"Royals don't become rangers," Ariadne said after a moment. "At least...we're not supposed to, there's no actual LAW against it. I took the step because...it was a combination of things." She slid to the floor, resting her head on her hands. "I had everything in my homeland: loving parents, a brother who would've risked his life for my safety, a..." she paused for a moment. "A lover who was no royal but I didn't care. Then my mother died of an unknown sickness, and when my father died while out visiting neighboring islands, my brother and I clashed as to whether they had been murdered or whether it was bad luck. When he told me I was too young to lead an army myself I...I gave up my place in the court. I gave up the first real relationship I'd ever had, all in order to escape the death I felt surrounded me there. I thought my new life would be better, and then..." She clenched both fists, gritting her teeth. "Then my fate became entwined with Myraz, whether I wished it or not."