Letters Between Kaiden and Elyscia

[Kaiden Dellario]

Dear Lady Elyscia Demarais,

I hope my letter finds you well. I wanted to share with you how much I enjoyed making your acquaintance. It was a pleasure to speak to you and to meet some of your friends and family. You were quite the charming dancer and, if you will forgive my boldness, I was glad to see some boldness in you as well.

I also wished to reassure you that there were no hard feelings in the manner of out parting that night. While I am a friendly sort who dislikes being left out, I am not a particularly jealous man. It warmed my heart to see you reunited with family and I could only wish you enjoy the evening in such good company.

Unfortunately, I find myself rather busy upon my return to the country. While my home here is but a small manor, things do pile up when one is away. I also find myself wanting to reconnect with my military compatriots and assure my commanding officers of my loyalty and dedication to the kingdom. Most of them are not unreasonable to the reasons pertaining to my departure, but others might not be so kind. I am not yet sure how long I might be occupied in such a manner, but I assure you, I will make amends to you and that when next we meet, it will be to get to know each other much more properly and, I hope, candidly than the last.

Yours Sincerely,

Kaiden Dellario

[Elyscia Demarais]

Dear Kaiden,

I was happy and appreciative to receive your letter and kind words. Relieved really. Because I have been feeling horrible about the way we parted at the Yule Ball and was worried you wouldn’t wish to speak to me again. I would like you to know that this is not the kind of person I am. I would have never just left you there on your own and leave you out. Please understand that I have not seen my brother, Sevrin, in a very long time (I think I was a young teenager when he was forced to leave). I was not expecting his presence and was both in shock and surprise.

My older sister, Cassandra, has been away in Aralore for a year or so. With both of my parents unfortunately deceased, I have been on my own, without my immediate family, for quite some time-- Though I am certain you might understand what that is like since you have been away from your home as well. Perhaps that will be one thing we have in common and can relate to with each other, as I am sure Sevrin will be leaving again and Cassandra has started to make a life for herself in Aralore.

So all of these words just to say that I am sorry and I did not mean to leave you stranded but got swept up in the excitement of seeing my family. I appreciate your understanding very much.

I am sorry to hear that your return will leave you so busy, but I certainly understand. There is no need to make amends, as you put it. But I shall look forward to our next visit, and I promise you will have my full attention. Unless, of course, there is a fire or scary bear that decides to attack us.

Take care and be safe.

Sincerely,
Elyscia

[Kaiden Dellario]

[one week later]

Dearest Elyscia,

I apologize for not returning your letter sooner - I received it quickly but found myself quite exhausted. I admit I did not keep up with my training while away - long story short, I was not given much time. Now, it seems I have some making up to do.

There is nothing to explain away, I insist. My own family is very near and dear to my heart and I was quite happy for you that you were able to spend such a meaningful time as Yuletide with yours. Trust me, I understand entirely. I had not seen my sister in a number of years until my latest trip home, and, as you can imagine, we were quite desirous of becoming reacquainted, even on such a morose occasion, that hardly anyone else mattered.

All of this is to say that I accept your apology and you have my forgiveness should you have need of it. I offer it easily.

As for the remainder of the party, I suppose I shall recount my few exploits. I found myself in the company of an old friend, Lord Rhysand Sellar. We chatted only briefly, as it had been some time and there was of course that thankfully avoided issue upon your brothers entrance that caught our concern first and foremost. Afterward, I made sure to enjoy as much of the foods (especially the sweets in your stead and honor) as I could. I am certain I could have made a much better roast duck, but everything else was lovely. I wish I could have expressed my appreciation to the hostess in person, but I suppose here will have to do: The Yule Ball was a tasteful success. (As I write this, I realize the word is 'delightful,' not tasteful, but I suppose both apply. Pardon me. Speaking is so much easier than writing.)

A 'fire or scary bear?' I should hope not. I'd like to propose a walk and some soothing tea instead, if you are able to meet me in Vireron City soon? I should finally be master of my own time in another week once you receive this post.

Until then, I trust you will avoid fires and bears of all kinds.

Yours Sincerely,
Kaiden

[Elyscia Demarais]

[several days later]

Dear Kaiden,

I appreciate you accepting my apology and forgiving me, even though I still feel horribly guilty. How insensitive of me to have gone off with my own family when you could not be with yours. But I do appreciate your understanding and I shall have to make it up to you--I am even willing to give up my slice of cake should we dine together next time. (That’s how very sorry I am!)

I am happy that you at least were able to run into a friend. I actually just recently met Lord Sellar the day before the ball. We chatted for a while and had a nice conversation. He seems to be a kind man that I should like to call a friend. I believe I also owe him an apology because I promised him a dance at the ball when we parted ways that day. (I hope you would not mind that.)

Thank you for indulging in the sweets in honor of me. I am happy to hear that everything was delightful and that you enjoyed the food.

As far as your writing goes-- I think your writing is quite lovely and you should not be so dismissive of it.

I think a walk and some tea sound lovely. I shall look forward to your return and will meet you in Vireon City whenever you are available.

I have, for the most part, been able to avoid bears, at least. Fires- however, I seem to be putting them out left and right lately. Fires in the metaphorical sense, of course. I seem to be the friend everyone turns to with their problems when they seek advice, comfort, or need help. I don’t mind, really, but it can become quite a burden and I dislike when I find I can do nothing to help.

You have somewhat inspired me to take some time to work on my art. And since I did not give you a Yule gift, I hope you will accept the included sketch I have done for you. It is not my best work and I did it quickly so I could include it with this letter. Please don’t judge it too harshly!  I have never drawn myself, so it felt rather awkward and I am now realizing how self absorbed it might make me appear.  I just did not know what else to draw for you.  

