Following a brief pause, where he needed to collect his thoughts, Will adopted a fearless smile, responding to Calius's advice by stating, "Your Majesty's counsel is greatly appreciated. But I made a promise to marry Lyra, and I intend to keep it."
"Very well," responded Calius, followed by an ostensibly approving nod as he added, "Then I will entrust you with my daughter's hopes, aspirations, and very life. Keep her safe for me."
"That was my intention from the start," responded Will, bowing his head low and respectfully as he expected the audience to be over. Instead, it was prolonged at least a short while as Erisia, after exchanging glances with Calius and receiving a subtle nod in return, stared down at him and stated, "Like my husband, I do not desire the Princess's death. But if she stands in the way of our son's ascent, I will have no choice but to remove her..."
