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A Monarch sometimes retains the particular benefit of being able to inspire absolute terror through relatively innocuous gestures. More specifically, he is able to do so if he is looking at an especially timid young man who is hoping to stay in the palace, with the obvious subtext that he wished to do so in order to sleep with the crowned princess.

So, when the monarch looked at Phillip and breathed slowly out of his nose in what was actually a rather muted sigh, it had the effect of making the young suitor's knees buckle, causing him to fall over sideways as he tried to maintain a dignified expression the whole way.

Occasionally, it was quite...entertaining to be a monarch.

"Yes I...see what you mean, my daughter," the king sighed again as Phillip froze in place on the floor, not exactly sure of what had happened, "It...wouldn't do to have him at the festival in this state."

His wrinkled mouth quivered as he maintained his regal expression in the face of the utterly comical display. But it stopped when he saw the beseeching look Rachel was throwing him as she started to try to help Phillip stand. The old fox glanced over at Sir Linus with a kingly look that fortunately managed to communicate will you get this poor fool up, for heaven's sake?

Linus swiftly knelt, grabbed under Phillip's arms, lifted him up, and set him on his feet in a fluid motion that ended with a sharp pat on the shoulder intended to stop the young man's violent shaking, if not knock some sense into him as well. As he turned to take retake his place, he flicked his tail against the back of Phillip's legs so that he would bend them slightly.

"You are fortunate, Master Roarch, that you managed to compose yourself so well in court this morning," The king said with obvious irritation, "I do not delight in the notion of allowing a buffoon to woo my royal daughter."

Phillip's throat had seized, his brain deftly ignoring his frantic inquiries for what to do if one makes an utter idiot of oneself in front of the most powerful man in the Imperium. However, his body managed to continue quivering in its stead as a high-pitched whine emanated from the boy's constricted vocal cords. It was so pathetic that the king actually felt sorry for the clumsy suitor, a thought that he brushed away with annoyance.

"You will compose yourself," the king intoned with rising anger.

"Of c-course, Y-your Majesty," Phillip squeaked, his brain finally allowing him to speak, "I don't th-think I've ever been so embarrassed as I am right now...and that's saying a lot, Y-your Majesty. I...I'm so sorry...b-b-bother everything..." the words retched out of his throat.

The king sighed yet again. What was it exactly his daughter saw in this young man? Surely there must be someone else who could accept her secret that wasn't so...idiotic. On the other hand, the king also knew that the boy had a kind and noble heart, his earnestness and unexpectedly diplomatic ability to garner the respect of the court proved that...but, his mannerisms...bloody hell.

However, the real point in his favor was his daughter, because this calamitously uncoordinated young man had somehow made her happy with her gender; a feat which none of her attendants or himself had been able to do. Shouldn't that alone allow him some leeway to become accustomed to royalty? This pup was in a totally alien environment, his position in the aristocracy a matter of business venture rather than birthright...Master Roarch, I do hope you take this time to sort yourself out...

"I will pardon your...faint this time, Master Roarch," he managed to keep his face stoic at the look of pure gratitude thrown at him from Phillip's welling eyes, "and give you leave to stay within my palace for the duration seen fit by my daughter. You are dismissed." he flicked his wrist gently at the suitor who was almost collapsing again out of relief.

"Ah, Master Roarch, one more thing," the king watched the boy spin sharply, once again in danger of finding his head smacking against the floor. "If you humiliate yourself in this manner at the festival, you will no longer be welcome here; that is a condition for your continued courtship of my daughter."

Phillip bowed quickly, a spark of determination working into his eye, "I w-won't let you down, Your Majesty."

The king nodded and watched the suitor and the princess hurry from his state room, Phillip almost falling against her as they left.

"Am I really so intimidating, Sir Linus?" The king wearily intoned to the leopard's turning back.

"Your effect on those in your presence is a credit to your august authority, Your Highness," Linus faced the king with an inclined head.

"And am I making a mistake to allow this oaf to swoon over my royal daughter?" The king continued as he rubbed a paw over his muzzle with similar weariness.

