"Sire...Lady Setaphina left the castle this morning."  Hector's concern was evident, but he was cautious today..Motto's condition was still a mystery and it wouldn't do to stir up unnessary stress.  "A leisure trip as far as I'm aware. I will make the arrangements right away."<br/><br/>Motto hadn't looked at him yet.  The young King was still frowning to himself and clenching the sheets.  Upon feeling his attendant's gentle hand on his shoulder, Motto relaxed and lifted his head.<span style="color: #00BF00">"That is good news.  Thank you, Hector.  My ..head hurts.."  </span>He reached up to feel a sizable lump beneath his thick untamed hair.<span style="color: #00BF00"> "I don't remember hitting it this hard."</span><br/><br/>Hector examined Motto and did another discreet sweep over his Ruler's backside.  No other signs of trouble as far as he could tell.<br/><br/><span style="color: #00BF00">"Hector?"</span>Motto's voice made the old man's heart skip a beat.  He sounded small.  And frightened.<br/><br/>"Yes, Sire?"<br/><br/><span style="color: #00BF00">"I've done a terrible thing."</span><br/><br/>Hector could tell it weighed heavily upon his King.  He sat back down in his chair and spoke with calm.  "I suspect it has something to do with Lady Setaphina."<br/><br/><span style="color: #00BF00">"...Yes.." </span>Motto's sheets twisted in his hands and furious blush overtook his features.<span style="color: #00BF00"> "I..am not certain..but I believe she...wished to seduce me."  </span>He cast an anxious look to Hector.<span style="color: #00BF00"> "I know not what to do.  It is a most unpleasant situation..one I never imagined I might deal with.  And also..." </span>Motto's expression caused Hector to reach forward and take his hand.<br/><br/>"What is it?  Good ahead, Motto."  Hector was privately furious and waited to hear the full of it.  He had utterly failed as the young man's guardian and attendant.  Lady Setaphina was sly indeed to advance upon his King in so short a time.<br/><br/><span style="color: #00BF00">"I let it happen."</span>Motto shut his eyes and lowered his face.  Tears fell.<span style="color: #00BF00">"I fancied her.  I.."</span>Hector lifted the King's chin and looked him steadily in the eye.<br/><br/>"I wonder if that lump on your head would suggest otherwise, Sire."<br/><br/>The room was silent for a moment.  Motto blinked and sat up a bit taller.<span style="color: #00BF00"> "I can't remember how it happened!  I.. WAIT!  GENEVIEVE!" </span>Motto hurried to get out of bed and swayed dangerously before he felt Hector's hands holding him upright.<span style="color: #00BF00">"I think..I ...<span style="font-style: italic">can't remember!</span>" </span><br/><br/>"Lady Genevieve is in her chamber safe and sound, Sire.  Shall we cancel the rehearsal?  You seem unwell."<br/><br/><span style="color: #00BF00">"NO!" </span>Motto shook Hector's hands off and lowered his voice.<span style="color: #00BF00">"No..I'm fine.  What hour is it?"  </span><br/><br/>A short time later he stood outside the carriage in a rather uncomfortable dark green suit.  It was one he disliked greatly but his wish to wear the same colors as Lady Genevieve still stood.  He did his best to avoid itching where the scratchy material rubbed his neck.  When the Princess came into view Motto's heart began to beat faster.  She was impossibly beautiful.  Even in dismal morbid itchy green.  Her hair.  It was like a pretty dream.  Motto smiled and sighed; forgetting his guilt-ridden thoughts momentarily.<br/><br/>His grin fell a little when he noticed her walk was different.   His mind felt as if it knew something but Motto couldn't discover it.  Had something happened?  Hector had mentioned that she was safe...  Lady Genevieve curtsied.  She did not meet his eyes and Motto silently began to crumble.  How had he managed to forget her deep sorrow?  He'd let his advisers go through with the payment and lied about it. Not on purpose but due to the simple fact that he'd forgotten.  Truly he was a lowly brute to take her purity and utter falsehoods.  Of course Genevieve would no longer love him.  She had been trapped into wedlock with him..a creature who called himself a King.<br/><br/>Motto seated himself beside her and did his best to banish the terrible feelings.  He had been a good King, dammit.  Even though his advisers bullied him and he was secretly weak.. he was Gilthor's guardian and caretaker.  He would do better.  He would be better.<br/><br/><span style="color: #00BF00">"You have every right to hate me." </span>He could not look at her.  Motto felt sick and paralyzed.  Should he be silent and avoid more stupid mistakes?  What was there to say?<span style="color: #00BF00"> "This is a foul situation.  I intend to fix it and...I will make things right." </span>He swallowed the lump in his throat.  It hurt to be such a fool.  It hurt to cause Genevieve's suffering.<br/><br/><a class="postlink" href="https://66.media.tumblr.com/c5e8ac628f5922293b5734d960aaeab9/tumblr_inline_pt6e20H7Zf1trff3p_540.gif">[ img ]</a>