"...You know that isn't true, and you know she wouldn't be. All can see what it is he is doing. He is grieving for her," Blackthorn said. She clenched her fist as she said it. "He's grieving, I know… But why does he have to make us all suffer for it? Does he not think that we are hurting too?"
She turned her head away, so that Oliver could not see the tears beginning to form in her eyes.
"He likely does not even realize it himself," Oliver said. "It's a painful thing to acknowledge. Your father is quite an individual. I doubt he ever expected himself that he would meet a monarch like Asabel, whom he might willingly lay down his life for."
"I think he would rather that he did…" Blackthorn said. "He longs for an excuse to follow her in death, I think. He will march towards the Capital, Oliver, and he won't at all complain if he dies for it. It's the end he would wish for – to commit suicide with a pretence of honour in battle."
