Leonidas,

I will keep this letter brief, although I have enough words in my mind to fill several pages. My mind has been ill at ease since that day in Arcasis. I had assumed you already knew who I was. I would never have intended for you to learn who I was in such a public way had I known. I didn't feel it relevant conversation, because where we came from didn’t matter to me. Clearly this revelation has upset you.

You’ve made me so angry. Why wouldn’t you speak to me after? In the garden, I was trying to talk to you but there were too many people and you wouldn’t even look at me. I don’t know why finding out who I am upset you so much, but you behaved rather rudely. Do you regret grabbing me from the market that day? It seems you must think differently of me now that you know where I come from.

I thought we were friends, and I want you to know that I never lied to you. Everything I told you was true, and for once I was able to have fun and be myself. I thought you liked spending time with me. If our friendship has changed simply because of what family I was born to, I’m sorry. I never thought differently of you because of where you came from.

I must go. I had to bribe a messenger with coin and drink to even have a chance at getting this letter to you.

Elena of House Marikas