Well, I am sure I have taken up enough of your time. I hope this letter finds you well and you are able to have caught up with your training. Please take care and be safe.

Sincerely,
Elyscia

[Kaiden Dellario]

Dearest Elyscia,

I cannot claim to know Lord Sellar very well after my time away, but yes, he is indeed a fine man. I expect you can dance with any man you would like, though I would certainly hope you always save one for me.

On that topic, I must confess the concept of being engaged is quite foreign to me. I do not know precisely the custom here, but I am aware of many of the impositions of marriage in Tresteria, especially on women, and I would like to be perfectly clear that I do not have any desire to dictate your life, Elyscia. I expect I have quite a lot on my hands maintaining my own, but I would very much like to do what I can to support you, and help put out any metaphorical fires of your own. In Ithias, love is company. And while I have perhaps only spent a few direct hours in yours, I admit it is sometimes quite difficult not to think of you.

To that end, the sketch is quite appreciated. As a friend of mine so recently put it, 'You should not be so dismissive of it.' It is far beyond anything I could achieve and while it does not quite capture your brilliant gaze or sharp personality, a bit of self-love and confidence in the piece is warranted nonetheless.

If you are able, perhaps we can meet in two days time at the city square? I believe, after a few hiccups and smoothing over of personal disagreements, I have solidified my standing here. I managed to speak to Lord Roland Savatier and while he is supportive as always, I am uncertain whether to be more direct in my concerns. But that is a matter for another time. At the very least, I would like to get better acquainted with the man, only I cannot continue inviting him out for drinks when I don't partake myself. Perhaps you can aid me with some ideas soon.

To be quite honest, your letters have been a delight to look forward to. Especially when I must confess training can be rather grueling. But such is the life of a soldier. Hopefully soon enough, I shall make it all mean something.

I hope to see you soon.

Sincerely, Kaiden


Post Script
Though I do hope to dine together soon, I would never dare eat your slice of cake.

[Elyscia Demarais]

Dear Kaiden,

I appreciate your transparency and kindness on the matter of our engagement. You are quite right about there being many impositions of marriage here in Tresteria (mostly on women). If you are born a woman, you more or less lose your right to live freely. We are bred to be polite and do as we are told (much like a dog would), our sole purpose is to marry into a wealthy family as to keep our family name in good standing, and to birth and raise children to continue on in the lineage. My older sister, Cassandra, was married off to a man who is old enough to be our grandfather, simply because he was wealthy Duke and King Edward was seemingly doing our family a favor by marrying her off to him. I imagine the same goes for our engagement, I am sorry to say. We are all pawns in the game here. Should you not wish to play in this game, I would not ever hold it against you.

Please forgive me-- I probably should not be so opinionated and angry over the matter. I am expected to do as I am told and be happy about it. It is just the way things are here.

I will admit to you (and I hope you will take no offense to this), but at first, I resented you horribly, as if all of this was your fault. You agreed to the arrangement, further trapping me into this game--this life I am forced to live, simply because I am a woman. When you left and were gone for so long, I had hopes that you wouldn’t be returning, that there would be a glimmer of a possibility that I would have my freedom. A foolish, childish notion that I knew deep down would never be granted. If it were not you, I am sure I would be sold off to the next highest bidder.

Again, I apologize. I should perhaps crumble this letter up and start all over. Be kinder and gentler...Put on my mask and convince you I am happy and honored to be engaged to you. But instead, I feel compelled to be honest and truthful with you and I am not entirely certain if it is in an attempt to push you away, or if it is because you so willingly admitted to not wishing to dictate my life as any other man here would, or if it is because I am hoping that despite my opinionated nature and reservations, that you would still be willing to accept me as I am. I see kindness in your eyes and I am willing to give you (and whatever our relationship may be) a chance should you still wish to talk to me after reading this letter. You were so kind and sweet in your last letter to me, and here I am, probably making you feel horrible. I am sorry if this letter has not been as delightful as you stated my others were. I hope you don’t think too badly of me now.

I will show up at the city square as you have requested. I will be there at noon. And I will completely understand if you no longer wish to meet with me. But I will wait, regardless, in hopes to start anew with a different and more positive outlook, with appreciation that I may not be as trapped as I think I might be, if I were to give you more of a chance that you truly deserve.

I do hope to see you.

Sincerely,
Elyscia

Post Script
For my horrid display of what a lady should be--I would not hold it against you if you did eat my slice of cake out of spite.

[Kaiden Dellario]

Dearest Elyscia,

I must admit, I was at first quite offended by your last letter. It was not until I realized you likely do not get to share such ideas often that I realized your words were not so much directed at myself, but at the society in which you live. I would like to encourage an open dialogue and safe space with our letters so that you do not feel the need to crumple up a letter simply on account that some men are, forgive my crudeness, self-righteous sexist animals.

The world I come from certainly has it's flaws and I will not say women are treated as equals, but theirs is a freedom much beyond that of a lowly Tresterian game piece.

While I cannot say that my feelings are not hurt, I always have and will continue to be more understanding and repeat my request that we can both be our more honest selves. While it would be foolish to pretend our engagement was not organized by some higher power, I see no reason, while we are both amenable, to hide behind such nonsense or allow it to dictate our relationship going forward.

As far as I recall, I met a most brilliant woman and lover of baked goods on Yuletide and rather awkwardly asked her to marry me that same evening and, whom I look forward to meeting in person again soon.

Sincerely,
Kaiden

Post Script
I might, but only insofar as I rather like to see you with a bit more fire in your words.

Post Post Script
Belatedly it has come to my attention this might not reach you before our meeting, and I would like to apologize for any undue anxiety this might cause.