The princess immediately understood and, on the brink of leaving the court to retire to the countryside, she addressed him in the following manner.

                                                Pulcheria to Flavian

Dear Flavian, I am neither surprised nor dismayed by the advice you have given me. I had lucidly anticipated that Eudoxia’s return would entail the departure of Pulcheria. Having grown accustomed to world's upheavals, I do not regret this change, which may perhaps only be disadvantageous to those who brought it about. This sudden shift is the result of Chrysaphius’s malice, Theodosius's kindness and Eudoxia’s ambition. Who could have predicted, Flavian, that poor Eudoxia, who didn’t even have a shelter to protect her when she threw herself at my feet, would place the world’s most powerful crown upon her head? Would this have seemed credible? But even more strangely, who could have envisioned that the person I crowned with my own hands would violently wrench the reins of the Empire from me, which I had elegantly ruled under Theodosius's authority since I was fifteen?

         No, Flavian, I do not wish for posterity to accuse neither the emperor nor the empress of having exiled a princess to whom they owe the crown they wear. Because if I placed that crown on Eudoxia’s head, I consolidated it on Theodosius's. His famous victory over Ruga, who, after crossing the Danube, came with all the armed forces of the Armenians and the Magyars to topple the imperial throne as far as Constantinople, was not merely a product of Theodosius's efforts. And dare it be said, I snatched the thunderbolt from God's hands to crush this barbarian's head, for, as you know, he died struck by lightning. Yes, Flavian, Theodosius owes this victory to me, as well as that which he gained over Vahram, the king of the Sassanids, who had allied himself with Al-Mundhir, the king of the Lakhmids. They had formed a powerful army requiring indeed more than human strength to resist the multitude of men from various nations it composed. However, a terror seized these troops, they self-destructed, and what should have rendered them victorious made them incapable of winning. Yes, wise Flavian, I have used winds, storms, and thunder for Theodosius's glory. I brought the heavens to his defense, and the bloodless victories he won were the rewards of the wisdom I had imparted.

       You know that, being two years older than him, I took charge of his education. I have the honor of being his sister, but he is my adopted son, and you know how I have acted since Theodosius chose to share his power with me and to associate me with the Empire. Can there be a more fortunate reign than his? Is there a prince on earth who does not love Theodosius or who does not fear him? Is anyone complaining of my rule? Haven’t my advisements been fair and benevolent?

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