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Post by Nyte on Mar 22, 2020 22:46:01 GMT -5
The entire way to the dinning hall Ivy would cast glances down the hallways, around corners and occasionally behind them as they walked. She had never been so on edge her entire life. Normally she walked around with the confidence of someone that thought they were untouchable. The past few minutes had shown her just how wrong that assumption was.
Once they were seated at the table, served their drinks, and left alone once more Ivy looked up to meet his gaze as he apologized. "Don't apologize." She told him. "It's probably my fault anyway." She replied and sipped her own water. "Anytime something off balance happens it's my fault." She grimaced slightly as she thought of a memory and then took another sip.
"Did you know the royal family of Ballay is not pure?" She finally stated as she looked down at her plate. "Our blood line was tainted once when a Queen took a husband that was not what he seemed. One of my ancestors. She bore only one son and as the only heir he was the only one to take the throne when his mother died. His father.. whom had been locked away within the castle.. was something my family refers to as a mana beast. It was apparently a creature that could take on a form that appealed to you most and the children it spawned.. well there were rumors that they held special abilities. They were not mages, but could manipulate certain things. Like thoughts, physical features, and many other things. These powers grew weaker the more generations there were, but it's still in our blood." She finally brought her gaze up to look him in the eye. "Our mishap.. is most likely my fault in that regard."
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Post by Blindside Tex on Mar 23, 2020 8:22:20 GMT -5
Rhys watched her carefully. He drew his brows together when she once again blamed herself for what happened. “Princess...” he began but she started to tell him of the tainted past if the royal family. He sat back in his chair and watched her carefully. He pressed his lips together. The ability to control thoughts. That was an interesting notion. The queen was able to force him to do things that he didn’t want to do. She didn’t have to use the devices that she had devised for her captains. But he felt this overwhelming sensation when she told him to do something. And....if he tried to fight it he felt pain within his entire being.
He stared to her for a long moment as silence surrounded the two. Perhaps this was the cause. Tainted blood. A demon. The soul had called her the devil. He knew better than that but...if she truly could do such things....it could turnout horribly. He began to wonder if the king possessed such abilities as well. Perhaps that was how the history books came to paint him as a perfect saint in comparison to his daughter.
Rhys drew in a breath as food was set before them. He waited until they were alone once again before he gave a slow nod. “Don’t blame yourself, Ivy.” He searched her eyes carefully. “You did not cause this. I should have waited for you to understand magic more before I took you into the void...” He sighed softly. “Have you felt any of these powers? You seem to have anxiety from it....what happened? I can assure you we can get through this.” He nodded and gave a soft smile. “If anything I’ll puss off the reapers to help.” He chuckled as he tried to bring a bit of levity to the situation.
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Post by Nyte on Mar 23, 2020 13:30:33 GMT -5
She gave him a halfhearted smile as he joked about the reapers. "No, I don't have any such abilities. No one in my family has had them for generations. We assumed that the abilities were simply bred out as time went on. Too diluted by humans not welcoming further tainted sources into our line." She sighed and picked at her food slightly that was sitting on her plate.
Something wasn't right. She felt as if something was going to be waiting to pounce on her around every corner. It was an uneasiness that she knew she wasn't going to be able to shake easily. "I wish my father hadn't locked away my mother.." She sudden stated with a tone of sadness to her voice. "You would have liked her. She's kind, smart and understanding. Nothing like my father that sets rigid rules and tries to hold things so tight they suffocate." She wrinkled her nose slightly in distaste.
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Post by Blindside Tex on Mar 23, 2020 16:50:34 GMT -5
Rhys watched her a moment as she stated that she didn't hold such abilities. But, maybe she just hadn't discovered the abilities yet? He poked at his food slightly as well but his eyes would always return to her as he listened to her speak. He could tell she was uncomfortable. That was the only thing that he was certain of. Everything else was a bit of a toss up in this moment. Then the princess said something that surprised him. When she had spoken of the queen before...she spoke of a woman that tried to kill the king and seemed completely hush tone over the situation. As if she shouldn't talk about it at all. He tilted his head slightly as he watched her. When she spoke of her father she almost seemed angry. Though, he couldn't blame her, he'd known the man for less than 24 hours and he already didn't quite like him. He was definitely overbearing, and he expected a lot from her with little that he seemed to give in return. Though he wanted to claim in front of everyone that it was for Ivy's better interest that she take so much information in and have zero free time.
