"Meanwhile you've had several chances to show how you handle yourself in dangerous situations, when Varnhold's

"Meanwhile you've had several chances to show how you handle yourself in dangerous situations, when Varnhold's fate is on the line. And I didn't like what I saw. The truth is, this hasn't changed how I feel about you. But as a ruler, I have no right to choose a wife based only on what my heart desires. And I respect you too much to invite you to be my mistress. This is why... forgive me. I'm sorry I started that conversation in Varnhold, and that it turned out the way it did."