Letters From Armin: Released

Selected Letters of Armin R. Tolor, No. 13

This is Selected Letters of Armin R. Tolor, a serial which will release every three weeks. To catch up on past letters, see The Index. For information on the illustrations, see the footnote¹

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Dear Mary,

I read your reply out loud to Catherine as soon as I received it. Catherine already very much considers you a sister, and is deeply grateful for your wise and clearly grace-filled words. We will visit you together before the wedding.

I feel released from obligation. You reminded me of advice Jason gave me before Lars died—I deserve to be happy too. And yes—there is crisis. And yes—there is chaos. But I am making the decisions for my life, decisions which no one else can make. I choose Catherine. I choose to be happy.

What’s more—I will renounce my title, and in doing so renounce the inheritance of County Weyand. Catherine’s family is untitled. They have a fine estate and live a fine and simple life. I choose a simple life. I do not want the throne. There is more to life than power.

Father will…not take kindly to this news. And Catherine understands the challenges it poses. But she recognizes that it is my decision to make, and supports me. Mary—I love her. What I did to deserve such an extraordinary woman I cannot say. But given that God has sent her to me, I will treasure her as a gift and blessing all my days.

The King arrived in South Legrange three days ago, and met with the Duke there. I saw Ella in the background of one of the broadcasts. News of her has been scarce—she looked well, such as I can tell. The Maristo Navy has fled—where to, who can say. Perhaps they will take up piracy around the Iris system, perhaps they will defect and go to another system altogether. It looks as if peace is about to be imposed, like a flood; rather than grow from a spirit of goodwill. Peace is peace—but I wonder how long it will last?

Your loving brother,

-Armin

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1. Illustrations were created on commission by

The Chronicler

. If you are interested in commissioning The Chronicler to create artwork for your own project, see this page HERE.