He took in a breath as he set his fork down, his eyes looked to her a bit of sadness held in his hues. "If your mother is so kind...what exactly happened?" He questioned. It was pressing, but...he wanted to know if she would speak about it. "If we need to go to a better place to talk...we can...I want to help Ivy. That is why I am here." He didn't break his eye contact with her as he spoke. Perhaps it was fate that sent him back in time to save the queen before her time came. Perhaps fate did not want him to simply kill her. That was the easy route out....
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Post by Nyte on Mar 23, 2020 18:37:23 GMT -5
Ivy opened her mouth to speak just as the doors to the dinning hall flew open and the King barged into the room. "Ivy!" He called, obviously angry, and as she stood up to greet her father he lifted his hand and delivered a back handed blow to her cheek. It wasn't hard enough to knock her from her feet but it was enough to cause her head to snap to the side as the sound of slap echoed around hall.
There was a still moment in the hall after the slap, as if the world held its breath, and then the King leaned forward towards his daughter. "Why do you find it acceptable to destroy the library that you study in? The guards find books thrown, statues shattered, and other items scattered like leaves in the wind. Even drawings on the floor. You know better!" He yelled at her then turned towards Rhys. "I realize you were instructed to teach my daughter but that does not mean she can do as she pleases." He turned back towards his daughter. "This is the palace, you are the princess and I'll not have you or this place torn to shred for your amusement. Understood?!"
"Yes, father." Was all Ivy replied in an even tone as she faced forward but did not lift her gaze to meet his. Her cheek was bright red from the slap and her eye watered from the pain but her lip didn't even quiver.
The King exhaled and straightened his robes before casting another glance to Rhys then back to Ivy. "Now, you've interrupted by own work having to come down and discipline you. Make sure the library is cleaned and that this never happens again." His voice was much calmer now. He turned to Rhys. "If you'll excuse me I'll see the both of you at dinner tomorrow night. This evening meals will be held in private chambers." He nodded as if he was confirming what he said to himself and then turned on his heel to leave the dinning hall once more.
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Post by Blindside Tex on Mar 23, 2020 19:00:50 GMT -5
Rhys leaned forward slightly as he anticipated her response. Though when the doors flew open his eyes turned to see the king. He rose from his seat quickly to show respect for the king. Though the voice that the king used was angry and full of hate. The blow that he delivered caused Rhys to wince. He lowered his head as he clasped his hands in front of him to keep himself from reacting. He held his breath as a silence settled over the room. This, was horrible. He couldn’t blame Ivy for turning into a tyrant with such a father. No love in sight. He listened as the king scolded his daughter, his expression grim the entire while.
When the king spoke to him he gave a slow nod, “Yes my king.” He spoke, though he didn’t lift his eyes to meet the man either. It was better to not challenge him in this moment. Though...eventually Rhys felt like it would be something that needed to be done. Even if Ivy turned into the horrible tyrant and destroyed everything...she didn’t deserve this treatment. This could very well be what caused her to become such a mess in the first place.
Rhys lifted his eyes to the man his he spoke to him once again. His jaw was tight. “Of course, my king. Understood.” He replied. His brows tucked together, though his expression seemed calm...on the inside he was boiling. He didn’t like to see anyone abused in such a manner. His breaths were quick as he watched the king exit the room. Rhys looked to the princess and stepped toward her. “Don’t move.” He spoke and gave a nod. He lifted his fingertips up and gently touched her skin where it had turned red he then focused, his fingertips began to glow. A cooling sensation would fill her cheek as he healed her, followed by a warmth that was as relaxing as sitting next to a campfire in the summer. After a moment he lowered his hand and let out a breath. “I will fix the library. I am...truly sorry for all of this, princess.” He bowed his head slightly. “You...do not deserve such treatment...and to think, what I have heard of your father is that he is a wonderful loving king...” He scoffed, his anger finally coming through. “Clearly that is not the case.” He took a few steps back and crossed his arms. “Tell me, because I assume I am correct...your mother did something to displease the king didn’t she? Hm?” His voice was soft. He wasn’t accusing at all. Though he did look concerned.
