January 1489 PD
Dearest Rora,
I must admit that when I first saw the letter, I was shocked—so shocked I could scarcely believe it. And when I finished reading it, I started crying. Oh, how I've missed you, Rora!
I always knew you'd be the first of us to have children. I really wish I could meet your little boys, would you tell me more about them? If they're anything like you, or Randy from how you've described him, I'm sure they're absolutely wonderful.
I can very much understand your reasons for not wanting me to share this with Wil. But won't you please consider coming back? I'm sure that between Wil and I we can find a way to protect your new family while letting you rejoin your old. After all, Father will only be king for a handful of years more, by my reckoning, as Wil is getting married soon. But if you still say you cannot, I'll respect it(though it won't stop me from asking at least a few more times!). And I forgive you for leaving, you clearly had very good reasons.
But enough of that. I mentioned Wil's engagement, and so I'll talk about that. His wife-to-be is a lady from Suron, Lady Levana Mogenes. The rumors you heard about Wil were true. He went into a frenzy trying to find you. It broke my heart to see him so worried and desperate to find you. He's been getting better, less hurt, as time goes on. I bring that up because, at the engagement party, Levana actually got Wil to smile! A genuine, happy smile. I haven't seen him so cheerful in years, not since you left. You're right. He's finally recovering and suddenly getting new news about you…well, I can imagine how that would wreck his upcoming marriage. It has already damaged the relationship between him and I. Without you there, we really had no reason to interact as much as we used to. He still treats me kindly, but I find Conrad has stepped in to take the place of my older brother as Wil gets busier.
But I'm not trying to guilt trip you. I'm absolutely thrilled you've found your happiness. Mother would be thrilled, too, if she was still alive. She always was encouraging us to find the things that made up happy, and she would be proud you've done it. It sounds like you've created a wonderful life for yourself and I don't begrudge you it.
I think I may have found a bit of my own happiness. I met a man at Wil's engagement party. He came from Suron with Lady Levana, and is named Luciano, though he insists on being called Luca. Not only was he very entertaining (it's been yearssince someone has made me laugh so hard), but he's such a good person, too. He's trying to build schools for common children, so they have a chance to learn, since their family can rarely ever afford a tutor or library permit. It's absolutely wonderful, to see him get so excited about it, and I'm really hoping I can see him more often. Even with his odd green hair (which he claims is entirely his natural color).
Speaking about education, Father did so something quite good in its name. Yes, Father actually did something helpful. He's opened the academy to almost all children who have magical abilities, not just those of noble birth or of incredible talents. Think of how many children would have so much more available for them to create a better future for themselves! Sadly, girls haven't allowed in, but Wil did tell me that he plans to change that very soon after his coronation.
With all the hope in my heart,
Lia