Marie was beside herself with worry, knowing that Priscilla had reached her limit. She wished the imposing soldier would take his leave, but he stood firm, unaffected by the Princess’s veiled insults. Not even a flicker of emotion crossed his face—truly, he was the King’s man through and through.
“If it were within my power, Your Highness, I would return to my lands and attend to my own pressing matters immediately.”
His towering height forced Priscilla to tilt her chin to meet his gaze while he, in turn, looked down at her. That alone was enough to irk her. His insolent manner of speaking only worsened the offense.
“I, too, have been wearied by the long war,” he added.
