Monarchies are tied to religion in my part of the world, and that has implications these days that tie into the past Yugoslav Wars and - it's complicated. Some words and titles are very loaded. But those implications aren't universal, and if Ben is running his monarchy in a fair and just way, then I'm glad. So long as someone views others as equals, I think world leaders of many kinds of governments can be good people - it's only when someone thinks themselves superior for being a part of the monarchy that there's a problem, and that's not what's happening in his case.

My mother never told me directly why she did what she did. I eavesdropped and learned some of the details, and good God, I wish I could unlearn them. What I know, though, is that she wanted to keep herself and those she loved safe. And I think that really, that point has been lost on a lot of people.

I have no idea how my mother would feel if I got involved with someone. I'm not great at dating, so I guess that's one bridge I won't have to cross for a while. How does your boyfriend feel about your mother - is the awkwardness mutual, there?

[He nods, mulling all of that over. A lot of variety is present in the responses to their parentage, and he can sort of see where all of them are coming from. These things are complicated. There aren't easy answers, much as he'd like there to be.]

I don't want to ever quit talking to my mother, but sometimes doing so makes me feel like absolute garbage. I don't think it's intentional on her part. It's just... complicated. We don't mesh well sometimes. Which I suppose is also like most parents and kids, in a way.