BECOMING YULIA

[yandeer 734]

 

 

Spoiler

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8oVGk3KzzY4

 

Becoming Yulia

_______________________________

 

In the Novellen there would be some small absence, some missing persons in the marble halls that housed the Imperial Household, those acclaimed few that were honored by birth or merit to share abode with His Imperial Majesty. Indeed, though the missing individual in question was known for her fits of solace, where her only company were her maidservants and the occasional priest for confession, this would be markedly different, markedly unnatural.

 

Juliette Caroline was gone.

 

_______________________________

 

There would be a small number of letters set aside, each one lovingly addressed to the individual recipient.

 

Dear Lorena Annabelle

 

    

Spoiler

 

From a budding blossom into the most beautiful rose- oh, Lorena, I have watched you grow into such a wonderful young woman. I regret that I will not be there to see you become the natural leader you were born to be, but how effortless you make it seem! You have taught me that we can learn from all in life, even those younger than our own persons, so I must thank you with all my heart for the lessons you have given me in grace and humility. 

 

    I pray that we will meet again when the sky is not torn asunder and the southern lands are not infested by unholy invaders, and if God wills that day to come then I will embrace you again whole-heartedly. 

 

 

Dear Mother

 

  

Spoiler

 

 I feel that I have been a disappointment in some manner all my life, and I cannot rightly say where I went wrong. There has never been a moment where I have not craved your praise and love. Indeed, I spent my entire adolescence at prayer, trying so desperately to beat the lessons you taught me into myself: one must not make demands, one must not whine, one must not lie, one must rise above the squabbles of others. I have tried with my every being to make myself worthy of your praise, so that you might love me as you love Elizabeth- but for all my efforts it seems I am still a failure.

 

I walk the path of a pauper now, dedicated to God and his Archangels, and thus while you shall always be my mother, I cannot claim the title of ‘Imperial Princess’ for a moment longer, not if I am to be faithful and leal to the vows I have sworn.

 

    I am sorry that I could not be the daughter you wanted. I have taken every ounce of knowledge that I can from you, and I hope in time I can burn with that same amount of acquired confidence in one’s self that you do possess. As you have been an exemplar to me so shall you be to your people in good time.

 

 

Dear Father

 

  

Spoiler

 

 How strange my life has been- to come from you being my guiding star, my one idol, to now where I must regard you as a pleasant memory at best and a hole in my heart at worst. I wish there had been more time to spend between us. I wish that perhaps there could have been one more story that read to me. I wish that once more you could pick me up and present me to your friends and proclaim how I was the exact vision of you.

 

    How greedy and selfish I was to demand your time! Yet I must be greedy a moment more: in all your time being a father to the State I wish you had taken a moment more to be a father to your own daughter.

 

 

Dear Peter Maximillian 

 

  

Spoiler

 There has never been much need for words between us. You know that I love you just as I know that you love me. The rest is extraneous, the purple prose that beats around the bush. I hope you find happiness in your life,  someone who understands every facet of that bright-shining mind.

 

Dear Elizabeth Anne,

 

  

Spoiler

 

 It seems that from my very earliest memory there has always been some element of competition that was forced upon us, some outward influence that caused me to compare myself to you in every way. Perhaps it was not once so deeply rooted in my heart- indeed I can almost recall what it was like to not be so envious of your every grace and gift. For many years I held deep seated resentment in my heart, hot and cruel, blaming you that our mother so openly proclaimed you her favorite daughter at every turn, that you did seemingly so effortlessly ingratiate yourself to nigh everyone around you. There are these small anecdotes that seem to well up at night, bubbling over like an unwatched cauldron and when I think of how much I wish I could be you I find myself seething with anger.

 

    But do not think that is all I experience. For every pinch of anger there is a pound of love. I know the circumstances of our birth are not your fault, that it is not something you can control. You will always be my sister, who showed me how to love reading through example, who in your own deed and courage on the battlefield did inspire me to take up arms myself, and who in perseverance and gentle nature illuminates my own path; it must unfortunately lead me away from you.

