Dear Diary

Year F319 10th Month 3rd Day

Dear Diary,

My esteemed Father gifted me a pen and a notebook. The paper feels softer than that of the books in the library. I will treasure this because it was one of the few gifts from Father.

My name is Anastasia Carpet. The accent is in the ‘pet’ instead of the ‘car’ so people would not mistake us for the item of the same name. My Father is a Duke, which is a big deal.

I hope to write a lot of words and become a fine lady.

Year F319 10th Month 10th Day

Dear Diary,

My esteemed Father has introduced me to my future fiancé. The first prince of Korama. Guillaume Bourbon. The prince seemed eager. He kept calling me ‘weak’ and ‘stupid’ and ‘just a girl’. Absolutely, simply a way to test my character. How clever.

Of course, I responded in a manner fitting for a lady of my stature, applying what I had learned in years of my noble education.

Year F320 7th Month 21st Day

Dear Diary,

Because of my comments in passing about how much I am terrified of wolves, His Highness has brought a wolf for me to help me overcome my fears. The beast was hungry, but muzzled. He ordered me to hold a slab of meat. The beast jumped and pinned me down. Its snout poked against my face even behind the leather restraints. Due to its thick fur, my dress was damp with sweat and I felt dizzy.

Predictably, I cried because of the weakness of my mind, as His Highness laughed and encouraged the wolf to attack me. He had faith that I could withstand the challenge, but I failed.

In the end, he commented that buying a wolf was worth it after all. I concur.

Year F321 3rd Month 7th Day

Dear Diary,

I have taken up the hobby of sewing. It is a noblewoman’s pastime, even though it is less common for one of my status to partake in. Servants would actually leave me alone for hours to give me the peace and quiet needed to sew something beautiful.

Father brought up in a letter that shutting myself in my room would be a waste of precious time that could instead be used for balls and tea parties. But since I had shown over and over again that I could finish my duties and lessons on time. He acquiesced and allowed me to take some time to engage in the hobby. He is too busy to have time to argue anyway. I understand.

Year F322 8th Month 3rd Day

Dear Diary,

This day, His Highness had decided to show his resolve by pretending to be a wolf. Dressing himself up to look like a beastkin, His Highness displayed an amazing message to anyone, especially his retainers. The appearance and blood of a person do not matter. Only their merit and hard work. He was even growling and crawling on all fours, to the chagrin of his guards. For a brief period, I truly thought that he was a wolf there to prey on me. Once again, I screamed. My failures had piled up taller, and I just couldn’t get myself to stay calm in the face of a feral-looking beast before me. Nor could I see through His Highness’s brilliant acting that did not even utilize any rumored disguise spells.

Year F323 5th Month 8th Day

Dear Diary,

Today an orphanage will be opened in my name. I have negotiated for its establishment and hired someone to manage the finances. Father sent me a brief letter to instruct me to continue with noble acts for years to come. The institution accepts both humans and beastkins. My next plans hopefully can give beastkins more opportunities that humans take for granted.

It would be great if we could all just get along.

Year F325 4th Month 1st Day

Dear Diary,

It finally came time for me to enter the Korama Royal Academy. What a wonderful day to make new friends and start my three years with my fiancé. I wonder what I can learn here. I am ever so excited to find out and hope with my whole heart that I will have the most fulfilling time here.

Year F325 5th Month 23th Day

Dear Diary,

I saw His Highness speaking with the only beastkin student that I had worked hard to grant admittance to the academy. Even human commoners couldn’t hope for such a chance, but I called in all the favors I could to make that happen. I was ever so relieved to see His Highness getting along with Ms. Danica. It served as a good show of His Highness’s acceptance of beastkins, and communicated how much His Highness values the push for the improvement of beastkins’ living conditions.

And he was smiling. I can rarely recall times that he smiled when he was with me. Maybe when I was in tears. But for the two of us to smile and laugh together like he was doing with Danica? Not once.

This once again shed light on my incompetence as his fiancée. I have to do better.

Year F326 2nd Month 12th Day

Dear Diary,

They kissed. His Highness kissed Ms. Danica. On the mouth even. I’m embarrassed just writing it. It was by complete accident that I had witnessed this event during one of my early morning walks. It has to be a misunderstanding. I am sure it was a mere trick of the light. Or maybe I have mistaken a stranger for His Highness, since he is always on my mind. There has to be another explanation for it. Perhaps it is throwing me off to see His Highness so often by Ms. Danica’s side, more so than he spends time with me, and he seems happier with her too.

I have to put in more effort.

Year F327 11th Month 25th Day

Dear Diary,

Tonight I will officially graduate from the academy. That brings about a wave of reflection. A realization that I still failed to win over His Highness, while I see him getting closer to Ms. Danica. Speaking of her, my efforts to befriend her also saw no success. Rumors spread, but I paid them no mind.

His Highness did not offer to escort me to the ball. Regardless, I have to dress up with as much extravagance as I can to compensate for the embarrassment of entering the hall alone. Hopefully, this will be enough to convince His Highness that I am worthy of a dance.