The queen smiled at him that polite smile she had in court, but this time it was reaching her eyes too. She seemed happy to watch him, nodding her head a little at his words about the kiss, and the praise did seem to delight her even if she might be used to it. It seemed still a pleasant thing to hear, but perhaps more so due to the fact it was from him. "Improper or not, I would not find it unwelcome. Though I imagine you would paint a target on your back if you did so in public." Her whisper was gentle but warning.<br/><br/>"Naming you as a consort will happen eventually, as long as you are willing to it, but I would prefer you have a good chance to learn of the court first, and see who you can rely upon, and whom to avoid. To establish the ties on your own. That would let things be your own achievements after all." Her voice was carried as a whisper, but there was a promise in it. Genuine promise she would make him a consort in time. "That is, unless you would prefer to keep your service as a secret, open one perhaps if rumors are to be taken for granted, but an unconfirmed position nevertheless. I couldn't fault you for wanting to keep something like that private." Her voice was still calm, but the question lingered.<br/><br/>"I will have a chance to speak with you more once the court session has passed, I wish things were easier but it seems I will have to deal with this a little longer at least. Nonetheless, I would surely appreciate kind words and I shall have to call on someone to aid me in working out the stress of this day later on. Your queen has need of you, but that need will require a little more privacy." She said this in a whisper still, but then sighing faintly. "Unfortunately, I have to make a small spectacle for now, trust me when I say this is to strike a blow against a foe and their attempt to drive forth a suggestion that we need -less- guards these days than we have now. One that suggests at peace time maintaining as many guards and soldiers is folly. One driven by the same church and elders who in turn may well have been linked up with the recent arrival of mercenaries..." Her tone was venomous at that. She waited for him to speak, hoping he would agree to this.<br/><br/><div class="spoiler_container"><div class="spoiler_header" onclick="hideSecond (this);" role="button">Only if Tehr Agrees</div><div class="spoiler_body">The queen nod her head briefly, before raising her voice up, finally audible to the rest of the court. "We have been informed of a strike against your person during your journey however, one that has raised our concern. Some here have claimed the roads are safe, but as a nobleman, tell us here how safe they truly are for a man of your station? A man of court?" Her voice was serious and seemed to direct some anger during the last few words, a glare cast at a man in a priestly uniform a bit further off, speaking to a pair of older noblemen. The topic seemed to hit a sore spot, and annoy those same men, one of whom tried to protest audibly. "But surely you jest, there is no banditry in the lands near Londinium."</div></div><br/><div class="spoiler_container"><div class="spoiler_header" onclick="hideSecond (this);" role="button">If Tehr Refuses</div><div class="spoiler_body">Looking at him a little disappointed, the Queen nod her head. "I can understand it might be better to not mention it, but I was considering turning the incident against them. The guards that arrived to hold the attacker reported to Londinium of the attack later on, but it took some time to figure out who was being targeted. I will find a way to press this later then, but it may be harder. I'll expect your advice on the issue once the session here has finished." After this, she made a dismissing gesture, to allow the other members of the court to carry on with the business so the dreadful open court session could finally wrap up.</div></div>