<span style="font-style: italic">"...you are a young king. And I know you mean no disrespect…” </span><br/><br/>A familiar sting ran up Motto’s spine.  That had been his title it seemed.. ”The Young King”.  Was he not a man yet?  Apparently not if the other was to address him as such.  Although this caused Motto to raise his guard, Layvterna’s next words still managed to strike deep.<span style="font-style: italic">“But you are asking for a commodity without payment.” </span>Motto visibly started at this, and became more and more tense as the other Royal continued.   It was difficult to remain silent as his bride was insulted twice more..surely this was madness?  An onslaught of surprise and anger washed over Motto as he stood there listening; his fists shaking and his jaw set.<br/><br/><span style="font-style: italic"> “If you wish to wed without coin, I can return it.” </span><br/><br/><a class="postlink" href="https://66.media.tumblr.com/b9682add7e4fbd25f0c3831cb6d95408/f12e801f9946a512-ed/s540x810/786f4e82f6494dfa4c2c7c434db16b0133d3b37c.gif">[ img ]</a><br/><br/>Again the young King was taken aback.  A flash of confusion was quickly replaced with his practiced neutral expression and Motto held his composure well even as Layvterna offered his younger daughter’s hand in place of Genevieve’s.  Motto’s eye flickered briefly to where Cassie stood as the other threatened him, but he returned his dark eyes and held them on the other King’s as he made his answer.<br/><br/>Many words fought to be Motto’s first.  He wanted to beg, to scoff, to roar.  Money was of no importance...he would give his kingdom for Genevieve if it were a matter of “purchase” but then again, he could never abandon his people… let alone place them in the hands of such a foul Ruler who treated his daughters no better than scarves at market.  Motto was tempted to throw more gold at the bastard to buy his other… calling his own daughters commodities.  How sick and vile!  To take Genevieve from him.. was unforgivable.<br/><br/>Motto’s chest was rising and falling heavily as he stood there furious.  He was being forced to dishonor her…  Regardless of how he responded, it was clear that he was expected to submit one way or another.  That and the other girl had been treated poorly just then.  It bothered Motto that Genevieve’s sister seemed to have no value in her father’s eyes.  This was perhaps what pushed him over the edge.<br/><br/><span style="color: #00BF40">“Keep your coins.”</span>Motto seethed, his voice husky with rage.  His arm begged to wind back, and Motto fought the urge to lay out flat the King of Faldothia.  Instead he turned sharply and looked to where Cassie stood.  He wanted to ...save her from her disgusting shallow fate at the hands of such a monster.  It was not his place..ah the terrible weight of nobility when dealing with dark things..to stay his temper and avoid scandal..to …<br/><br/><span style="color: #00BF40">“If you’ll excuse me.”</span>Motto strode out the nearest doorway and found a staircase leading down.  He descended while angrily removing his coat and entered into what looked like a baptismal chamber with a beautiful fountain in it’s center.  Without anywhere else to go, Motto paced anxiously with his eyes downcast and his heart troubled.  He had lost.  He failed Genevieve.  And Cassie..what was to become of her?<br/><br/>------------------<br/><br/>Mildred hadn’t seen Her Ladyship doubt her own intelligence before.  Surely Nevi wasn’t this distraught over a broken vase.  She knew Genevieve to be quite strong and resilient when it came to physical discomfort..even now she knew not any other noble willing to attend a rehearsal in such a condition.  Yet here was her dear mistress coming to pieces.<br/><br/>She spoke in a very low voice with her eyes down.  “Nevi...if he hurt you..please.  Tell me.  Do not keep such pain as that to yourself..”  Mildred’s cheeks flushed slightly with a potential rage over any abuse Genevieve might have suffered at the hands of the strange young king.  Never had she considered risking her life for Genevieve until this very moment but she would murder that Motto if he harmed her Ladyship.