[Richard was a firm believer of doing things on his own and hated the idea of being dependent on someone else. Never in his life had he been given anything for free, having always to work himself double the amount anyone else. When he was still a mere child he had endlessly trained his small body so that he would be able to catch up with his brothers, filling his days with exercise, lessons in sword, archery and military tactics. All so that he could one day prove himself worthy of standing next to his father in battlefield. And once the age of boyhood had passed? Well, after that he had craved the power to himself through victories in war, and playing the social game of the court just right.

So, asking for help out in public like that went against the foundation of his own belief. That power was something you carved out for yourself, rather than wait for it to happen or to be given. Which is also why his opinion of the young king had faltered when he had seen him in the network. While the humility had been inspiring to some degree but the contract that the king had spoken of made Richard lose his belief in him. But then again, Saralegui wasn't like him. He was young and beautiful, shining that light which only of those with divine blessing could.]

You may think of me as one of the royals who sleep in their high castles, surrounded by gold and luxury. But the truth is that I do not require much. ['A hunter's cabin in middle of woods. Keeping you two safe from the rain.' A distant memory echoes in his mind. Mocking him with the moments of peace and tranquility that had been unknowingly to him been built on blood and betrayal.

Whitey seems to catch on the direction that Richard's thoughts were threatening to slip, and makes a small grunt to snap him out of it.]

I'm not one for luxuries. Just the standard will do. As for Whitey, he knows how to look after himself. All I want need is to provide him a warm place to sleep during the cold weather and rain.