When a faithful follower writes a letter to a fallen King, he writes about the next-in-line heir and how they are damaging the lands—a letter of forgiveness for what they will do.

My Lord,

It has been almost a year since you left this world and your people. The plague has run its course, and we’re no longer afraid of the outside anymore. We have celebrated, rejoiced, and smiled upon the clean air and the health of our people.

But another plague has continued to rot among the lands of Calderon – your son.

All of the years of blood you have spilled for your people, he has poisoned it with alcohol and women. Drunk in his greed, we fear another shortage of food will come soon as he fattens himself like the festival pigs we would feast upon. He has taken tenfold as if the plague hasn’t already taken enough from our livestock.

Just the other day, he had Wilbert, the man who had taken care of your son, while we were gone to defend Calderon, hanged for taking food that was rightfully his. He would’ve died for your son, and your son has treated him like filth. Floating alongside the murderers and traitors.

Your son is a disgrace to your kingdom, so I ask for your forgiveness, as I have no choice.

Lately, he has taken a liking to my daughter, Mina. Sweet, sweet Mina has grown to be a beautiful girl with a heart of gold. One I am proud to call my daughter, and one who still believes in the times that Calderon once had shone so bright. But she is covered in the shadows each and every day in our darkest times.

I have kept her safe from that boy we call a king, and even taken beatings for when I told him no. I fear the next time, I will join Wilbert out on the tree if I don’t give him what he wants.

This has to stop.

So, tonight, on the anniversary of your death. I will guard your son’s bedchambers once more. He will have a visitor later tonight – Mina, who will do what her coward of a father has failed to do, for she will become both a woman and a hero for Calderon, while I prepare for whatever comes for me.

I will accept my hanging as a traitor for the sake of your land. And I have welcomed the depths of hell for Calderon. I only wish that the gods would understand my reasoning and have mercy on an old and tired man. Maybe I can tell you all about it soon, if the gods allow it.

Your faithful, always.