Response to a Grieving Man

[MunaZaldrizoti 8037]

15^th of the Grand Harvest, 1731

 

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Cousin Laertes,

 

May GOD forgive you for your sins, for they’re many and grievous in offense. You undo any good that our Empire might have done for humanity, causing further discord and division in pursuit of both carnal lust and mindless ambition. If what you say is true, a bastard boy of Savoyard heritage sits upon our most exalted throne. Whether this is a fruit of your greed, I cannot say. This trickery is furthered by your placement of your own niece by his side, where such incestuous relations has been so plainly scrutinized in more recent times. You reveal your playing hand, for all to see: A de Falstaff line of Emperors, a mummer’s dragon.

 

I do hope that you’re brought to justice for these crimes, though you hide behind your grief for my late aunt rather well. If I have learned anything from my life thus far, it is that those in power will do whatever it takes to not only curry favor, but hide behind it when they can. You deserve nothing better than eternal imprisonment for your deceptions, if not worse than even that. Pity for the loss of your loathsome mistress will not save you, in the eyes of those truly devoted to a united humanity.

 

You used my father to gain power, now you use your son. You hop so flippantly from one Emperor to the next that I wonder how you haven’t sprouted whiskers and a tail, a hare so eager for the gleaming carrot he is presented. Akin to a pet, to serve blindly in return for gifts and rewards.

 

For all of our quarrels, I feel small sorrows for the House of Alstion, who so supported your bastard son for his throne.  They are hit with one blow after another, this surely being the one to truly allow you to garner their ire. I hope they show you the similar kindness shown to mine own lord father, during his war.

 

Good luck to you, cousin Laertes, in the times to come. I hope these treacheries were worth the risking of your own neck, and the lives of your family and sons. The murder and disgrace of my aunt, however troublesome she was, and your endless venture to clearly usurp the throne.

 

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Signed,

Josephine Philippa Marna,

Baroness of Rafal