A Shaky Letter

[zuziee 4004]

OOC: Do not meta this info!!

A Shaky Letter

A portrait of two sisters by Princess Catherine Novellen

 

A N N O   D O M I N I 1846

Penned by TH, Daphne Helvets

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A cream-colored envelope, sealed with the Cathalon symbol, arrived by a private courtier for Henrietta. The oldest of the Duke of Cathlon’s children. The writing was sloppy and tears stained the paper. Paragraphs didn’t seamlessly flow nor were they easy to read, clearly the work of a young girl.

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TO Henrietta,

 

My name is Daphne Helvets, the second youngest to the Duke of Cathalon. I love my family, my empire, and GOD. I am tutored well and enjoy playing my piano scales. Today is the 14th of the Sun’s Smile. I went to your betrothal dinner because I was invited and my tutor, Beth, told me it was rude to not accept an invite. If I had known it would be such a big mistake as this, I wouldn’t have gone.

 

Was it my fault? Because I faked my fainting to getaway? Or was it because Helton said something wrong? What made you do that to us? Your blood. I do not think I will ever understand. 

 

Although I have been told I am hard to deal with, and I understand I am shy. But I work on it in the mirror and I have learned the art of small talk. I am not sorry for the way I behave. I earn respect and speak eloquently when I do speak. Even the Duchess of Adria has said so. Why do you despise me so? Come to our house with your new family and try to greet mother.

 

Mother would have hated you for this, and you know it. But she would also have forgiven you for it. 

 

The painting you bought from Princess Catherine, of us, do you remember that moment? I remember it. I needed help tying the ribbon of my hat and you tied it so tight I thought it was the end for me. I thought I was going to die. 

 

Or what about that other time when you told me of your woes and questioned the room about why you were telling me these things, I responded because I am cool, and you shut me down like slamming a door in my face.

 

I also remember my father telling me, “Daphne, promise me you won’t give me any grief like Henrietta or Helton.” and I promised him. I will stand by the father you almost killed tonight, the only parent I have left. 

 

I won’t ever be like you, your heart is frozen in the bitter coldness of Haense.

 

Signed, 

Daphne Helvets

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[kuerbis 3802]

Leopoldine wept from the skies upon seeing the family she so dearly loved falling apart.