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“Woah, you ‘kay there Diana?”
The girl in question held a small stack of envelopes regarding a certain topic.
Potential Suitors.
Male suitors to be specific.
The Cavendish let out an uncharacteristic growl, one unbefitting of someone within her ranks.
She lifted and waved her wand, burning the letters in one foul swoop.
“Yes, I’m quite alright…It’s nothing to worry about.” The sentence sounded forced and strained, Akko took note of this but chose not to mention it. The blonde walked over towards her bed, where her lover sat. “My apologies for not giving you my full attention, I had to tend to some not-so-lovely letters from my ‘dearest’ Aunt.” Diana sat next to her, straightening her skirt in the process.
“Jeez, what’d she do this time?” Akko rolled her eyes at the mention of Diana’s Aunt Daryl, recalling the memory of her being poisoned by giant venomous snakes. Honestly! What was her problem? The following experiences Akko had with Daryl were better than their first, but certainly not the best. “Is she seriously still trying to set you up? Does she not remember that you have an amazing, totally cool and awesome girlfriend at home?” Akko leaned in closer in a teasing manner, hoping to elicit a flustered response from the girl.
And it certainly worked…from her perspective.
Yes, Diana was red, flushed, and sweating bullets. However…It was not because of her girlfriend’s horrid excuse of a pick-up line. It was for a reason of much higher importance.
No one from Diana’s immediate family knew about their relationship.
Hell, not even Anna did.
‘This is not good.’
＊*•̩̩͙✩•̩̩͙*˚ ✯ ˚*•̩̩͙✩•̩̩͙*＊
Over the course of a couple weeks, a new pile of letters appeared, from none other than Diana’s Aunt. The heiress prepared to burn the letters like she usually would. Yet, to her surprise, nothing happened. She tried once more but to no avail. Magic was stronger than ever due to the revival of the Yggdrasil so it certainly wasn’t a lack of magic in the area nor was it a lack of her aptitude in the field.
‘She must have put a barrier on it…’
With a sigh of defeat, Diana opened the latest letter much to her disinterest.
‘My Dearest Niece,
I’ve spent quite a lot of money for this barrier, so listen carefully.
I notice that you have quite the disinterest for my endevours in trying to find a suitable suitor for you, going as far as to not even read my letters.
I’m sure you know that we’ve had our differences in the past, though I hope you know I don’t utterly despise you.
If the true reason for your disinterest is because there is a… ‘special’ man in your life then do let me know, i’ll be sure to…keep an open mind. Or at least try to.
-Sincerely, Daryl Cavendish’
Diana’s grip on the letter tightened as she read.
Every ounce of her being, all the past interactions, moments, altercations she’s had with her Aunt told her that it was a trap.
A lie.
That this was all some ruse to somehow deal even more harm to her.
And yet…
Diana couldn’t shake off the essence of sincerity coated in the letter.
The thought and care that was put into each sentence, word, and letter.
The heiress sighed.
She was about to do something utterly foolish.
—
‘My dearest Aunt
Dear Aunt Daryl,
I appreciate your sudden open mindedness regarding my personal life…
Your theory on why I am so against the idea of you finding suitors for me yourself is correct, though there are some other reasons that play a much bigger role. There is in fact someone special in my life currently.’
Diana paused and gripped on her fountain pen before continuing.
‘I have reasons to believe that this person may not be up to your “standards”, but…I’m hoping that you’ll keep up your earlier statement about keeping an open mind. This…
girl
woman
fellow student of mine
person, is quite important to me. I simply wanted to let you know.’
‘It’d be best if I didn’t tell her just yet…’ Diana sighed at the thought and wrote on.
‘How…are things looking back at the Manor?
-Sincerely yours, Diana Cavendish’
The blonde folded up the letter and slipped it carefully into its envelope. She pressed on the wax seal of the letter with as much precision as she could considering her hands were shaking like there was no tomorrow.
Even so, she couldn’t help but feel like something good would come out of this.
“Whatcha doing?” Akko said in a sing-songy voice as she snuck up behind her.
“Goodness! Akko…” Diana placed her hand on her chest from the fright that the brunette had given her. “How did you get in?”
“Hannah opened the door for me!” She smiled as she plopped herself on Diana’s bed comfortably. “Did something good happen?”
“I’m sorry?”
“Nothing, it’s just that…you were smiling pretty widely when I came in.” Akko grinned.
Diana put her palm up to her face.
“Oh? is that so…Well, I suppose you could say that.”
＊*•̩̩͙✩•̩̩͙*˚ ✯ ˚*•̩̩͙✩•̩̩͙*＊
To say that Daryl Cavendish was surprised when she opened the letter from her niece would be an understatement. She did not expect her to actually have someone special in her life, not that Diana wasn’t capable of acquiring the interest of a man but rather the other way around.
