Author note: Recently I have discovered Chinese Drama on YouTube. One of the drama's that I absolutely love is Maiden Holmes. This story is a continuation of the series. I'm going to try and make sure you can read this story as stand alone, but I would advice to watch the series as well, simply because it is marvelous.
As always: these characters don't belong to me, I am just borrowing to play with them.
Prologue
The brush dips into the ink, some careful strokes to remove the excess ink and then the slow strokes to create the symbols perfectly, to tell her story. Thoughtfully and deliberately the hand paints the symbols.
'Life is boring, my brother has increased my security now that I could marry. No one here, no one my brother presents to me I find interesting.
Yesterday I managed to sneak out, I dressed as a maid. No one knew me, this is heavenly. The market, the stores and parcs are so lively. I wish I could come her more often. The stories are so entertaining. Today I heard about a Ghost Army! Can you imagine: a Ghost Army!
My guards found me in a restaurant, my brother is angry, my father disappointed. I know I should feel ashamed for disgracing my family, but the world outside the palace is so much more interesting.
I will have to find a new way to explore.'
He folds the letter, smiling at the thought of her, so far away. He can imagine what the sparkle in her eyes would have looked like, while she was walking through the market. Her smile and laughter at hearing those amazing stories. But then he sees the painting and his smile falters. He shouldn't think about her in this way. Then he reaches for a paper and his brush. Writing her to tell her the palace could also hold adventures, telling her some of the adventures he had shared with the young princes. Asking her to listen to her brother and be safe. He ends the letter with the hope that they might meet again soon.