[Good boy, Ed; she was seriously considering scaling your back.]

I am worried for my people; there are measures in place, of course, for another aristo to assume the throne temporarily upon my incapacitation or disappearance, but it would destroy me to see my kingdom fall due to my negligence. [She pauses; her hands still on Ed's neck and her voice falls slightly.]

...I cannot imagine what Volsung has had to suffer.