0. Huh. So House Ifan is actually just a branch of House Blaiddyd?
1. Yes. Though really, if you trace any noble bloodline [cdb]back far enough, you will find most of them are [cdb]related in one way or another.
2. For example, Duke Ifan possesses the Crest of Charon, while her grandfather possessed the Minor Crest of Fraldarius.
3. Yet another of her ancestors bore the Crest of Blaiddyd, which is passed down through the royal [cdb]bloodline.
4. So you just gotta have a Crest to inherit the family [cdb]title, huh? Doesn't matter which one it is?
5. In general, yes. The nobility used to be more [cdb]particular about their requirements, but that [cdb]is in the past now.
6. Since the houses all keep intermingling, none of them [cdb]really have a "pure" bloodline anymore. Meaning they [cdb]don't get to be picky about which Crests they get.
7. Though in truth, the main reason why Crests are [cdb]so valued is because they allow their bearers to wield [cdb]the Heroes' Relics passed down through generations.
8. In other words, one who possesses a Crest compatible [cdb]with the family's Relic is much more likely to inherit [cdb]the family title.
9. Huh. Speaking of—you're the heir to House Galatea, [cdb]but your Crest comes from another family, right?
10. Yes, but my house is a little different from the others. We originally split off from House Daphnel in Leicester, you see.
11. And at times in our history, Crest bearers have been [cdb]passed over entirely for the inheritance.
12. Ugh, can't you just pick a rule and stick to it? Why do you nobles always have to make stuff so [cdb]complicated?
13. Complicated or not, this is important knowledge if [cdb]you are going to keep serving His Majesty.
14. If you stay ignorant, the soldiers you command will [cdb]lose respect for you, and His Majesty's reputation will [cdb]be irreparably damaged.
15. Apologize for the outburst.
16. Stay on the defensive.
17. Sorry, you're right. I shouldn't be complaining after I asked you to teach me.
18. I can't help it—I'm just a plain old mercenary.
19. Maybe so, but you have been installed in a position of [cdb]great responsibility. That excuse won't work here.
20. Anyway, what were we talking about? Oh, right.
21. You're the legitimate heir and you have a Crest, [cdb]which means you're gonna inherit the family title [cdb]someday.
22. But what about all that talk of becoming a knight? Can you even do that if you're leading your house?
23. No. I have dreamt of obtaining knighthood and [cdb]defending the king ever since I was a little girl, [cdb]but I'm afraid it's not meant to be.
24. And none of your siblings have Crests, do they? Isn't there anyone who can take the title for you?
25. My eldest brother says he is willing to do so [cdb]if necessary.
26. After all, the decision comes down to what the family [cdb]and the heir want. Usually, leadership passes to a [cdb]child with a Crest.
27. There have been exceptions, as I mentioned before. Even so, it is the duty of every Kingdom noble to [cdb]take up their Relic in defense of their people.
28. Not to mention my father is not the only one who [cdb]wants to see me in charge of the house. The citizens [cdb]of Galatea are hoping for the same.
29. Huh. I'm not sure I really get all the politics behind [cdb]it, since I wasn't born in the Kingdom.
30. But wouldn't you still be able to protect the king, [cdb]even if you ended up a count?
31. I am not sure I follow.
32. Sorry, I can explain some other time. There's a story [cdb]about a mercenary I'd love to tell you.