{ Part III }

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[NOTE: see end of work for translation]

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The next morning, Ivan woke up to an empty bed, not feeling so disappointed about it, surprisingly. He could still smell Francis's scent on his bed sheets.

The sunlight was making its way through the tent, making him slowly get up, promptly dress up, and pick up the sealed envelope that was on the ground. He opened it, and signed the paper, placing it safely into the inner pocket of his coat.

Something else on the ground caught his attention. It was another letter, the one that Francis had kept for himself yesterday night. Curious, he approached it, and took it in his hands.

It read « Dear Sir I. Braginsky »

Puzzled, Ivan opened the letter, and started reading it.


« Cher Ivan,

I do not exactly know how to tell you this, but you should've gotten this letter along with the other one I left you. Normally, I would not be allowed such action, but I did so regardless.

I do plan on making my empire stronger, and my people proud. Your royalty do not scare us in anyway whatsoever, and we shan't back down.

However, I wanted to let you know something even more important, to my person, at least.

You have, and always have been, a great opponent, and I feel honored to have been granted to opportunity to fight against such loyal and experienced man such as you, your tsar, and your people. I never hated you, and hope that some day, we will find a way to find our neutral grounds again.
Best regards,

F. Bonnefoy

Ps: Je t'aime de tout mon cœur, mon amour. Please remember that. »

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Translation:

Cher = dear
Je t'aime de tout mon cœur, mon amour = I love you from the bottom of my heart/ with all my heart

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