Had he imagined it or had she lingered?  Motto was too upset to trust his guess, but Genevieve’s voice.. ah her soft tone soothed him even though he’d wronged her so thoroughly.  Upon hearing her question, the young King’s face became grim.<br/><br/>His eyes lowered for a moment before returning to hers, there was pain in his gaze now.<br/><br/><span style="color: #40BF00">“It is ..of great importance for you to be at dinner this evening...nobility from several bordering countries will be there to confirm Gilthlore’s alliance with Faldothia…”</span>Motto lowered himself to rest on one knee as he continued,<span style="color: #40BF00"> “..I would never ask such a thing from you, My Lady, as to perform Queenly tasks when your health is at risk..”</span>Motto struggled within himself over the detestable situation.  Here he was, forcing the Princess to make an appearance despite her injuries; her heart break being the most distressing one of all.<span style="color: #40BF00"> “..but I am asking it….I’m .I’M DOING IT AGAIN!?!” </span>Motto grabbed his hair and scrambled backwards away from Genevieve.<span style="color: #40BF00"> “I promise in the same breath as I break it.  Not a King’s behavior.” </span>The young ruler shook his head as if to clear his mind,<span style="color: #40BF00">  “I will earn that title.  I will be your faithful King, my Lady.” </span>Motto turned and left without giving the Princess a chance to respond.  He couldn’t bare to fall apart in front of her anymore.  (From now on he would take every meal with his Queen no matter what the circumstances!  STRONG KING RULE NUMBER ONE)<br/><br/>He would do his best and his father would still be proud of him, dammit.  His father was the kind of King that valued integrity and devotion.  His father would truly mean it.  Motto would have lifted his chin and strode boldly towards his chamber if there hadn’t been a pretty little maiden just outside Genevieve’s door.  It was the daughter of ...that bastard King.<br/><br/>“Who’s Setaphina.  Is this someone I should he worried about?”<br/><br/>She knew.  The Young King felt the room tilt and swayed to compensate, lurching suddenly sideways and barely catching himself.  Motto’s fatigue had finally caught up with him.  In an attempt to stand tall again, he struck the door and stumbled forward.  The next thing he knew Motto was blinking up at the guard who had caught hold of him as he had been about to hit the floor.<br/><br/><span style="color: #40FF00">“Fetch the handmaid of Lady Genevieve, immediately”  </span><br/><br/>Motto’s tone was not one for the guard to argue with.  “Yes, Sire.”  He laid Motto down and quickly left.  Motto would struggle to sit up and reach out to Cassie.<span style="color: #40BF00">“Stay I beseech thee Lady..Cassie.”</span>Two minutes later she would find herself being ushered into the King’s chambers with Mildred, a very tired-looking royal physician, and several guards.<br/><br/><span style="color: #40BF00">“Leave us.” </span>Motto ordered from the chair they had helped him into.<span style="color: #40BF00">“Ow!” </span>The physician had flicked his forehead.  The King looked up at his care-taker in confusion.  The old man was seething.  “I shall do no such thing Your Majesty.”<br/><br/>Motto swallowed.<span style="color: #40BF00"> “Right then.  Guards, depart.  See that Lady Genevieve’s watch is doubled.” </span>They exited and an awkward silence filled the room.  The physician loosened Motto’s coat and collar.  The King seemed upset but determined.  Motto looked to Cassie and Mildred.<br/><br/><span style="color: #40BF00">“I am begging of you.  It is as simple as that.  I know only to plead for your mercy.  Not forgiveness.  I have already wronged Genevieve too much.  I will be forever indebted to you if you protect her from my errors.”<br/></span><br/>“Sire.. calm down..you need to<br/><br/><span style="color: #00BF00">“That ...woman..Lady Setaphine!  She.. seduced me and I let her.  I am surprised at my own weakness in that regard ANYWAY-”</span><br/><br/>“SIRE.”<br/><br/><span style="color: #00FF40">“NO THOMAS.” </span>Motto barked at the physician.  He returned his attention to Lady Cassie.<span style="color: #00FF40">  “I can’t remember what transpired entirely.. and I have a strange feeling that it was false.  Lady Setaphina had put herself close to me another time As WELL!”</span>He stood and began speaking faster and louder,<span style="color: #00FF40"> “I THINK I REMEMBER!  I had seen Lady Genevieve!  I saw her and PURSUED .. I ...think..she spoke…”</span>he let the physician guide him back into the chair.<span style="color: #00FF40">  “.. a foreign tongue..”  </span>