Chapter Text
The sound of footsteps coming to her room barely registered in Ira’s mind as she gazed out the window. It was beginning to rain, earlier she had watch the dark clouds roll in and now start to release the trapped water within.
Ira felt trapped. Trapped in this estate, trapped in the ways she was taught to be by the Von Vestra’s. Now trapped by her stupid crest that decided to make itself known and somehow make her a point of interest. And trapped in her own mind as the memory of dancing with Claude Von Riegan resurfaced for the hundredth time that day.
His emerald eyes, staring at her with mischief, and something she couldn’t quite place but it was soft, that much she knew. The gentle curve of his lips when he smirked at her, the way they parted when he laughed, his laugh itself. She could practically still feel where he had his hand on her waist and the other in her own. What was wrong with her? What did Claude do to her head?
The knock on her door finally shook Ira out of her trance, at least for now. She let her feet hit the floor, smoothing the wrinkles out of her long black skirt.
“Come in.” The knob turned, allowing for the door to open. In the doorway stood a very annoyed looking Hubert, and a fondly exasperated Ferdinand Von Aegir holding a wooden box with a letter attached to it. Ferdinand smiled at her.
”Ira! This just came for you by courier!” Ira’s eyebrows furrowed in confusion.
“…I never get mail.” Hubert closes the door behind them, then crosses his arms as he approaches with Ferdinand.
”I know. It’s strange, I don’t like it.” Ferdinand rolls his eyes, handing the box and letter to Ira.
”Come now Hubert it was bound to happen eventually! This is exciting! Be happy for your sister!” Hubert glared.
”Would you be so happy for Arya?”
”If he was a gentleman and of a similar age to her, like this is with your sister, yes. I would be.” Ira rolled her eyes as the two bickered, then cast her glance to the letter.
In black ink was her full name, Iradessa Von Vestra, swirled in fancy lettering. Turning the envelope in her hand she found a golden wax seal bearing the crest of house Von Riegan. Ira furiously fought her blush and kept her expression neutral. Claude sent this.
She placed the heavy wooden box on the window seat next to her and quietly broke the seal. Carefully unfolding the parchment to find the same black ink and what she now knows to be Claude’s handwriting upon the page.
Dear Ira,
I hope this finds you in good health and happy spirit. I confess I’ve been overwhelmed with the honor of being your first ever dance, knowing that you’ve attended many other balls before having met me.
I know that flowers are usually customary, however they felt a tad too cliche to send to you. You said you liked things you could learn from, and following that I decided what lies in the box would be much better. You seem a practical person, which I admire, so I wanted to gift you something you would actually use.
You and your brother may find this a bit…puzzling, however I’m confident you will be able to figure it out in no time.
I wish you the best, and hope to hear from you soon.
Your Friend,
Claude Von Riegan
Ira blinked at the note, specifically the odd emphasis on the word puzzling. She set the letter down and opened the wooden box. Inside was another small note on top of a pile of books.
P.S. You said you had never gotten the chance to read fairy tales, I included some of my favorites. I hope you enjoy them.
Carefully, as if they would disappear within her grasp, Ira started pulling books out of the box. Ferdinand raised a brow.
”Books? Odd first gift, it’s normally flowers….”
“The wooden box didn’t tip you off that it wasn’t?” Hubert asked as he crossed the floor, snatching the letter Ira set down on her lap and beginning to read it over. Ira shot him a glare that her brother ignored as he continued to read. Ferdinand shrugged.
”I thought it was an odd Alliance custom.”
”At least I can use the box and actually do something with the books. Flowers just sit there and die.” Ferdinand chuckled.
”Looks like your suitor understands you well already.” Hubert shot Ferdinand an intense glare as Ira blinked and attempted to fight off her blush, opting to focus on the books and their titles rather than the young noble’s comment. “Oh come now Hubert-“
”Not another word.” Hubert spat angrily, now looking at the note that laid with the books. Ferdinand sighed.
“I apologize for upsetting you Hubert. It’s just that Ira’s been going to these balls for a while now and going completely unnoticed, I’m happy for her.” Hubert sighed.
“…He knew you would read the letter.” Ira pointed out. Hubert looked to his sister, then back to the letter and gained an almost angry expression.
“…I don’t like him.”
Ira shrugged. ”I figured you wouldn’t.”
”I don’t quite see what the problem is,” Ferdinand placed his hands on his hips as he spoke, gaining the sibling’s attention. “He’s of proper status as the heir of the Alliance Dukedom, he’s sent her a courting gift that Ira actually likes. What is the issue?” Ira blushed at the mention of courting, quickly turning her attention to the rain hitting her window. Hubert’s face twisted in a mix of anger and disgust.
“Don’t mention the idea of Von Riegan courting my sister.”
”Hubert, we both know this was going to happen eventually, whether you liked it or not.” Ferdinand scolded, arms crossing over his red vest. Hubert’s jaw clenches.
”…He writes odd.” He commented as he set the letter and note back down, heading for the door. Ferdinand sighed, shaking his head a bit before turning his attention to Ira.
“Well I’m happy for you. And if you need advice that Hubert won’t give I’m here.” Ira nodded a bit, to which Ferdinand smiled, and headed to follow Hubert out of her room.
Ira set the books out of the box and began examining it after her bedroom door clicked closed. Turning it in her hands she heard soft movement from within, despite it seemingly being empty. Ira couldn’t help her smirk. A hidden compartment, she knew it. The outside held no compartment, which she figured it wouldn’t be on the outside of the box. If the compartment fell open by accident whatever else was inside would fall out and be found by Goddess knows who.
The inside gave her better luck. As she traced her fingers along the patterns she found they moved. A puzzle, of course. He mentioned it in the letter, albeit cryptically because he knew Hubert would read it despite being hers. And this was to be their secret.
Ira leaned back against the wall, bringing her legs to cross on the seat before her as she got to work, sliding the pieces along the box’s sides diligently.
It was a good twenty minutes of her working on the puzzle before she heard the click and the bottom of the box popped open. Ira couldn’t help her excited grin as she lifted the lid to the hidden compartment.
The grip was black, the rest of the hilt silver. Similarly the sheath it was in was pitch black as well, but the tip and opening of said sheath was decorated with silver. Ira lifted the dagger from its place in the box gently, pulling at it slightly to see the blade, which had a small design in the center of it. She sheathed it again and glanced back at the now open compartment, where one last note sat within.
Like I said. You seem practical. And you never know when you’ll need a dagger. Hope it suits your taste.
Until we meet again.
Claude.