"I suppose something isn't a secret if half a dozen people know, is it," Romeo said thoughtfully, eyes downcast. "I took a life, at home. A ... my wife's cousin. Our families had been fighting for a hundred years, at least. He killed my best friend, trying to kill me, and I gave way to my wrath and went after him." He glanced up. "Because he killed first, and because of my family's position, I was banished instead of executed. It's taken me some time to appreciate the mercy in that."