All this effort...climbing up the ranks, becoming the kingdom's most honored knight for defending the land and slaying the mighty beasts and dragons of the northern Camuros mountains, and for this kind of reward? Henri does his best not to make a face as the King waves out the shuddering, lavishly dressed figure to kneel at his feet and grovel before him.

"You see?" The twisted king Maleca gestures over the figure. "The most obedient of all that I own...a beauty, truly. And along with the supplies of limitless gold and your title of Lord over the land of Haduul...you shall take this beauty to be your betrothed. Having such a trophy will bring you everlasting goodfortune, I assure you."

Henri glances again at the small thing shuddering at the king's feet. His stomach churns with unease as he sees just how intensely the woman seem so...broken.

He cannot deny such good graces of the King. Such denial of his "good fortune" would be frowned upon if he so speaks his mind in earnest. Henri has no need of such a partner...especially not one that is clearly so solemnly shattered of mind and will.

Henri takes a deep breath, bowing in reverence to his majesty whilst attempting not to grimace. "I...am of the utmost gratitude to your majesty for every gift you bestow upon the house of Barcelava."

"Most excellent!" The king claps and a servant comes to his side. "See to it that the woman is properly set to journey back with his lordship. See to it that she is stripped of her concubine garments and dress her in something more plain...so thus his lordship be not humiliated by her apparel."