#king mortimer

King Mortimer: It’s not your father that gives me pause. It’s who he chooses to surround himself with.  Carolina: If you have an issue with one of our courtiers, I would prefer you to name them, my lord.  King Mortimer: It’s not just any of your father’s courtiers, princess.  Carolina: I pray you do not keep me in suspense, Your Majesty.

King Mortimer: Sir George Groves. I’ve noticed his presence in the palace is constant. The only time he is not at your father’s side is when he is at yours.  Carolina: What issue could you have with Sir George? He is my father’s most loyal servant and he is indebted to our family. I’ve never known a better man.  King Mortimer: His attachment to you is what concerns me.  Carolina: To me? King Mortimer: He seems to be fixated on you whenever you are near. 

Carolina: He is concerned for my well being. Nothing more, Your Majesty.  King Mortimer: I think he may be concerned with more than your well being,  or at least he is more concerned than he ought to be for a woman who is neither his wife nor blood relative.  Carolina: You would fault a chevalier for his devotion to his sovereign?  King Mortimer: I would fault a chevalier for lusting after his master’s daughter.  Carolina: Lust? How could you say such a thing?

King Mortimer: I say it because it is true. Plain as day to anyone with any clarity. You are young, my dear. You know little of men and how they think and behave. If such a man looked at my daughter the way that this man looks at you, he would be dismissed and banished from court until the end of his days. Men who cannot control themselves enough to conceal such desires are dangerous, nearly as dangerous as men who can conceal such things.  Carolina: Then a man is damned if he shows such feelings and damned if he keeps such ideas to himself? King Mortimer: Only if they cause issue.  Carolina: A person cannot help their feelings, Your Majesty. They simply spring forth in oneself. King Mortimer: Yes, but it is up to each of us to control them. Groves ought to reject them and distance himself, and yet he remains close to you at all opportunities and that makes him dangerous. 

Carolina: Sir George is my father’s closest friend and advisor. I saved his life not more than two years ago. He is no danger to me. King Mortimer: Perhaps so, and perhaps not. But you should be wary of men like him. He may be able to control himself but if he can’t, he cannot be counted upon to truly serve your best interests without seeking his own first.  Carolina: I appreciate your concern, Your Majesty, but I’m sure you are mistaken about the man. He has known me all my life and I have never had reason to doubt his resolve and devotion or to suspect anything unsavory. 

King Mortimer: I hope for your sake and that of your kingdom, that you are right. A great deal will depend upon Groves’s ability to comport himself appropriately.  Carolina: He wouldn’t take any action that was not necessary or right, Your Majesty. I would stake my life on it.

King Mortimer: I’m sure. You do understand that I say all that I do because of my affection for my son and my hopes for our shared future.  Carolina: Yes, Your Majesty.  King Mortimer: Just remember, my dear, Alexander is your husband and as such, he is the only one who might be your equal in this court. Everyone else, barring your own parents, is beneath you. Let this govern your relationships and all else will fall into place.  Carolina: I thank you, Your Majesty, for all your advice. King Mortimer: Do keep up a smile, princess. It is a party. 

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