As the whimsical melody continued to echo softly throughout the hallway, Noire quietly approached the outside of the study and peered inside. As she expected, her father was inside but rather than situated by the desk, he was pacing around the room with a piece of paper in hand, singing softly to himself.

Noire hadn't realised she'd been watching until her Father acknowledged her presence with a smile. "Yes, Noire?"

The young girl recoiled with embarrassment for being caught and shook her head softly. "No" she whispered, "I…I heard you singing."

Her father placed a hand over his chest. "Heavens, was I projecting my voice too loudly? Forgive me, my blossom, I hadn't meant to disturb you."

Noire bowed politely. "I'm…OK, thank you, F-father." She pointed towards the paper curiously. "Wh-what are you doing?"

"Just engaging in a spot of writing, that's all." He winked playfully, "I'm trying to construct the perfect letter, and a melody or two helps power the gears of creativity in my mind."

Noire smiled with amusement. "Who are you…writing to?"

"My Mother and Father."

"Y-your…? Gr-grandmother and Grandf-father?"

"They're the ones." He sighed contently. "It's been far too long since I've been in contact them, and they deserve to stay informed about my most recent practices."

"What are you…writing about?"

Virion knelt down to caress her under the chin. "Only everything and anything involving my wonderful family. For everything I've shared with your grandparents, you and your mother are the only ones they ever want to her about." He laughed jokingly, "why, my own parents have grown rather tired of my personal experiences; they'd much rather hear about their favourite granddaughter."

The young girl smiled bashfully. "They want to know…about m-me?"

"Of course, my dear. They're always encouraging me to write more frequently, if only so they can stay in touch and understand how you're progressing."

The prospects of her Father's announcement made butterflies emerge in her stomach.

"Say, I have an idea: would you like to write a letter of your own for them?"

The proposal made Noire wince with uncertainty; expressing herself creatively wasn't exactly her strongest quality. "…Oh, I don't know…" she whispered softly.

"It's quite alright, my dear. They're not expecting anything too extraneous or detailed."

Noire continued to avert her eyes, visibly concerned and conflicted.

Virion gently caressed a strand of hair behind her ear. "It would mean ever so much to them if they could hear from you."

Although she still experienced some resistance to the idea, the opportunity to speak with her Grandparents again wasn't one she wanted to miss; she hadn't seen them in some time.

"…OK…I'll try", she whispered.

"Wonderful." Virion retrieved a blank piece of paper as well as a quill pen from the ink jar. Offering the two items, Noire excitedly accepted them.

As her father returned to reviewing his letter, Noire began work on her own. Despite her eagerness to write, the young girl still couldn't quite decide exactly what to include; there were so many stories, events and anecdotes she wanted to share, but expressing them through words was causing her difficulty. After a moment of reflection, Noire held her breath and put the pen to paper.

Virion's attention returned to his daughter when she announced she had finished. Approaching the desk, the archer observed as Noire cradled the piece of paper against her chest tightly with a bashful smile.

"Would you mind if had a read?" Virion extended his hand.

"M-may I…read it to y-you?"

Although surprised at first from her proposal, Virion was still very impressed with her confidence and nodded politely, taking the empty seat beside her.

Smiling nervously, Noire carefully stood up in her seat, exchanging a glance between her smiling father and the letter she had worked very hard on. Clearing her throat softly, she began.

"Dear Grandmother and G-grandfather,

I'm doing…very good. I really miss you.

Love…Noire."

After concluding, Noire stared at her father expectantly, hoping very much what she had written sufficed. Instead of an immediate response, Noire watched as a warm smile spread across her father's face as he clapped his hands softly.

"Perfect" praised Virion jovially as he offered his hand. Smiling softly, Noire eagerly presented him the letter. Although the handwriting was still quite unpolished, Virion was still enamored with his daughter's poignant, emotional letter.

Virion returned the letter to her. "Thank you, my dear. I know they'll be absolutely delighted to hear from you." He extended his index finger. "Once I'm satisfied with my own, I shall post the two immediately."

Noire nodded excitedly. "D-do you kn-know…when they will r-read it?"

Virion brought a finger to his chin. "Well, there is a substantial distance between our land and the kingdom of Rosanne so I suspect your Grandparents shan't receive our letters for a few weeks or so, and my estimation isn't factoring in other variables such as wind and weather conditions."

