#10.
My pure flower, Prince Archie.
Well done! You really did well!
You managed it much more skillfully than I expected. Archie, you seem to have a knack for lying. At least you’re much better than I am, who aroused suspicion by saying I salvaged the beautiful book you gave me from Portobello.
By the way, as I read your letter, a question arose.
You have been saying from the beginning that Cecilia is truly an evil being. But reading today’s letter, it doesn’t seem entirely like that. If you coax her well, Cecilia might actually walk a good path.
Archie, be honest. You don’t completely hate Cecilia, do you?
Just by the fact that you followed my words and lied for Cecilia’s sake, I can tell. What if Cecilia really becomes king in that process? If you truly thought Cecilia was an evil person, you couldn’t have firmly sworn to stand by your sister’s side.
In your letter, you seemed like someone who genuinely wants Cecilia to sit on the throne. If I were Cecilia, I would trust you.
So, Archie, are you just a master of lies?
Was everything just your impeccable acting?
The Archie Albert Prince I know might lie a little, but he is definitely not someone who skillfully plays with others’ hearts.
So, tell me.
Archie, what is your true intention?
Night of June 12th.
-Cordelia.
P.S.: I am still writing my letter.
P.S.2: What is the story about Cecilia breaking her ten-year-old brother’s wrist? It sounds like it would be a very interesting story.
* * *
To Cordelia, who has become a faithful respondent to my letter instead of writing hers.
Are you curious about the story of Cecilia breaking my wrist?
To tell that story, I need to start with the events from when I was eight years old.
At that age, the serious heir education began, and Mother started teaching me about the art of ruling. Besides that, I was mingling with some noble children, taking lessons in horseback riding, mounted combat, swordsmanship, basic offensive and defensive magic, Valerian, Aldaric, Renanian, and more.
Cecilia was five years older than me and had started her studies five years earlier, but the lessons our Queen Mother had prepared for Cecilia were different. Tea ceremony, healing magic, court etiquette, dance, flower arranging, etc.
If those lessons were taught to me instead, I would have enjoyed learning them. But for a woman like Cecilia, it was too gentle and kind a world.
Cecilia begged Mother to let her take the same classes as me. She argued that if Mother became a queen, there was no reason she couldn’t. Mother immediately refused.
Cordelia, it might be written in your character profile as well, but Cecilia is actually quite beautiful. Well, we share the same blood after all. Mother probably thought of marrying Cecilia off to the royal family of Reutlingen. That’s why she kept putting her through bridal training.
“You will not be a queen, Cecilia.”
“Why not? Mother became a queen, didn’t she? I can do it too.”
Trying to soothe the stubborn Cecilia, Mother told her about the war with the Reutlingen Empire that occurred over 20 years ago. At the end of the story, Mother said,
“…So to maintain peace with Reutlingen, a royal marriage is necessary, Cecilia.”
Although she was only thirteen, Cecilia immediately understood what Mother wanted, and why it was necessary.
But is Cecilia the only child Mother has? If it’s a royal marriage, couldn’t I do it too?
With such a wicked thought in her head, Cecilia started to subtly coax me.
First, she cured a cat swollen from a bee sting (Cecilia, curing someone!) and bragged that there was no magic as fun as healing magic. This, from someone who used to complain every day about boredom.
She openly excluded me, saying she wouldn’t hang out with a vulgar kid who didn’t know court etiquette, and refused to walk with me because I hadn’t learned turns or two-step, leaving me behind and walking alone.
One day, she even decorated the entire Arly Palace with garden flowers, leaving out only my room. Truly too much, right?
Once Cecilia decides to do something, she sees it through to the end. She has been like that since childhood.
I am someone who gives up easily. I have been like that since childhood too.
Yes, this was a game with a predetermined outcome. Eventually, I went to Mother to negotiate after just a week. I knelt before the Queen and pleaded. I asked to be allowed to take all the bridal classes Cecilia was taking—flower arranging, court etiquette, dance, tea ceremony, healing magic, all of it!
Mother frowned, but the late King burst into laughter and told me to do it, to definitely learn it all.
Did I mention that the late King had a special fondness for me when I was young? Some say it was because Princess Edwina and I had similar temperaments, but we weren’t related by blood, so how could that be? It must have been because I was so pretty and cute.
Anyway, since it was a direct order from the late King, I was allowed to take the bridal classes Cecilia was taking. As soon as the permission was granted, Cecilia added quickly,
“If Archie learns what I was learning, I will also learn what Archie is learning.”
“You’re a princess of a country, Cecilia. You’re going to be a queen someday. How can you handle offensive magic or swordsmanship…?”
