Lost Love [~Toffee~] ((COMPLETED))

Chapter 15

Elara fell asleep, lonely and longing for her handsome Septarian. But the next day she woke to a pleasant surprise.

"Goodmorning, lady Elara!" The short, red-haired servant pushed into the room with a silver platter. On that platter was a giant plate of bacon, eggs and - unsurprisingly - corn. A tiny teapot with a teacup to match balanced there as well. The servant had a grin that could hardly fit on her face. "I have your breakfast and tea... and also something interesting!" 

Placing the platter on the bedside table, the red-head snatched up a purple envelope that was hiding underneath the plate of food. She wiggled it around a bit and almost giggled as she read the label.

"To: the lovely Princess, Elara Butterfly." She gave the envelope to Elara, who's eyebrows furrowed in confusion. "Someone has a secret admirer!"

"That would be tragic.." Elara mumbled to herself. 

"TRAGIC?!" 

"I'm not interested, Maddy. I would like to see who sent it, however." 

She tore open the envelope, reading its contents. When she unfolded the paper, a pressed tulip fell out onto Elara's lap.

""Goodmorning, Princess. 

Last night I promised we would see each other again, but - alas - today is not the day. The monster King and I will be outside of the barrier for negotiation purposes. I hope you can forgive me. I will see you again soon, Princess.

'I keep myself busy, with all the things I must do. But with every pause, I ALWAYS think of you*.'

Sincerely, Toffee""

"Oh my..." Elara felt her heart skip a beat. The romantic writing, the poem  - it made her head spin. The words on the paper must be what he really felt, the things he wouldn't say face to face. Even the inclusion of a flower... It wasn't out of character, per se, but it was something entirely different than the Toffee she was used to.

"Ohh! Do you actually like it?! Let me SEE!" Maddy almost jumped onto the bed beside Elara, reaching for the parchment in the Princess' hand. Elara tore it away and flipped it upside down onto the comforter.

"N-No! It.. It won't stay secret if you read it!"

Maddy stared up at her Princess with sadness in her eyes and a pout on her face. "What do you mean..?"

"A secret admirer has to stay a secret - so does their letters."

The red-head paused to ponder Elara's words. Her brows furrowed and Elara could practically hear the gears winding inside the servant's mind.

"I think I understand." She tapped her fingers on her lips, "If I read it, it won't stay a secret. So your secret admirer wouldn't be a secret admirer anymore... They would just be an admirer!"

"..Riiight. You got it." Elara gave Maddy a hesitant nod. The young servant smiled and jumped back towards the door.

"I'll be able to read my own secret admirer letters someday! You're just lucky to get them now."

"Yeah, I am lucky..." As Maddy continued to yap on and on about letters, Elara zoned out, looking longingly at the tulip Toffee had sent. It was white and yellow, one he must have found growing out in the village somewhere. It reminded her of when they walked through the garden the first time. She showed him all of the flowers she planted herself and even told him what she knew about them. He had seemed somewhat interested at the time, nodding every so often. It was a minimal gesture, but it meant the world to her.