On Elysia Hughes's sweet sixteenth birthday a strange lady stopped by. Her eyes were hollow; her once coif locks of light brown curls hung loose around her world weary face. Her clothes, once a nice salmon colored business like suit, drooped off her body and faded with time.

The woman briefly spoke with Elysia's mother, her words seemingly polite before she passed Gracia Hughes a large envelope and left, wiping away tears. Her mother told her later, that the woman was the former Führer's widow and she simply stopped by to say hello. Elysia did not ask about the mysterious envelope or its equally mysterious contents.

She didn't want her mother to have to lie anymore.

On the night of Elysia Hughes's sweet sixteenth birthday, long after her uncle Roy left along with various other close friends invited to the festivities, the birthday girl sought out the envelope. Elysia sensed what lay inside was a present that Mrs. Bradley kept for years, waiting for the right moment for her—and her only— to see.

And what moment was more special to a girl than the day where magical and delightful childhood finally ends and the age of adulthood begins?

Elysia found the envelope inside her mother's room, lying on the nightstand next to the bed. She gingerly drew the long slip of folded manila paper across the surface of the nightstand into her hands and quietly crept back into her room.

Walls lightly tinted pink were illuminated once Elysia closed her door. Shelves of knickknacks were placed along the walls. She sat down amongst her assortment of stuffed animals and opened the enigmatic gift.

"Dear sweet and pure Elysia,

In the month since your beloved father has been laid to rest, I have been left in charge of a cruel responsibility. I know I have no right in contacting you, even in this indirect way. We have never met or really ever will meet but I wish to first confess to have committed a grave sin against you. I am the one who killed your father."

Elysia's expression clouded in anger. Clenching her teeth and edges of the letter in her hands, the young woman continued to read.

"A thousand Hail Mary's could never absolve me of my crime against you and your mother. I know the pain you felt when you lost your father. The emptiness inside your heart where he always stood. A feeling of guilt that perhaps if you had been a better child, more helpful, more perfect that somehow just maybe, he would still be with you."

Elysia's fury melted to shock. How could the monster who murdered her father understand—and even know exactly—what went through her mind growing up? Elysia continued to read hoping to unlock the mystery.

"But it isn't your fault, I freely accept the blame. I willing take your anger and will hold it close so your fury will cut and forever scar me."

Why is it this person wants me to hate him, Elysia asked herself. Shouldn't they be asking for forgiveness?

"My second confession is that I very much envy you." She read. "You have a loving mother and a father who was enraptured with everything about you. I wish my own mother was as sweet as your own. Someone who was strong enough to stand alone and never lost the kindness inside of her when misfortune struck. I wish my own father loved me even a little bit as much as yours loved you. Someone who never had a harsh word to say to his child and was so fascinated with every tiny thing they would never willingly leave them."

I see now, Elysia thought. They understood because their father was gone too. But they were worse off because their mother wasn't strong enough to live without his father. She became cruel and would take her loss out on him. That's why he isn't asking for forgiveness. He's used to being the focus of someone's anger.

"Maes Hughes was a great man and a far greater father." Elysia read. "There has never been a man who loved his child more. It was a shield that protected him from power hungry military officials. Because of you and his adoration, everyone saw him as no threat to their own machinations until it was too late. A perfect plan for the perfect father."

"I had met your father many times, him never realizing the familiar face before him wasn't who he thought they were. Many times he randomly would shove your picture inches from my face, gushing over your latest life adventure. I admit to smiling politely and saying something suitable but I refuse to admit cooing over how cute you were. I recall his hand sliding toward a weapon one time when someone else did."

Elysia burst into laughter. She had heard many stories similar to the one in the letter. Her big sister Winry told one about earlier about her father taking out his side arm just because her and a little boy were being friendlier than what he was comfortable with. The way Winry told it, her father was all set to take him out back but somehow he was talked out of it.

"My third confession is the honest truth." Elysia read. "I admired your father very much. When I was ordered to kill him, I tried to do it quietly and in a way where he wouldn't know what happened. Unfortunately I wasn't very observant to details and he was, resulting in me using a distastefully nasty tactic on him just so I could do the job assigned to me. I want you to know he didn't suffer and died peacefully with dignity. And that his final thoughts were on returning home to you and your mother."

Tears pooled in her green eyes. Many things raced through her mind. The person who killed her father liked him, respected him enough to have his death be quick and painless. And her father's murderer felt some guilt. Then there were the words that she had heard many times but always felt were empty sentiments were confirmed from the one person who would have known. Her father fully intended on coming home.

"I hope you don't find my letter offensive, dearest Elysia." She read. "I pray it reaches you safely and gives you some measure of peace that you did not have before. I would ask that you do not think too badly of me, but know that is too much to expect. Instead, let me ask that you not let anger and resentment color your life. Do not let my crime ruin whatever happiness you have. It is a mistake I made and desire you not to make yourself."

Tear drops strike the paper blurring the simple name at the bottom. But it will be a name Elysia Hughes will remember for the rest of her life.

Envy