Yes

You think to ask your council, but doing so before the Ambassador would be a sign of weakness. so, with still a bit of anxiety cropping into your chest you nod, "I thank King Claudius for the invitation and hope to see him in a few weeks."

The ambassador grins and bows again, "Thank You, Your Majesty. I'm sure my liege will be happy to hear of such a positive reaction to his invitation. I shall now leave you to your business and prepare for my journey home."

"Feel free to stay here partake in our hospitality as long as you wish." The ambassador leaves. The room almost immediately bursts into gossip and you raise your voice. "I wish to speak with my council privately about what was just heard." Sir Garret's men shoo all of the courtiers away leaving the room empty except for Lord Gilbert, Count Erwin, Lady Vessa, and Sir Garret. "Well, what are the recommendations of my council?"

Sir Garret answers first, "Your Majesty. Many of your subjects, especially those that live on the border with Phebis think that it would be more prudent of us to withdraw our support of them. They're a weak nation that does little, but rely on its neighbors for support. some of the more ambitious voices say we should just invade them."

Count Erwin steps up, "Phebis is a weak nation, yes, but trade from them encompasses nearly a third of our income. A war between them, or even cold relations may result in financial issues"

"Pah!" Sir Garret growls, "If there was a war between them, we would just take what they trade us and sell it to other nations around us."

Erwin retorts, "But if the other nations see us as warmongers who just take what we want. They may be unwilling to trade with us."

You sigh, "Enough. Lady Vessa, what is your opinion on the matter?"

You see Vessa slide her tongue against her lips thoughtfully before answering, "I think...I agree with Sir Garret. It is inefficient to continue propping up Phebis." Her response surprises you. Vessa tends not to give her opinion unless it's of a magical nature, but in this situation the council seems divided and she may feel pressured to do so. Perhaps she just doesn't want to see you married.

You shrug off your thoughts and turn, finally to your final adviser. "Lord Gilbert?"

He looks at you thoughtfully, "I think...I agree with Count Erwin. Helping the Phebisians will only bring positive results and if the succession turns messy, we could press your son's claim. However, at the end of the day it's you who has to make a decision. You need to decide what's best for you and your happiness. A happy king means a happy kingdom." Leave it to Lord Gilbert to offer you a lesson in life as well.

You think for a moment before responding, "Well, I have to say that I'm surprised by how divided my council is on this matter. Ultimately it looks like it's going to be my decision. I guess we'll wait and see what happens at the feast. Go ahead and bring everyone back in." It doesn't take long for everybody to be ushered back into the Throne Room and after that court began as normal. However, your mind never dwells far from the ambassador's marriage proposal.

After court, you wander back to your bedroom. You were thinking of going to the library, or taking a dip in the hot springs, but the thoughts about the marriage proposal continued to dog your mind and you conclude that you wished to sleep it off. You step into your bedroom to find Lady Victoria already there. You recall that you didn't see her for the latter parts of court. You figure she came here to beat you.

She stands and moves quickly over to you, "King Bryce, You're not going to accept the Phebisian's offer, are you?"

You step past her and start getting changed for bed, "It is a good deal, but I don't know and the council is split."

She sighs, "But what about me? What about us?"

Finishing undressing, you pull on a robe and lay on the bed, "Look, there's no guarantee that I'll accept the proposal. I have to at least make it look like that I have at least considered it. Otherwise King Claudius will take it as an insult and the relations between the two kingdoms will be strained."

She eyes you thoughtfully, "This is really bothering you, isn't it?"

"Yes" you admit, "Whatever decision I make will dictate the relationship between our two nations for the next twenty or thirty years, at least. Not to mention that it may affect the rest of my life as well."

She keeps watching you for a moment before a little smile snakes across her face. She steps over to the bed and crawls into it beside you, "Well, perhaps I can make it so you worry a little less. At least for tonight"

She slides a hand under your robe and rubs against the front of your underwear. Your cock naturally hardens in reaction, but your mind drifts to the thought you had earlier. It's clear to you that Lady Victoria is trying to fuck her way to being Queen and now may be a good time to break up with her, before things go any further.