[At the mention of parents Maria can't help but be conflicted. It hadn't seemed like a sore topic to him but she had her doubts. As it is though she can only tell as much as she knows, yes?]

I do know your father. That was the dire circumstance, you see. Part of it anyway.

[She doesn't mean to beat about the bush but there did need to be a bit of set up. Should she even be telling him? He's so far in the past... it seems unreasonable to bring on possible discomfort he could do nothing about. Just staying quiet wouldn't really change things though.]

I was taken in by Richter Belmont and his wife Annette when I was a child. My own parents... there was a raid on our village, you see. That was how Annette and I met -- she comforted me while we were held captive after.

[Honestly the captivity hadn't been so bad remembering it now. That was likely because of Annette though. Maria's spirit had plucked up hearing stories of Annette's fiance Richter and Maria had been determined to protect the older woman, finding a purpose in it that lent her strength.

She sighs out a little, brow furrowed.]

Richter disappeared and I've spent the last year looking for him. When I finally found him it was within your father's castle. I didn't know what was wrong exactly at first. He was obviously under some form of enchantment or curse because he called himself the lord of the castle. I wasn't certain how to release him and I feared if I fought him I might not be strong enough to release him from whatever bound him.

[That much said the name Trevor brings about a displeased grumble from the blonde. It's strikingly different from the usual good mood she always seems to be in so far. Or even from her deeper, more thoughtful moments. Hell she looks outright put out.]

That man is a pain to deal with.

[Blunt and harsh.]