Vol 1 Chapter 21: Caelan and the Secret Letter to Sister Clara

Morning in Rose Valley…

POV: Caelan El Rose – Mommy’s Little Daughter

“Caelan, honey… wake up… it’s morning.”

I opened my eyes and saw Mommy gently shaking my body. Mommy was so, so beautiful. Her silver hair sparkled in the sunlight.

I sat up and rubbed my eyes.

“Good morning, Mom…” I said with a big yawn.

“Hurry and get changed and brush your teeth, honey. Breakfast is ready,” my mother said softly.

I stretched out both arms toward her, asking to be carried.

“Mom… help Caelan get dressed,” I whimpered.

Mommy smiled and let out a soft sigh.

“Caelan truly is Mommy’s little daughter…” Mommy pinched my cheek. It tickled. “Come here, honey.”

Mommy hugged me. I loved being hugged by Mommy.

It felt so warm. I love you, Mommy.

…

After Mommy helped me change my clothes and brush my teeth, she held my hand and guided me to the dining room.

I climbed onto the wooden chair. Mommy helped me up.

A warm, sweet, savory smell drifted into my nose. I turned toward the table. There were honey toast, sunny-side-up eggs, warm milk, and steamed vegetables waiting in front of me.

Drool accidentally dripped from my mouth. I grabbed the honey toast and ate it greedily.

Mommy’s cooking was so delicious. I wanted to eat Mommy’s cooking forever. Hehe…

“honey… eat slowly! Your lips are messy,” Mommy said as she wiped my mouth.

“Thank you, Mom. Caelan loves Mommy,” I said, hugging her tightly.

Mommy gently patted my back. I tightened my hug. I liked it when Mommy patted my back.

I released my hug. Mommy smiled, sitting beside me with a white napkin in her hand.

I looked at the chair across the table. It was empty. Yesterday, Big Sister Clara always sat there, keeping me company during breakfast.

I looked up at Mommy’s face and puffed my cheeks.

“Mom… when is Big Sister Clara coming home?”

Mommy’s lips flattened. She patted my head.

“honey… Big Sister Clara is still busy working in the capital,” Mommy said.

I lowered my head.

“But… Caelan wants to play with Big Sister Clara…” I whimpered.

Mommy stroked my silver hair. It felt so nice.

“If Caelan wants Big Sister Clara to come home soon, Caelan can send her a miss-you letter. Yesterday, Mommy taught Caelan how to write a letter, right?” Mommy said softly.

“A letter for Big Sister Clara?” I looked up at her gentle face.

“Yes, honey. Big Sister Clara loves sweet girls like Caelan the most. Mommy can help you write a letter if you want,” Mommy said.

“I want to write a miss-you letter for Big Sister Clara. But—” I shook my head. “Mommy can’t peek at Caelan’s letter, okay?”

“Why not, honey?” Mommy asked with a gentle smile.

“Caelan wants to make a secret letter for Big Sister Clara, Mom. If Mommy knows that I miss her sooo much and want to play with her again, then it won’t be a secret anymore.”

“This letter is a secret between Caelan and Big Sister Clara. Mommy can’t know,” I said, puffing my chest proudly.

Mommy covered her mouth. I heard a tiny little sound from her lips. Then she lowered her hand.

“Mommy won’t peek. The letter is a secret between you and Big Sister Clara,” Mommy said with a smile. “Finish your breakfast, honey.”

Mommy took a piece of toast with a fork, cut it with a knife, and ate slowly. I tugged at the hem of her dress.

Mommy stopped eating and turned to me.

“What is it, honey?”

“Mom, after Caelan finishes the letter for Big Sister Clara… how does Caelan send it?” I asked while touching my chin in confusion.

“Caelan doesn’t need to worry. Mommy will help send your letter using Mr Pigeon,” Mommy said.

“Mr Pigeon?”

“Yes, honey. The pigeon will take your letter to the capital and deliver it to Big Sister Clara,” Mommy said.

“Wow… Mr Pigeon is super nice. Thank you, Mom. Hehe…” I said, laughing happily.

“You’re welcome, honey.”

Mommy tried feeding me some soft-boiled spinach. I’d eaten it before, and it tasted flat—so yucky.

I covered my mouth with both hands. I didn’t want Mommy to feed me the yucky vegetables. I wanted honey toast.

“Open your mouth, honey,” Mommy said with a small sigh.

“Caelan doesn’t like boiled spinach, Mom. Caelan wants honey toast,” I whined, keeping my mouth shut tight.

Mommy lowered the spoon. Her lips curved downward.

“It’s okay if Caelan doesn’t like vegetables. But if you don’t eat your vegetables, you won’t grow up pretty like Mommy.”

My palms suddenly trembled. I lowered my hands.

“Caelan doesn’t like vegetables. But Caelan wants to grow up like Mommy,” I said, opening my mouth.