Mother tried to stop her, but Cecilia pointed at me and said,
“He could become a queen. He’s prettier too. If taught, he’ll probably do better at dancing and flower arranging than me.”
And she poked me. When I was young, a five-year age difference was huge. Now I’m much bigger and taller than Cecilia, but back then, I couldn’t even reach her chest. I quickly nodded and answered as Cecilia instructed.
“That’s right. I’m prettier.”
The late King burst into laughter again. And so, at thirteen, Cecilia could finally enter a world she could truly excel in after tormenting her innocent younger brother for a whole week.
You ask why I started talking about bridal training when you wanted to hear about the wrist-breaking story?
Just as there was an incredibly desperate obsession and time of love between Heathcliff and Cathy before Heathcliff cried out to see Cathy’s ghost, every story has its context, doesn’t it?
Wait a moment, Cordelia. Before I get to the main point, I need to loosen my still-slack wrist.
– Your friend, who is at least prettier than Cecilia, Archie.
* * *
Prince Archie Albert, the darling of the Windsor society,
It’s shockingly interesting to hear that your dancing skills, which dominate social gatherings, all come from bridal training!
Since we’ve moved to stories of broken wrists, quickly tell me more about the bridal classes.
My interest has completely shifted in that direction.
So, how long did those bridal classes you started at eight last?
Usually, bridal training continues until marriage, right?
Archie Albert, are you perhaps still in bridal training?
Night of June 12th.
– Cordelia, full of curiosity.
P.S.: If you’re busy with bridal classes, you can take your time replying!
* * *
Cordelia, who seems to want to tease me,
I’m not ashamed at all.
Only truly manly men can proudly undergo bridal training.
What’s the point of holding a sword without knowing how to properly hold a teaspoon?
Can you hit a target with archery without knowing how to pour tea into a teacup?
How can one who fears the thorns of a rose block a flying spear?
I confidently say that no outstanding knight in Windsor can hold a sword more elegantly than I do.
Anyway, to explain what you’re curious about, the bridal training or whatever Cecilia and I received ended two years later when the princess and prince of the Reutlingen Empire both married early, and there was no longer any point in Cecilia continuing bridal lessons, so she stubbornly insisted on stopping.
To be honest, I was quite disappointed. Unlike Cecilia, who was a failing student in all subjects, I excelled evenly in dance, tea ceremony, healing magic, and flower arranging.
I know you might be curious about my skills, but since I can’t lead you in a dance holding your hand or pour you a warm cup of tea, here, I am sending you a bouquet of flowers I picked from the garden.
Many men think giving flowers is pointless, but there’s no gift as good as flowers.
The brief smile that spreads on one’s face when receiving flowers—it alone gives great value to the gift of flowers.
Cordelia, the case between you and me is unique, so I will never know what expression you make upon receiving this. My kind friend, Coco, even if you didn’t like it, please tell me that you smiled. Just hearing that you smiled would bring me great joy.
On the twelfth day of the light green moon
– The top groom in Windsor, Archie Albert.
* * *
To Prince Archie, the best groom.
Unfortunately, the flowers you sent arrived completely dried up.
It seems that our magical box delivers not only letters and objects but also time itself.
However, the many hours contained in the box did not seem to treat the flowers harshly, as the completely dried flowers have maintained their form, albeit with colors slightly faded from their original hue. The rose, which would have had a large pink bud, the modestly blue small wildflowers, and the tiny leaves that still carry a hint of green scent are truly beautiful.
Yes, I have to admit it. You have as much skill with your hands as you do with words.
Someday, when we meet, we should have tea that you pour, and see what other skills you possess. But for now, let’s hear the story you prepared.
While waiting for your long letter again, I too will send a gift, hoping that your once-broken wrist is still not unhealed. Enclosed are one of my cherished fountain pens and a letter paper I bought yesterday from a shop near my house, made in Portugal.
The fountain pen glides smoothly, so it should be much easier to write with than your quill pen.
The letter paper may not be as stylish as the one with the Windsor seal, but it is smooth and durable.
I want to keep your letters for a long time.
Now that everything is ready, you can freely tell the story of the broken wrist, right?
6.12.
– Your Coco.
P.S.: Of course, I smiled very brightly. Was it worth going out to the garden?
———= Author’s Note ———=
To the readers who read,
I was worried someone might comment, “Dropping because the male lead takes bridal lessons…”
So I uploaded this episode after having it reviewed by an acquaintance.
I was going to delete it to protect Archie’s masculinity and honor, but Archie said he didn’t mind.
P.S.: The anticipation, recommendations, comments, praises, and even criticisms… All reactions give me the strength to keep writing. Thank you!
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