1. "Dear son. I hope this letter finds you well, and that [cdb]you and your sister aren't fighting too much."
  2. "Nothing has changed with me—I'm not having any [cdb]troubles here."
  3. "It's been some time since I left the church in the Kingdom, but I'm making do."
  4. "Once this war is over, I hope the three of us can live [cdb]together again..."
  5. She seems in good health.
  6. Yes. She sent me this letter as soon as I wrote her [cdb]about being reunited with you.
  7. I know she was happy to hear that. She was always so [cdb]worried about you, you know?
  8. ...
  9. We haven't seen you since we left House Bartels, [cdb]so please go visit her when you have a chance.
  10. As you read, we were thinking that after the war is [cdb]over we could perhaps reunite.
  11. No.
  12. Why not?
  13. I...cannot face her.
  14. I killed my father. Slaughtered everyone in the house. Our mother shouldn't meet a murderer.
  15. Yes, I heard about that—but I'm certain you took [cdb]those actions because you felt you had to, right?
  16. Just explain it to her. She'll listen to you.
  17. You do not understand. There is a murderous demon [cdb]in my heart.
  18. The Death Knight inside me would cut you and our [cdb]mother down without hesitation.
  19. If that happened, I would...lose myself.
  20. But we're here talking right now, and you're just as [cdb]you always were.
  21. You're my little Emile who loves kittens and sweets!
  22. Mercedes...
  23. I may be fine now—and perhaps the demon in me will [cdb]even perish someday.
  24. But I cannot live with you until I pay for my crimes.
  25. And considering the weight of them, that day may [cdb]never come.
  26. But...
  27. I seek only to be judged by the law and thereby atone.
  28. So that's what you've decided, is it?
  29. In that case, I have no choice but to support you, [cdb]no matter how sad it makes me.
  30. But just know that Mother and I will always be [cdb]waiting for you, no matter how long it takes.
  31. I look forward to the day when you can show your [cdb]face to her proudly.
  32. I see.
  33. We might both be old ladies by then...
  34. But we'll still be able to talk over tea like always!
  35. Thank you, Mercedes.