Disheartened, Noire nodded slowly. "…OK" she whispered.

"But fear not, my dear" reassured Virion dramatically, "for although we may have to rely on the services of ordinary carrier pigeons, when Grandmother and Grandfather decide to respond, I venture they'll elect their most valued and trusted associate for such a job: Primrose."

"W-who?"

Virion smiled delightfully. "My family's owl."

Noire's eyes widened with excitement. "I didn't…you ha-have a pet?"

Shrugging his shoulders, Virion responded. "Well, not quite. Primrose does not belong to me but rather the royal family of Rosanne; she and the countless other respected animals are passed down through each generation." He smiled sweetly. "Primrose, however, is the one I've cherished the most dearly since my youth." He gestured towards his daughter's accessory, "your feather once belonged to her."

Noire's hand instinctively migrated to the item which she retrieved from her headband. She stared at it curiously. "B-but…but I thought y-you…"

Virion winked impishly. "And where do you think I obtained such a precious treasure?"

The surprising development made Noire's heart beat excitedly. For the longest period she had always believed the feather she had been presented as a gift was of a common bird; she had no idea it once belonged to an owl, and one from her father's royal family. Noire knew that she had to take extra special care of the item.

"And just what are you two up to?"

The unexpected voice made Noire turn around to inspect its origins, and the young girl was delighted to see her mother standing in the doorway.

Virion acknowledged her with a polite hand gesture. "Nothing untoward, I assure you, my love" he replied with animatedly, "we're simply engaged in a little family activity."

Tharja folded her arms and glared. "And why wasn't I invited?"

Gracefully, Virion rose from his seat and offered her the chair, gesturing for her company. "You are more than welcome to join us." Noire nodded apologetically, reaffirming his proposal.

The dark mage tilted her head, fabricating concentration. "I'll consider your proposal" she answered sarcastically before turning around to face the entrance.

Virion knew very well the woman was only exaggerating disappointment, but Noire didn't, however. Climbing down from her seat, the young girl hastily closed the distance been her and her mother, taking the dark mage by the hand and gazing up at her breathlessly.

After a moment of inactivity, Noire witnessed a defeated smile emerge on her mother's lips as she allowed her daughter to escort her back into the room.

Folding her arms once more, Tharja inspected the desk. "And just what kind of activity might this be?"

"We're writing let-letters", whispered Noire.

Tharja raised an eyebrow. "Is that so?" Her nurturing expression disappeared immediately as she adopted a threatening glare. "Letters to another woman?"

Virion laughed heartily as gracefully took the dark mage by her hands and gently brought them to his chest.

"Tharja, my eternal love, please dispel that corruptive thought. You must understand I would never perceive committing such an unspeakable act; a crime against our passion, and the one I hold ever so dearly. My heart, spirit and soul belong to nobody save you."

Tharja giggled mischievously. "I know" she whispered, biting her lower lip. "And just who might the recipients of your letters be?"

"Gr-grandmother and Grandfather" answered Noire as she cradled her letter tightly. She smiled weakly, "Fa-father is writing…about us."

Tharja turned towards Virion accusingly. "Really? Only positive news, I hope."

"Only the most inspiring", he reassured.

Noire felt her cheeks burn when her mother gestured towards the letter she was cradling. "Have you written one, Noire?" Tharja asked curiously.

Sheepishly, Noire nodded.

"And I couldn't be more proud that's she taken the initiative to create one" announced Virion, gently caressing Noire's head.

"May I read it?" Tharja asked politely, extending a hand.

Despite her resistance, Noire still acknowledged and offered the letter. An uncomfortable sensation of fear and anxiety came over Noire as she observed her mother examining the letter. After a moment of inactivity, Tharja returned her attention.

"It's a little short…" she announced.

Disheartened, Noire hung her head.

"…But very well written" she concluded, returning the letter. Her mother's unexpected encouragement made Noire beam excitedly, thanking her mother with an appreciative bow of her head.

Noire watched delightfully as her father glided over towards her mother and gently wrapped his arm around her waist, bringing her into a soft embrace. Instinctively, Noire dropped down from her chair and eagerly approached her parents, wrapping her arms tightly around her mother's legs.