"Protectors." The young king sighed. "I needed men that would get results. The knights tried to teach me compassion but I couldn't appear frail." He paused and looked away. "Especially after father's mistress came out." He sounded very tense. "My half-sister. I knew about her, but I didn't want to accept it." Turning to face Gabriel, the young man trembled. "Father didn't want her to rule. She was too sweet to put through this life. I despise how much father loved her, but mother forced him to send her mother and her away." He hesitated.<br/><br/>"Father also arranged for them to be supplied with some coin, but never told me where they were. Nor my mother. I think that the leader of the knights did. Tessa." He sighed. "Her name is Tessa." Hesitating again, he seemed to be trembling. "I only wanted to unite the kingdom, to show that I can do it. When the knights disobeyed, I turned to someone that promised results. Protector, and the Lord Caron." He looked down. "Lord Caron passed away soon after, but the protectors were formed and they got results, from all I heard." He swallowed. "I had my suspicions but I always told myself they at most just beat someone up. Raping and pillaging to get taxes is too much though." He shook his head violently. "I think I've become a monster."