Chapter 8
by 
Nemo of Utopia
What does she say next?
"-I Am Flattered By Your Suit, But..."
Beatrice is blushing. "Yes, and I am flattered by your suit, but I am not even an Apprentice yet," she says with a tremor in her voice. "I know it will most likely take me some years yet before I achieve the rank of Journeyman and then could wed you, so please, if you love me, accept a pledge of willingness to receive your courtship until the time when I am free to speak of marriage again as I so recently was, but am no longer, and do as I am sure my father has commanded you and be about the Queen's Business. I know you are prudent and skilled, so I am certain you can find your way clear to surviving until I am free to speak of weddings and children once more," Beatrice explains sadly.
Prudence and skill, this it is clear your intended has in abundance. With only a few sentences she has placed you at arms length while simultaneously agreeing to your suit in a backhanded way. She wishes to complete her training, even as you have, and thus meet you on a more equal footing, yet at the same time sends you to be about the queen's business, clearing the castle, tempting fate in the labyrinth, and in all things going about your duty: a call you cannot honorably deny. Yes, she is a skilled negotiator...