Eurich hesitated for a moment before passing the slate back this time. After reading it, it was easy for Ijemaru to see why.<span style="font-style: italic">He's basically thrown his mother to the dogs just now. He could have feigned ignorance and ask for her protection, but he chose honesty. Interesting.</span><br/><br/>Ijemaru handed the slate back to the prince and gave a solemn nod. "Not only will I not deal harm to the princess," he said, "but I will protect her from the others as best I can as well." He gave a small smile, "And I'm quite aware that her majesty will be difficult. I'm also aware that she probably already suspects who's really in charge of my family. There may be a small war between the two puppet masters here. I'll try to keep you and your sister safely out of it."<br/><br/>-----------------------<br/><br/>"Yes," Lord Butches said, almost impatiently. "But what are you looking for here? What qualities do you want of you king?"<br/><br/>"Confidence," Amadeus jumped in, "leadership, capability, bravery, standing, intelligence. All the things that would be desirable in a ruler. Surely that's obvious Lord Butches. No one wants a sniveling confused coward as a farm hand let alone a king."<br/><br/>"I don't believe I like what you're insinuating," Lord Butches retorted, eyes narrowed.<br/><br/>"Then perhaps there was a grain of truth to it," Amadeus said, eyebrows slightly raised. "But surely you realize I'm not<span style="font-style: italic">trying</span>to be offensive. By all means, we should get along while we still can."