Livia looked to Henry again. "Do you want me to leave?" she asked.
Henry's mouth curved faintly. "Does it matter what I want?" he asked. "You asked for freedom...Exercise it. Beginning now." He had offered freedom like a key, yet even keys could feel heavy in the hand when one had been locked away too long. Livia had demanded choice from him. Now he sat there, refusing to choose for her, and somehow that felt almost as frightening as captivity.
She scowled. Henry's smile grew a little.
Madeleine looked between them in irritation. "Your Majesty, am I expected to endure this disrespect in your own chamber?"
Madeleine's eyes snapped back to Livia. "Must I call the guards to have you removed?"
Livia slowly set her cup down. "My lady...I have my breakfast in front of me. The king does not seem to object to my presence."
Henry's gaze warmed, but he remained silent. Livia folded her hands in her lap, resisting the sudden urge to look away.
