Part 116: Frederick B

My deepest apologies, milord. Had I known you'd run from tent to tent rending the posters, I never would have-

Gods, I've never been so embarrassed in all my days! My sister nearly pulled a muscle laughing!

Listen, Frederick. We need to talk. I know everything you do is for my sake, and I appreciate it. But it's...

Well, at times, it's a little extreme. And other times it's damn near traumatic! I'm a grown man, Frederick, and I'm capable of taking care of myself.

'Tis not my place to doubt your capability, milord, but I've duties as a knight. If anything were to happen to you or Lissa, I couldn't...I don't know if I could stand it.

But you do see the difference between being a knight and being a nanny?

...I'm sorry, milord, but I would risk your embarrassment rather than forsake my duty.

...Fine! Fine. Let's try this again. Let's pretend you're "milord," and I'm your loyal knight. Now, let's say you sneeze. Just one little sneeze...Suddenly I come dashing up to you with blanket and tea in hand! Or, let's imagine you make an off-hand remark about how fish sounds good...And I ride across two mountains to a freezing river to secure dinner! Or, heavens preserve us, let's suppose you look tired, or perhaps even yawn...So I bring a parade of increasingly arcane herbal cures to your tent for the next hour!

How would that make you feel?

Milord, I...

I would be enraged, milord. And humiliated.

You see? At some point, such assistance becomes a burden.

I respect your sense of duty as a knight, but you must be sane about it!You waste too much time and energy on my sister and myself, and it saddens us.

If you want to make us happy, take some time for yourself. Relax! Enjoy your life!

...Is that an order, sire?

*sigh* If it was, I've no doubt you wold obey without question. But that would defeat the point. It's not an order, Frederick. It's a request....From one friend to another.

Milord...

Very well. If that is your wish, I shall limit my actions to a bare minimum.

I apologize for any trouble my efforts may have caused until now.

Thanks for understanding. And for your dedication.

It is my pleasure to serve, milord. Er, that is...within reason.