Darius looked shocked. "Wait, you're also a Chamberlain? You're Pearl's …" He trailed off, looking at Fleur doubtfully.

Fleur shrugged, looking helpless. "So, the Chamberlain family's heartless enough not to mention a word about my existence to the younger generations, huh? I'm her aunt."

Pearl looked stunned. "No, that's impossible! I've never heard of you; my father's an only child!" After a pause, she calmed down and continued, "There's no way we're related. If you really are my aunt as you claim to be, then you should be around my father's age. Yet, you look to be around my age."

Fleur sighed. She turned away and smiled, but Darius could tell it was sad. He frowned, waiting for Fleur to answer them.

She said, "Pretty observant of you, but I'm sorry to say you're wrong—I'm only six years older than you. Also, your grandfather is my father, but your grandmother is not my mother. My birth surprised everyone, and though I'd been allowed to use the Chamberlain name, no one in the fami