"Your Majesty," Bruce insisted, fully aware that he was overstepping, "as your personal knight and Knight-General of the Royal Guard, it is my duty to keep you safe from harm. And this engagement—"

The monarch lifted a hand, and Bruce bit back his words. He was the head of House Wayne, the richest duchy in all of the kingdom. His influence was vast, but he was still below the ruler in station. No matter how close they'd grown over the years, it was still not his place to question his liege's decisions.

Still, to wed the eldest child of the tyrannical emperor of the neighboring nation? It was to prevent a war, yes, but would it really? Or would it simply bring an enemy into their fold, and further weaken their position?

Bruce knew the ruler had little choice. The empire's army was massive and poised to strike. The only options were a political alliance through marriage, full surrender and consenting to annexation, or fighting in a doomed war that would send too many to an early grave.

Still, he'd already watched his liege suffer in an unhappy, ab*sive marriage for twenty years. The death of the royal consort had been a relief. Finally the monarch's radiant smile was gracing the courts once more. Now this?

"Your Majesty will have to forgive me, but I cannot stand here and watch as you sacrifice yourself again, not when the result is this. Please, reconsider. The kingdom does not need a war, but nor does it need an empire within our borders. This union would bring a viper straight into your chambers. I cannot—"

The royal looked up at him, and for a moment Bruce was struck speechless. He couldn't deny his feelings for the monarch—part of the reason why he'd remained unmarried into his forties, why he'd adopted most of his heirs. He would not marry another, could not, even if the object of his desire was beyond his reach. His devotion to the kingdom, its people, and its ruler was single-minded.