Yelkin frowned slightly at the anxiety that she felt in disclosing the history of her father. He nodded sympathetically, thinking things over. She seemed so fragile and lovely, yet he couldn't entirely shake off his beliefs about noble marriage. It was so complicated!<br/><br/>"Well, you showed quite a bit of spirit, my dear," he said thoughtfully. "And no doubt your would-be suitors were ill-advised and ill-mannered in their attempts to claim you. But, you surely must know that as a noblewoman, you would be asked to make a marriage that was advantageous to your family. Still. Hmm. Your father will, no doubt, be eager to disown you since you have seemingly ruined your chances of trading on a spotless reputation for a successful alliance. I am unsure what the Czar will do as far as matrimony for you, but I know that he is a good man and will not put you back in any position of danger or discomfort."<br/><br/>Yelkin patted her hand reassuringly, trying to feel reassured himself.