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[jurisimpudent]

[He doesn't altogether know at first whether or not he's gladdened by the content of this letter, but he's certainly gladdened by the fact that she sent it at all. It means she didn't burn what he wrote to her, and didn't...Well. After he'd sent it, he'd allowed himself the luxury of fear. That Sansa Stark wasn't like Alayne Stone, that she was more scheming - that she was the sort of person who wouldn't listen to his wishes. That she would put the weapon that he'd given her in the hands of one of his enemies.

But no; if she asks that last of him, then she wouldn't have told others what he told her. It would be too dishonorable.

This letter is clearly written more spontaneously; it arrives only about six hours after the one she gave him, and there's the occasional stray mark. Never any crossing-out, but the hand is less practiced.]

Lady Sansa,

I realize now, as I did not before, that this is more than just a conflict of philosophies; I have been contumely and given offense. I apologize for this. It was not in any way my intent; it is merely my training - and, I must confess, perhaps also my nature - to not spend time softening my words or giving consideration to feelings; my highest priority is to cut through to the truth.

So allow me to once again cut through, but this time in a way that might I hope bring some peace. I do not think it the truth that you and your family are remotely without honor. I do not think you wild, nor reckless; I do not think poorly of you at all. I find Robb Stark an honorable and honest man; your brother Bran is a child of uncommon wisdom; even though I argue with your brother the Lord Commander more often than I agree with him, I think him a fellow of good morals and decency; and you yourself are a woman of courage, integrity and kindness, hardly sparing a good word for any aboard this ship. I wish all of you only the best.

Yet you must understand, Lady Sansa, that I have one desire and one desire only: to keep the people here safe. I asked your brother to forsake his kingly autonomy not to see him humbled, nor to see your family offended, but because that is the way to prevent violent conflict. We must come to bow to a single authority, because multiple authorities will lead to war; I would accept, even, the rule of your brother were it not that the likes of the Lannisters would see him brought down with arms and fire. This system of justice, of rule by the people, is the system most likely to keep the peace, because there will be no talk of tyrants, and it is a new system and as such there will be no longstanding resentment; that woman, if she commits crimes, will not be able to screech about the Starks' grudges, because it will be an impartial system judging her.

But I fear I speak overlong on matters you already comprehend, and thereby insult your comprehension. Allow me to speak, therefore, more plainly. You say that a Stark bows to duty. So too does [And here, just briefly, an ink-spot of hesitation - ] an Edgeworth. I, Miles, the person, wish to stand with you - and as Miles, the person, I do. I detest the wounds you bear, detest the hand that gave you them. But my duty is not as a man; my duty is as a prosecutor, and as Prosecutor Edgeworth I must be impartial, and I must question and doubt even those whom I respect. It does not give me pleasure, for it loses me the affection of many; I have been overhasty in making friends, for it has sapped my resolve. But it is what I must do, and I hope that even if you bear no love for the prosecutor that you will understand that I as a person wish you no distress, but only happiness.

I hope that you are well, and I hope you will always be well. I hope you will forgive too the base sentiment of this letter; I trust you will take it in the spirit in which it was offered.

With regard,
M. Edgeworth