"I am but a knight in your service, Your Majesty," Linus began hesitantly, "If my opinion carries any meaning, it is this: Her Highness will be the ruler of the Imperium one day, and she is already showing herself to be a capable Matriarch. If she decides that this...lummox is the one who will best support her in her duty, then I trust Her Highness's discretion."

The king nodded slowly, "And your opinion of the lummox himself?" he asked with a small smile.

"He is...unlike any suitor I have ever seen," Linus tapped his shortsword against his thigh thoughtfully, "I admit that I have been otherwise unimpressed by his incessant timidity. But, the boy knows the purpose of true honor, and he is willing to defend it from what I've seen. He shares this trait with Her Highness, if I may say so, Your Majesty."

The king smiled again with his chin rested against his paw, "Thank you, Sir Linus, for your opinion. I hope you will continue to provide it in this matter."

"With a good will, Your Majesty," Linus bowed and exited the room with his customary, graceful stride to go dispatch word of Phillip's stay at the palace to his father.

The king looked around the empty throneroom, eventually letting his gaze fall on his late wife's empty seat next to him. The red, velvet cushioning was carefully tended every morning, as if the queen were still on the way to sit at his side...If only you could have seen how happy our Rachel looks when she's with him...You would have scolded me all evening for making the boy faint...

"You should avoid locking your knees in the future, Master Phillip," Linus sighed as Phillip tried to thank him for helping him back up in the throneroom, "I think you may have been trying a little too hard to maintain your posture." At least the princess had the good sense to walk him to the larder for a pick-me-up.

"Oh, bother all...I didn't even know that could happen. Thank you again, Sir Linus," Phillip nodded making his ears flap about his head, "The king isn't...angry with me, is he? I heard him call you back earlier, and I really just feel the absolute idiot about it..." his tone ended with a pitiable whimper.

Linus looked into the adamant eyes of the young suitor before him. He wanted so badly to be what was expected of him, and yet...he was already rapidly stumbling his way into the royal family. Who would have ever thought?

"If the king had been especially displeased with your behavior I would be escorting you from the palace, instead of finding you now to bring word that your father has given leave to stay in it, Master Phillip."

"Of course, Sir Linus, sorry again. I'm just shaken up, you see? I don't...bother...bother..." Phillip shook his head to try to clear it and stood straighter, "Thank you...again, really."

Linus nodded, "I was informed your clothing will be delivered in the morning, and...I had a request for you, young master."

"Anything, Sir Linus, name it," Phillip smiled, eager to try to return the leopard's help during his courtship with Rachel.

Linus bowed quickly to the princess as he continued, "If it pleases Your Highness to release him to me from time to time, I would like to fence with you Master Phillip. I believe I can help with your, shall we say, 'ambulative habits?'"

"Oh, that would be brilliant, Sir Linus!" Phillip grinned before an imploring expression took him, "But I hoped I would be doing a favor for you...? Fencing with an Imperial Knight; it's an honor, Sir."

"Believe me, it is in everyone's interest to prevent you from throwing yourself to the floor at the gala next week," Linus shared a rare, small smile at Phillip's sheepish grin, "And besides...I have fallen under a distinct lack of new opponents."

"Please send word whenever you wish for Phillip to join you," Rachel beamed at the leopard, "And your services to myself and my suitor have not gone unnoticed."

"I am happy to fulfill my duty, Your Highness," Linus inclined his head. Many knights would have seen this responsibility as beneath their charge, a glorified puppysitting duty. But, there was something...gratifying about helping this young man. Perhaps that could change if the boy's ungainliness persists during his swordsmanship..."Now if you will excuse me, I must be going."

The young couple bid farewell to the leopard and exited the larder to go back to Rachel's chambers, all the excitement and recent embarrassment making Phillip a little giddy. He was staying in the palace, he was staying with Rachel, and he was going to learn how to dance. Well, he was giddy about the two former, but at least he got to do the latter with the princess...