Passionate Ambivalence

The last name on the list of prospective candidates for possible consideration of conceivably opening negotiations for courting was Captain Sarai of the Standing Battalion. Although soldiers were known for strong language in certain circumstances, it was still a great surprise when the first words to leave the lady's lips were, "Fucking shit, it's Scholar Boy and Sexy Muscles!"

"Why?!?" Captain Sarai was shouting, and both King Harrow and his High Mage were staring at her, baffled and slightly alarmed. "Why is this my life?!? And my sister... Amaya knew! She knew and she didn't tell me for, like, ten fucking years! I'm going to make her pay for this..."

"Viren," the king hissed, "What is she talking about?"

"I think I have some idea. Do you remember your twenty-first birthday?"

"Not clearly... I do seem to recall a certain someone instructing me to have the whole unpleasant affair stricken from the record and banned from discussion."

Now Sarai was beginning to look distraught.

"It's alright," Viren assured her. "You acquited yourself well, and like many youthful missteps, it has served as a learning experience."

"I don't really know the details on your side, but in general I assume you are entitled to be a dumbass on your birthday. I think it's a law."

"Hmmm. Something to formalize by royal decree perhaps?"