<span style="font-style: italic">"Hector...what happens after the stone is used on him? Are there side effects?"</span><br/><br/>“A wise question.  It seems he becomes more powerful with each exposure, but I might be wrong.”<br/><br/><span style="font-style: italic">"Can the stone be destroyed?" </span><br/><br/>“I...hadn’t considered it before.  It’s not a bad idea considering how he was able to reign himself in tonight.  Let me think on it, My Lady.”<br/>______<br/><br/><span style="font-style: italic">"I have yet to meet your betrothed. I've heard she quite pretty."</span><br/><br/><span style="color: #00BF00">“Oh.  How thoughtless of me..I will arrange something..a tea perhaps!  You will adore her.  Lady Genevieve, that is.”</span>Motto sighed dreamily   at the thought of his bride to be.  He wished it was her arm he was holding.    When her hold on him locked closer, Motto let a small sound of surprise escape.  They had stopped.<span style="font-style: italic"> "Your Majesty, may I ask you something?"  </span>Motto blinked down at the petite Lady.  He felt uneasy but curious.  It was a bit scandalous to be alone with a woman at this hour in a darkened hallway but then again, he was escorting her and…<br/><br/><span style="font-style: italic">"Is she right for Gilthlore? No doubt I trust your judgement, please.. I truly hope I'm not offending, but have you given thought to the consequence of having a foreign Queen?"</span><br/><br/>His mouth opened.  Motto’s expression hardened briefly before returning to his practiced neutral one.<br/><br/><span style="color: #00FF00">“My advisers made a careful selection.  I had nothing to do with it.  I believe they made the best possible choice with Gilthlore’s prosperity as the only objective.”</span>He relaxed and smiled.<span style="color: #00BF00"> “My Lady, your concern for our happy kingdom is sweet but do not worry.  Have I not been a good King?”  </span>He moved to resume their walk.<br/><br/>______<br/><br/>Hector was saddened to see the Princess already worried, but he hardly blamed her.    He was anxious too.  “I have had many sleepless nights because of the stone.  Motto is like a..son to me.  But..since the Eastern War, no one has dared to threaten our kingdom.  Word of the mighty King managed to spread in the darker nations and I believe Gilthlore is quite safe.    Do not let this weigh heavily on your spirit, My Lady.  It is a happy time for your Ladyship and His Majesty.  As for his lifespan..I know not but I would guess that he shall live a long and extraordinarily healthy life.”  A wink.<br/><br/>Hector wished to ease Genevieve’s heart.  She had enough trouble for one night and the wedding itself was more than enough for a Princess to think about.  Secretly, he crumbled at the thought of Motto possibly suffering as a side effect of his power.<br/><br/>"Might I ask you to escort me to the King's Chambers. I truly do only wish to tell him goodnight…”<br/><br/>“Of course, My Lady.  It would be a pleasure.”  Hector offered his arm and privately chuckled at how affectionate Her Ladyship was towards the King...and how ravenous the latter was.  Motto really was just like his father.<br/><br/>Meanwhile, Lady Setaphina was feigning tears with her head down much to the King’s horror.<span style="color: #00BF00"> “I..I meant only to assure you, My Lady.  Do not cry!”</span>Her hand slid up his chest and held tightly to the fabric of his coat as her contrived tears fell.<br/><br/>“Oh Sire!  Do forgive me!  You are a King dear to my heart!  I want no other!  Only you, My Lord!  Oh my, how my heart is racing!  Rumors of something fearsome being in the castle...I am fortunate indeed to be in my King’s company.”<br/><br/>Motto’s reply was incomprehensible.  She was nearly pressed against him and he was finding it difficult to compose himself as the wispy neckline of her gown was rather low.