Darius comforted his mother, taking a hand and patting it as she unleashed her woes upon him. Her words though stirred around in his mind, a small pest that he knew he wouldn't easily get rid of. He looked upon her face, and tried to study it for any hints of the clever mind he was certain was inside.

"Oh mother.. Pearl isn't some dastardly character wanting to bring us to ruin. She just doesn't want to live in a proud way, so if you wanted to , you could tell her you'd let her live if you disowned her without trouble. If the woman is claiming what she wants, then how can she resist? She would truly be on her own as she desires..."

He had no idea if this was true, he was following the narration he'd gotten from the story. His fingers twitched a bit on the frail hand as he eyed the woman before him carefully. "But.. mother.. if reputation and having a good outward persona is so important..."

The dramatic pause was important, to give weight to his words.

"What does this mean, you or father have planned for me?"