Mommy smiled and fed me. I chewed the wet vegetable. It still tasted bad. But Mommy gave me warm milk.

“Drink your milk first, honey,” Mommy said, handing me the cup.

“Caelan likes warm milk,” I said while drinking it. “Hehe… it’s delicious.”

“Good. Now finish the vegetables, okay?” Mommy coaxed.

“Okay, Mom,” I nodded obediently.

Mommy kept feeding me the soft vegetables until the plate was empty. Then she gently patted my head.

“Good girl. Caelan really is Mommy’s daughter,” she praised.

I loved being praised by Mommy. I wanted more praise. Hehe…

Mommy and I finished breakfast until all the plates and cups were empty. Mommy carried them away.

“Mommy will wash the dishes now, honey.” She smiled softly. “Do you want to write your letter alone or with Mommy’s help?”

“I can write it myself. Mommy just has to help send it with Mr Pigeon.”

“Have fun, honey,” Mommy said. “If you want paper and a pen, you can take them from Mommy’s locker.”

“Okay, Mom. I’ll write the letter. Don’t peek,” I said as I climbed down from my little chair.

Mommy just smiled and walked to the kitchen, carrying the dishes. I stood there, staring at her back. Then I headed to Mommy’s room.

I opened the door. It creaked. I stepped inside Mommy’s room.

I stood in front of her silver-colored desk. I looked at the top of the table. There was a photo of Mommy and me.

Mommy stood behind me in a crimson rose dress, hugging my neck. I wore a dress that matched hers.

I was holding a bouquet of roses. It was our New Year's photo. I loved that photo. I loved taking pictures with Mommy.

Caelan really, really loves Mommy. I want to take more pictures with Mommy.

I looked up at the ceiling while holding my chin. Not just with Mommy—I wanted to take pictures in the rose fields next year with Mommy and Big Sister Clara.

I couldn’t wait to take pictures together. Big Sister Clara was already my Big Sister after all. Hehe…

Then, I opened the drawer under the photo. Inside, I saw Mommy’s belongings. There were two silver necklaces. I picked one up… it had a beautiful rose-shaped pendant.

I put it back. Then, I took one of the notebooks. I opened it—still empty. I placed it on the table.

I squinted, peeking deeper into the drawer. Inside, there was a small silver box. I took it out.

I tried to open it. But—

“Ugh…”

The box was so hard to open. I pulled at the lid while biting my lip. The hinge creaked. Finally, it opened.

Inside the silver box were various hair-care tools: a silver comb, dried flower clips, and little ribbons that Mommy usually used to tie my hair.

I picked up the shiny silver comb. But when I lifted it, something fell onto the floor.

I placed the comb and the silver box on the table. Then, I picked up a piece of black-and-white ribbon from the floor.

I stared at the ribbon. I sniffed it… it smelled like wet soil mixed with a faint scent of roses.

I tugged and stretched the ribbon. It shrank and expanded like rubber. Then—

“Puff…”

A wisp of thin smoke drifted into the air. The smoke brushed my cheek. It felt wet and cold like morning fog.

“Tap… tap…”

I heard footsteps approaching. Then Mommy’s voice called out to me.

“Caelan, honey. What are you doing?” Mommy asked.

Mommy stood behind me. Her eyes widened slightly.

I tilted my head and showed her the black-and-white ribbon.

“Look, Mom. This ribbon can make fog.” I tugged it again. “The fog is really cold.”

Mommy knelt down and patted my head. I looked up and saw my reflection in Mommy’s blue eyes.

“Caelan, honey. That is Mommy’s secret item,” Mommy said softly. “You also want to make a secret letter for Big Sis Clara, right?”

“Yes, Mom,” I nodded.

“Would Caelan want Mommy peeking at your secret letter?”

“No, Mom. A secret letter can only be seen by Caelan and Big Sis Clara,” I said, shaking my head firmly.

“It’s the same for Mommy.” Mommy smiled. “That ribbon is Mommy’s secret item. Caelan should ask Mommy first before touching it. Do you understand?”

“I understand, Mom,” I said as I handed her the ribbon.

“Sorry, Mom. Caelan peeked at Mommy’s secret things,” I mumbled while lowering my head.

“As long as Caelan understands now, it’s alright, honey.” Mommy stroked my hair.

I looked up and watched her place the black-and-white ribbon and the silver comb back into the silver box.

Then, Mom gave me a notebook, eraser, pen, and crayons neatly wrapped in a pink pouch.

“Caelan can make your secret letter using this stationery,” Mommy said, passing them to me.

“Thank you, Mom,” I said, lifting the pink pouch into the air happily.

Mommy tidied up the silver table. She also straightened the position of the photo. Then, she took my hand.

Mommy walked toward the door. I glanced behind her and saw thin grey mist leaking from the drawer. The mist hovered in the air before fading.

I touched my head. What kind of mist was that?

