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The sun had rested itself down, down deep in the sky above the horizon. It’s golden rays stretched across the shore as the waves calmly shimmied back and forth, back and forth, again and again over the shiny crystal-like sand. It truly was a beautiful sight. And that was exactly why Feliciano had made it a point to see that beautiful thing, that sunset, each and every day. As one might imagine, it was late in the evening and Feli had just set himself down on the sand with his bicycle right behind him. His eyes shimmered with the gleam of the light reflecting from the ocean. He sat there, waiting. Watching. Motionless. Then, it happened. The sun sunk below the horizon, leaving the last of its light to be the brightest and most beautiful thing he had ever seen. Just as it had disappeared for the day, the light hit something, something that shined and glimmered. Feli’s eyes grew wide with excitement and curiosity. He quickly scrambled up and over to the shiny object.
“What could it be?” He wondered aloud as he reached the shore’s edge.
He scanned the shallow waters around him and there he saw it. He waded into the water, snatched up the mysterious object, and ran back to his bicycle. It was then that he decided to look at what he had actually found.
“A message..?” He muttered perplexedly as he turned the bottle around in his hand.
He continued turning it, feeling the shape of the bottle. Whoever had tossed it must have been quite wealthy. This was a bottle of Sehr gutes Bier, some of the finest liquor money could buy. But upon further examination, it seemed that the bottle was completely clean, probably the cleanest thing Feli had ever seen. This made it very special for whatever reason. And whatever was inside special too.
He couldn’t take the anticipation anymore. He tried to pull out the cork, but he had no avail. He tugged and pulled and shook the bottle, but he had no such luck.
But he didn’t want to give up. He gently placed it into the basket of his bike and set off towards his home. He was certain his grandpa and brother were worried about him by now. As he rode through his village he couldn’t help but wonder what was inside the expensive bottle. A cry for help? A drawing? A beautiful poem of encouragement? A love letter?...
He smiled at that thought. Even though the letter wouldn’t be for him. Finally, he made it to his small home. He could see lights on in the window and he quickly scurried to get in before everyone else was more worried.
“I’m home~!” Feli called as he entered through the door.
How odd... Do they know I’m home?...
He made his way closer to the kitchen as he began to hear quiet chatter.
“That king is out of control!” Lovino hissed quietly.
“Not just the king, thew whole damn lot of them.”
“Especially that one with odd hair and eyes.”
“You mean the heir prince? I think the younger one is much odder, he’s always stonefaced. It pisses me off.”
“Ahem.” Feli coughed to alert them that he had come home.
“Oh, Feli, you’re home, welcome !” Julius stood up to hug his sweet grandson in greeting.
“Ciao, Nonno!” Feli embraced his grandfather before acknowledging his brother and their guest.
“Ciao, Toni. Ciao, Lovino!” He waved as he let go, reaching to hug his brother and uncle when Lovino snatched the bottle from his pocket.
“What’s this?” He turned it over, just like Feli had when he found it, “A bottle..?”
“There’s something inside.” Feli huffed, taking his bottle back from his brother, “I can’t get it open Nonno.” He frowned, handing it over to him.
“Bust the damn thing open!” Lovino shouted over the table.
“Mind your manners!” Antonio smacked Loviono over the head as Lovi started to grumble back furiously.
While they were arguing Feli turned back to his Nonno, “Please, Nonno..” He pleaded, looking up with his wide eyes.
He smiled back and reached over to grab the corkscrew used for the wine they had opened earlier. He stuck the device into the center of the cork and pulled it out with a pop in a matter of seconds. Feli quickly took his bottle and ran down the small hallway to his, also very small, bedroom. He locked the door and quickly pushed himself against it, dumping the bottle upside down, shaking it gently, to push out the small piece of paper. It was so soft, like a piece of a cloud, but sturdy too. What fine paper, what a fine bottle, what a fine letter it was going to be. Finally, he began to read.:
To whomever, it might regard; I have been very stressed lately. I talked to my father about it, but he sent me away to my brother, who, for once in his lifetime, had a great idea. He told me to write a letter and send it to the sea. I suppose now I should actually begin to write about my troubles. I feel my family is nothing short of tyrants. My brother is the most pig-headed person to ever walk the damn land, but I’m expected to find company in him?
I find that I’d rather work than spend time with him. All he does is drink and drink while my father takes him around for the family business. Unternehmen, as he calls it. I work out of frustration, I work out of sadness, I work out of anger. I find that I work all quite too often. I believe I am lonely. I wish I could make a friend, but I haven’t the time for such luxuries. It’s about time I get back to my work, I hope the heavens will find this letter quite amusing.
Signing off, Ludwing V.B.
Feli frowned. Ludwig sounded awfully sad. He couldn’t even begin to imagine if he wasn’t able to hang out with his family…
He quickly pulled out paper and a pencil and began to write furiously. He fiercely stuck his letter back into the bottle and ran back to the dining room to grab his cork.
“Feliciano, where are you heading off to at this hour?” Julius called after him as he was lacing up his boots.
“I’ll be right back Grandpa, I promise!” He shouted while rolling his bike out the door.
Feli pedaled as fast as his legs could manage, eventually taking him back to the beach. He hopped off and ran to the shore, tossing the bottle with all his might into the water. It landed with a thud and a splash as Feli fell to the sand. He didn’t know how it would make it back to Ludwig, or if it was even going to, but he held faith. Ludwig needed a friend. He needed to not be so lonely. Feli needed it too.