After packing her few things, Alice sat on the edge of the fountain that decorated the center of the main courtyard. With a sigh, she looked at the looming ivy covered walls of the school.
” Alice,” the soft voice of the school’s secretary said warmly ” this just arrived for you. The messenger said it was urgent.”
“Thank you Mrs. Carmichael,” Alice said taking the envelope.
Turning it over, she was surprised to see the seal bore the crest of Tristan’s father. Uneasily, she opened it and began to read the message inside.
DEAREST ALICE,
FORGIVE ME FOR NOT USING PROPER PROTOCOL IN PENNING THIS TO YOU. HOWEVER, TIME IS OF THE ESSENCE. A MATTER HAS BEEN BROUGHT TO MY ATTENTION THAT COULD RESULT IN AN INCREASED TURMOIL WITHIN BOTH MY HOUSE AND THAT OF YOUR FATHER’S.
A WEEK AGO, DRACO ARRIVED EARLY FOR THE HOLIDAYS. JUST LAST NIGHT HE CAME TO ME AND ASKED THAT I SPEAK TO YOUR FATHER ON HIS BEHALF. AT THE CHRISTMAS EVE GATHERING, DRACO WANTS TO ANNOUNCE THAT HE HAS BEEN COURTING YOU AND HAS YOUR FATHER’S BLESSING TO TAKE YOUR HAND IN MARRIAGE THREE NIGHTS AFTER YOU FINISH SCHOOL NEXT YEAR.
MY DEAREST ALICE, I KNOW YOUR HEART IS WITH TRISTAN AS HIS IS WITH YOU. THE DAY OF YOUR ARRIVAL I SHALL BE AT THE HOME OF YOUR FATHER AS WILL DRACO. YOU MUST CONTACT ME AS SOON AS POSSIBLE AS TO IF YOU ARE PREPARED TO ACCEPT DRACO AS YOUR FUTURE HUSBAND OR WILL DENY HIM FOR TRISTAN.
AWAITING YOUR RESPONSE,
COUNT FELIX VAN BREUHER
Bowing her head, tears began to flow from her eyes.
“Hey,” Tristan said jokingly “don’t tell me you miss this place already.”
“Here,” she said handing the letter to him.
Before he could respond to the letter, the coach arrived to take them and four others to the train station.
“Awww…” a snooty boy commented “did you two get into a lover’s tiff?”
“Actually, we just got some bad news from home,” Alice said regaining her composure.
“Please pardon my brother Alice,” a meek girl said nervously. “We are sorry for your bad news and do pray it resolves itself quickly.”
“Thank you Gretchen,” Alice said smiling lightly. “I’m sure things will work out.”
Once on the train, Tristan led Alice to a private car. After placing Alice’s bag in the luggage bins, Tristan sat down across from her and took her hands into his own.
“So,” he said seriously “what are you going to do love? Are you going to become his bride to avoid problems or tell him no?”
“I don’t know,” she said feeling her heart ache. “My mind is telling me to accept Draco to avoid problems. Yet, my heart is screaming at me to tell him to leave me alone. I’m so torn right now that I have no idea of what to do.”
“Well,” he said nervously “maybe I can help you make a decision.”
“Tristan,” she said numbly “I know you would tell me to deny him to spite Draco. Only that doesn’t help.”
“Alice,” he said seriously “when I had my talk with your father during our Easter break it wasn’t regarding our discussions about history. We spoke at length about you. We are both going to graduate this coming year and I’ll be entering training to attend to my father’s business during the hours he is unavailable. Also, you will be offered numerous requests by adoring suitors. I have loved you since we were kids. So I took the liberty of asking your father if I might court you and if it was your wish, to have your hand in marriage. He told me that if you agreed we’d have his full blessing. I know it might seem an awkward time for this, but will you marry me Alice?”
Placing her hand over her mouth, Alice closed her eyes. So many emotions flooded her at once. This was the day she prayed would come, yet she feared Draco and what he might do. Yet, she knew their fathers wouldn’t tolerate his interference any longer.
“Oh Tristan,” she said gazing at the ring his father gave him from his mother’s collection “it would be my honor. I love you so very much.”
Placing the ring on her finger, Tristan kissed her tenderly.
“Before leaving, I got my friend in the head master’s office to seal two letters from me to your father. One tells him you accepted my proposal and the other says you didn’t. When we arrive in the first town I will ask for the message to be sent quickly.”
“Just don’t mess up and send the wrong one,” she said looking at the envelopes.
“You see how this one is lightly imprinted,” he said showing it to her. “Well that one says you denied me. The deeper seal says you accepted. That is how your father will know your answer. If Draco sees it, it will be a reminder of extra books and materials that will need purchased for your advanced lessons after resume our classes after the holidays.”
“Leave it to my father and you to be so clever,” Alice said sighing. “Only I fear what Draco will do.”
“As do I,” Tristan said getting a wry grin on his face. “However, if I were Draco I’d think twice about causing problems. Especially considering how our fathers are when somebody makes them really mad.”
Shuddering at the thought, Alice laughed and began to relax.
“Tristan,” she said at last “let’s go to the dining car. I’m humgry.”
“That’s a great idea,” he laughed. “Besides, I could go for some tea.”