Billet-doux
meaning: a love letter.
Vanya Hargreeves was in the library again.
If her siblings saw her now, they wouldn't know her true reason for being there.
They would immediately assume that she was there to read some dusty, old books.
However, that wasn't entirely the truth.
Vanya often frequented the library because the scent of old books gave her comfort and the silence was something she treasured the most in a house full of sixteen-year olds, who had a habit of turning anything into chaos in a matter of seconds.
The library was her sanctuary and it was also the best place to read the steamy romance novels that Klaus had lent to her. Something that Vanya started to enjoy.
All Vanya had to do was take the little paperback from its hiding place and continue reading the rest of the story.
Glancing superstitiously around to make sure no one was following her, Vanya moved down the line of bookshelves until she finally found the right shelf, where she had stashed her book in secret.
Vanya caught sight of its worn spine and she reached out for the paperback. She immediately used the bookmark she had placed there to open the page where she had left it.
However, the moment she turned the page, something suddenly fell down from within.
She caught a glimpse of something blue as it fluttered to the ground.
For a long while, Vanya stared at the strange paper on the floor before she decided to pick it up.
Upon closer inspection, she realized that it was an origami. A blue paper folded to resemble that of a butterfly, and as Vanya scanned the paper, she noted the words written on the right wing of the origami butterfly, which said 'open me.'
Frowning, Vanya wondered who put the paper inside her book, but she was curious to see what else was in the paper.
Afterward, she started to unfold the origami. As her fingers delicately opened the folded paper, the message within was slowly revealed.
Once she had completely unfolded the origami butterfly, she finally allowed herself to read the entire message.
Name: Vanya
Meaning: Gracious gift of God
.
Dear Vanya, even though I am not into that religious mumbo jumbo.
But I have to agree that you are truly a gift.
Don't let father or anyone say otherwise.
You are a gift to this family.
I hope you won't forget that.
P.S. I promise I won't tell anyone else about the romance novels.
.
Vanya stared at the words written on the paper and couldn't help but feel the warmth that spread from the center of her chest and straight into her limbs. The letter made her feel giddy with happiness.
She didn't know who exactly had sent the letter since the words weren't handwritten. Instead it was typewritten.
Even though Klaus had lent Vanya the book, she hadn't really told him where she had hidden it. So it must be one of her siblings, who had seen her stashing the book into its hiding place.
Vanya would have to figure out who it was.
As she looked back at the paper, Vanya couldn't help but press the paper right over her heart and allowed herself to smile.
Whoever sent her the letter, Vanya would have to thank them.
She was grateful for their thoughtful gesture.