Hilde did not need to ask what the other two reasons were. He had failed to protect the Prince he was sworn to—that was the first. The second was dying on top of that failure. Lothar was undeniably guilty of these offenses, and there was no use trying to protest Lord Alfwin's harsh judgment. She knew, he gave it both as a father and as a general. The third offense, she could do something about. There were few enough things she could still give the man she idolized and adored; she let him off from the inconsequential crime of breaking her heart. Drawing once again from the skills of her former identity, Hilde forced her tears to stop. Seeing this and understanding her intent, Lord Alfwin actually let out a weak chuckle. "Even when Lothar was alive, I could not quite believe that he d

