“There is – something I would like to – say to you.”
There was a little pause before the King answered,
“I am listening.”
“I-I know that our – marriage was one of – convenience,” Pythia began in a very small voice, “and because you applied to Queen Victoria for – help in providing Vultarnia with an English Queen – there was no question of the person chosen for the position – being able to refuse.”
“It was something my Cabinet forced me to do,” the King told her, “and I will be frank with you and tell you that I had no wish to marry and if I did I would have preferred to choose my own bride.”
“Of course,” Pythia agreed. “I entirely – understand your feelings. And I, for my part, wanted to – marry a man – I loved.”
“You were not attracted by the idea of wearing a crown?” the King asked
