WILLOCK 21

Upon our arrival at the lake, neither of us had uttered a word. The silence that hung between us, honestly, unsettled me momentarily. However, after a brief period of introspection and a therapeutic mental exercise, I chose to accept the quietude and immerse myself in the present moment. My thoughts shifted from the scandal to the princess.

Undeniably, I held an affection for her; genuine and deep. If the power lay within my grasp, I would court her without hesitation, showering her with the most opulent gifts, dancing with her in the ballrooms, and ultimately one day, approaching the king for nothing but a quest, seeking her hand in marriage. Such were my desires, my intentions pure and earnest, perhaps the most noble a man could entertain for a woman.