Desert Hearts: Part 1

#FanFiction #AscendanceOfABookworm #HanneloresFifthYear
#Wss366 Stasis #Mastoprompt Figment

[Two parts for White Day in Japan and one for tomorrow is fir White Day in the West]

•⋅☾The Royal Academy☽⋅•

“Lady Sorrona would like to approach,” Cordula said to Hannelore.

Hannelore had successfully dodged Sorrona for the last three days on instructions from home. She’d come to the commons early today, thinking Sorrona wouldn’t be there yet, but she arrived seconds after Hannelore had taken a seat. Her bad timing had struck again.

“Can’t I say I’m too busy?” Hannelore asked.

“I’ll tell her you only have a few moments to spare. But saying no when you're clearly relaxing would cause an open breach. We’re in a public place, and you’re rumored to be on excellent terms with her. Let's not give the other duchies a hint of our concerns. They will try to take advantage of it.”

“Very well.”

Sorrona approached, and after a fulsome greeting, presented Cordula with a red box for Hannelore. Scarlet ribbons adorned the present, with a carnelian at each ribbon tip. The box itself made a stunning present.

“I hear Dregarnuhr, the Goddess of Time, has woven your threads exceptionally short today, but when you have time, please partake of the contents,” Sorrona said, curtsying.

“Thank you,” Hannelore said, putting on her best smile.

She continued, “It seems Dregarnuhr, the Goddess of Time, has woven today’s threads with exceptional speed and grace.” Then she quickly withdrew.

Once Hannelore was back in her chambers, Cordula checked the box and handed it to her. Inside were light-red heart-shaped cookies. Each one had a “desert heart” leaf pressed into its surface.

“From Wilfried?” Hannelore asked hopefully. It was a #figment a of hope since Sorrona was from the Duchy of Alexandria, while Wilfried remained in Ehrenfest. But perhaps Rozemyne was acting on her brother’s behalf, Hannelore thought desperately.

Cordula crushed those hopes. “It’s from Aub Rozemyne, my lady. I fear you must make your feelings clear to your parents soon about a match with Ferdinand. The present we return must reflect the direction we wish to take. We can no longer ignore their overtures. #Stasis is not an option.”

#TootFic #MicroFic #NMFic #WhiteDay #ValentinesDay