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Post by Nyte on Mar 23, 2020 19:35:19 GMT -5
After the King had departed once more Ivy remained in place, her hands finally starting to tremble as her calm facade started to unravel. When Rhys came around the table to approach her she flinched as he reached up to touch her face, squeezing her eyes shut for a moment until she felt the cool sensation take away the sting. Once the mark was healed and Rhys stepped away from her she lifted her hand to touch her cheek and marveled for a moment on how she couldn't even tell that it had been burning only a moment before. "He is a kind and loving King, just not a gentle father." She replied. "He didn't strike you. As I said.. all mishaps in the palace are no one else's fault but my own."
When he asked about the Queen and why she had been locked up she lowered her hand from her cheek once more. "No, what I told you was the truth. She tried to poison him. I just never knew why." She glanced to the side and bit her lower lip as she seemed to be thinking of something further she wanted to say. "Do you want to meet her? I'm not supposed to speak with her and definitely not supposed to take visitors, but.. I think you'd benefit from getting to see her. Perhaps you can ask that question of her yourself."
What Ivy suggested was something that would earn her a much harsher punishment than a slap across the face, but at the moment she didn't care. It was something she had always been curious of as well. "Come with me." She stated and turned to head out a different door than the King had departed from. She lead him through a much smaller corridor and eventually they reached a set of stairs that went up in a spiral along one of the external walls. "This is one of the spires that you can see from the outside of the castle." She explained as they made their way up the stairs. "This is the only way in or out though."
Once they were several stories up they finally came to a wooden door. There were no locks on the exterior however for it being a prison. Ivy did hesitate before knocking to announce her presence. When she did she held her breath slightly until the door creaked open, revealing a room filled with soft sunlight that filtered in through open windows. The person who opened the door had dark hair like Ivy's and soft pale skin. Her eyes were a deep blue color and she wore regal clothes that befit the Queen of Balay. "Ivy.." she said with a smile and quickly beckoned her daughter inside as she stepped to the side to allow them entrance. "And a guest? Does.." She began to ask.
"No, he doesn't know." Ivy replied as she quickly entered the room. The prison that the Queen was kept in looked like a normal bedchamber. There were many scrolls lining the walls, books laid in stack, a large writing desk filled with documents and then the bed and other facilities the Queen would need to live comfortably. The only thing out of place was a silver chain that was bolted in to the middle of the floor and ran all the way to the Queen's leg where her ankle was cuffed to keep her within the room. "Mother.. I'm sorry I haven't been to visit.. I.."
The Queen continued to smile and shook her head before embracing Ivy in a gentle hug. "It's alright, dear. I understand." She said in a gentle voice, much like Ivy's. "Now why don't you tell me what's going on and who this handsome young man is whom you've brought with you?"
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Post by Blindside Tex on Mar 23, 2020 19:57:04 GMT -5
Rhys watched her, his arms stayed crossed. His brows furrowed and he shook his head. “A good king treats all with respect. Most importantly his family. If he can not treat you the love and care...then is he truly a good king?” His voice was a bit cross. “He cannot blame you for everything, Ivy.” He scoffed slightly, “You will forever believe that everything is your fault and it will become a downward spiral of hate and destruction...I don’t want to see you like that.” And truthfully...he didn’t. He wanted to change the fate of the princess...if he could stop her from becoming the tyrant that she was in his timeline...well he could help rewrite history. It was a much better plan than simply killed the queen. Killing her meant no one to rule at all...and well...that could also lead to chaos.
Rhys lowered his gaze slightly when the princess stated that the queen truly did try to poison the king. Then she asked him something that nearly shocked him. He gave a slow nod. “Yes. I’ll ask her.” He replied. “Though...I don’t want you getting hurt over this, princess...” He drew his brows together slightly. “If something happens...the reapers will hunt me for years...” He gave a laugh then. It could possibly kill him to pull someone else back in time...but he didn’t want the wrath of the king to fall upon her again. He could only imagine what the man would do if he found out that she visited her mother...with a guest none the less.
