day of the Early Green Moon, Arch, who plans to make sure his friend won’t feel lonely.
———= Author’s Note ———=
Dear readers,
I felt that posting this episode in the early morning rather than the morning would be more fitting, so I’m leaving it here and heading to bed.
I don’t know if it’s because I’m a person who craves attention or because you, my readers, write so much better than I do, but each and every comment is so enjoyable.
So, if you keep commenting, I’ll keep updating… Yes, I’m sorry.
P.S.: Silent likes and recommendations are as appreciated as comments.
– From the quiet attention-seeker in the lonely early morning of the Early Hot Moon.
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