"Please do not confront the Princess because of this. It was my fault, I should have told her the gifts were not for her but I let her be mistaken. If you meet her she would increase my punishment, please I beg of you."
Pen pleaded as she stared at Azriel. Azriel looked at her, thinking for a moment;
"On one condition;" he said and Pen's eyes grew, her heart began to race; was he going to ask her to lie with him?
Pen prayed earnestly that it would not be the case, she could not do it.
"What is the condition? My lord."
"That you would not return to the Castle. You'll stay here with me."
Pen stared at him, all color draining from her face.
"Do not worry, I would not touch you. I am just trying to protect you. You cannot do tedious work in this state unless you don't want to live. You can stay here for as long as you want, I'll ask the king for permission to take you with me if you decide."
