Time to Think -- Tell Dietrich

The entire scene that just displayed itself before you is unquestionably unprecedented. You've heard of infertile women and men to an extent but never one who doesn't bleed. Truly unprecedented. You need to seat down for this. You look at Camilla and you feel such pity for her. A poor little thing with a strong desire to help and to be loved. Then there's her close friend Dorothye. You admire her for her strong devotion to her lady. You never thought there'd be anyone willing to go that far for a friend. Camilla is lucky to have her.

But this is an extremely important decision to make. Finding a wife normally is already important enough for nobles and monarchs. What you have presented in front of you further complicates matters. You've made some unorthodox propositions yourself but never one where someone had to be deceived. And when that someone is a powerful subject who must forever be kept ignorant of that fact only adds further weight to the decision. Such a risky plan wherein internal friction may arise would normally be dismissed outright by you. But this time though, it was someone you had considered a friend who proposed it to you.

Camilla wipes away her tears and Dorothye helps her mistress collect herself. You can tell both girls are still very anxious and await your response to Camilla's plan. You get your heir, she gets a good marriage. At it's purest sense, it wasn't that bad of an idea. But realistically, it presented risks. There is no way you can make a decision here and now. You need time to think about this and luckily for you, you had someone you can rely on to help.

You politely excuse yourself from them and head back to the castle to find Dietrich. Men such as Dietrich who are both loyal and highly qualified for the positions they occupy are not often found. You consider yourself lucky to have him to guide you and give you council. The feast is meant to continue into the night. You signal to Dietrich that you need to talk to him. He nods in understanding and when the opportunity came for you two to inconspicuously slip away, you both took the chance. Then you two head for the guest room that has been prepared for you.

There you tell Dietrich everything that has transpired. Not a single detail left out. He sits patiently as you explain the situation, asking few questions and mostly looking deep in thought the whole time. As you finish, he lets out a deep sigh. "Well the saying of there is a first time for everything rings true tonight. I had known Lady Camilla was not gifted with beauty but her infertility and her proposal with her friend is quite unusual. I've never heard of such an offer. But then again, there was Arch Duke Franz Jacques' offer and of course your offer to Duchess Eliza. Your reign will be one of many surprises, Sire. Of that, I am sure."

"So you understand the situation here?"

He gets up from his seated position and stretches. "So, I take it you don't plan on refusing her? At least, not without further reason?" You nod slowly with your arms crossed.

He brings a hand to his chin in thought. "Yes, very tricky. Discovery of such a fakery could be a great scandal, especially from Renard. He would most certainly react negatively mayhaps even hostilely if he were to discover his grandchild, who is meant to inherit the throne, was actually a bastard not even of his line!" He shakes his head. He doesn't think it a good idea. "But you've grown fond of the Lady Camilla, am I correct? Quite fond?" You nod again, more resolute this time.

"I pity her," You whisper more to yourself than to Dietrich, "She's a nice girl who deserves to be happy but it would be it would be imprudent to let pity and sympathy be a dominant reason in making a decision. Especially in a decision such as this."

"But," Dietrich correctly guessed there would be a 'but'.

"But she's a remarkable girl. I think she'd make a good queen." You also felt a genuine connection to her. "Some marriages have started with less and have turned out for the better."

"I can't say that I approve, Sire." Dietrich says shaking his head. "But if this is the course your set on taking, then it is best you get it over with it quickly. People respect quick and decisive action especially from their king. Inform Duke Renard and Lady Camilla of your decision and secure the future of your line. Of course, we will have to tell individuals like Gunter, Benjamin, Franz Jacques and Beatrice."

"That would be wise."

"Besides, you have other things you want to do. We both know it." Dietrich smirks which is followed by you.

You straighten up as new found confidence swells inside you. "Thank you for your advice, Dietrich."

"I only did my duty, Sire. But do tell me. This Dorothye girl... how does she look to you?"

"You can see for yourself, Dietrich." You smile coyly.

"Cheeky, Sire. Quite cheeky. Very well then. Now let's go tell the Duke. I'm sure he will be utterly ecstatic his daughter gets to be Queen." You and Dietrich leave the room both feeling relieved at having come to a decision.