<span style="font-style: italic">"Perhaps..Perhaps you missunderstand me."</span><br/><br/>The King had expected a response and this came as no surprise.  His gaze however, was becoming difficult to manage.  Her neckline and frills framed Lady Genevieve‘s form in such a way that it nearly commanded him to stare.<span style="font-style: italic">And those gloves.</span>His supper would not sate the appetite now stirring in Motto’s depths.<br/><br/><span style="font-style: italic">"...But I am not a cow to be bred and left out to pasture when not needed for calving." </span><br/><br/>His eyes widened as the words bit, but the young King calmed himself quickly.  Her sentiment was upsetting but the<span style="font-style: italic">true</span>dilemma was behind them.<br/><br/><span style="font-style: italic">"In private you will be my husband not my king and in this regard I demand equality." </span><br/><br/>Motto’s hand curled into a fist as his mind took in all that she said.  He would speak to it but his temper was simmering and he sensed what felt like provocation from the lovely woman.  She was puzzling to be sure, but he would not be so easily antagonized or discouraged.  A beautiful creature of her stature harboring such anger was most concerning, like a wounded fawn in the glade.  It would be wise to approach with tenderness but the pressure to ensure her outward behavior was great indeed.  Gilthlore was brimming with joy to learn of his intended marriage, and Motto would give them their Queen.  Their gentle and<span style="font-weight: bold"><span style="font-style: italic">proper</span></span>Queen.<br/><br/>He had just opened his mouth to speak when Lady Genevieve rebelled yet again, using his own words to counter strike.  When she stood, he rose to his feet with haste (as it was proper to do whenever a Lady entered the room or came to stand; his Kingly office excusing him from the particular nicety but in this moment he gave it no thought).  Motto was at her side a second later with his arm lifted and a playful gleam in his eyes.<br/><br/><span style="color: #00FF40">“Please.  Allow me to accompany you, My Queen. rrr..<span style="font-weight: bold">My Lady</span>.”</span>All confidence vanished and fresh color rose to the King’s face.<span style="color: #00FF40">“It is important that I ..”</span>His eyes traveled down her perfect neck and fluttered to the ecstasy below.  He arrested himself and blinked up at the Lady’s green eyes.<span style="color: #00FF40">“..see you safely returned to your chamber.”</span>The sun itself could not compare to the heat radiating from his cheeks.<br/><br/><span style="font-weight: bold">If </span>she were to take his arm, Motto would depart without any ado; making certain to mark her strides and keep a slow pace.  There would be a light shuffle as servants moved about to their respective positions in following the royal pair.  The King would pause and address them in a gentle manner,<span style="color: #00FF40">“I shall see to it myself.  Send for my physician, Hector.”</span><br/><br/>“Certainly, Sire.”<br/><br/>The young King intended to speak his mind while they walked through the quiet castle’s halls, but he would wait for a short time while gathering his thoughts.  The dark sky was visible through the large windows; many bright stars had appeared and the moon was brilliant.  Their steps would be muted by the thick carpets and the occasional guard they passed was less noticeable than the soft flicker of candles lighting their way.