Dear Diary,                                       April 13, 1532

The war for the empire against my uncle, Huayna, is in our favor. All the praying to Illapa, the god of war, must be paying off. Our casualty rate, compared to recent years, has improved. Additionally, Father has made plans to send a thousand warriors down south for reinforcements, but I have a good feeling we won't need the extra help.

Dear Diary,                                       August 4, 1532

At school today, the noble girls and I started learning about the language of the Quipus. Quipus are made with colorful beads and are used to relay information. After the teacher lectured us on the importance of the quipus, we continued our lessons on weaving, cooking, and spinning. I look out the window and see the boys playing. They seem immature, but they look like they are enjoying themselves compared to me.

Dear Diary,                                        August 15,1532

Today marked the day of our yearly ritual to invoke rain for a bountiful harvest next year. The servants woke me up early in the morning and dressed me in the extravagant alpaca and llama wool dress gifted by my father. As the Sapa Inca, he was responsible for overseeing festivals like today. I suppose I would be seen as a goddess since my father was regarded as the son of the great sun god. I eagerly anticipate seeing Ollantay, my best friend since I was four.

Dear Diary,                                       October 1, 1532

The rain has started to pour, and our seeds have begun germinating. From the palace, I could see the entire capital, and the seedlings look like little green buds. They remind me of when I would sneak out of the palace to help farm on the terraces. I remember the first time I met Ollantay when he was crying because he had scraped his knee. I was eventually caught outside the estate by my brother, Diego. The thought brings a small smile to my lips.

Dear Diary,                                       October 7, 1532

Last week, a noble named Pachacuti turned twenty. According to tradition, if a man doesn't have a wife by the time he turns twenty, he would be paired with a sixteen-year-old girl. Marriages can be polygamous, so I can only imagine that the reason someone may not have a wife yet is lack of looks. Why else would he not have a wife yet? I want to be remembered as someone important and not just as the wife of some noble.

Dear Diary,                                     October 23,1532

Today, while heading to the fields to give some of my leftovers to Ollantay, I noticed a strange group of men discussing something with my father. Although everyone is telling me they must be Virococha Cuna, they might be sick because I have never seen someone so pale. Their clothing is also very peculiar. I do not understand why everyone is obsessed with these men.

Dear Diary,                                  November 1, 1532

An unknown illness has spread throughout the empire. It is unlike anything we have ever seen before. Our people have been breaking out in red spots, and others have shown unusual symptoms. Francisco Pizarro's men recovered much faster, and there haven't been as many casualties among his people. My gut tells me they brought the disease here from their home in the "Old World."