"I am trying to say… Duke Thompson is your uncle. And your biological father—the merchant's son—died shortly after your mother realized she was pregnant," Grater said.
Anastasia felt her breath catch in her throat. Grater had said so much, and though she had begun to suspect the truth, she still couldn't accept it.
"How...?"
"Your father saved the late King George, but he did not survive his wounds. Later, Duke Thompson came and made an offer to your mother. At the time, she thought he was simply being kind to his late brother's family, so she accepted his help and returned with him to the royal city.
"He retrieved the ring the king had given his brother and presented it to the court. Back then, your mother thought he was kind and gentle. It was only when she gave birth that she realized things might not be what they seemed," Grater said.
"What happened?" Anastasia asked.
