[Love was nothing but a double-edged sword, that sought to destroy its wielder. A venomous snake hiding the unassuming in the shadows of the garden. Richard had experienced that once and made a firm oath to himself that he would never again fall prey to such madness of a mind. Richard had killed that part of himself all those years ago along with Henry. And despite of the soft, comforting words of his kingmaker, he wasn't foolish enough to try and look for love from a place where it didn't exist. No matter how much Joan mocked him and tried to lead him stray from his conviction.

Same applied to Silco. They might have come together as kindred spirits, seeking comfort and companionship in this strange land. But love it was not.

The fabric of his lover's clothing pressed against his body, a faint sense of irritation blending in together with the softness. Richard disliked it too. Feeling of a barrier guarding the heat of the body that alone could melt the ice on his soul.]

Other options don't matter. [He says, voice gaining strength and confidence as he speaks. There weren't other options, of course, no one else but Silco could look at his deformity and curse and not find it all disgusting. And if there somehow were others? It would make no difference. This is what he chose.] The demons of one's mind often find a way sneak in and lure us astray from our path of reason and conviction. Next time you fear falling into such trap abandon it and place your faith in what you know is true. Place your faith in me, Silco.