Letters Spanning a Decade
To Roen, from your grown-up most precious friend Ariel.
Roen! I made it safely to the capital! I sat down to write this letter right away, without even unpacking. The capital is so vast and teeming with people—beyond anything I could have imagined. The carriage ride was so bumpy I suffered from motion sickness the whole way, but the dried fruits you packed for me got me through it. Everything here is so dazzling, my eyes can't catch a break. I'm swamped settling in, but every night, thoughts of that lakeside where you are bring tears to my eyes. Roen, I miss you so much already!
— Your friend who cherishes you, Ariel
To my precious Ariel—I'm so relieved you arrived safely.
The village feels a bit quieter without you. Oh, and the new baker is such a kind, generous man. Every time I stop by, he says, "You're Ariel's favorite friend, aren't you?" and slips me an extra fresh-baked loaf. Everyone in the village is dying to hear your news. The capital must feel so strange—don't push yourself too hard, and make sure you're eating properly, okay?
— With my gratitude, Roen
Roen! Those recipes you shared from the village—they're pure magic!
I baked them here, and people started lining up before dawn. The capital folk are going wild, saying they've never tasted anything like it. It's all thanks to you—thank you! I've enclosed a little "royalty" with this letter. Without you, this success would've been a pipe dream. Use it to treat yourself to something delicious!
— With my gratitude, Ariel
Ariel, you sent way too much royalty! I opened my pouch and was shocked.
If anything, I'm the one grateful to you. It's because you're putting your skills to work so hard there. To help with your success, I'm sending a few more new recipes. This one's called "salt bread"—salty, nutty, and perfect for capital tastes. Give it a try!
— Ariel, with a baking genius for a friend, Roen
Roen! Salt bread was an absolute smash hit!
People lined up down the alley before we even opened. Thanks to you, business is booming, but there's even better news. One of our regular customers, a mage, complimented my mana control. Starting next week, I'll begin formal magic lessons. Do you think I can really become a mage? I'm so nervous!
— Your cheering friend, Roen
Ariel! Magic lessons—congratulations!
You'll definitely become an amazing mage. Your talent is finally shining. Lately, though, Psyche's been acting strange. She used to beg to bathe with me every time, but now whenever I try to come in, her face turns beet red and she locks the door, saying absolutely not. Has she grown up that much, or am I making her uncomfortable...? It's a little upsetting, and my feelings are all mixed up. How are things for you in the capital?
— Ariel who misses you, Roen
Roen, is Psyche hitting puberty already? It's sad she's avoiding baths.
That little one must finally know embarrassment. I'm totally immersed in magic studies these days. I learned to fine-tune oven temperatures with fire magic, and the bread tastes so much better now. Magic just gets more fascinating the more I learn. How wonderful it would be to see these magical sights with you.
— Roen I want to lean on, Ariel
Ariel, my heart's been heavy all day.
Mom stopped by the house for the briefest moment after being away. Before I could even be happy, she coldly said she's remarrying, so don't look for her anymore and don't think of her as Mom anymore, then left. I can't forget those icy eyes. She never came home much anyway and didn't love me—why does my heart feel so unsettled? Isn't it for the best? I need to sort my feelings, but my chest just aches.
— Ariel who wants to comfort you by your side
Roen, hearing that made me so furious I couldn't sleep!
How could a mother say that to her daughter? But Roen, I think it's for the best. No need to waste more feelings on someone who doesn't cherish you. You have me and Psyche. Chin up, okay? I want to be by your side there.
— Roen comforted by you
Ariel, thank you for the warm comfort.
Your letter lifted my spirits. With the royalty you sent, I fixed up Psyche's room so pretty—lace curtains and a fluffy bed too. I figured the now-grown girl needed her own independent space.
— Ariel who misses you
Yes, Psyche probably needs her own space now. Good thinking!
Though she might just want to stay by your side. Remember how I'm learning magic? My teacher must've told someone about me—in a good way! That person wants to meet me personally. I'll visit soon.
— Roen, with a friend of prophetic talent
Ariel, you were right.
Even with her own room, she crawls into mine every night. "I can't sleep without unnie's scent," she says, burrowing into the corner of the bed, and we end up sleeping together again. Anyway, I'm curious about that mage too—tell me all about it in your next letter!
— Ariel, with a friend of devilish charm
Roen! I went to see that mage I mentioned.
And get this—he wasn't just any mage, but a legendary grand mage! He seemed to take a real liking to me. He examined my mana and said, "It's been ages since I've seen mana so pure and refined," praising me. He wants to meet again soon—my heart's pounding! I think I'm really on my way up!
— Roen cheering on her skyrocketing friend
A grand mage! Ariel, you're incredible!
As expected from my best friend. Make it big so you can spoil me too. As for here, Psyche's shot up so much lately. She used to fit perfectly in my arms as a tiny kid, but now at 15, standing side by side, she's taller than me at 17. She really looks down at me now. Sometimes when she stares, that eye level gives me this odd pressure. I jump every time she strides over.
— Ariel who misses you so, so much
Roen! I'm dying to know how you've changed!
Aside from missing you, my life's going pretty smoothly. I visited the grand mage again, and he wants to take me as his formal disciple! Now I'm the prized apprentice of a grand mage. Roen, I'll work so hard and succeed. Then I'll bring you to the capital and make you the happiest person in the world. My magic and wealth will all be for you. Just wait a little longer for the day we live together!
— Roen, with her reliable friend
My proud Ariel, Psyche and I were thrilled to hear you've become a grand mage's disciple.
While you've been shining as a mage in the capital, it's almost been ten full years since you left. Ariel, I really want to see you again soon. I'll count the days until we meet. I love you, my friend.
I folded the letter carefully and melted the sealing wax on the envelope.
A chill colder than the night breeze blowing through the window draped over my back. The breath that used to linger near my shoulder now descended from above my head, thanks to her greater height.
"Unnie, writing to Ariel unnie again?"
Psyche, now half a head taller than me, leaned against the doorframe, looking down at me. She'd grown into someone breathtakingly beautiful before I knew it. Her violet eyes held a far denser, more dangerous fervor than the childish obsession from ten years ago.
She approached silently, wrapping around me from behind like a cage, a cold smile on her lips.
"Ariel unnie's too far away. Right now, I'm the one looking down at you by your side... so why do you keep longing for someone you can't even touch? It's making me jealous."
"Psyche..."
Psyche was usually just her bright, innocent self, but every so often, she'd reveal this excessive possessiveness. Times like this called for firmness.
"Psyche, you can't say things like that."
"...Let's go to sleep together, unnie."
She grabbed my hand as if she didn't want to hear it, dragging me to the bedroom and laying me on the bed.
"You'll teach me studies tomorrow, right?"
She'd long surpassed me; there was nothing left I could teach. She needed to awaken her saintess powers soon and head to the temple to learn more...
"Unnie... you'll teach me tomorrow, right? You'll stay with me, right? Yeah?"
Psyche didn't seem interested in lessons so much as clinging out of jealousy.
"Psyche."
I called her name seriously, and the corners of her eyes drooped.
"Ah... I'm sorry, unnie. But Ariel unnie's been gone over ten years, and it feels like you like her more than me, so I get anxious..."
Her heart had seemed stable for sure—when did it turn back to this?
"No. You're family. You're the most precious to me."
Would pouring love into Psyche again stabilize her? I've always loved you.
Psyche pulled me into an embrace.
"Thank you, unnie. For saying that."
The necklace around Psyche's neck glinted. I smiled and hugged her back.