For her part, Juli did not mentally connect Olivia’s position as chief strategist to the Northern Campaign, as she had not been involved it. Rather, her Ghosts had been left in the unenviable position of doubling their number of raids against the Aserit in order to trick them into believing the border had not been weakened significantly. The gambit had worked in preventing an all out invasion, but Juli had lost many good soldiers due to being forced to take on missions she would have normally considered too risky.<br/><br/>When Olivia called her a worthy successor to the king’s legacy, Juli did blush—however, this was more due being humbled by such praise rather than her infatuation with the noblewoman. “I... thank you, Lady Olivia. No one has ever said that to me before,” she admitted quietly.<br/><br/>Given Olivia’s interest in her father, she decided to share her own experiences. “For a long time I only knew my father through his writing as well. And as child I had initially been resistant to even reading his works. I was twelve when my mother first told me who my father was. She said to me immediately afterward, ‘Your connection to royalty is nothing to obsess over—you’re strong enough to accomplish great things without his help. It's enough to forgive him and move on.’” One of the minor Theiri nobles at the table scoffed at this quote. Juli frowned slightly before continuing—this might have been a better story to tell in private, but she wanted to go on anyway. “At the time I was already quite a voracious little reader, but I avoided the king’s writings because I knew he had cast out my mother.<br/><br/>“It was my first commanding officer and mentor within the military who insisted the king’s writings on warfare were required reading for any potential officer or NCO. I was immediately hooked of course, and soon expanded my reading to his works on other subjects. He truly awoke my passion for philosophy, which I’ve been grateful for ever since.<br/><br/>“But still, as much as I admired the man’s intellect, I held no desire to meet him or be a daughter to him—my childhood was over and I felt that ship had sailed. Maybe I still felt some lingering resentment.<br/><br/>“As hard as it is for me to believe sometimes, it was only a little over a month ago that I was Major Juliette—just a peasant woman without even a surname, who had managed to rise through the ranks. I was on temporary leave from my duties when the king called for me. He had no idea I was his daughter at the time—he’d simply heard about my exploits from Lord Florencia and was curious to meet me.<br/><br/>“And so I had dinner with the king. I did not believe he knew who I was, or even knew if his first child was still alive. But he told me later that almost the moment he saw me he knew—apparently I look quite a bit like my mother when she was my age, or perhaps my father was just observant enough to notice details others would miss.<br/><br/>“During the meal we talked of my accomplishments, and as you would expect the king had many insightful observations and questions for me. When it was over I departed. I was just walking out of the castle when a servant surprised me by insisting I return to the king at once. My father finally told me that he knew who I was, and was completely baffled as to why I had remained silent on the subject.<br/><br/>“I told him that I and my mother had forgiven him, that despite some difficult times things had turned out well for us. I told him I had no desire to cause him a scandal, and that I felt I was in a role where I could do the most good for the kingdom.<br/><br/>“I was shocked when the king admitted he had treated my mother shamefully, and apologized. He told me that he wanted peace with the Aserit, and that I could help him if I took my rightful place.” Her eyes watered slightly at the memory, but she refrained from crying. “And he said that I was someone he could trust to put the welfare of the kingdom first, because I had not revealed who I was and tried to gain any standing from it.” Juli bit her lip slightly, even closer to tears, but she continued with a rueful smile. “It’s a bit’s perverse, but because I did not desire power, power has now been thrust upon me. I truly hope these talks can lead to lasting peace among Theiri, Aserit, and Nydewia—it would be such a fitting tribute to his memory.” Now Juli did have to wipe away a tear, but thankfully none of the nobles made any further derogatory noises.