<span style="font-style: italic"> “Nevi...if he hurt you..please. Tell me. Do not keep such pain as that to yourself..” </span><br/><br/>Genevieve looked up at her handmaiden’s quiet  words. Didn't Mildred know what- no, of course not. She, nor Lavern had been in the room when Genevieve told Elenore what had happened. Mildred had been kept in the dark, no doubt with a mindful of questions. Just another thoughtless mistake. Genevieve seemed to be making nothing but since her arrival in Gilthlore.<br/><br/>“Right..of course.” Genevieve gave a feminine cough behind a hand, stalling for a moment to blink the moisture from her eyes. “I suppose it started two days ago. I was…visiting..with Hector in the evening. I wished to know more of Mo- His Majesty. What he was like as a child, mostly. And when the hour grew late, I asked him to take me to His Majesty's chambers, to wish him goodnight.” Genevieve looked down at her skirts then, a finger absentmindedly traced along the embroidery that was bunched up there. The young woman took in a shakey breath, hoping to calm herself down. Although it hardly helped. “He was with this petite little brunette, whose name was Setaphina. She's the daughter of his General..” She added in a whisper.<br/><br/>“When Hector and myself approached..she was<span style="font-style: italic">pressed against him.</span>” The memory upset Genevieve and she spoke through clenched teeth, her hands fisted in her skirts. “And he was babbling! Like some…adolescent boy seeing a woman for the first time! And I-" A sigh deflated Genevieve who sat back in her chair. “I believed him when he said he didn't really know her.” There was a long paused, filled with more than a few sniffles as Genevieve tried to reign in her emotions. Still, as she continued, her voice was shakey, and Genevieve had to wipe the tears from her eyes.<br/><br/>“I went to his chambers that night. And I…oh, Mildred. It was just as beautiful and …and I was content, lying beside him afterwards.” And Genevieve allowed herself to cry then, into her hands as Mildred tried to silently comfort her.<br/><br/>“I saw them, Mildred. Last night when I went to ap-apologize.” Her words came out a sobbing mess she hoped Mildred could understand. “I saw His Majesty's discarded coat on the floor. I picked it up and followed this..this path of destruction. A-and at the end of it… I saw him<span style="font-style: italic">kissing</span>her. Setaphina. And her hands were in his shirt and…and… I cut my foot on a broken vase in my flight.” There was another long pause as Genevieve’s gentke sobs quieted. When her breathing evened, interrupted only by the occasional sniffle, she continued.<br/><br/>“He didn't come after me…” Not knowing what had happened after she fled, Genevieve could only assume he'd stayed with the pretty little brunette noblewoman. “And this morning he said he would fix it. How, Mildred? By sending me away? Or Setaphina? Without my purity I have nothing. No bargaining chip. If I'm sent away, I have to marry the next suitor who comes along, or I risk never marrying at all. And if I don't marry I… I can't make a difference.” She absolutely hated that. “I think I love him, Mildred, or at the very least, I'm starting to.” She still felt the same, despite what happened.<br/><br/>Deciding her pity party was over, Genevieve straightened in her seat, wiped her face, and took a deep breath. “If I must be in a loveless marriage, I will make the most of it. If Motto still wishes to marry me, that is. I'll use my power to influence the people and politics of Gilthlore as well as send aid to Faldothia's borders.”<br/><br/>______<br/><br/>Layvterna watched the young king stalk off, in an obvious mood, but he did not follow.  Instead, the old King joined his children. A smile pulled at the lips hidden under his gray facial hair. His children were his pride and joy, despite how he pawned them to the highest bidder. He still loved them. “Cassie, my dove. I spoke to King Motto.” Cassie brightened, her pale eyes lit up and she looked expectantly at her father. “He wasn't entirely against the idea of you staying.” She clapped happily, bouncing in her pew. “Don't get to excited, child. It wasn't a yes.” The girl gave a reverent nod. But a smile still pulled at her lips.<br/><br/>The King looked to his oldest son. “And have any of the young ladies here caught your eyes, son?” Gerald shook his head, his back stiffening. “I've yet to meet any if them, proper, father. But I will let you know if any do.” The young boy hated talking about suitors, but he knew why he was here. So he put up with it. If it meant he could see Genevieve again and meet her betrothed to size him up, Gerald would comply for as long as he needed too. And if Genevieve was unhappy. Gerald's first act as king, whenever that may be, would be to save his sister. He was determined.