Snippet #1966694

"It is hard to be humble when much has been given to you, a strange aspect of human nature, to be sure," the Duke chuckled before turning serious. Inside, he was grieving for what he must do to one daughter, though not his by blood, to save the other. He pulled a drawer open and studied the official-looking piece of parchment before him, "This is Christine's birth certificate. It proves that her father was a servant working on her mother's parents' estate and will destroy much of her credibility before the Court. Unfortunately, it will also destroy her and I have a feeling that everything she has done will be revealed."

He looked contemplative, regretting what he must do, "Did you know that her mother and I never ceased to love her? She was always to be the heir and we were to send you to Arva for the path to knighthood when you were older. I wish I could have told her that. Perhaps she wouldn't have taken such actions."

Shaking himself out of his reverie, he glanced over at his daughter by blood and smiled at her, somewhat teasingly, "I have heard of Prince Lelinus' bodyguard. I've heard certain rumors about her and the prince. Is he really like your brother?"