... The year that followed has been a chaotic one, a difficult one. You may wonder, my child, how I went from heir to the throne to an unimportant schoolteacher in Gatsba. I'll tell you: this is my home. Trillagla was an interesting place to stay, but I know my place and it wasn't there. Your father welcomed the idea of retiring to the country and seeing my origins. He's no longer Mir the Soldier... he's now Mir the Husband and Mir the Teacher. Together, we do our part to prepare the next generation. We might not be ruling a country, but we know our work is very important. Perhaps that's what having Queen Deeva's blood means. We have the strength to hold power in our hands and turn away.

I did not, of course, abandon this country, though. I left its rule in the competent hands of others who adore it, others who I know would give their lives for this land. They've already tried, after all. They rule together in a committee, reaching decisions through discussion and vote. Your great-aunt Valina, for instance, is a member. She's worked tirelessly to free the slaves, in memory of her sister Mridina. It's no easy task, creating an economic revolution, but she refuses to give up. Her best friend, Cinna, is always at her side, assisting her in this endeavor. And, of course, Rachel helps rule. Known and trusted by all, she keeps peace in Trillagla. Your uncle, Jed, handles the military matters. I hear he has given up his carefree life to lead a dedicated and loyal army. Although, his wife, Valina, has told me that he occasionally "borrows" things from his men, just to torment them. Nonetheless, she says they love him almost as much as they love your father. Gregor and Venessa handle the judicial matters. They've just about eliminated torture and whippings as a method of discipline in the land. Who could argue with them, after they insisted on jail time and not a beating for Venessa's attacker? Then there's your grandmother, who fell in love with Trillagla and continues to live there with your grandfather. She has found, to what she claims is her utter astonishment, that she's quite good at leading and heads the committee. She consults with her sister about everything. Bella didn't die that day, in the prison, of course. She's too stubborn to die. Although she remains weak, her health improves daily under the care of Trillaglan doctors. Her wit has never failed her and she constantly assists her sister and the other members as they try to rule the land.

The land has been a challenge, of course. Not everyone has accepted our rule. I hear Miss Lisette has driven herself mad over the matter. She no longer runs the school; Aili and Ananda run it together these days. Some of the students left, but others race to replace them. Lena has returned and is one of the best pupils in her form. She told her teachers the other day, they report, that she wants one day to be able to feed all the starving people in the whole land. Hopefully she stays true to that goal, for there are still many poor people in our country. Many, many still suffer. You see, it is not a perfect world into which you will be born, my child. But you will have a loving family. Mir and I already adore you and we've not even yet held you in our arms. You have grandparents, aunts, uncles, and other relatives who can't wait to welcome you. You'll be the first of our family born into freedom since Queen Deeva. We've high hopes for you and for all the children of the land. We hope you grow to appreciate all that has been done for you and will strive to nurture and love this freedom. We also hope that you fight for your freedom at every turn. You must not let it be taken from you. You must not let it be taken from Trillagla again. Trillagla needs your care, your loyalty, and your commitment. It is, after all, a rose among thorns.

Your loving mother,
Ruth.