<span style="font-style: italic">“Forgive the...intrusion, Your Majesty.”  </span><br/><br/><a class="postlink" href="https://i.imgur.com/ycpPVwr.jpg">[ img ]</a><br/><br/>Motto  felt a strange stiffness overtake him when Genevieve curtsied.  She..was upset!  WITH HIM!   He stood there staring as the women exchanged words and his jaw dropped slightly when his bride-to-be mentioned how late it was.   Her chambers were just as far...she would have to walk all that way regardless.  Unless she was too tired to walk..but that would mean she would need to be carried and ..he wanted to do that!  Not only was she not to bed with him, but he wouldn’t be the one to lift her off her feet?  It hurt.    Perhaps she learned something from Hector that angered her..or worse..offended her!<br/><br/>He forgot all about Lady Setaphina’s gloved hand still resting on him   and moved to stop Lady Genevieve.  The maiden’s grip on his clothes tightened and Motto stopped in surprise.  His confused eyes met Setaphina’s and she softened with her best attempt to appear in distress.  It was missed however when the young King gently freed himself and rushed to Genevieve’s side.<br/><br/><span style="color: #00BF00">“Genev..My Princess!  I must be the one to see you to...your ...chambers.”  </span>He averted his gaze to the floor for a moment.  It was a bit embarrassing to have Hector witness the strange change of plans, but Motto squared his shoulders and lifted his eyes.<span style="color: #00BF00"> “Hector, see to it that Lady ..Seta…”</span><br/><br/>“..phina.  My Lord.”<br/><br/><span style="color: #00BF00">“Lady Setaphina is safely escorted to her chambers.”</span><br/><br/>As soon as Hector and the noblewoman turned a corner, Motto turned to Genevieve.<span style="color: #00BF00">  “I can carry you..er-hold you..carry you..to..your chambers now.”</span>