“No, my brother gloated after I lost, and my father had no choice but to acknowledge him as the winner and new crown prince with the ascent of the nobility.” He sneered. “He was always the spiteful, spoiled sort. He threatened to make me the court fool and other ignominious fates. Life in the palace became intolerable. I was a laughingstock! I had to… I just had to leave, going anywhere, I didn’t care.”