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