Alec wanted to ask about the original sacrifice but that was another one of those subjects he knew better than to discuss. It was probably the type of secret that Adam wanted to keep to himself. When Adam was ready - if he was ever ready - he'd tell Alec about that sacrifice.

"I don't think of time and effort as a sacrifice." But Adam went to college and had a job. He had a normal life or wanted one. "But I was raised that I was always supposed to give those for my duties."

When Adam asked that question, Alec began to give the automatic answers he would if Mayrse had asked. The one that included being Head of the Institute. "I don't know. I'm the eldest. I'm supposed to give up everything to protect my family." Izzy's comments about crowns came to mind. So did the image of Magnus asking him to do something for himself for once. "I used to wish that I could have the choices my siblings had."