You leave.

...an enticing challenge, but one you would have to attempt at a later date. No, for now you would leave the cold-eyed diplomat, her face painted with your seed, a newfound respect for you instilled in her. Tucking your cock back into your breeches, you turn and make for the door.

-

Weeks pass, it's now a little over two moons since your return from the Contests. Your guilt over potentially incurring the wrath of the Spirit, and bringing on the devastating landslides gradually abates. As friendly as Itheria and Beatha were for now, there was always a chance the two kingdoms' relations, if not properly nurtured, could turn sour, lead to conflict. Then, a hundred or so dead northerners would be far from your most pressing concern.

You head for your quarters, a long and draining day behind you. You'd heard petitions, dealt with the petty squabbles of various nobles (without an enemy to rally against in unison, it would seem your vassals would find fault in each other of the most minor of grievances) and finished the day off with a lengthy council session discussing finding you a suitable bride.

You had mentioned Kara, despite your now perhaps-frayed relationship with her brother. As you expected, your advisors hem and haw. They mention the strategic gains would be too minor, that your subjects may not accept a woman from such an uncivilised kingdom as a Queen. A woman who doesn't even believe in the Gods. One or two even remark the princess must be addled, training in the arts of war and wrestling with men.

Most of your advisors favour Princess Madeleine of Sinnabarrow, though you imagine that's the case with many advisors in many courts across the continent. As she was currently the presumptive heir to Sinnabarrow's crown, wedding her would make you King by right of wife to Sinnabarrow, granting you access to that kingdom's vast mercantile power.

The only problem was, King Pierre, ever with his mind on coin, was playing several kingdoms off against each other, until he received the absolute best deal for his daughter's hand. Perhaps Amelie's remarks about the Diacre dynasty and it's crass commercialism had some merit...

Pushing all these thoughts from your mind, temporarily at least, you enter you quarters, deciding to do something to chase away the concerns of the day.