Startled, Genevieve straightened, looking up to see Motto standing before. He looked absolutely ridiculous. His hair was a mess, he had a shallow cut upon his cheek, a stick of thorns clung to a pantleg, and his jacket...well it could be repaired. Genevieve could only stare and listen to his evening breath. It seemed he had quite the time with the hedge behind him. She could have laughed, if not for her current mood.<br/><br/><span style="font-style: italic">"My Princess."</span><br/><br/>She started. She hadn't expected him to speak, but he did, and the first thing that came to her mind was the bride price, and his broken promise. Genevieve took in a deep breath, desperately trying to reign in her feelings, even as she curled her hands into fists, crushing the blossom between her fingers. Lowering her head, still taking calming breaths, she had to still herself from flinching.<br/><br/><span style="font-style: italic">"I would know why you left my bed last night."</span><br/><br/>Of course. He owned her now, right? He had not only paid for her, she had given him her only bargaining chip: her purity. Genevieve would have been shocked by her thinking had she<span style="font-style: italic">actually</span>been thinking. Deep down she knew Motto was not a malicious man. Surely he didn't see things the way Genevieve's cynical mind did at the moment.<br/><br/><span style="font-style: italic">"Tell me."</span><br/><br/>Genevieve's head rose. She leveled Motto with an angry glare, her lips downturned. "How dare you." Her voice was dangerously low. She did not yell. "I took afternoon tea with a few ladies of the court." She stood, fists at her sides. "Why, Your Majesty, did I learn from Setaphina of the payment made?" There was venom in Genevieve's voice as she spat out Setaphina's name. She crossed the little distance between the pair. She was so angry. So confused. Hurt.<br/><br/>"You told me you wouldn't purchase me! You told me!" She jabbed am accusatory forefinger at his chest. "You lied to me! I was made a fool because you couldn't tell me yourself!" Genevieve spun on her heels, angry tears had begun to form and she would not let him see them fall. "You know how I feel about these...barbaric customs," Genevieve struggled to find the right words. "And you still..." Genevieve's whole body seemed to 0quiver with her rage.<br/><br/>______<br/><br/>Word had traveled fast to Setaphina of an argument in the gardens between the Lady Genevieve and King Motto, by way of a lesser noble lady who had stumbled upon it by accident. Setaphina made her way towards the King's rooms, hoping to intercept him. To comfort him. She knew not entirely the argument, but she was sure, with coaxing, he would tell her. All she had to do was wait.