He followed her down the thin corridor and up the spiral stairs. No escape. He clenched his jaw slightly. This wasn’t the best of ideas that the princess had. But...it needed to be done. He waited patiently for the door to open after the princess knocked and to his surprise the door opened from the other side and a beautiful woman was revealed. She held a striking resemblance to her daughter. He walked in with Ivy and glanced to the woman as she began to ask a question that Ivy quickly answered. What was it that he didn’t know? He looked to the woman and his eyes fell to the chain. A sigh came over his lips as he realized how the king kept her confined. When the queen hugged Ivy his lips pressed together. This was horrible. To be taken away from her mother in such a way. Such a loving woman. At least, on the surface. When the queen questioned why they were there he took in a breath and glanced to Ivy.
He bowed his head slightly and returned his attention to the queen. “Your majesty.” He spoke before he lifted his eyes to meet hers. “I have been hired by the king as an advisor for your daughter. I am a battle mage...I….” He looked to Ivy then. “What is it that I do not know?” He finally asked.
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Post by Nyte on Mar 23, 2020 20:25:58 GMT -5
The Queen raised an eyebrow with interest as Rhys introduced himself but chuckled as he asked his question. "What don't you know? Oh, my dear boy. I am quite sure that is quite a bit. Even in all your years." She shook her head and gave him a knowing grin before turning back to Ivy and gently taking her hand to lead her over to a small dining table set with four chairs. "Come sit, the both of you. So we can talk a while. It's been too long since you've visited." She sat in her own chair and Ivy sat in the one next to her mother and it seemed the Queen expected Rhys to sit on her other side.
Once they were all seated the Queen gave a small sigh. "Well then, why don't you tell me the reason for your visit exactly, hmm? There must be a specific reason that you came up here. To disobey your father in such a way." She placed a hand over Ivy's and gave a gentle squeeze.
"Well, we were wanting to know something.. why exactly father locked you away up here?" Ivy asked with a kind of bashful tone.
"Ivy.. we've talked about this.." her mother began but then looked to Rhys. "Ah, I see.." and sighed "well we disagreed on something that both of us found to be very important. I took dramatic steps and made an error." She was being vague on purpose. It was obvious she was reluctant to go into detail.
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Post by Blindside Tex on Mar 23, 2020 20:37:09 GMT -5
Rhys gave a smile as the queen spoke back to him. A bit of an uncomfortable chuckle came over her lips. She was the first to truly catch on that he was much older than he seemed. “One is always learning something new.” He spoke with a nod as he stepped forward and took a seat at the table near the queen. His eyes looked to the woman as she gave a squeeze to her daughter’s hand. There had to be more to this story. This woman was nothing like the king. She was nothing like the murderer that Ivy made her out to be when he first questioned about her.
The mage watched as Ivy questioned. He then nodded to the queen as she looked to him. When she spoke she beat around the bush. She didn’t give exact detail. In fact she gave very little detail at all. He scrunched his brows together. “That is nothing more than a skeleton of what happened.” He spoke, “No more than what your daughter told me. Well, she told me that you tried to poison the king...now...I find it hard to view you as a murderous wife...prove me wrong. I’ve been wrong in the past.” He spoke his eyes never left her. “I watched the king strike Ivy across her face...he didn’t flinch, he didn’t regret it. His eyes were cold. His voice was full of hate.” He spoke rather calmly as he watched the queen for any reaction. “I want to know what happened for him to lock you away. It seems to me that the wrong person has been made to be the villain and your daughter has suffered because of this...” He glanced to Ivy. If this is what it took to mend the future. He would do anything that he could to do such a thing. He even pondered the idea of telling them of the future. Of telling them that he came back in time to make sure that it didn’t happen again. But...he also feared that Ivy would no longer trust him if he revealed such information and for now...she trusted him. Even if it was only a little.
