A bundle of the letters
The W & J Letters are a chain of letters exchanged between Jennifer and Wendy from November 1929 to November 1930. These letters provide details on their relationship throughout the events of Rule of Rose. They are meant to be read alongside Once Upon a Time, which is the Storybook that appears in the chapter of the same name. The Storybook does allude to the same information conveyed in the W&J Letters, except the latter goes farther in addressing when, how, and why Jennifer and Wendy were forced to "go their own separate ways" because of Brown.
A total of twenty-two letters were exchanged between Jennifer and Wendy. Twelve were addressed to Jennifer, the remaining ten to Wendy. All twenty-two of the W&J Letters can be obtained during the "Gingerbread House" and "Once Upon a Time" chapters. Only five of them are present in "Gingerbread House," inside the Celler Bedroom, while the rest can be found in "Once Upon a Time." The five found in "Gingerbread House" can be obtained inside the Cellar Bedroom. In "Once Upon a Time," Jennifer's Letters are found in the Orphanage Filth Room, and Wendy's Letters are in the Orphanage Sickroom.
Background[]
Perhaps unbeknownst to Headmaster Hoffman, Wendy was known to go on late night strolls away from the grounds of Rose Garden Orphanage, wandering the countryside away from Strange Hill and the lonely bus stop on the road to Cardington. On the night of November 10, 1930, Wendy encountered a "boy" who she thought was "trapped" inside the Cellar Bedroom of Gregory's House, sending letters to "him" through its window. This "boy" was Jennifer, who had been staying with Gregory Wilson months after the passing of his late son, Joshua Wilson.
Jennifer would not reply to Wendy's initial correspondence until November 16, six days later. She explained to Wendy that Wilson had been struggling to come to terms with his late son's passing, so he "adopted" her to become "Jennifer-as-Joshua." Out of a genuine act of love to free Jennifer from what she perceived to be imprisonment by Gregory Wilson, Wendy offered to help Jennifer escape Gregory's House on November 27, under the condition that Jennifer swear a sacred oath of unyielding loyalty and love to her. Jennifer spent the next two months contemplating whether to leave Gregory behind because she was concerned about him, who had found newfound a purpose in his life as a "surrogate father." She eventually agreed to Wendy's offer on January 24, escaping from Gregory's House with Wendy three days later on January 27.
It is unknown where Jennifer was throughout the entirety of February 1930. What is known, however, is that Jennifer would later be admitted to Rose Garden Orphanage in March 1930, an experience that was recreated to some extent in "The Little Princess" chapter. At the Orphanage, Jennifer confided to Wendy her worries as to whether she will be on good terms with the other orphans, Hoffman, Martha Carol, and even Clara. As long as she continued to uphold her loyalties and love to Wendy, Jennifer can never be alone because she will always be together with Wendy.
No W&J Letters in April and May 1930, which were when the "The Unlucky Cloverfield" and "Sir Peter" chapters occurred. Similar to February 1930, it is also unknown where Jennifer was or what she was doing at the Orphanage in June 1930. The W&J Letters do not continue until July 1930, the same month as the "Birth of Happiness" chapter, when Jennifer reported to Wendy that she had found a stray dog, who she would later name "Brown." The timing of Jennifer's discovery of Brown is significant as Wendy was wondering where Jennifer was on July 24, which she would later mention in a letter to Jennifer on the following day.
Jennifer would later convince Wendy to see Brown in August 1930, the month of the "Mermaid Princess" chapter, much to the disapproval of Wendy, who believed that Brown represented affront to their relationship. Wendy even went as far as to suggest giving Brown to one of the other orphans, namely Nicholas. Over the next three months, Wendy began to harbor a growing resentment toward Brown, who she believed was taking more and more of Jennifer's time away from her. This resentment emerged in September 1930 and October 1930, the same months as the "Goat Sisters" and "Rag Princess Sews" chapters, surging into unfathomable anger by November 1930, the month of "The Funeral" chapter. The correspondence came to an end with the death of Brown.
Transcript[]
To Mr. Joshua, the bear in distress,
My name is Wendy. I always watch you from the sky. Mr. Joshua, why are you trapped down there?
My Prince in need of rescue, It was a pleasure to meet you, my dear Prince. What a wonderful encounter! Yes… I only wish there was a world for just you and I: The Prince and Princess…
Don’t worry. I’ll set you free.
…Oh my poor kind prince.
My Prince, Please don’t worry. I’ll do anything for you. Just… pledge your love for me. That’s all I ask.
Tomorrow night, I shall unlock your shackles. Let us live together forever. Everlasting True love
I am yoursMy Dear Jennifer, There is nothing to fear. I am always by your side. I will never betray you. We made an oath remember?
My dear Jennifer,
I am so relieved that you are well again! Is that why I couldn’t find you yesterday morning? It’s no use trying to fool me! I can see right through your pranks. Anyway, thanks in advance. Tee hee hee.
Jennifer,
Thank you for introducing me to Brown. …But, such a filthy dog is not a good match for you and me. Just give it to Nicholas or something, and let’s just be content with the two of us.
My stubborn Jennifer,
Is Brown that important to you? It’s just a dog. A filthy animal. Please stop sharing your wonderful smile with that thing… Please smile only at me.
Jennifer the Heartless,
Why didn’t you come? I waited and waited for you. Why can’t I see you every morning? I think only of you… Are you avoiding me?
My dear Prince,
Yes, you are my Prince. A Prince and a Princess must be together, after all, Jennifer, you are my eternal companion. Just promise to stay by my side, and save your smiles for me. That’s all I ask. We don’t need a filthy dog! We can’t let anyone come between us.You still have that filthy dog? I’ll never forgive you. Have you forgotten your oath, the rule of rose? Good-bye, Jennifer. You will regret choosing that dog over me.
Dear Wendy, my visitor in the window,
Thank you so much for writing to me. The man calls me Joshua, but my name is Jennifer. I’ve been in this room ever since he saved me. He’s a nice person… but he won’t let me leave.
Thank you Wendy. I want to fly away from this room and run with you in the fields…
But the man is so lonely, so sad. I can’t just leave him alone.Thank you Wendy, my kind and fair Princess. Is there something that I can do for you?
I, Jennifer, pledge to the fair Princess Wendy:
Everlasting
True love
Wendy, I’m here now, but I’m kind of afraid. Everything is new to me. I’m worried if I’ll get along with everyone.
Dear Wendy,
I have great news. I found something wonderful! I look forward to every morning now, and hope you will too.
How are you, Wendy?
You haven’t said anything to me since I showed you the surprise… Do you like my cute little puppy Brown? Let’s take care of him together.
My dear Wendy,
This little guy is just so adorable. When I call his name, he comes bounding to me. I know you’ll like him too.
How are you doing, Wendy?
Are you alright? We’ll always be friends, and Brown can be our friend too. I know you don’t understand, but I can’t just abandon him.You’ve got it all wrong, Wendy. This isn’t how it’s supposed to be. I never expected you to react this way. All I wanted is for us to live happily ever after together.