A letter from a former Alcalde

[Wonderland_Boy 1081]

Spoiler

 

 

As the final year of my sentence slowly approaches, I find myself writing this, not out of some deluded hope that the people of Villa Francisco will ever forgive me, but perhaps to simply thank you. Each of you, for the moments I was blessed to share with you. And to somehow ease the weight that has clung to me every day since the moment I made the choice to leave.

On the 7th of Javier’s Justice, in the year 2023 of the imperial calendar, I , Antônio Fernandes de Alencar, at the time third Alcalde of Hyspia, left the kingdom alongside my family. I told myself it was to protect them, that staying would put them in danger. But as the years passed, I was forced to see that excuse for what it truly was: a coward’s lie. A story I whispered to myself to justify abandoning everything I loved.

The chance to undo that decision is long gone. But even so, it is never too late to express my gratitude to those who gave me far more than I ever deserved.

To Anacleta Paqar Leomonte

Of everyone I wronged, you are the one who haunts me most. You were my comrade, my ally, my closest friend. You stood by my side at every turn, carried me when I faltered and in return, I abandoned you. I failed you in the most unforgivable way one friend can fail another. I know I will never be worthy of your forgiveness, nor do I expect it. But even from afar, I have watched you lead with a strength I never possessed. You became the Alcalde I was too weak to be. And even after all that has happened, you gave me the chance to mend my ties with those I love. You’ve shown me  and all of Villa Francisco why it is so important to never lose hope. Thank you, Ana.

 

To Leomonte

I know how deeply you resent me nowadays. In your eyes, I am nothing but the squire who lied, who broke his oath, who turned his back on his people. And you are right. For years, I tried to convince myself that you too had failed, that you hadn’t done enough to protect my family, to safeguard Hyspia. But deep down, I always knew the truth: you did everything you could. You gave your blood, sweat and tears to protect everyone. You tried to shap me into a knight, even though I was too naive and dumb to earn such a title. And even now, even though I no longer wear a sword or dream of knighthood, I still carry the lessons you once taught me. So thank you, Capitán.

 

To Xiomara I

I doubt you will ever read this, now that you are finally free from the crushing weight the crown once forced you to bear. But my debt to you remains. You gave me purpose when I had none. You made me your cupbearer when I was just a boy with no noble name, no exceptional skill, nothing but a desperate hope for belonging. You inspired me to build the business that now feeds my family. And more than that, you believed in me when no one else did. You were my Queen but far beyond that, you were my hope. Gracias, mi reina.

 

To Mauricio and the Salazar Family

Even after all I did, after every mistake, after every failure, you never left me. I have asked myself countless times why you stayed. Why would you remain beside a friend who brought nothing but disappointment? But you stayed. You lifted me up every time I fell. I lost count of the times I wanted to give up, convinced myself I was beyond saving, but you refused to let me sink. I may never deserve your friendship, but I do know this: you are my favorite person in this entire damned world. Whatever storm may come, whatever hell we face, I want to face it with you. I want to fight for you, no matter the cost. Because you are my everything.

And please, tell your father i’m sorry for the joke I made. I went too far, as I often do.

 

To Aelrin, Kerina, and Arvel Mondblume

When my parents died, I was left wondering what family truly meant. Was it blood? Was it simply those you live with? In the end, it was through the three of you that I discovered the truth. Family is made of those who love you, who stand by your side even when you don’t deserve it. You became my second family.

Kerina, with your endless adventures and tireless lessons, you taught me how to live and how to love.
Arvel, when you first asked me to build that office, you unknowingly sparked my greatest passion, setting me on the path to become an architect, to find work I loved and could build a life upon.
And Aelrin, your wisdom, your calm guidance whenever I was too blind or stubborn to see the truth, you were the father I never had. And I will never be able to repay you for that gift.

Thirty years have passed, and not a day goes by where I do not thank the heavens for the time you gave me for saving me.

 

To the people of Villa Francisco, and all former citizens of Hyspia

As I left the kingdom, I remember thinking of all of you, fearing that something terrible would happen, that I would never see you again. Each of you holds a place in my heart: Priscilla, Emil, Dante, Pablo, Valencia, Mauris, Isidoro, and so many more. You weren’t just my people,  you were my family. Yes, we were chaotic and hectic, often to a concerning degree, but it was beautiful. The festivals, the balls, Ana’s cadet safety drills, the duels with the Capitán. I miss every moment of it. Even though I cannot go back, I will cherish those memories for as long as I live.

Thank you, Hyspia for making me who I am, for teaching me how to learn from my mistakes, how to prevent them, and above all, how to love what is around me instead of drowning in the things I have lost.

I will always regret many of the choices I made. But had I not walked that path, I may never have become the man I am today. I may never have met my son. I may never have reunited with the family I had once drifted from. For that, I thank you, Hyspia.
 

Signed: