Jan. 3rd, 1754

Dear Alrik,

I made it safely back to the academy, as I'm sure you and our parents have already been informed of. Although the return trip was a little bit rough, there were no ill side effects aside from the same as the one that I suffered after my trip to Colbini. I assume that you understand what I'm implying and that I don't need to say anything more on the subject.

My self-defense trainer was disappointed with my description of the knighthood trial and lamented that he wasn't able to witness it for himself. I have extended an offer for him to attend a future one if he should find himself with any free time around the date of the test. You might have to inform the Commander to expect an excited letter from him as well as to confirm whether or not an outsider would be permitted to witness such a thing. I hope I did not overstep my bounds by offering the opportunity.

I had to write half a dozen reports before the researchers were satisfied with my explanations but they have promised to take my suggestions for improvement under serious consideration. I know that they probably think my advice of making the brew more palatable is a petty, childish request when they're trying to solve this issue. But if people cannot manage to stomach the brew, then what good would it do anyway? I do hope that they try to do it before my visit home for the summer, but if not, please have a pot of mint tea waiting.

Well, I have to go, the teachers have already loaded us down with extra work and if I tarry any longer, I shall be late for our study group.

Much love,

Aleydis

March 14th, 1754

I am glad to hear that the return trip was bearable but I'm still unhappy that you have to suffer any side effects at all. If they don't take your suggestions for improvements seriously, write to Kadin. Several of his family are scholars and they have some pull in scholarly circles. I'm sure that any suggestion from them would probably carry more weight than that of the crown prince of a small kingdom, amusingly.

The winter grows long and it is dull here without you around. I didn't realize how much you brightened up the dreary winter months until I had to endure them without you and your brilliant ideas. I cannot wait for you to be done at the academy so that we can go sledding or have game days, like we used to.

However, don't be in a hurry to rush back either. Take your time learning and having fun, these will become fond memories for you to look back on.

Ugh, my tutor is scolding me for writing this letter to you instead of concentrating on his lesson, so I have to wrap this up here.

Your suffering brother,

Alrik

P.S. Make sure to wear your heavy coat when you go outside, even to the training yard. Don't listen to what the warrior students say, you will often be dressed in ceremonial or heavier garments as a diplomat instead of their more serviceable armor. It's better that you learn how to move in it now than be hampered in the future should you really need the skills.

Oct. 10, 1754

Dear Sir Kadin,

I am writing to ask you for a favor. I am sending this letter out a day ahead of the one that I'm sending to my family. There has been an incident that they need to be informed of. However, it has all been handled, both by myself and the staff here at the academy.

If it's been handled, why then do I need a favor from you?

Well, it's a tough favor, to be honest. I'm going to need you to help Mother keep Father and Alrik from storming the academy and demanding to take me home. That sounds terribly dire, but you see, I received a proposal the other day. And I wouldn't bother mentioning it to them, but I have the sneaking suspicion that he's also going to be sending a letter to them because it's the family that makes the arrangements in his country, not the girls.

Yeah, he's a piece of work, right?

But a diplomatic incident of the scale they would make would really make my future diplomatic career look not as bright.

If you do this, I'll owe you a favor as well as make you a dozen batches of those cookies that you like so much.

Desperately pleading,

Aleydis

Nov. 1st, 1754

Sprout, Sis, Aleydis,

I'm afraid that it's time for you to return home to Colbini. It is that or I come to the academy and hunt down this jackal of an 18-year-old who had the nerve to propose MARRIAGE to my THIRTEEN YEAR OLD BABY SISTER!!!

It was very cunning of you to wrte to Kadin, but that isn't going to stop Father or me from sorting this matter out. You were careful not to name names or include identifying information in your letter, just the useless reassurance that you and the staff had managed the incident.

Mother received a letter from the acdemy, but refuses to tell either of us what it contains.

I hope this waste of space does end up sending a direct proposal to us, so I can hunt him down myself!!

Be sure to pack all of your things when you return at Yule.

Your loving brother,

Alrik

Nov. 3rd, 1754

Princess Aleydis,

Thank you for your letter in advance. Because of it, I was able to stop Alrik from trying to force open the portal to Constellations Academy, but it was a near thing. The only reason that I'm grateful for this is because the academy would've taken it as an attempted attack and responded in kind.

I am very sorry that you had to go through such an appalling situation and the Queen has spoken with both my relatives and the academy at length to make sure that such an unfortunate incident never happens to you again. There were talks of sending a bodyguard to protect you but unfortunately, that was shot down because of the academy rules.

The castle is quiet at the moment, but that is only because the King and Alrik are currently plotting. They have calmed but I do not trust them not to try and keep you from returning to the academy during the Yuletide. Although I cannot help but agree with them, I cannot believe that they will successfully manage to keep you contained for any length of time if you really wish to return to the academy.

I shall keep you informed of the situation.

Respectfully,

Sir Kadin Del Wintrix

P.S. My aunt who also studied at the academy insisted that I include this parcel along with my letter. I do not know what it contains, although it feels like a book, but I hope that it will be useful for your current and future endeavors.

Jan. 13th, 1755

Dear Alrik,

I still can't believe that I caught a cold that made it impossible for me to return for Yule. Even though you and Father had threatened to keep me from returning to the academy, I know that both of you never would've followed through on it when you knew that I really want to finish up my studies here. However, I simply couldn't risk portal travel with a chest cold, I would've ended up confined to bed for the whole time I was there and probably for another week when I returned here.

The nurse finally cleared me for light activity today, although she said that it will still be another few weeks until I can return to my self-defense training. When I first started training three years ago, I never thought that I would come to miss being able to train but you were right. Once I grew accustomed to it, it was a pleasant way to get exercise. I am not surprised to hear that the baron's son failed to pass the knighthood trial again this year. Even last year, it was painfully obvious that he doesn't train his stamina at all. He may have decent basic training (although he relies too much on aggressive attacks), but all his opponent would have to do is wait a few minutes and then he'd be easy prey.

This semester, we're beginning to study trade and the various trade agreements between the nations on this continent. It is fascinating. I think, if I weren't set on becoming a diplomat, I would love to become a merchant. To buy goods from all across the land, bartering with this land and that. From the exotics like silk and spices to the daily necessities of grains and salt for preserving. I would just love to be up to my elbows in all the different goods, hearing the musical chatter of half a dozen languages as each person tries to secure the best possible deal.

I can tell that you're grinning at the idea of me becoming a merchant, but it really is fascinating information. I think, if my diplomatic duties aren't too heavy in Colbini, that I might look into trade as a secondary occupation.

Well, I can feel myself growing weary, so I shall end my letter here and go rest.

Much love,

Aleydis

P.S. Quit beating on Kadin in sparring because he had the nerve to stop you from coming to protect me. It would've been bad for all involved and it would've made me cry. You didn't want to make me cry, did you?

P.P.S. No, Kadin didn't say anything about sparring with you. I can just tell that he's been writing with his right hand because the writing is a little wonky. And the only reason he would be doing that would be if he sprained or broke his dominant hand. Since he made no mention of such an accident, that means that the incident involved you.

So behave!