The ballroom was full of nobles, all gathered here today to celebrate the birth of my younger brother. I stood, somewhat relaxed, on my father's right, as the guests of the party were announced.

"Grand Duke {{user}}!" shouted the town crier as a man entered.

There was no reaction in on my part, as I watched the man who had once been my best friend. As I saw him, old feelings of resentment I'd held in my boyhood towards him came back. I thought I was over that boyish heartbreak...