Daryl recalled the many times Diana had rejected some of the most influential and handsome men she’d seen in her life.
‘That girl, honestly…’
Daryl looked back at the letter, specifically one sentence written on the letter.
‘How…are things looking back at the Manor?’
It was rare of her niece to be asking about anything going on in Daryl’s life, preferring to be straight-foward and only write about what was needed. Though there was one other thing about it all that piqued her interest.
Why exactly would this man not be up to her ‘standards’?
Surely a man that has acquired the attention of her niece would at least be equal in terms of overall achievements and role in society, no?
‘I’ll have to press for more details…’
-
Akko panted as she pulled away. She didn’t need a mirror to know she looked like a mess.
But, hey, at least she was making out with the hottest girl in school, right?
Knock, Knock, Knock.
Diana snapped her head to the side, pulling her attention towards the sudden sound.
“I should get that…” The blonde got up from the couch leaving her lover pouting at the loss of touch.
The heiress straightneded her hair and skirt, preparing herself before she opened the door.
“Can I help you–? Oh!” Diana took the letter from the one of the Goblins, whom she didn’t know the name of, Akko probably did though.
Akko leaned over to see what was going on, her excitement nearly doubling once she’d figured it out.
“Oh! Is it a letter from Daryl?” She looked like some puppy waiting for her meal, Diana smiled at this thought. “Can I burn it this time? Can I?” Akko ran up to the door to better make her point. “I’ve been practicing my fire magic, so I wanna try burning them this time!”
“I act-actually wasn’t planning on burning these…” Diana had no idea why she stuttered there. Akko took note of this uncharacteristic behaviour.
“Oh…that's fine! Can we go back…y’know…”
＊*•̩̩͙✩•̩̩͙*˚ ✯ ˚*•̩̩͙✩•̩̩͙*＊
‘My Dearest Niece,
It gave me quite the shock when I learned I was correct in assuming there was someone that had caught your interest, though you were quite vague. I’d like some more details, like appearance, achievements, perhaps what made him catch your attention? It’s not everyday that you open up about your own personal life.
Of course, only if you wish to share more.
And yes, things are going alright in the Manor. I appreciate your curiosity.
How are you doing at school? I’m assuming it’s a bit too easy for you as always.
-Sincerly, Your Aunt, Daryl Cavendish’
Diana read the letter late at night, when Akko and the rest of the academy had gone to sleep. She suspected that her vagueness in the first letter would shine through and seems as though she was right.
Opening up to her Aunt wasn’t quite as terrifying as she thought it’d be. She can tell that she was trying to be understanding and present in her life. So it wouldn’t hurt to open up even more…
Alright. She’ll have to describe Akko in a way that doesn’t give too much away.
That shouldn’t be too hard.
‘Dear Aunt Daryl,
I…Apologise for my earlier vagueness. I suppose I’ll describe them for you, I wouldn’t necessarily want to leave you in the dark.
I don’t care much for appearance, though they look…
beautiful
gorgeous
mesmerising, at least in my eyes.
Their achievements are like no other, though if I describe them to you I’m sure you’d immediately find out their identity and I’d like to keep that private. For now at the very least.
For what made them catch my attention, by the nine where do I even begin? it would have to be their unwavering determination and persistence. While I thought it to be an inconvenience in the past, now, it's something that truly…resonated within me.’
Diana fought hard to suppress the raging redness that spread throughout her face, neck, and even the tips of her ears. She couldn’t help it, describing Akko so lovingly made her just a teensy bit shy. Especially when she was describing her to none other than her traditional Aunt.
‘School is going well, however, believe it or not, I am struggling with a couple things…
-Sincerely Yours, Your Niece, Diana Cavendish’
-
These past two weeks were the most Diana had ever opened up to her Aunt and frankly neither of them knew why this change began.
Daryl placed her Niece’s letter on her desk, leaning on her hand whilst she looked outside her window pondering.
‘My, he’s got quite the chokehold on my Niece…’
＊*•̩̩͙✩•̩̩͙*˚ ✯ ˚*•̩̩͙✩•̩̩͙*＊
Akko pondered as she walked to her room. Lately, Diana’s been…off. She’s been hiding things. Writing letters to who she assumed was a girl. Getting all nervous and flushed when she mentioned it…Honestly she just wanted to know what was going on!
Because of that, she hadn’t been able to hang out with Diana, because she was busy with an ‘essay’ . Yeah right, like Diana Cavendish would wait to write an essay the day before it was due.
I mean what was she even hiding?
Akko put her hands in her pockets and grumbled.
‘Hold on, it's not that, is it?’
No, of course not! Diana would never.
-
“Sucyy…” Akko groaned and grovelled beneath the other witch.
