Chapter 16 - Chapter 2.6: Letters

𝟐.𝟔: Letters

𝐄lysia woke up the following morning with the gnarliest yawn, stretching her arms high above her head until her joints popped with satisfying cracks.

'Damn. That was the best sleep I've had in a long while.'

She wasn't exactly a stranger to luxury in her past life—at least not during her later, more successful years.

But even with her thick bank accounts and designer furniture, she'd never slept on anything that could compare to the utter cloud that was her new bed.

Even her bones were sighing in gratitude.

Still half-draped in drowsiness, she blinked groggily at the gilded canopy above her, the world sharpening into focus just as the door creaked open.

In stepped her newest reality checks: Mira, Seraphine, and Liliette—the ladies-in-waiting assigned to her.

They filed into the room in a practiced, orderly manner, each stopping a few feet from her bedside like well-trained soldiers awaiting commands.

Mira, the curt, curly-haired one, bowed low.

"Good morning, Your Highness. We have come to assist you in preparing for the day. Please let us know if there's anything you require."

'Oh, I could get used to this.'

Before Elysia even opened her mouth to respond, her gaze instinctively flickered upward—straight to the glowing numbers above each girl's head.

They changed since yesterday.

—

Mira — 28 ➔ 27

Seraphine — 24 ➔ 20

Liliette — 63 ➔ 64

—

'Goodness.' Elysia suppressed a grimace. 'This Seraphine girl must really hate my guts. I didn't even do anything to warrant losing four affection points overnight. What a hassle.'

Plastering a bright, practiced smile across her face—a mask she had worn often in her past life—Elysia sat up straighter against the pillows.

"Mira, Seraphine, Liliette. I trust you all had a pleasant night?" she said smoothly.

The trio answered affirmatively, their voices varying degrees of genuine.

Liliette, the soft-spoken brunette, stepped forward then, holding a small silver tray. Upon it sat three elegantly embossed letters.

"I took the liberty of sorting through the correspondence chamber and bringing your letters, Your Highness," she said with a respectful bow. "If you don't mind, I would be honored to assist you with this task moving forward."

She lowered the tray for Elysia to take, her gentle smile shining like sunlight peeking through curtains.

Elysia accepted the letters with a grateful nod, her lips curving into a smile that only made Liliette's expression brighten even further.

Meanwhile, behind her, Mira and Seraphine struggled to hide their dissatisfaction, their shoulders stiffening and jaws clenching tight.

Unbeknownst to the room, Seraphine's mind seethed with venomous resentment. 'Liliette, you desperate lowlife. Sucking up to a rotten branch won't save you. You're going to regret this.'

—

Seraphine — 20 ➔ 18

(Affection level glows red)

—

Elysia deadpanned internally at the sight.

'What the actual f☆ck is her problem?'

She barely resisted the urge to openly glare at the girl, reminding herself that nobody else could see the floating numbers—doing so would just make her seem unhinged.

Instead, she kept her voice cool and detached. "Go run me a bath, Seraphine. And make sure everything is in order before I get there."

For a moment, Seraphine looked like she wanted to spit nails. But, years of etiquette training chained her rage down. She bowed sharply.

"Yes, Your Highness," she bit out before spinning on her heel and stalking toward the adjoining bathing chamber.

"I shall prepare your attire for today, Your Highness," Mira said, taking her cue after a small, tense pause.

Elysia nodded once. "Sounds good."

Mira quickly retreated toward the lavish wardrobe, leaving only Liliette standing nearby.

'Hmmm... This one doesn't seem to detest the very air I breathe. Getting closer to her could be advantageous for future plans,' Elysia mused, sparing a sidelong glance at the tray of letters still in her hands.

She shifted her attention to the envelopes.

Each one was exquisitely crafted—thick, quality parchment, sealed with wax crests she didn't immediately recognize.

Her fingers traced the elegant designs with a contemplative air before she selected one at random and delicately broke the seal with the golden letter opener Liliette had also provided.

The letter inside was an invitation—to a tea party hosted by Lady Ophelia Braunfels, the second daughter of one of the empire's most prestigious Count houses.

Elysia's brow furrowed slightly.

'Ophelia Braunfels?'

She dug into the hazy corners of her vessel's memories but came up blank. They'd never spoken. Never crossed paths.

'Why would someone like her be reaching out to a princess that's supposed to be invisible to everyone?'

Pushing her unease down, she opened the second letter.

This one was an invitation to an art unveiling gala hosted by the renowned artist Felix Dubberly.

Another name she didn't recognize.

Another person her memories held no connection to.

Her unease deepened, the undercurrent of suspicion starting to slither in her gut.

By the time she ripped open the third envelope, her nerves were taut with tension—only for her eyes to narrow at the content.

—

My dearest Elysia,

Not a day passes where your luminous presence fails to consume my thoughts. You are a star in a black sky, a beacon too blinding for lesser men to approach.

Yet I, foolish as I may be, find myself hopelessly drawn to you.

I shall not allow the petty barriers between us to persist. Fate has bound us already—can you not feel it?

You are mine, Elysia. As I am irrevocably yours.

Soon, the distance between us will be nothing more than a forgotten dream.

Until then, endure this ache as I do.

