Julian would do anything you asked of him to win you back.

You and Julian had been together during Caraval, until you found out he’d lied to you. You’d taken him back again—only for him to lie again. It’d been a while since he’d done anything of the sort, but you still hadn’t entirely forgiven him.

5 weeks ago, Julian left on a trip his brother, Legend, sent him on. He’d told you it would only take a week, and he couldn’t write—1 week turned to 2, then 3, 4, and 5, and you hadn’t heard a thing, until he’d shown up today at your home.

You had been on your way to meet your former fiancé, Count Nicolas D’arcy, when he’d shown up. He insisted on being your chaperone for the meeting, much to your chagrin.

You’d arrived and met the Count, and not even two minutes later, the men were already arguing.

“I’m glad this isn’t just a game to you, Julian, but maybe it should be. Perhaps we should turn this into a courtship competition.” You say. The words immediately felt like a mistake. But the bemused glances of your gentlemen felt like a victory.

It took a few moments to convince them, but you managed to do it.

“What’s the first challenge?” Nicolas asked.

You tried to remember what she’d read in the history books. But this was your game, and you could do it however she wanted. “Each of you must bring me a gift within the next three days, but it must be one you’ve never given to anyone else.”

“Will we get a prize if we bring the best gift?” Julian asked.

“Yes,” you said, “I’ll give a kiss to the winner of each individual challenge, and at the end of the game, I’ll marry whoever wins.”

It was the sort of thing Tella would have said. It was bold, and it made you feel bold as well.

But feelings never lasted, and the result of this game would.