Lord Dysmas,



There is no need for apologies. You are, after all, a busy man. I do not expect you to simply drop everything, and write me a letter. I would like to believe that I am not quite that demanding. I look forward to your letters, they are a bright spot in a less than exciting existence.



I accept your acceptance of my proposed pact.



Yes, I quite agree. Siblings are an acquired taste but maybe that does not simply pertain to siblings but to all family. I find I can say the same for my cousins as well. While I adore each and every one of them in their own unique way they do have a way of grating upon thin nerves. Just yesterday, my cousin Imma was visiting and she spilled paint and my cat, Poppi decided to walk through the paint. As if it isn’t bad enough trying to bath the paint off of a cat, but I am still finding new footprints. I am afraid that my parents believed this was some sort of vexatious prank upon my part. I am afraid, I did not have the heart to tell them that Imma had accidentally left the cork out of one of her bottles of paint and it had gotten knocked over. Maybe they will not notice the vivid purple cat footprints on my window sill, but I fear Agnes, my mother’s lady has already seen them.



But this has led me to my new hobby, interior decorating. I’ve found I quite enjoy it. I’ve moved the furniture in my room three times now since I’ve last wrote to you. I now have a spot next to the window to sit and read your letters with the Taengean sun shining down on me. It’s become one of my favorite spots now. It’s blissful. Where is somewhere you find blissful?



Your confidence in me training horses warms me. I wish my family had such modernistic ideas, but I am afraid my value lies more in the men that I am to stand behind rather than myself. It’s a nice dream though…



It pleases me greatly that you are comfortable enough to divulge such a...intermost secret with me. I can understand your hesitancy to embrace the life of the Senate. I image, it is the sort of calling that you must be completely and entirely committed too. Until you decide what it was that you were born to do, I mean, fully and completely do with your heart… the people of Athenia are fortunate. And perhaps over time, you shall be able to see the results of the efforts you put forth in your diplomacy. Think of all the people you have the ability to help with such a position. You have the ability to be a voice for those who have no voice. Your opinion matters… it is noble. Despite that, I believe you should not give up on finding the thing that makes your heart whole, whatever it may be.



I hope when you figure that out that you’ll think of me and remember to let me know what it is.



Your Friend,

Lady E