at magicdraft; post may contain spoilers for ASoIaF

[kindlymeant]

It is not that I am ungrateful for your attention, my lady, though I cannot share in your renewed enthusiasm. I would have you remember, please, that even away from my lord father - especially then, perhaps - I must be careful to conduct myself as is befitting. I will not give him reason for disappointment, least not when I walk alongside such noble names.

As for - circumstances as they are, it is far better this way. That door may be closed now, as it should be, and so it shall remain.

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[longshanks]

No, do not kneel to me. Come ...

[ Uncomfortable even now when people bow their heads, as convicted as he is to avenging Boromir and assuming his rightful place on the throne, he's still very much Strider.

A hand lightly touches her arm. ]

I bid you rise and show me no special deference. I only wished to be honest with you, Lady Alayne.

[kindlymeant]

[Her surprise is evident then, when she looks up at him directly. He is kingly, indeed, but not like Joffrey, nor like Stannis - not even like Lord Renly, or her brother.

Appearances are deceiving, in their way. She cannot picture this man - in travel-stained clothes and with his scruffy hair - wearing a crown, or sitting a throne, and yet she cannot find his claim refutable.]

You are... a strange sort of king then, your Grace. [She says, sure and tremulous in her speaking all at once.