Royal Correspondence (Edward)

[Afton Devonshire]

Crown Prince Edward of Amorrosa,

It has been requested by my advisers and those who have come from His Majesty the King, your father, that I write a brief letter to you by way of introduction. Though I know we last met some five years ago, they think it might perhaps be in our best interest to correspond with one another until the time comes for me to make the journey to Amorrosa. I hope this letter finds you well.

Lady Afton of Devonshire

[Edward Alwin]

My Lady Afton,

I was very pleased to receive your letter. It has been far too long since we saw each other last. My father, his majesty, was suggesting maybe you might want to come to Amorrosa at some point, to acquaint yourself with our court before you join us. If you wish to, I would be more than happy to see you again. As would Galahad, who asked me to tell you that he sends his best wishes. I must thank you for letting him remain here, his music has filled our halls with as much as joy as he did in Ellesmar. And of course, I shall be glad to see you reunited with him upon your arrival here.

Your loyal servant
Edward Alwin, Prince of Amorrosa

[Afton Devonshire]

Your Highness,

It is my hope that they will shortly know when it will be safe for me to travel into your beautiful city, since many of my people are rather anxious about the event. I cannot quite seem to tell which ones are relieved at the thought of being protected by Amorrosa and which are simply sad to see me depart all together. This affair with Thornborough has caused great unrest among the people, and I assume among your own as well. Please thank His Masjesty for his gracious offer and assure him that as soon as my guard deems it safe, I will travel to Amorrosa as quickly as I can.

I am pleased to hear that my dear Galahad has done well in your court. Though I miss his company terribly I very much look forward to seeing him again. It has been far too long since I listened to his sweet music.

Your Obedient Servant,

Lady Afton

[Edward Alwin]

My Lady Afton,

My lady I am concerned for the state of tension in Ellesmar. If you have any need for anything in Ellesmar, be it troops, supplies or anything you may need, you just tell me and you shall have it. And should you need protection, I shall send you my finest knight, Sir Charles Darcy. He shall make sure nothing harmed you. I am sure that without him, I would be dead. I doubt that would be beneficial. Especially as I have two sisters, and no brothers. We would have a succession crisis.

I would love to see you here. And once Ellesmar is safe, I shall make sure some of my troops will be there to aid yours. I can promise to you, my lady, that I shall do whatever I can to protect your people. And I cannot believe they wish for you to leave. I am told you are a wise ruler, and despite the fact I assume a lot of your people might feel strange about a woman ruling, you deserve their love. I must extend my praise and admiration of your rule. You have passed ordinary expectation to rule without a man impeding your way. I must congratulate you. You are a great woman, and an example for all.

Your loyal servant
Edward Alwin, Prince of Amorrosa

[Afton Devonshire]

Your Highness,"

You do me such kindness with your praise, Your Highness. Though I thank you for your offer, I have recently acquired several knights from His Masjesty's court who have done well with keeping my home safe until my journey. I could not ask for anything better than I have already received at your gracious hands, but could not bear to think of parting you with a man whom you credit with saving your life several times over. Without me, my people will still have an heir in my brother Aiden. Without you, Amorrosa would cease to have the security that they so desperately need during this trying time.

I am afraid Your Highness has caught me in a bit of a lie. It is true, I have no real desire to leave Ellesmar and my people behind. This is the home in which I was raised, and these the people that I have come to love so deeply. But I know that my duty to my people must be coupled with my love, and so the truth is that I must soon depart whether I wish to or not. I do only what is required of me as a ruler. My sex is an issue only for some. But for my people I am simply the person that they can come to when they require guidance, and I try daily to provide them with a gentle hand to lead them in the right direction. With any luck, this is something I hope that we can accomplish together, for the future of our people.

Your Obedient Servant,

Lady Afton