Mateo POV
My heart was racing as I tucked the letter behind a vase in the hallway by my workshop, where someone looking for it could easily find it. I couldn't believe I was doing this. I was literally admitting to Elena that I loved her. Or maybe it was one of the other girls on my list. Or maybe it was even one of the people I had ruled out. If it was Elena, that would be illegal. Code B705352-708507C in the Avaloran by-laws said that the royal wizard courting any member of the royal family was punishable by banishment of both parties from all titles, and worse, family ties and even Avalor. Every day, that law made me want to cry and/or scream into a pillow. My mom knew how much I hated it, and Marlena, my older sister (by 6 minutes) only brings it up when I have really ticked her off and she desperately wants to get back at me. I think Elena may like me. Or that might just be wishful thinking. I don't know, this letter has got me crazy. I am getting to think something impossible could happen. I began humming the song "someday" by Milo Manheim and Meg Donnelly. It was about two star-crossed lovers determined to be together. One line made me really think. If they laugh, we'll say we're gonna be someday. Another that made me wonder. You're from the perfect paradise and I'm living on the darker side. Could Elena and I be together someday? Could our differences not matter? Could we be together? Did Elena know about the law? Was Elena even the one who had sent me the letter? Was I talking to someone else? It was a risk I had to take.
Elena POV
I was walking down the hallway with Naomi when I saw the letter. Behind a vase right by Mateo's workshop. The very letter I had given him to profess my love. I grabbed the envelope, ashamed. The law, of course. I had been a fool to think he would ever love me back. Tears pricked my eyes, and then I noticed something. The envelope was torn. I opened it, and saw Mateo's handwriting, his precious, scribbly handwriting. I read the words written there.
To whoever wrote me this letter,
Thank you for regarding me so highly. If you are who I am hoping you are, then I want to say that I love you too, very much.
Love,
Mateo
Who he was hoping I was? Did he hope I was me? Did he hope I was someone else?
"Woah, what's that?" asked Naomi, snatching the letter out of my hand.
"No, wait!" I cried, reaching for the letter. Naomi yanked it away as she read.
"I need a ship name. How about… Malena?" Naomi gave a devilish grin. Then she frowned. "But, isn't it… you know… illegal. For you guys… to be together."
I nodded. "Code B705352-708507C. Says that the royal wizard courting any member of the royal family was punishable by banishment of both parties from all titles, and worse, family ties and even Avalor. But when have I ever paid attention to the law?" I raised an eyebrow at Naomi, who nodded with a devious grin. "I cannot think of a single instance," she said sincerely. We both doubled over laughing.
A few hours later, I was alone in my room. I wrote back on the letter.
Mi amor,
When I think of joy, and love, and excitement, I think of you. I hope I am the one you are hoping I am.
Love,
Your admirer
I replaced the letter behind the vase, writing a heart on the front of the envelope so he would know it had been read.
Mateo POV
I looked at the vase, and my heart sank. The letter was still there, my name and a heart-wait a heart? That was new. Someone had seen it! Praying it was Mystery Lady, I opened it and read her note.
Mi amor,
When I think of joy, and love, and excitement, I think of you. I hope I am the one you are hoping I am.
Love,
Your admirer
I grinned. She had wrote back. "Hey, Mateo, what's up?" Naomi asked, approaching me. "Ah, you got the letter."
"Yeah, wh- wait, you know who sent these?"
Naomi nodded. My heart sped up.
"Be honest. Is it…" I took a deep breath, and spit out the name before I could chicken out. "Elena." Let me tell you, she looked more shocked than I had ever seen Naomi Turner.
"Of course not. It's… Aubrey Tenton. From the docks. She works with my dad."
"Oh. Thank you." I walked away, keeping my words brief and my head low she she wouldn't notice the lump in my throat or the way my voice cracked or the tears streaming down my face. Suddenly I felt like a monumental idiot. Why would I ever think Elena loved me? I had done nothing to deserve her