now you're falling away

She shook her head lightly, giving him a rare smile. "No offense, my prince, but it is not your command that I follow." It never had been. She had always done her duty, and though she had let it be known that she did not agree with the breach of tradition having a prince had led to, she had not questioned once it was made clear her Queen's mind was set. She respected the monarch too much to allow true insubordination, even from herself.

Now however, that unflinching obedience she had followed so long was wavering. His words were true and her own preference was to allow him to remain here, savage king in a savage land. Surely Quetzlcoatl would understand that her Warriors would never bow to her son's rule? A prince was one thing, but a king?

His next question should not have surprised her, but as her thoughts were not really on pleasantries, it took a moment for her to respond. "I was tasked your protection. A guardian, nothing more." The more wicked part of her mind wondered if it might have been fun to make him believe there was more, but she did not really wish to turn malice against the only one here who she felt some sort of kinship to. Save it for the outsiders. She had not made a habit of interacting with him much, though she believed some of her guard mates had been closer to him. Though truly there weren't many Manauia did make a habit of interacting with.