Months passed, and neither Maleah or Kain's family heard from him. Worry abounded in the Oscurita house, until...
Dear Maleah,
I'm so sorry I haven't written in so long...but, and I'll be very surprised if you haven't heard, but the University I was at was forced to shut down, and we were all transferred to a different University at Stahlberg. So I guess I won't be home this summer.
I so wanted to see you, too, Maleah! Oh well...perhaps next summer, I think I can wait that long to see you again...but write to me more often, all right? And, please, tell my family I apologize for always writing to you before I write to them...
Your friend,
Kain
"I always wondered why he did that...write to you first, I mean," murmured Lady Vittoria as she read her son's letter to Maleah. Maleah had felt obliged to show Kain's family the letter, so they knew he was alright.
"I think I know..." Benedetto said, grinning at Maleah.
"Now why...wait a second, are you insinuating something here?" Maleah asked, eyes going wide.
"Only that he likes you, Maleah..."
"He...he can't like me!" stammered Maleah, flushing a soft pink, "I'm...I'm far too unattractive for Kain to even..." And she turned and ran away.
"But you're not ugly!" Benedetto called after her.
"Oh, don't do that, Benedetto, you won't be able to change her mind."
"Well, she's not."
"Let Kain tell her that." There was a tone of finality in Vittoria's voice that Benedetto dared not argue with.
Maleah, back at the inn, was fervently writing a letter to Kain.
Dear Kain,
I'm glad you wrote! We were so worried that maybe some bandits had attacked and killed you! But you wouldn't let that happen to you, would you?
Your family was relieved when they saw your letter to me (I felt obligated to show them and let them know you were all right), and they weren't in the least bit offended that you wrote me first. It's a shame you won't be around this summer. I hope you'll be here next summer. I can't wait to see you again, though, whenever you come back!
Yours,
Maleah
The very next day she'd sent the letter off with a man bound for Stahlberg. He promised her he'd deliver it right away.
"Who is it for, Miss?"
"Kain Oscurita, sir."
"An' who should I say 'tis from?"
"Maleah. He'll know who you mean." And the man rode away.
Maleah could hardly wait for Kain's response.
