Miss Olivia,

I feel as though a scoundrel even writing this. Alas, I am consumed by ebullience at the thought that you will finally receive my writings. I am profoundly under the obligation of General Lafayette for seemingly keeping you engrossed on your travel. However, now I will take my allegiance to engross you even further. 

So, you have reached the climax of my 3 weeks worth of letters. I would not expect you had read them all, but all that matters is that you have reached this point. I congratulate you for your contribution. For every letter you sent attached, I was encompassed in delectation. By no means should I form a conjecture, but it seems as though your language has improved remarkably.

In regards to Mr Hamilton, it seems that we are both as attentive as one another. Although I suspect I am placed under scrutiny, he always writes, nevertheless. It is a sensational exposition of a path into our future, should he accept me. Meanwhile, there is no one here to accept you other than I.

Your Sister no longer visits, to which I apprehend. I believe she had never anticipated to develop any close friendships here. She is secure with you, with the addition of Mr Laurens. When you next write to him, send him my deepest condolences. War is corrupt, and to be fighting alone is a curse.

Mrs Hamilton also takes a liking to me. She has invited me and Valentino for dinner on countless occasions, for all we gladly undertook. Yet I must confess, the atmosphere is grim without you. I struggle for breathe and reach out for you. But you never appear. And I face the reality that you will not, not until you break from the war and visit immediately. Otherwise I shall suffocate if not submissed by your touch.

Find enveloped a sum of $1.50, a donation from all of the children.

Adieu, My Love.

- C. Fernández

~

To Y̶/̶  Olivia,

How are things in England? I might go there someday. Maybe when the baby is born we can go on a family day out! But can babies survive on ships? I hope so.

Enough about babies and more about me. I'm fine, thanks for asking. Sally is doing fantastic, I've taught her how to play dead! She's a smart dog. I don't know what Alexander has against dogs. Especially Sally.

You've probably gotten a letter, but whatever. Charles is doing great. Him and V̶a̶l̶l̶e̶ V̶a̶l̶e̶n̶t̶i̶ V̶a̶l̶e̶n̶e̶t̶i̶n̶  Valentino came over yesterday. I̶ ̶t̶h̶i̶n̶k̶ ̶t̶h̶e̶y̶ ̶l̶i̶k̶e̶d̶ ̶m̶y̶ ̶n̶e̶w̶ ̶p̶l̶a̶y̶ ̶d̶e̶a̶d̶ ̶t̶r̶i̶c̶k̶.̶ ̶W̶a̶i̶t̶ ̶d̶i̶d̶n̶'̶t̶ ̶t̶h̶e̶i̶r̶ ̶p̶a̶r̶e̶n̶t̶s̶ ̶d̶i̶e̶ ̶o̶n̶ ̶a̶ ̶s̶h̶i̶p̶?̶  I think they like Sally. She's cute.

I'll put this in a new paragraph because it's relevant. To make you happy, Charles is recovering. He still looks pretty pale, but he doesn't seem sick anymore. Doctor Hosak even talked to me about it. And he's a doctor. So Charles is gonna be fine. And maybe you two can have a baby and go England on a ship. But I don't think C̶h̶a̶r̶l̶e̶s̶ ̶l̶i̶k̶e̶s̶ ̶s̶h̶i̶p̶s̶  taking a newborn baby on a ship is a good idea.

You're with the Frenchman, right? Laf. I don't know the rest of his name. But tell him I said hi. And since you're going to a ball, don't hook up with anyone. Or I'll tell Charles. And you two are going to have babies.

Okay, love you!

- Emmy <3

~

(Y/N POV)

I laughed Emily's letter off, glancing back to Charles'.

He was recovering.

I hugged the letter close to my chest with a quiet squeal of joy. It saddened me that we were hundreds of miles apart, and I'd have to board another ship just to return. But in the end, everything would be worthwhile. I knew it would.

The fact that Emily practically announced our family to be set in the future scared me. I wouldn't lie: I was falling for him intensely. Charles wanted marriage and children to succeed his late father... I wanted that too. I wanted to make him the happiest man on this earth, after all of the turmoil he was put through.

...But could I?

I set the letter down with the stack of around 20 others, exceeding his expectations and concluded reading them all. I leaned back onto the chair, tracing out the cracks in the ceiling. Tonight was the night of the ball. The night that I was assigned to lure men in. Damn was I going to be terrible at it.

Lafayette knocked at my door gently. "Come in." I called out. He'd just returned from the town, searching for masks for the ball. I'd never been to a masquerade before, so this would be a unique experience of mine.

He entered with three contrasting masks in his hands. "I couldn't decide which you would prefer, so I'll let you be your own judge." He laid them out onto the desk. I closely inspected each.
"Uh-huh. Which have you decided upon?"
Withdrawing from his satchel, Lafayette presented a golden mask, almost fit for royalty.

I chuckled hysterically. "How much did these cost you?!"
"Much." Lafayette grunted. "I want us to look our best. Make the finest impression."
I resorted back to the masks. The first to my left was dark and mysterious. It was bound to bring out your eyes.

The middle differed. It took a much more subtle approach, revealing the innocence of the possesser.

And the final, again, contrasted. It was materialistic, flaunting its wealth and status to all who witnessed it.

Considering the multiple options I could take, I made my final decision. "This." I pointed to the mask of my preference. "It's perfect for tonight."
"Are you sure?" Lafayette questioned with a sceptical look crossing him. "Personally, Madmoiselle, I'd choose-"
"I'm sure, Laf." I confirmed. "As you said yourself, I'll be my own judge."

Lafayette slipped his mask on, checking himself out in the mirror. I did the same with mine. Passionately, he offered his hand out in front of me, holding a bow. "Good evening to you, Mrs Hurst." he introduced in his attempt of a British accent.
I giggled. "Good evening, Mr Hurst."
"You are looking extravagant tonight, M'Lady." He kissed my knuckles.
Whilst he stayed in character, I couldn't contain my laughter. "Oh, such a charmer!"

"Shall we, Madam?" I rose from my feet with my arm hooked in his.
"We shall."

~~~~~~~~~~

So I made Emily and Charles using this app called Dollify.

Here's how they turned out.