[color=#FFFFFF]An ink pen was lifted, it started scribbling on a small piece of antique paper...
[color=#FFCC66]Dear brother.
Something has been brought to my attention which will reshape my way of life and set me on a journey with unknown results. To make you understand this easier, let me explain to you a little bit of how our nation functions.
Most members, if not all of the Royalty carried a certain distaste towards the commoners of Gallia.
Specifically one woman who had an infamous reputation for contempt of people of the lower class, to the point of treating them like property, slaves, to be used like animals.
She was the princess. Not that typical kind of princess you know in fairy-tales. Clearly. She was, in fact, a mean, self-centered, and vengeful bitch born into wealth and power, and proving her taste for deception and murder on a galactic scale.
I hated her guts. Perhaps it stemmed from the fact that the older generations of the Duval family consisted of hard-working commoners and even though we have been as time passed promoted to the rank of Knighthood, that "putting food on the table" ideology never seemed to disappear.
With this background in mind, you could imagine my reaction when I received a letter sealed by King Charles XI himself - stating that I, Fabien Duval had been officially assigned as the personal bodyguard of Princess Aurelia.
The woman who I believed stood for everything that was wrong with Gallia, I was now supposed to protect with my life under the orders of the King. But a Knight must honor the duty set before him above all else, even if it means going against his own will. Else I would be no more worth than that petty thief on the street corner or that traitorous murderer plotting his strike behind the curtains.
But little did I know, that in time I would eventually realize that I was serving that petty thief and that traitorous murderer.
I read this letter with a sunken feeling in my heart. Are you really to serve the Princess Aurelia? I can clearly understand your pain, as I know it all too well. I am sure Father would be eager to hear it. He was a great man, and would clearly understand our predicament.
Do you remember the apple gardens when we were young, dear brother? The gardens of home, where mother would sit and knit, and father would tend to the house. I wish we were there again, we could go wandering the trail as we used to.
Much has changed, so much has changed and for the better I do not know. But let us not dwell on it, it is in the past and shall be forgotten.
I completed my training two weeks ago, with top grade. Are you surprised, brother? We share the same blood after all. I have been notified to arrive at Guillestre, I hear it is a strict place so I shall wish I have time to send more letters. The shuttle leaves very soon. We will surely meet someday, be it not soon then sometime in the far future.
The princess demanded that I would have to learn how to properly signal my "utmost respect" for her before I could proceed to serve as a bodyguard. I must admit it was very hard for me to contain my anger at such challenging moments.
But I digress, I have managed to complete every trivial request sent by this uptight whore of a woman. And now I have been "rewarded" with the honor to protect her life.
Hah! Sometimes I just feel like I want to accidentally plunge a knife through her heart. But I think that our father would have been disappointed, not for the fact that Princess Aurelia would have been killed, but that I would have broken my vow to the King.
That is the lesson of life, honor your duty Laurence - above everything else. Honor it.
You will make a fine soldier, brother. But do not get too brave, don't be a fool and get yourself killed!
It pains me to see this woman force herself upon you. Would it be that I stood there by your side, we could shoulder the weight together. I understand your value of duty and honor to the King, were I in your place I would cling onto it as well. But I can imagine your will to be tested further by this woman, and I wish you strenght on your path.
Perhaps it would be irrelevant, but as I said my final farewell to father he looked somewhat concerned. I do hope he is going to be well, as his health has been somewhat precarious in the past few days. Or perhaps it was something else... I shall not worry too much.
However neither should you, dear brother. In the coming future I shall try to keep my wits about me, and see my duty through.