“What is it, honey?”

Mommy called me. I looked up and saw her smiling at me.

“Nothing, Mom. Caelan can’t wait to write a secret letter for Big Sis Clara,” I said excitedly.

“Good. Caelan can write your letter in your room. Mommy will send it once you’re done,” Mommy said gently.

“Mommy is the best,” I said.

…

Mommy brought me to my room. Then she left me inside. I sat on my soft chair.

I swung my legs. I tore a sheet from the notebook. Then I picked up a pen.

“Big Sis Clara is busy… Caelan has to find a way to make Big Sis Clara remember to come home!” I muttered.

My hand began moving across the white paper. I wrote a secret letter for Big Sis Clara. Mommy would never know… Caelan misses her and wants to play with her again. Hehe…

I gripped my pen tightly. Oh no… the words were crooked. I erased them. Then I wrote again.

Suddenly, the afternoon arrived. I drew a big heart at the bottom of the letter. Then I colored it red with a crayon.

I wiped the sweat from my forehead. Finally, the secret letter for Big Sis Clara was done. Big Sis Clara would definitely be happy with Caelan’s letter.

“Caelan, honey… lunch is ready!”

Mommy’s voice suddenly called me. I folded the paper into a small square. I climbed down from my chair. Then, I headed to the dining room.

“Mom… Caelan’s secret letter for Big Sis Clara is finished,” I said, handing the little square to Mommy. “Don’t peek, okay?”

Mommy smiled and said, “Mommy won’t peek, honey. Go wash your hands first. After that, you can have lunch, alright?”

“Okay, Mom.”

I went to the bathroom to wash my hands. Then I returned to the dining room.

I climbed onto the wooden chair. Mommy served roasted beef. Yay!

“Let’s eat, honey.” Mommy sliced the meat thinly. Then she fed me. “Ah… open your mouth.”

“Mm… it’s so good, Mom,” I said, holding my cheeks.

That afternoon, I had lunch with Mommy again. Mommy fed me until I was full. Mommy truly was the best in the whole world. Hehe…

—

Three Days Later in the Capital…

POV: Detective Clara – Royal Detective

Clara walked down the corridor of the Rose Guard’s office. She passed by a blonde female staff member.

“Miss Clara… you’ve returned.” The woman smiled softly. “You cut your hair?”

Clara gave a small smile. “Yes. My hair was so long it would reach the floor if I didn’t tie it up. I cut it shorter so it wouldn’t hinder my mobility.”

“You look more charming this way, Miss.” She handed Clara a pink-colored letter. “This letter is for you, Miss Clara.”

“A letter for me?” Clara pointed at herself.

“Yes. It came from Rose Valley. Perhaps one of your admirers sent you a letter of praise,” the blonde explained.

“Thank you,” Clara said as she accepted it.

“I’ll take my leave. May you have a pleasant day, Miss Clara.” The woman bowed respectfully and walked away.

Clara stood still for a moment. Then she headed to her room. She sat quietly in her work chair. Before her, a stack of documents lay on the desk, waiting for her touch.

But Clara’s eyes remained on the pink letter. A faint scent of roses drifted from it. Clara smiled. She carefully broke the seal and took out the white paper.

She read it closely. Her green eyes grew misty.

Dear Big Sis Clara,
Caelan is at home with Mommy.
Mommy says Big Sis is busy working.
Caelan waits every day.
Big Sis Clara promised to play with Caelan again, right?
Don’t lie, Big Sis!
Caelan kept the rose Big Sis gave me.
The rose is dried now.
The smell of the flower is fading.
But Caelan still remembers their smile.
Don’t be sad in the city, Big Sis.
Or Caelan will be sad too.
Mommy also feels sad when Caelan is sad.
So Big Sis Clara must stay strong!
Don’t forget to come home.
Caelan is waiting at home for Big Sis Clara.
From Caelan – your little sister.❤

The handwriting was messy. Rough strokes ran across the paper, as if written by someone who had only recently learned to write. Still, the words were clear enough to read without a magnifying glass. At the very end, a crayon-colored heart was drawn.

“Caelan…” she whispered. “Why are you so kind… so sweet…”

Clara pressed the letter to her chest for a moment. She could feel the lingering warmth left behind by the little silver-haired girl. She couldn’t suppress the smile that formed on her lips. She slipped the letter into her leather wallet.

Then, Clara stood. She walked toward the door and reached for the black coat hanging on the hook. Her hand grasped the doorknob—but stopped.

Not because of duty, not because of fear, but because… her heart had begun to miss her. Clara missed Caelan’s innocent laughter.

Amid her investigation and the dust of a past the world had chosen to forget, a new, pure intention bloomed in the heart of a royal investigator: to protect the laughter of a little girl.

“Caelan… I’ll come back. Wait for me—” she whispered.

Clara stepped outside and began her new journey.

Author's Note: This chapter has been rewritten.