Yours eternally,

Lord Frederic Hunz

—

Elysia grimaced so hard she nearly pulled a muscle.

'Now what in the blazes is this?' she thought, scandalized. 'Who even is this guy??'

She immediately attempted to rifle through her vessel's memories—but was stopped short by a blaring noise that echoed inside her skull.

[Error! Error! Action cannot be completed. Memory locked.]

'Say what now?'

Elysia blinked, stunned, as Winfred's voice filtered into her mind.

[Host, this memory is locked and will only be accessible upon reaching Level 7.]

[Not all of the vessel's retained memories are currently available. Some are locked behind certain conditions. Others must be earned as rewards for mission success.]

'But... but that's not what I was told!' Elysia protested internally, a hint of desperation creeping in. 'He said I'd have access to all my memories after walking through the Corridor of Memories! And I did that! So why—?'

[Host, not being able to view the memories does not mean you don't possess them.]

[They will unlock depending on the story's progression.]

Elysia groaned dramatically inside her head.

'Just when I was fully convinced that I'm one of those overpowered MCs... No more shrine for you, Nylos. I was seriously considering building one too.'

She mentally sighed and rubbed her temples.

'Winfred, are there any more secret handicaps I should know about before they sucker punch me too?'

[Revealing all surprises would lessen the shock effect and risk dissatisfying the readers.]

'Readers? What readers??'

There was a long, suspicious silence.

[...]

[Host, work hard. Gain more EXP to access new memories.]

'You little—'

Elysia clicked her tongue in frustration, forcing herself to refocus.

She needed to try another strategy.

Out loud, she muttered under her breath, "Gosh, another letter from Lord Frederic. When is he ever going to get the message?"

At that, Liliette's soft, bashful face hardened into a scowl.

"He sent you another letter?" she said, her voice rising indignantly. "That shameless male! He still won't give up even after you've rejected him so many times! Despicable."

Instantly, her lips pressed into a thin line, her brows knotting.

It seemed she hadn't meant to let that slip, but now that the lid was off the pot, she appeared all too ready to let it boil over.

"That man really has no shame," she said through gritted teeth, clutching the hem of her skirt. "Everyone in the palace knows how he dogs your steps, Your Highness. It's become... a bit of a sick joke among the staff."

Elysia tilted her head slightly, pretending to be curious rather than furious.

"A joke?" she prompted, her voice sweet as sugar while her insides churned like a brewing storm.

Liliette nodded, the anger in her trembling hand betraying how much she despised the situation.

"They say... you should be grateful that someone of his stature even spares you a glance. That you—" she broke off, visibly struggling. "That you, out of all people, should welcome his attention with open arms."

Elysia's chest tightened, and she masked the flare of old grief and new fury behind a serene smile.

'So that's how they treated her...'

The original Elysia had suffered in silence, with even the palace walls sneering at her misery.

"And it doesn't help," Liliette continued in a near-whisper, "that Lord Frederic has a reputation for being... promiscuous. He flits from one lady to the next like a moth to flame. But he—he never seems to tire of pursuing you, Your Highness."

Liliette looked genuinely pained, as though the injustice gnawed at her too.

Elysia absorbed every word, the information settling deep in her bones like a vow carved in stone.

Before she could ask further, Seraphine's voice—thin and clipped—echoed from the adjacent bath chamber.

"Your bath is ready, Your Highness."

Her tone was polite enough, but Elysia caught the acidic undertone easily.

She let out a soft sigh and rose gracefully from the bed, the letters abandoned on the rumpled sheets.

"Thank you," she said simply.

At her word, Liliette hurried to her side, Mira returning with an armful of garments freshly chosen from the closet. Together, the three ladies-in-waiting began their work.

Mira laid out a tasteful dress suited for light activity—a flowing lavender gown embroidered with silver thread, understated but elegant.

It was the perfect balance: not too formal to raise questions about her intentions, not too plain to disrespect her station.

"We chose something comfortable yet presentable, Your Highness," Mira explained as she helped Elysia into the dress. "Should you have engagements... or wish to spend time in the palace today."

'Or in my case,' Elysia thought dryly, 'sneaking into the Royal Library to begin my side mission scouting.'

Liliette skillfully twisted her silver hair into a loose half-up style, letting most of it cascade down her back in soft waves. Mira slipped jeweled pins into the arrangement, securing it without making it look too elaborate.

Meanwhile, Seraphine busied herself with lacing the back of the dress a little too tightly, but Elysia bore it in stride, her expression serene.

By the time they finished, Elysia was a vision of quiet regality.

She caught her reflection in the mirror and smiled faintly to herself. Perfect. She looked every inch the composed princess, ready to stroll innocently into a den of secrets.

'Today's goal is simple: get the lay of the land. No heavy lifting yet,' she reminded herself. 'Just observation.'

Straightening her shoulders, she turned to her maids, her smile warm but commanding.

"Thank you. You have all served me well."

The girls bowed respectfully, even Seraphine managing a tight curtsy.

With the day's battle plans subtly tucked under her sleeve, Elysia strode toward the door, the soft click of her heels echoing against the polished floors.

'Let's see what today brings.'

—

A/N: tank u for 10k! :O