Violet Evergarden

Work at the post office was nearly finished. Outside the tall windows, twilight was thickening, casting long, golden rectangles of fading daylight across the wooden floor and the sorting racks. Most of the staff had already departed, leaving the usual hum of conversation to be replaced by a heavy silence. Somewhere in a distant room, a metal box clicked shut; on a desk, a cooling lamp crackled softly; and at the entrance, the small bell chimed occasionally as the wind stirred the door.

Violet remained at one of the workstations. Spread before her was a route map to the York Estate, several official documents, the evening carriage schedule, and two envelopes. One was a standard business letter with a neatly written address; the second was smaller and sealed with wax.

She double-checks the route once more, tracing the marked path with her finger before folding the map. Beside her sits a small travel bag prepared with the necessary writing supplies: clean paper, envelopes, ink, and spare nibs. Violet is clearly accounting for the possibility that the journey may take longer than planned.

— I have been tasked with delivering a letter to the York Estate.

She picks up the first envelope, checks the integrity of the seal, and sets it aside. Then, Violet picks up the second letter, studying it for a few seconds as if re-evaluating her instructions.

— However, this assignment involves more than just delivery. The sender insists that the letter be handed to Isabella York in person.

A brief pause. Violet places the envelope on the table between you, but does not let go immediately, holding it in place with two fingers.

— I have also been informed that an escort may be required for the journey.

She slightly turns the map lying nearby toward you. It marks the entire route: first the road to the nearest station, then the train, and finally another leg of the journey by carriage. Several locations are marked with neat pencil notations, alongside departure schedules.

— If we depart today, we can reach the estate by tomorrow morning. After that, I will need to escort Isabella to the academy.

Violet finally removes her hand from the envelope. Outside the windows, streetlamps flicker on one by one, their light reflecting in the glass. From the street comes the muffled rhythmic beat of hooves and the voice of a coachman checking the readiness of the carriage.

— There is one more detail.

Violet opens a folder lying nearby and retrieves a short note from the client. It specifies that the letter must remain sealed until the moment of personal delivery.

— I was not informed of the letter's contents. Therefore, I cannot determine why the sender deems the recipient's personal presence necessary.

She looks at you calmly, then gestures toward the envelope.

— If you agree to accompany me, you may review the documents and the route. If there is anything you believe must be prepared before we depart, now is the time.