Dearest Son;
I find myself somewhat hurt by your last letter to me. I have not sold out to the Whites, the Reds, to anyone. Our family is still doing phenomenally well, the only issues being that some of our benefits have been redirected to the military. It has been a few years now, but I think enough strings have been pulled. The Emperor has asked the Senate for authorization for an attack on the Timurids. This is what I have been working towards for years; soon Alexandria will be safe and we will be able to prosper without having to fear hordes storming in from the east. My original intention was to retire from my position as head of the Red Demes after this session, as I had joined mostly to achieve personal goals. But now, I feel a responsibility to stay and guide to Imperium to military victory. The Army Reform is going well, and additional powers should be granted to us shortly. Thus, I will most likely seek re-election, if my members will have me.
I am also worried somewhat about your... reading habits. I went through great risk to get you those texts six years ago, all for the sake of a thorough education. The intention for those was to be able to know your enemies' arguments so that they can be better defeated in debate. I grow increasingly worried that you may have taken different lessons, especially seeing some of your recent expenditures, which you have attempted to hide from me. I have given you increased responsibilities in this family, but I won't have you hiding your purchases, especially such risky ones. I also do not understand your increased hatred towards the remaining Coptics in Alexandria. I don't see how they are different from any other heretic.
You've always wanted to see the world, and to find great riches in the East, but I feel in the past 5 or so years something has changed, and I would like to know why. Your support for policies of exploration hasn't faltered, but...
I'm not sure. It just seems like there's something more than gold you want to look for.
-Domenico Colombo