Sharlayan's ruling body was a council of citizens, the Forum, on which my father was a very influential member. House Leveilleur boasted quite a bit of wealth and power.

[ she's explaining it matter-of-factly enough, however, and while she is certainly proud of her name and her family, it has nothing to do with their title and sway, but their deeds. ]

Suffice it to say I was expected to dress, speak, and behave in a certain way, naturally.