Page 98 of The Fifth Life of Alicia
Given her request that I deliver an invitation to my father, I had no choice but to write to him ahead of time and request that we meet.
I reached for another sheet of writing paper before pausing, letting my fingers hover over it. He hadn’t written to me at all, and I didn’t think he would have the same reasoning as my friends did. He likely didn’t care to, given how easily he’d sold me off for a trade deal.
But it would seem wrong if I didn’t seek an audience with my father on my first return to the capital, and I did need to notify him of the welcome ball. Not to mention that I kind of wanted to find out for myself exactly what was happening in the family, so I had no choice.
I blew out a long breath and pulled a sheet towards me, bracing myself for the chaos I knew this meeting would cause.
Dearest Father,
Forgive my lack of letters since arriving here in Stein. I have been exceptionally busy settling in, getting to know the Grand Duke, and have even spearheaded the creation of an aid policy for the victims of monster attacks across the Grand Duchy. It’s been graciously welcomed by the nobles here, and I am most looking forward to working with them to refine and implement it.
As you’re aware, His Highness and I will be returning to the capital for the Royal Hunt in a few days. I would consider it a great honour if you were to make time for the two of us to meet for tea during our visit. I apologise for the short notice, but it would be wonderful to spend some time with you.
We will be staying at the Rose Palace and Rose Villa for the duration of our trip. I’m unsure whether your response would reach me prior to our departure, so please direct your correspondence there.
Please also keep your diary open for the sixth day of the next month. Viscountess Evsea, one of the nobles assisting with my aid policy and purveyor of the Evsea wine you enjoy, will be hosting a ball at Stein Castle in my honour. As the event is to welcome me as the Grand Duchess, she has kindly bestowed me with an invitation for House Vermillion to attend. I will bring it with me to the capital.
With love,
Your daughter, Alicia
I tucked his letter away and addressed it, adding the third and final letter of today to the pile.
I’d get to the others later. Word had spread amongst the nobles of my policy, and many of the letters I was receiving consisted of invitations to events. It seemed as though every noblewoman in Stein wanted me to attend their event, although I suspected it was for the bragging rights of being the first to have me.
It was exhausting—and the ones I saw weren’t even all of them. Bella, Annie, and Lydia were sorting them daily and only giving me the letters from the most important ladies to personally reply to while they handled the rest.
Three knocks echoed at my door, followed by Sir Hayes’ voice creeping through the door. “Lady Alicia, are you in there?”
“Yes. You may enter.”
He opened the door and bowed his head. “I’ve come to introduce you to your personal knight, my lady.”
“Are you liable to have your head used as a football, Sir Hayes?”
“Fortunately not.” He met my gaze, and his eyes twinkled. “The Grand Duke was quite pleased to confirm one of my most promising knights as your personal guard.”
So, my knight was female. “Oh, was he?”
“Indeed. Rina.” Sir Hayes waved his hand, and the silver-haired knight I’d seen on my first day stepped up behind him and bowed. “This is Dame Alexandrina Draper, and she will serve you directly from now on.”
“My lady,” she said, still bent at the waist. “It’s an honour to protect the future Grand Duchess of Stein.”
“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Dame Draper. Please be at ease.” I smiled at her, and her cheeks flushed the tiniest amount.
“Please call me Rina, my lady.”
“Very well, then. Rina.”
She bit the inside of her cheek while Sir Hayes looked at her with confusion.
“Anyway,” he said. “Rina’s belongings are moving to the room assigned for your knight as we speak. We ran into Bella on the way here, so I took the liberty of introducing them, my lady. I hope you don’t mind.”
“That’s quite all right with me.”
He clasped his neck and sighed. “Phew. I’m safe for another day.”
“Don’t be so dramatic, Sir Hayes. The Grand Duke won’t really let the children in the town use your head as a football,” I said. “He might cut it off, but I’m sure he’ll just display it at the front door or something.”
