"What?" Aeron became confused.
"Yes," Devic continued, "and tell me, Aeron, how do you think your mother made it out alive that night? Your father could have escaped as well, but he didn't. He chose to stay."
Aeron frowned. "I don't understand what you're saying, Ser."
"You want an explanation?" Devic asked. "Then I'll give it to you. Only I know this truth, because I was the one the king sent to warn Lord Lucian, your father, that an attack was coming. The king ordered me to tell him to flee, to take shelter immediately."
"I warned him long before they reached his gates. But instead of running, your father had another plan. He knew if he fled, they would keep chasing him. And he had a pregnant wife, and she will be due any moment. He would not risk her. So he made his choice. He stood and resisted, buying enough time for your mother to escape. The king did all he could to save him, even though it went against the law. So tell me, do you still despise him so much?"
