<div style="text-align: justify;">Damon's mother took a deep breath when he gave her the condition he wanted to exchange for his cooperation. She would have to send her husband away. The woman knew it was a sensible and reasonable request. Her husband was not useful at all for the family. He wasn't a provider, he didn't care for his children, and he was always worsening their already bad financial situation. <br/><br/>Actually, they wouldn't even be in that situation had it not been for his bad habits. His drinking and occasional gambling had harmed his family to the point where they wouldn't have food on the table had it not been for taking loan after loan. And now that they would pick themselves up, it was fair that they got rid of him.<br/><br/>"Very well. Should you do exactly what I tell you to do, I will leave him in the nearest workhouse", the woman agreed with a sigh.<br/><br/>She did still have feelings for her husband, but her feelings didn't trump the love she had for her children. Or their right to a better life.<br/><br/>Placing the clothes back in the trunk, the woman sat on her bed. "Lord McAllister is having a gala in his house for the high society in three weeks. Do you think you can learn all you need by then? You will need to learn how to dance properly, how to behave, and your story. For the time, you will be the young son of a member of minor nobility - this way they won't expect too much from you - coming from the countryside to see the city. Do you suppose you can hold this story?"<br/><br/>The woman did know that lying was bad, but she didn't expect everything to be a lie. "I will teach you everything you need to make it good in that society. All the noble girls in the city will be there, so pick whichever one you fancy". The woman held her son's hands. "But promise me you will be good and kind to your wife, dear. This will be the only thing able to ease my conscience about this".</div>