Caedus
Here, where my court is not on hand to pass judgment on me, nor at my back to force you to end such slanderous speech, I find that I hardly care what you believe. Even if it is true, what of it? My paternity has no bearing on my right to rule. All your name has the power to do is to make my reign difficult or worse to tarnish my mother's memory. Therefore, I do not accept it.
Even if you could prove it true somehow, do you think there has never been a Queen of Hapes whose paternity was not a lie with all the vying that goes on between the suitors? It's an accepted political strategy, is it not, to have a child of indeterminate paternity so that each lover you've taken thinks that perhaps the heir is his and continues his family's support? The donor of genetic material is of little consequence, it is the public legacy that matters, and you will not be a part of mine. I hope that is clear.