“As are you, from what I can tell,” Alaras spoke, meaning no offense, much like he doubted Basren meant anything by his comment.<br/><br/>“It's not that I haven't entertained the prospect, of being matched with someone. It's that it has come and passed. It didn't work out.” He was older now, and his priorities were different. He hoped that answered some of why he was the way he was. He couldn't say how much of all that involved his father, but it was enough that maybe he would understand.<br/><br/>“I don't think you have to worry about me accepting any offers straight away.”<br/><br/>He was busy thumbing through some of the other plants carefully when Basren hesitated and then spoke about seeing what Sovele thought of him. His expression remained carefully blank, too rational to not at least mull that over. As vile as the prospect sounded, it wasn't a half bad idea. It could bring him closer to the King, though he didn't want to appear overly eager at the idea. He was sure he wasn't a good enough actor.<br/><br/>“I.. don't know if I want to be so direct. With the King, that is.”<br/><br/>Alaras stood up, and brushed off his hands, swallowing what little remained of his pride.<br/><br/>“It would be something to know that I'd be adding to his line, though I'm not sure if my bloodlines are right for a King. I wasn't aware he was looking.. outside of very specific ones.” Of course, it didn't seem to be working out for Sovele to be breeding back so closely, not if the health of his real children were taken into account. Alaras took pleasure in that, but it seemed he was looking to extend out, in different directions. That was information that he couldn't have been sure of, but Basren had as good as confirmed it.<br/><br/>“Maybe you could make my interest known.. subtly.”