Snippet #2387190

"Of course, my Queen," he replied as he stood from his kneeling position and then moved around to the crown's pedestal so he could lift it with the delicacy such an artefact deserved. "Your will shall forever be my command. Whether a true lover, a political husband, a friend, or simply a retainer, I shall always defend you with my life. Should a single hair upon your head ever be harmed with hostile intent, I would gladly take my own life to pay for my sins. If the time should ever come for you to decide to leave us in this mortal realm of ours, then I would follow with your permission so I might forever stand by your side as your protector."

He extended the crown over his Goddess, then lowered it upon her head. Once finished, he stepped back from the dais and down to the floor of the Room of Thrones, where he bowed deeply and awaited her next command.

Something troubled him, though. It was, of course, the norm for a married pair to share quarters with one another, but something about her words played on the back of his mind until he could no longer ignore them. Was she becoming cautious? Approaching the fine line between it and paranoia? Of course, he rarely left her side in normal circumstances, even if he believed she wasn't entirely aware of his presence, but to order so directly that he not leave her? Perhaps he was doing too much thinking on the topic; he truly hoped this was the case, for the alternative would be that his Queen felt threatened. Who would dare threaten her? Who would have the tenacity to place her in any sort of danger? Even the very thought made him livid.