#madprincesshours

Aris could be described as religious, not spiritual. Someone who took comfort in the patterns and rites, but did not think too hard about their implications. Not out of any simple-mindedness, but simply because that was not their purpose. And at moment, the purpose of that particular church was to give shelter to his racing mind. It worked well enough. Shouldn't one be grateful for that?

Dear Theo,

Have you seen Aris of late? I didn't spot him at the ball nor have I seen him after the hunt.

I've grown worried, there are awful rumors spreading about a badly wounded stag and someone even muttered the word "death".

I attempted to contact Aris' liege and received word that he's passed away, but... I do not believe it. He never responded to my second letter where I asked to visit and see the body.

Something nefarious is happening. The night Aris allegedly "died" something disguised as him approached me.

Please, will you accompany me to his home? I fear for him, I worry there might be something awful at play.

Your love,

Princess Margaret

@madprincesshours (take your time, no rush!)

[I write a letter in return, with surprising penmanship for a knight. There are small smudges here and there, presumably from tears.]

Dearest Princess,

The news of Aris has troubled me greatly. I in no way believe him to be deceased. The stag harmed was not him, but I do recall being worried that I could not find him after the hunt.

There is great darkness in his past—indeed, it is in his present as well, as far as I know. The master he serves… I have bits of knowledge which deem this master to be a plague on our poor Aris.

It troubles me even more to know that an apparition appeared disguised as him! Whatever the case, I can feel it in my heart that he is not gone, but merely in need of our assistance.

I will meet you before you leave. Tell me the time and place, and we shall go together. Two hearts, two minds, two loves—stronger together (and mad as hell).

Forever Yours,

Sir Theodore

"Sir Theodore? I... I've come with a gift... You are participating in many upcoming tourneys and... And I... *there is a moment of hesitation before she speaks again, the shake in her voice very uncharacteristic of the confident words she often pens to Theodore*

Will you take my favor? I-I've made something for you...

- @madprincesshours

Duke de Benagil,

Tis a dark day to learn of the passing of Sir Aris. I had only just begun to know him and my heart is wrenched in two, I cannot begin to imagine the pain you are feeling at the loss of such a loyal knight. (Liar.)

Pray tell, will there be a memorial for him? Though it might be a gruesome sight, I'd like to see his body before he is sent to rest. (Give him back.) The loss of a loved one is only made more painful without the closure of seeing them one last time. (Liar.)

I've no other engagements and can begin the trip to your castle immediately. (Give him back.) Dear duke, allow me this one request before he is finally laid to rest or my heart will never know peace.👁 (Give him back.)

I've included small tokens of mourning for you and a small token for Aris as well. Please 👁ensure that it gets to him and that I might view👁 it on him upon 👁my arrival.👁 (Liar Give Him Back Give Him Liar Liar Liar Liar Give Him Back Him Back Back Liar Give Him Back)

-Prin👁cess Margaret👁 @madprincesshours

*small ink eyes appear at the bottom of the letter. They blink and gaze around the room, finally staring directly at the one reading*

*inside the package are two delicate bundles of flowers. One bundle is daisy and red salvia, tied together in a blue ribbon that matches the color of Aris's attire for the ball. The other is a bundle of marigold and lavender, tied together with a yellow ribbon*

Orlando had tried to shake off the whispers as he read the letter. It had to be his own conscience projecting suspicion into the princess' message, right?

Then the eyes appeared. He let go of the paper as if it had been on fire.

Witch. The madwoman was a witch.

That explained everything. The talk of strange shadows, dark forests, protective charms. The way Aris had begun to stray. His knight has been bewitched. They must have met before the ball and she had planned to snatch him away during the event. He inadvertently had foiled her plan and she was furious.

He screamed for a servant. The already terrified maid gasped in horror at the letter, now consumed by many small eyes.

Sir Aris,

I did not see you at the ball, nor in the days following and I've grown worried. There were rumors of you being gravely injured during the stag hunt. So much talk of blood and bodies being carried off into the night... I've many many words to speak on why you even signed up in the first place, wounded as you are, but now is not the time for that.

A fae approached me under your guise. It lured me away from others and attempted to steal mine own shade from me... Were it not for Sierra being nearby, I fear what might have happened...

Was this the same creature you spoke of? It was horrifying, Aris.

Please, are you safe? Are you well? I had hope to dance with you at the ball, or even to see you dance with Theodore, but I did not see you from where I sat.

There is much more I must tell you, but it shouldn't be through written word. Please, tell me you are safe. Write me back. Anything to help ease my heart against these awful rumors.

- Princess Margaret

@madprincesshours

A fragment of an unsent letter, likely destroyed:

Dear princess,

I am terribly sorry that I was made to leave without a word towards you and Theodore. Perhaps one day I will be able to explain myself properly. But this is a small matter compared to the danger in which you have found yourself, on my account no less. Please, try to find the iron charm I had with me during the ball. Someone removed it from my wrist whilst I was

The letter actually sent:

Most esteemed princess,

I hope you will forgive me this dreadful indiscretion, necessary though it may be. It breaks my heart to be the bearer of terrible news, not in the least because I was forced to read such delicate and earnest requests for reassurance.

Allow me to introduce myself, first, for it is not appropriate that a man would speak of grave matters without revealing his identity. I am Orlando de Benagil, Duke of Portosal. It grieves me, princess, to inform you that the unfortunate Sir Aris has tragically passed away as a result of his reckless participation in the hunt.

When we found him, he had lost much blood, but it appeared as though he might be able to make a full recovery as a result of his hearty constitution. I thus ordered him to be sent home to rest without further distractions. You must wonder at my surprise when I arrived days later, only to find him at death's door! Alas, the wound had festered aggressively in the meantime. I barely had time to speak to him and have him administered his last rites. His body will be sent eastward to be interred in the tomb of his ancestors, as my token of respect for the family.

I cannot express how painful it is to write these words, Your Highness. Not only did Sir Aris serve me loyally for many years, I cannot bear the thought of inflicting the same wound I bear upon another. The only consolation I may offer in this dark moment is that of a companion in grief. Please, do not hesitate to instruct me, if I may be of service.

With a heavy but open heart,

@madprincesshours

Aw! Well, you're always welcome here.

- @madprincesshours