Dear Evan,

I lunched with a weaver whose silk feels like water against the skin. She’s breathtakingly good, yet acts like she’s unaware of it—like no one’s told her she’s better than half the empire’s master artisans.

She reminded me of something—how different this place is from the capital. No one here clamors for favor through deception or feigned charm. Their reputations are built through talent, not whispers behind closed doors.

I think I prefer it.

But don’t worry—I’ll deny everything if asked. I have an image to uphold.

How is the empire treating you? Have you found someone else to torment in my absence, or am I still your favorite?

Your Favorite (because I already know),
Cassandra

***

Dear Cassandra,

If you become too enamored with Idellia, I fear I may have to personally drag you back.

The empire is just as insufferable as ever. More so, since I no longer have you here to remind me that I am, in fact, not always right.

I had dinner with an old friend recently—Dreyfuss Wickhart. He and his younger sister Magdalene were my classmates at the Imperial Academy. He’s as stubborn as ever, but I respect him. 

His sister is… well, let’s say she has always had a habit of trying to catch my attention in ways that are difficult to ignore.

You would probably like Dreyfuss. He has that irritating quality of being too good of a person. You’d find a way to ruin him just for fun.

Tell me more about this weaver of yours. Seems you’ve started recruiting artists into your secret empire. Is this your long game? A duchy built on brocade and charm?

Your Biggest Fan,
Evan

***

Idellia was changing me.

I could feel it in the way I no longer woke expecting a battle, in the way I moved through the city without constantly searching for hidden threats. The strategy hadn’t vanished, but here, power came through creation, not manipulation.

And somehow, I was becoming part of it.

The Duke of Idellia had begun seeking my counsel more frequently. At first, it was merely polite conversation over evening meals, but it didn’t take long before his questions turned pointed, his interest sharpening. 

He saw what I was building—alliances, trade routes, influence—all without a single blade drawn.

I was building something incredible for this duchy.

And I was beginning to wonder if I wanted to stop.

***

Dear Evan,

You never mentioned this Magdalene Wickhart before. A tragic oversight, truly. I would have loved to hear about your many admirers sooner.

You were right about Dreyfuss—I’d probably like him. Which means, of course, I’d ruin him for sport. It’s a hobby, really.

As for my secret empire, I must say, I’m making progress. The artists and makers here have little interest in politics, but they are fiercely loyal to those who support them. My investment in them has already made an impact.

Tamil says the people are starting to trust me. I can’t decide if that’s flattering or terrifying.

Do you trust me, Evan?

Empress of the Evan Admirer Club,
Cassandra

***

Dear Empress of EAC,

You already know the answer to that.

Yours…Truly,
Evan

***

Tamil Otron was young, but he was wise.

He had a way of noticing things, of reading between words and actions without effort. It made sense why he had been chosen to study under one of Idellia’s master scholars. 

People listened to him, not because of a title, but because he made them want to.

"I think the Duke likes you," he told me one afternoon, watching me over the rim of his teacup.

I smirked. "I should hope so. He’s letting me handle half of his trade negotiations."

Tamil shook his head. "No, I mean he likes you. Like… ‘this duchy has a spare inheritance’ kind of likes you.”

I raised a brow. "Are you saying he sees me as his future daughter?"

He shrugged. "It wouldn’t be the first time a noble family adopted someone outside of blood ties. And you are… persuasive."

That was an understatement.

Still, I laughed. "I think you’re getting ahead of yourself, Tamil."

He grinned. “Maybe. But you like it here. Admit it. You’re two compliments away from founding a cult.”

I hesitated.

Tamil was too perceptive.

I glanced toward the window, where the city stretched beyond the estate walls. The streets were alive with music, with voices that didn’t whisper in shadows but called out in daylight. 

Idellia wasn’t perfect, just different enough to matter.

I had spent too much time clawing for survival in the empire. I had never considered what it would feel like to simply exist.

"I’m getting used to it," I said finally.

Tamil didn’t look convinced.

"Does Archduke Cromwell know?" he asked.

I frowned. "Know what?"

"That you might not want to leave. I’ve assumed you’re close and that he wants you to come back home."

I didn’t answer.

***

Dear Evan,

Do you ever think about what life would have been like if we had been born elsewhere? Somewhere simpler?

I look at the people here—painters, musicians, builders—and wonder what it would have been like to grow up with nothing but a dream instead of a fight for survival.

Tell me something true, Evan.

Yours,
Cassandra

***

Dear Cassandra,

I’ll tell you something true.

I don’t care about the empire. I don’t care about its future, its politics, its wars. I stay because I must. But if I had been born somewhere else, somewhere simpler… I think I would have left long ago.

You are lucky, you know.

For the first time in your life, you can choose.

Still Just Evan (Unless ‘King of the Fan Club’ is available?)

***

His words stuck with me like sweet perfume, its delicious scent hard to ignore.

I could choose.

For so long, my life had been shaped by vengeance, by careful planning and ruthless execution. But here, in Idellia, I had been given something I had never known before—freedom.

The Duke trusted me. The people welcomed me. The artisans respected me.

I had built something without having to destroy something else.

And for the first time, I wondered, maybe—

Wasn’t that power, too?