 

    I shall not return until there is nothing in my heart but love and friendship, my dearest and only Elizabethie.

 

 

Dear John Charles,

 

    

Spoiler

 

My most darling brother, it is writing this letter that hurts me greater than all the others combined. From my very first breath it was as if God and all the angels did intend for us to be the closest of companions, confidants and secret keepers alike. I have loved you with my whole heart and being since I was old enough to know you as my one greatest ally. 

 

    That is why the parting is hard: I will be leaving behind him who I have shared my heart with. 

 

    Please understand when I say I must go. I said I was uncertain in my calling, I expressed my doubt on what my path would be. I have found it, I have cleared the path for myself. It is a path where I must shuck off my title of Imperial Princess, where I must live as a beggar would in humility and poverty. I cannot bear the thought of luxury anymore, I cannot bear the thought of yet another ball being held at the expense of others for myself. My one regret is that I must walk it without you, for the paths we trudge down point east and west and may never cross again. Know only I will never not love you, there will never be a day where I do not think of you.

 

 

_______________________________

Juliette Caroline was gone, and in her place walked a paladin by the name of Yulia. 

 

 

 

[Yaldabaoth 746]

A reformed junkie simply mutters ”Based”

[MunaZaldrizoti 8037]

Lorena Helvets would climb the steps of the Helvets Tower, azure gaze cast out over the valley as she grasped the letter in her palm. Perhaps out of fear for her dear cousin’s life and future or  having the knowledge of how much she had truly impacted Juliette’s life, the lady dubbed ‘Little Lorna’ began to weep, for the first time since her childhood.

[Areon 947]

Somewhere a Golden-armored Elf walked, a smug sense of pride washed over him each time he glanced towards Yulia, joyed that she continued to prove him wrong on the thoughts of her people.

[Lhindir_ 3691]

Somewhere, a golden armored elf salutes his new sister in arms. A smile across bronze skinned face. 

[rukio 8924]

Addie simply smiles for Yulia, knowing the girl would have a happier life now.

[BenevolentManacles 2232]

Philip’s personal aid writes a fake letter from Juliette to give to Philip, so he does not feel abused by his sister in forgetting him.

[Ivoreyy 2303]

Elizabeth Anne lingered within her chambers, as she so commonly did nowadays, pacing back and forth between the two rooms. She was quick – a rapid step matching a rapid mind, gaze never once leaving a neatly scribed letter in hand.

 

Back and forth, back and forth.

---

 

“Mister Basrid” Inquired a ten year old princess, walking beside the Archchancellor within the Novellen’s gardens “I've a problem. And you're the wisest man I know. Might you hear me out, and offer me some help?”

 

“Hm? I serve, ma'am, and bring counsel to your blessed line.” 

 

“John.. Juliette - even Philip. I don't think they like me, and I don't know why.” She pouted, her eyes trailing the few as they ran rampant about the palace steps – shouting, squealing. The epitome of childhood – play, and the Princess, despite her age, couldn’t feel further from it.

 

“Koh!” Simon tutted, answering rather simply “It is because you are here, mulling over stone-men, while they play knights and goblins.”

 

The child frowned, not entirely convinced “They hide things from me.. Juliette nearly cried before, as she wished me not to join in on their fun. She told me everyone only wishes to speak and dance with me.. Not her. I don't mean to hurt my sister.”

 

The archchancellor paused in stride, a stern gaze turning to the child stood beside him. “You will soon learn  that where there are two sisters, young princess, that each must be foils to another. Embrace and welcome that.”

 

“But What if she never likes me?”

 

“Understand her perspectives. As you may teach her the matters of court - she may instruct you to the rite of adventure. If you fear such a fate, it has power over you – we are given the power of the heavens by our maker to break our conditioning. Never settle to that end.”

---

 

[Urahra 5780]

Spoiler