He put his hand to the hilt of the short sword he wore and turned away rather abruptly.
“What could I give you?” asked Viktoria softly.
He looked at her over his shoulder.
“I think you know,” he said rather sullenly.
“But tell me,” she insisted.
The King gave his ugly smile.
“You are such a pretty creature,” he answered, “you give me more pleasure than any fair sight I have ever seen.”
She did not receive his compliment in the usual fashion of blush and confusion.
“I am sorry that your Majesty has seen so few pleasant sights,” she said quietly, “but you are very young.”
“You think of me as very young?” demanded the King, with narrowed eyes.