Chapter Text
Dear Maria,
You can imagine my surprise when I received a letter in the mail today! I have had no correspondence other than the quarterly allowance father sends me (which is not quite as much as the allowance as I used to receive. Perhaps my value as the oldest son has lessened since my "shameful" discharge).
I admit, you are right. I have not felt like socializing since I was injured, so I have been hiding in the little hovel I rent from a local, cranky landlady. But before you exclaim your triumphant little "Ha!", let me stop you and say I have been talking to a few people. There are a few other veterans that live around here and I have become a part of their little group of sorts. We are not quite as close as Joseph and I were, but it is better than nothing.
Other than that, I have not done so well. I have been subsisting on roasted nuts and "little baked goods", as you put it, which has been quite satisfying but not quite as healthy. I also have been dwelling a bit too much on the negatives...but I shall try to stop that. I will try and get a job around here soon, to help me gain that motivation you talk about. And perhaps also earn enough money to buy myself a hearty meal every day (as I mentioned earlier, father really has a tight fist when it comes to my allowance now).
I am very sorry to hear that the others are stifling you with their tragically boring personalities. If you want a real challenge, you could try to train the younger ones to make something of themselves, perhaps. However, I think the only one that has real potential is Dio. He is still young enough to mold and he can appreciate a good joke. But please, do not turn him into one of your minions. You have enough of those.
Speaking of the minions, how are they? Have you deemed any of them worthy enough to be your beau? Is mother already grooming you to be a future bride? For her sake, I hope not. She has a better chance of marrying away a turkey in a petticoat. Haha! I am merely joking, dear sister. You will make a lovely young woman I am sure, but god have mercy on whatever dull, rich pig they try to marry you off to. Promise me you will sooner run away to me than marry a man who does not appreciate your talents. You deserve a better life than that.
Enclosed is a wildflower I picked from a bush earlier today. It is a bit disturbing how I picked it because it reminded me of you, and suddenly I received your letter. Or perhaps this is God working in his mysterious ways, as mother likes to say. I hope this letter finds you well, and please do not tell mother or father that we are corresponding. I fear they might not approve and cut off my contact with the only sane one around here.
Love your brother,
Roy