“Look, I don’t wanna hear about your relationship problems.” Sucy retorted back, rolling her eyes. “Frankly, I didn’t even know you had any since you’ve been busy in paradise ever since you got together.”
“That’s not…! They aren’t problems!” To be honest, Akko would’ve asked Lotte for this kind of stuff. While her ideas of romance were…far from reality, it was better than whatever Sucy might have to offer.
“Fine, one bit of advice, then you leave. Got it?” Sucy dropped her book on her desk annoyed and crossed her arms.
Akko straightened up with joy and prepared her rant.
She took one deep breath and opened her mouth.
Only for her mind to betray her, resulting in not a single word coming out of her mouth.
Sucy had a blank look on her face.
“H-hold on! This is way too embarrassing!!”
“Just spit it out.” The pale witch retorted with as much fake malice she could muster.
Akko swallowed down any bit of nervousness she had and finally spoke.
“So um– Basically…” The brunette took one look into Sucy’s eyes and knew she had to spit it out fast before she shoves a vial of poison down her throat.
“Diana’sbeenactingreallyweiratelyandbyweirdImeansneakingoutsomeletterswithafancylookingsymbolthingonitandwheneverIquestionhershe’salwaysreallyredand–”
“What the hell are you even saying?”
Okay. Wayyy too fast.
“I think Diana’s cheating on me!”
Crickets.
“Are you stupid?” Akko tilted her head in confusion, she thought it was a pretty reasonable conclusion. Sucy sighed. “Alright look even if you think she did —which she never would, that aristocrat is head over heels for you— just talk to her?” Sucy turned away, averting Akko’s gaze. “Communication is key. Or whatever. Just get outta here before I resort to sending you flying instead.” The witch grumbled.
That advice…actually wasn’t that bad.
“You know what that makes sense…Yeah…Yeah!” Akko bolted out of the room waving her hand at the other girl. “Thanks a bunch Sucy! I owe you one!”
Then she turned back and peeked through the door. “Actually, I take that back. I don't wanna accidentally become part of another experiment of yours.”
-
‘Alright Akko…You can do this.’
She turned her head towards the massive doors of the blue team dorm room. Behind them awaited her girlfriend, one she was about to have a super duper serious talk with, one she was gonna have to…confront…and– and–
‘Gah! I can’t do this! Alright time to turn back, ABORT, ABORT.’ She quickly turned and prepared to run away from the situation before a voice called out to her.
“Akko?”
“H-hey there Diana! Fancy seeing you here, actually I was just about to go so—”
“What are you doing out here? you’re gonna catch a cold if you stay out too long.” Diana opened up her doors wider, her tone of voice filled with nothing but genuine concern. “Come in, just to warm up at least.”
Akko gulped and entered.
Holy shit, is she really gonna go through with this?
“Apologies but we ran out of tea…I’m sure I can find something else for you to–”
“Nah, It’s–It’s alright. I didn’t come for that anyway—”
“Oh, you came here for a reason?” Diana asked, who stopped in her tracks the moment she heard that.
‘Oh my god, I’m such an idiot!’
“Are you alright, love? You’re sweating bullets…” Diana walked towards Akko.
Okay. Akko really needed to think of a plan and fast. Why was she about to blame the absolute sweetest girl in the world for cheating? Yeah, she was hiding some letters from her while blushing, sweating and stuttering. Yeah, she was writing to some girl while smiling. But that doesn’t mean anything right? She’s just being insecure! Yeah…there was absolutely nothing to worry about—
“Are you cheating on me!” Akko raised her voice teary-eyed. “Just be honest alright! I swear I can take it—”
“Of course not!” Diana raised her voice, though not in a way that was negative. “Why would you–”
“Then who are you writing letters to and smiling about…” Akko frowned and avoided Diana’s eyes.
“It’s–It’s a little embarrassing…”
“I’m gonna walk out of this room if you don’t!”
“I was writing about you.” Diana said with as much care and love she could fit into a singular sentence. “To-to my Aunt…”
Akko looked her dead in the eyes before speaking. “Look if you're just gonna sit here and lie to my face then I might as well jump out this window–!”
“I-I’m not! I’ve started to better my relationship with her and I started talk-talking about you almost everyday and–and—”
“Alright I believe you!” Akko was red all over. Diana didn’t like to outwardly express her love, instead conveying it through various small acts of service or physical touch. So all this happening all at once was a little much for the brunette.
“My apologies for hiding things from you. To tell you the truth I was a bit embarrassed about how much I wrote about you…though that's not an excuse.” Diana held Akko’s hands in hers. “How would you…like to officially meet my Aunt. As my lover this time. To make it up to you."
Akko was so close to passing out. But she couldn’t! Not now, she wouldn’t be able to forgive herself!
“Y-yes of course!”
Diana smiled at her eagerness. However it was quickly replaced with something else.
“Ah…There is one problem…”