Dear Karla,
My husband has informed me that I was allowed to use the northbound sylphjays from the castle aviary to send you letters. Taking me around to introduce me to the birds has been the longest conversation we have held so far. I suppose I should find a way to thank him for this at least…
I hope you are well. It has only been little more than a week since I last saw you, but already I miss you and our home. Life in the Long Dau court is so different from the customs of the Outway clan, I think it will take me some time for me to get used to it. In many ways, this could be considered an improvement: the clime is milder, the food richer, the silk finer, and the facilities more comfortable. I am, so far, free of responsibilities beyond simple obedience. If you didn't know me, you might mistake me for a rich idler. If I had been someone else, I might have even welcomed this change. But I am not someone else. Idle life does not suit me, and I am starting to feel restless from the lack of activity. Perhaps this will change after some time has passed and the prince finally finds some use for me…
But enough about me. Tell me, sister, how you have been doing. I hope you are settling well in your new role of heiress. Knowing you, I am sure you will do well. Tell Father not to worry, and that I miss him too.
Love,
Arst
Dear brother,
It is good to hear from you! Please relay my thanks to your husband for allowing us to correspond.
I miss you so, so much. Life here just isn't the same without your presence, and Father has taken to locking himself in his study when there is no other matter to attend to. I think that as long as he is holing up, he can pretend that you are still roaming our land freely, unseen yet never far from him.
I don't have much else to report—life here is the same as it has always been, save for the rather gloomy atmosphere. I am coping as best as I can. I am trying to fulfill my new obligations as expected of me, and I think I have been doing well so far, but I cannot help but think that you should be the one doing them, here. Your absence is felt strongly.
How is your married life? Is the prince treating you well? I do not know how honest you can afford to be in these letters, but please let me know how you are doing.
Lots of love,
Karla
Karla,
Tell Kohei to tell Father to stop hiding. He should not turn his back to reality. But please do take care of him; he needs your support now more than ever.
Married life is… fine, I guess. The prince is less like his father than I expected, which is some relief at least. For the most part, he has been letting me be. He seems to be the type to express dislike through lack of attention, which suits me just fine. His attendant, however, is much less subtle about his disdain for me. I am still trying to figure out their relationship. They are close, no doubt, but the nature of their closeness is still a mystery to me. …Look at me, already getting interested in court intrigues. I'd better watch out, lest I start getting too used to life here.
I have found a sort of routine to kill boredom. In the morning, I practice my sword forms in the courtyard. In the afternoon, I read one of the books I brought along, or clean the house, when my husband leaves the residence for whatever reason. I also visit the kitchens from time to time. The head chef complains a lot about how I am distracting her staff, but I think she's actually happy to see me. I am trying to convince her to teach me how to make the popular Xian Yang dishes, but it is a work in progress: as of today, she still refuses to let me anywhere near the utensils. I am thinking of bribing her with exclusive Outway recipes…
I am looking forward to your next letter.
Love,
Arst
Arst,
I am not hiding. No need to involve Kohei in this.
It's good to know you are not being mistreated by your husband. This was my greatest worry about this whole affair. But, Arst—cleaning? Are they treating you like a servant?
Karla is progressively filling the gap you left. She is smart and capable, and I have no doubt that she will make a great chief one day, so rest assured that the future of our clan is secure. A strange phenomenon has started occurring ever since the news of your wedding reached the neighboring clans: a number of them have tried to offer their second or third sons as marriage prospects for Karla. No doubt they are hoping to take control of our clan that way. Unfortunately for them, the word "marriage" is currently banned in our household, and their proposals are presently trashed.
I miss you more than anything, and counting the days until I can see you again. In the meanwhile, continue to lay low, and take care of yourself.
Your father,
Kamal Outway
Arst,
Don't listen to your father, he was definitely moping. He has now been dragged out of his hideout.
Training is good, it will keep you busy and maintain your strength. Enclosed are forms for a new arte I have been developing. I wish I could teach you in person, but for now written instructions will suffice. That should keep you occupied for a while.
Be well,
Kohei Morli
Brother,
Don't get used to it too much! …But do tell me about that attendant and his relationship with your husband.
Father has been taking me along on clan business more frequently, recently. Our shared education has already prepared me well for the task, but I sorely lack the practical experience you accumulated while I was busy concerning myself with my own engagement. It will take me time to achieve your level of proficiency, but I am determined to make it happen. Our retainers have been understanding and treat me with goodwill. I hope to earn their trust as you did. I can never truly replace you, but I have decided to forge my path in my own way.
I am enclosing your favorite pastry recipe. Perhaps you can exchange it for one of their own.
Love,
Karla
Dear family,
Don't overload the poor sylphjay, please!
I will try to answer you all at once:
Father — That does not surprise me in the slightest. People will likely see her as a weak woman, easy to manipulate. Clearly, they do not know the strength of the Outways.
Rest assured, I am laying low. Yesterday night was a banquet with the "in-laws," and I did my best to keep my mouth shut and appear every bit the submissive househusband they want me to be. I may have overdone it, honestly—Prince Lin was looking at me funny the whole evening, and even wished me goodnight when it was time to sleep. Lord Lars was very pleased with the improvement in my behavior.
Regarding the cleaning: it is my duty to carry out (or, at the very least, supervise) various household duties. I could have servants do it, of course, but… ah, that's a long story.
Karla — Sister, you are a worse gossip than me. But since you insist: his name is Nils, and he is Prince Lin's personal assistant. The guy is everywhere! He follows the prince like a shadow, yet somehow manages to coordinate the household at the same time. He addresses him informally, too, when they think I'm not looking. From what I've gathered, his mother serves Lady Nui; this is probably how he came to be the prince's number one retainer. He never disobeys direct orders from the prince to serve me, but it is clear he resents my presence, as if I am encroaching on his territory.
Thank you for the recipe. I am still not allowed near the stoves, but I was able to exchange it for another recipe of traditional Long Dau desserts. I am enclosing it with this letter. I hope it suits your tastes (it did mine).
Master Kohei — Thank you for your instruction. Your notes were very detailed; I feel like I can hear you guide my moves even without you being there. This new arte is a good challenge, and I cannot wait to see you and show you my progress.
As of a few days ago, I have been ordered to attend the training lessons given to the city's elite youths in the castle's training hall. The instructor does not hold a candle to you, but it is good to practice against other young men again. That is one thing I missed when I stayed at home: challenging new people and comparing styles. I can beat most of them with ease, but I am sure that there is something to learn here, no matter how rigid the instructor. My only regret is that the prince does not seem to attend those lessons. No talk of his skills ever reached our lands, so I have been wanting to see him in action for myself.
I am running out of paper. Maybe I should ask for a sturdier bird to carry more of your messages…
Take care of yourselves, and keep sending me news when you can.
Love,
Arst