18 May 1781

Dear Derek,

I hope this letter finds you in good health. I am well, as is Isabella, but she is not speaking to me at the moment. I shall explain why shortly.

There is a girl here in Apollonia who is claiming to be our sister Rosella. Prince Antonio found her on an island off the coast of Antalya. Apparently, she was stranded there for several years. She claims to have no memory of her family or where she came from, but His Highness is convinced she is our sister resurrected.

I will concede that she bears a strong resemblance to Maman, but so does the Queen of Dulcemia, and they aren't related. However, the prince refuses to say she is anyone else, and fully intends to, in his words, "honour a previous betrothal".

Isabella, who never met Rosella, is convinced that this "Ro" is truly our sister back from the dead. She says I am not giving her enough of a chance, as though I should try to play nice with a woman who is both making a mockery of my sister's legacy, and stealing my birthright in one fell swoop.

I am not just writing this because I desperately wish you were here to listen to me. I am warning you, that when you come for this wedding, do not be fooled by a single thing this woman says or does. The prince has prepared her well.

However, I truly do look forward to seeing you. I wish you safe travels.

Affectionately,

Genevieve

3 June 1781

Dear Gen,

Good Lord, you are representing our family well, aren't you? Even if this girl is not our sister, she has travelled alone from the only home she's ever known to find her family. The least you could do is show her some kindness.

It was hard for all of us, losing Rosy like that, but we had each other. Can you imagine losing your entire family along with any memory you had of them? I know compassion has never been your strong suit, but a good ruler must be benevolent in addition to just.

And, it's possible that this girl is Rosella. You say Prince Antonio "prepared her well" (whatever the hell that means), but he knew her for a week. You knew her for five years, so it's not as though he could "prepare her well" enough to fool you. Try to get to know Ro, perhaps you can help her find her family, whether it's us or someone else.

Also, if the prince wants to marry this woman, wouldn't it be nice to get along with her? If she becomes his Maîtresse-en-titre, you might need an ally at court. What if the prince decides he wants to marry your eldest off to the ugliest man in the world, and you want someone to help you stop him? If Ro hates you, then it won't be her.

I'm sorry to be so harsh towards you. I know that you still miss Rosy deeply, and you're afraid to hope she could be alive, only to be disappointed. All I can say is that we already lost her, and looking into this other girl won't cause us to lose her again.

I look forward to seeing you too. I love you dearly.

Your favourite brother,

Derek

PS- Steal a sweet from the kitchens for Isabella, and she'll forgive you. That's all it takes for me when she decides not to speak to me.

17 June 1781

Derek,

You have not even met her, and already you're taking her side? She's lying about her identity, and trying to steal my fiance! She's not your sister! I am!

I apologise if you can read that. After some consideration, I have decided to try to treat the island girl with more civility and kindness than I have been. (This does not mean I believe her claim that she is Rosella!)

I have also decided to take your advice, and help her find her family. I'm not sure how, since she truly seems to have no memory of her life before living on the island, but I promise to try. If not for her, then for her family, whomever they are.

And you were right about another thing: I am worried that I'll start to hope she's ours, and then we'll find out she's someone else's older sister.

If I knew for certain that Ro was indeed Rosella, I would step aside immediately and allow her to claim what is rightfully hers. But I don't know, so until I do, I still plan to marry Prince Antonio.

Also, I love all my brothers equally. Just because we are twins does not make you my favourite.

Your favourite sister,

Gen

15 June 1781

Dear Maman and Papa,

I don't know whether you've already heard from Genevieve or Derek, but in Apollonia, there is a girl here who says she is my sister Rosella.

Apparently, when the prince was sailing, he met this girl (her name is Ro) on an island. She was alone and had been there for many years, but didn't remember who she was or how she got there. She looks like she's a little older than Geny, and looks quite a bit like Maman, so I can see how someone would think that she's Rosella. Prince Antonio seems to think she is, and I think he really loves her, whether she's Rosella or someone else.

I never met Rosella, and Geny is determined to hate her, so really the only people who can tell us for sure who she is are the two of you. When you come for the wedding, could you come a day or two early so we can know for sure who she is?

And I know this might be wrong of me to say, but please don't be angry with her, whoever she is. She seems like a very nice person, and I think she just wants a family, nothing more.

I'm very excited to see you. Will you also ask the kitchen if they know how to make Lucko Loukoumades? Thank you.

With love,

Isabella