Sigrid wondered in the silence which had swept over everyone if Lettice York ever really knew Roland Maximus. This public tantrum, the silly declaration of her love which tarnished a duty he had been proud to accomplish served only to anger him. It seemed like the young woman was about to see a side of Roland most people did not like to see, the quick tempered one.
"Lettice York," Roland's voice was sharp, cutting through the heavy stunned silence. "Of all the nonsensical notions you have conjured in your youth, this.....this is by far the worst. It is beyond comprehension. Why can't you be my wife...because I don't want you as my wife and I am already happily married. Even if I did not have Sigrid I would not look twice at you."
Lettice flinched at his tone but she held her ground, "You are lying, you cannot be happy. You never liked her, she tarnished your reputation by following you around. She has no talent, your highness, I have thought it throught__"
