Alexus's Point of View

Another month passed, and I had adjusted to my new lifestyle. My training became more frequent until I seldom went a day without it. I still wasn't allowed to keep my daggers with me when I wasn't training, but Papa assured me I would soon.

I kept getting letters from Mama, though they became fewer and fewer. Most of them were encouraging and/or filled with wisdom. One day, there was a letter that was unlike the rest. It had a smaller envelope inside alongside the letter with the words DO NOT OPEN on the cover. Though I wanted to know what was in the envelope with clear instructions for me not to open it, I opened the letter I was supposed to read first.

Dear Alexus,

You must be wondering what the envelope that came with this letter contains. The truth is, it's a secret.

I need you to do something for me. Instead of opening the envelope, give it to your father. Inside is a letter from me for him to read. Do not open it, Alexus. I mean it. It's not for you to read. Don't worry. It's nothing bad.

I love you,

Mama

I itched to open it, but I took all requests from Mama very seriously. I gave it to Papa after breakfast. He seemed confused but took and read it all the same. "What does it say?" I asked.

Papa gave me an amused look. "It says little girls should mind their own business."

"No, it didn't," I remarked.

"Don't get smart. Go report to the Hall of Empty Melodies for your training," Papa ordered.

I started heading there. "Mind your own business, Alexus. Report to the Hall of Empty Melodies for your training, Alexus," I mocked under my breath.

"Alexus, now, please," Papa added. I picked up my pace with a groan.


Papa came for me after training. I was still sulking over the fact that Mama gave him a letter, and I didn't get to know what it said. When he was finished discussing my progress with Mr. Xigbar, he turned his attention to me. "I'll work with you on your training tomorrow. I'd like to see how you're progressing first-hand." My only response was a shrug. "I thought you would be more excited than that. You've been asking at least once a day for the past two weeks." I shrugged again. I didn't feel like talking. "What's the matter?" I didn't want to talk about it, so I continued to shrug. "Alright. I can see you're upset about something. You can tell me, but I won't make you. You are aware that you can tell me anything, yes?" I hesitated but nodded slowly. "Alright. Since you seem unable to say anything at all, you may stay in your room to stew for now if it will make you feel better or if you find you would rather, you can stop being stubbornly silent and join me this afternoon in an outing to Twilight Town. The decision is entirely yours." I didn't respond. "Still not speaking? Very well. You will have plenty of time to rest your voice in your room. You had best start heading that way."

I walked back to my room angrily and screamed into my pillow. After a while, Papa came back into the room. "Are you ready to talk?" I nodded. He sat on the bed next to me. "Do you want to tell me why you're upset?"

"Why did Mama write something to you that I couldn't see?" I grumbled.

"I thought that might have been it. It was just something she wanted to be a secret for now," Papa replied.

"Mama doesn't keep secrets from me." I knew it wasn't true even as I said it. I believed she never kept secrets from me all my life, but Papa showed me that it was a lie I told myself. "She didn't… No. She did. My entire life was full of her keeping secrets, and I never knew. I never even knew."

"She did it to protect you. Give me four days. I'll tell you what she wrote to me then," Papa decided.

"Alright, Papa," I agreed.


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