Chapter 242: Of Letters Sent in Secret and Invitations Best Declined
Chapter 242: Of Letters Sent in Secret and Invitations Best Declined
The letter was written with great seriousness.
Or at least, what passed for seriousness in Retheris.
He sat perched at the edge of the desk, quill in hand, his expression focused in a way that suggested importance—importance far beyond what was actually unfolding.
Thalira leaned beside him, watching.
As though she were overseeing a matter of state.
Retheris dipped the quill once and wrote.
Dear Zayrion,
I am writing this because it is very urgent and because I seek your services as the trickster you are and a master of illusion. My sister and I are on a mission to see the Queen regardless of whether our parents permit us or not, for our hearts are willing and yes, our bodies are willing too.
It will be our utmost pleasure if you show up at the meeting place (the usual). This is of utmost importance and the matter should be dealt with secretly. Welp! I think that is all.
Thanks for your cooperation.
He paused.
Read it once.
Then nodded to himself.
"Yes," he said. "This is good."
Thalira reached for the parchment as he handed it over, her eyes scanning the words with equal gravity.
There was a pause.
Then she nodded.
"You sound like Daddy."
Retheris beamed.
"I know."
There was no hesitation in his response.
He took the letter back, folded it with exaggerated care, aligning the edges precisely before reaching for the seal.
Their father’s seal.
Thalira watched as he pressed it firmly into the parchment.
The imprint settled.
Official.
Authoritative.
Completely misused.
Then, as though remembering something crucial, Thalira leaned forward and added small markings at the corner of the letter—tiny, deliberate strokes that contrasted with the formality of the seal.
"So he knows it is from us," she said.
Retheris nodded.
"Yes."
That settled the first letter.
But Thalira was not done.
She tilted her head slightly.
"We should send one to Velira too."
Retheris paused mid-movement.
"...Why?"
Thalira looked at him as though the answer were obvious.
"In case the adults find out," she said, "and they get annoyed at us. Velira can use her magic to make them feel love instead of anger."
Retheris’s eyes lit up.
"That is very smart."
"I know."
He reached for another parchment immediately.
This one was quicker.
Less elaborate.
More direct.
Dear Velira,
We need your help. There is something very important we are doing, and if the adults get angry, you have to make them not angry.
Come to the meeting place. It is urgent.
Retheris and Thalira
He finished, lifted the quill, and nodded once.
"Done."
Thalira approved with a small nod of her own.
They folded the second letter.
Together, they placed both letters side by side on the desk.
Retheris reached for the messenger device.
It sat quietly at the corner of the desk, unassuming in appearance, its surface smooth and dark, faintly reflecting the dim light of the room. Small markings lined its edges—symbols of connection, of distance bridged through magic.
It was not meant for them, but again, that had never stopped them before.
Thalira formed a small bubble between her hands, the water responding instantly, shaping itself into a perfect sphere.
She placed the letters inside.
They floated gently within it, untouched by the surrounding currents.
"Ready?" she asked.
Retheris grinned.
"Ready."
He activated the device.
The symbols along its surface lit faintly, a soft hum building beneath the quiet of the room. The water around them shifted slightly, drawn toward the device as though answering a call.
Thalira guided the bubble forward.
It hovered for a moment, then slipped into the device.
The hum faded.
The light dimmed, and silence returned.
The twins stared at the device for a moment longer.
Then, they giggled.
They stepped back from the desk, satisfaction settling easily into their expressions.
The plan was in motion.
Everything was proceeding exactly as it should.
They exchanged one last look.
Smiled at each other, and then turned and slipped out of the study as quietly as they had entered.
Their bubbles welcomed them once more, shifting gently as they climbed back inside.
Thalira settled into hers.
Retheris into his.
The water calmed. The currents softened.
And within moments, they were asleep, smiles on their faces and expectations of what was to come too.
---
Far from the depths of the Thalassar Domain, in the Kitsunegawa Territory, Zayrion had just finished drinking a glass of water.
The night there was different.
Lighter.
The air carried a faint sweetness, the scent of orchards lingering even in the quiet hours. Lanterns glowed softly along the corridors, their light warm and steady.
The estate was calm and undisturbed until a soft beeping broke the silence.
Zayrion paused.
The glass hovered briefly in his hand before he set it down slowly.
His head tilted slightly.
Then he turned.
The sound had come from his parents’ office.
Curiosity was not something he ignored.
He moved without hesitation, his steps quiet as he made his way down the corridor and pushed the door open.
Inside, the messenger device glowed faintly.
That, in itself, was enough to draw his interest.
He approached it slowly and carefully.
His eyes landed on the letter resting beside it. It was from the Thalassar Territory.
He reached for it.
And then paused because there, at the corner, were small markings. They were distinct and familiar too.
Zayrion’s lips curved.
"Well now," he murmured.
He picked it up immediately and tore it open. His eyes scanned the letter silently, and when he was done, a smile formed on his face.
"This..." he said softly, "...is going to be interesting."
He read the letter again.
Slower this time.
Taking in every word. Every intention. The flaw in the plan that was so obvious it was almost impressive.
He could stop this easily.
He could write back and tell them he had already met the Queen and that there was no need for disguises, that the Queen would accept them openly.
But he was not going to do that. He folded the letter neatly and then set it aside.
He was not going to deny himself an opportunity to scheme after all, especially when it involved disguises. And besides, Retheris and Thalira said it was urgent; there was no opportunity for him to tell them to forgo the plan.
He giggled as he made his way back to his bedroom.