Sacrificial Lamb

Harrington Imara blinked.  He wasn't sure if the Queen was being sarcastic or if she was playing a joke at his expense.

If it was a joke and he did not laugh, it would be bad for him.

If it was not a joke and he laughed, it would be bad for him.

He was damned if he did and damned if he didn't.

"Your Majesty.  I don't know what to say."  He cringed within. 

It sounded so lame but he could not say anything more than this without getting into serious trouble with the Queen.

"You don't have to say anything.  I can explain."

"Your Majesty," he put up a hand in protest.  "Who am I to judge what you do?" 

He looked at the very young woman in front of him with eyes that had literally lived for hundreds of years. 

"It is your life to live.  As long as you are happy and your happiness is not hurting anyone, I believe you are entitled to live however you wish."