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Post by Nyte on Mar 23, 2020 20:54:18 GMT -5
The Queen flinched slightly as Rhys recounted Ivy's punishment from the King. She looked to her daughter as Ivy cast her eyes downward. A normal reaction from the Princess when such things were spoken of. The King had drilled it into her to feel shame when he scolded her, all part of the control. When she shifted her attention back to Rhys she held more of a pained smile this time rather than her initial pleasant one. "Very well.. I'll tell you what happened. Only if you make me a promise first."
Her expression grew grave as she looked to Rhys. "You must swear to me that you will never allow that man to touch Ivy ever again. He's caused far to much pain as it is, and after I recall this story you will both know things and set events in motion that you will not be able to stop. Are you sure you're ready for that kind of consequences of knowing the truth?" She squeezed Ivy's hand a little harder, protectively.
"I've ask you before, Mother. I want to know why you were locked up here." Ivy told her.
"Very well." The Queen continued to hold Ivy's hand. "First, understand that my husband has little claim to the throne he sits upon. It is my family lineage that royal blood flows through. That is why I am still living for if I were dead the crown would pass to Ivy, regardless of his wishes. Most have forgotten that detail and continue to serve him regardless of circumstances. Also.." she hesitated before continuing and looked back to Ivy. "He's not actually her father." She admitted, and it pained her to finally confess the truth. It was evident in her expression. "I married my husband because it was my royal duty to do so, and I hate myself for following through. The man who gave Ivy to me was not from Balay and I assume he's probably dead. Being that she was my heir though the King could not have her killed or claim she was a bastard child without undoing the agreement of our marriage. So, we hid the truth instead."
The story was a painful one for her to recall, but she continued on. "When Ivy was three a gift from her birth father manifested, and in an outrage at the chance of being discovered the King vowed that he would do everything in his power to prevent the truth from being discovered. He put into place certain rules, which are still followed such as the one where no one is allowed to touch her. Which.." She looked down at Ivy's hands and smiled. "It seems that rule has been broken, but that's ok."
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Post by Blindside Tex on Mar 23, 2020 21:05:04 GMT -5
He watched Ivy as she shied away, ashamed of what happened. His eyes fell away from her as well….it had to be spoken. He couldn’t just let it fester. If he did...he couldn’t imagine what would happen. Rhys watched the woman as she spoke. What she was about to tell him could not be undone. He bowed his head slightly. “There are many things that can never be undone once they are spoken.” He whispered. “Many actions work in the same regard.” He drew in a breath. What she was asking of him was a large ask, especially with the way the king acted. Though he gave a slow nod. “My queen, I will do everything that I can to keep him from laying even a finger upon her. It’s his rule after all. Isn’t it?” He watched her carefully then. He then looked to Ivy as she told her mother that she wanted to know the truth.
As the story unfolded Rhys’ jaw loosened. His brows raised slightly. The king was not of royal blood. That...could make things easier. That was why he wouldn’t replace her. He couldn’t. It was not in his blood to take the throne as well as a new wife. Though the next piece of information caused a knot to form in his stomach. She wasn’t his daughter? Who was her father? She was forced into the marriage and her daughter with with the man she truly loved...but he was dead? It was a large amount of information. More than he thought would come of this conversation.
Rhys parted his lips slightly. His eyes looked to Ivy a long moment and then he looked back to her mother. “What...is her gift?” He asked curiously. “And...I do apologize for touching her...” He lowered his eyes and looked away then. “If it means anything I was protecting her." He looked back to the queen then.
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Post by Nyte on Mar 23, 2020 22:44:31 GMT -5
Ivy was just as surprised as Rhys was upon hearing the news that the King was not actually her father. She knew that her father had married into the throne, but she never suspected that he wasn't her father. "Who was my father then?" Ivy asked, almost demanded to know. To know that there might possibly be a man out there that would actually care for her as a parent should. Not treat her like a trophy as the King did.
