October 1500 PD
Dearest Rora,
Luca...he's gone. He's dead. And I now can truly understand what happened to you when Randy died. My comfort is that my Luca died a hero, saving a child from a flooded river. But it still hurts. Something that was in me...it's no longer there. It's gone and I don't know if it will ever come back. I can almost understand what you felt like when Randy died. It's this huge gaping hole in my soul that feels so unbreachable and unclosable.
I took your advice and put a backup together. My child will not die. They will not be killed because their grandfather decided they were too much of a scandal. They will live and be strong.
Maybe, after they're born, I can find a way to join you in Terra. I don't know.
I'm terrified, Rora. The baby is due in a few days time. I'm so scared. I feel like everything is crashing down around me. And I know that I need to be strong. I wish I was more like you, so strong in the face of adversity, able to take on the world without backing down. No matter how scared or hurt you were you always seemed to push through and get done what needed to be done. You're amazing, Rora, and I love you so, so much. You've been my solace for so long and for that I thank you. I love you, Rora. I love you. I love you. I love you.
With all the hope left in my broken heart,
Lia
Aurora,
I am sending you this to inform you that your sister did not survive giving birth to her child. She entrusted him to me, and I will make sure to keep him well hidden and well protected. I know you may want to lay claim to the child, but she told me I was not to pass him off to anyone else and take care of him myself, and not even for you will I disobey her wishes.
I cannot express how sorry I am about Aulelia, and she was very dear to the both of us. I know I will miss her dreadfully. This will likely be the last you'll hear of me, for I must hide the child—a boy, named for his father—before the king finds out he was not killed, as was ordered. Again, I am so, so sorry.
Best Wishes,
Conrad Schuyler