"Don't apologize for touching her." The Queen stated and then chuckled. "That's his rule, not mine." She reached to pick up Rhys's hand as well and then brought both Ivy and Rhys's hand together in the middle of the table. "People were not made to be in isolation their entire lives." As their hands touched the silvery lines that had etched their way into Ivy's hands reappeared and glowed softly. "See? People flourish when they're allowed." The woman pushed herself up from the table and then made her way over to a cabinet. "Ivy.. your father was not of noble blood. He was.. well he was different. It was the reason I fell for him." She chuckled but her expression was that of a painful memory. "She pulled out a small leather bound notebook and brought it to the table. "Here.." She handed the book to Ivy and opened it to reveal a picture of a man, looking to be in his twenties or so, and holding onto Ivy's mother when she was young as well. The most striking thing about his appearance were the dozens of ruins etched into hsi skin. All along his hands, arms and face were runes of magical origin.
"He always said he was from very far away, but wouldn't tell me exactly where. Though I had my suspicions. When I told him I was going to go through with the marriage set for me he.. well he got angry and left. He didn't know about you either, neither did I at the time, but it wasn't long till I found out and I knew instantly my husband wasn't responsible for my pregnancy."
Ivy was struck by the photo. She looked like her mother, but the resemblances between herself and the man in the photo were also evident. The Queen was right. It was a lot to take in and she was a bit lost for words.
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Post by Blindside Tex on Mar 24, 2020 9:16:08 GMT -5
Rhys drew in a breath as he looked to the two women. His brows still scrunched together from the news. When the queen picked his hand up he did not fight against her. He merely looked to his hand as she lay it over Ivy’s hand. He lifted his eyes to meet Ivy as he drew in a breath. The gentle glow of the lines upon Ivy’s skin was absolutely beautiful. “No...isolation has been proven to be more harmful to the mind. Great mages that were forced into isolation grew mad...and that drove their destructive behavior.” He spoke in a knowing fashion. He then fell quiet as he listened to the queen speak of Ivy’s father. His eyes moved to the woman as he listened. He could see the pain in her eyes. Rhys peered to the picture that was revealed. He looked to the runes that were etched over his skin, it was interesting. He’d seen runes like this before. Though his jaw loosened slightly as he looked to the mans face. He looked familiar.
He knew that mages had jumped around in time for years. Some mages lived to be rather old and yet kept their appearances, much like Rhys. He drew in a breath and shook his head slightly. “Magnus.” He spoke his eyes looked to the queen. “That must either be Magnus or...perhaps a relative of his...but...those lines.” He looked to the picture again. The old mage that had trained him had nearly the same etchings. What if Magnus had come to the future to see what became of the kingdom of Balay...and when he discovered the downfall...he stayed to train as many mages as he could so that one day hopefully one could return and change the timeline. It couldn’t be. Could it? Anything was possible with magic involved. “I….know him...” Rhys breathed, his expression shocked and curious at the same time. “You said you weren’t certain where he went?” He questioned. He had to know. He had to be sure. If Magnus was in fact Ivy's father...she would be an incredibly strong mage...but her future self...did not use magic...
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Post by Nyte on Mar 24, 2020 13:31:30 GMT -5
When Rhys spoke Magnus's name she looked to him with a curious expression, but she seemed to think about her words before she spoke them. "I'm not sure how you would know Magnus, not completely, but that is Ivy's father." When Rhys asked her if she knew where he had gone she shook her head. "No, and I was unable to look for him as extensively as I would have liked." She still felt guilty about that. "If you know where he is.. well.. I don't suppose it would matter to much at this point for myself, but I would like Ivy and him to meet."
Ivy was bit overwhelmed. This was a lot of information, her mother had not been exaggerating even in the slightest. Part of her wanted to run out an tell the King that she knew the truth now but what good would it do? He was still the King and still held power over her. Looking to her hands and the etchings in her skin, then looking up to Rhys, she took in a shaky breath. "So, what does that mean going forward?" She finally asked.
"Well, Ivy, honestly I don't know. It depends on what you want to do. You'r equipped with knowledge that the King never wanted you to have. He isolates you because it takes contact from others to awaken any gives you got from your father. I suggest.." The Queen looked to Rhys once more and smiled. "That you listen to this young man here. He'll help you and if you both remain vigilant I think you can still usher in a wonderful new chapter in this country's future."
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