Mistborn Trilogy - Brandon Sanderson [406]
Elend paused. “I’m…not sure if you’re making me feel any better about myself, Tindwyl.”
“It’s—”
Elend raised a hand. “Yes, I know. It’s not about how I feel.”
“You have no place for guilt. Accept that you’re king, accept that you can do nothing constructive to change that, and accept responsibility. Whatever you do, be confident—for if you weren’t here, there would be chaos.”
Elend nodded.
“Arrogance, Your Majesty,” Tindwyl said. “Successful leaders all share one common trait—they believe that they can do a better job than the alternatives. Humility is fine when considering your responsibility and duty, but when it comes time to make a decision, you must not question yourself.”
“I’ll try.”
“Good,” Tindwyl said. “Now, perhaps, we can move on to another matter. Tell me, why haven’t you married that young girl?”
Elend frowned. Wasn’t expecting that…. “That’s a very personal question, Tindwyl.”
“Good.”
Elend deepened his frown, but she sat expectantly, watching him with one of her unrelenting stares.
“I don’t know,” Elend finally said, sitting back in his chair, sighing. “Vin isn’t…like other women.”
Tindwyl raised an eyebrow, her voice softening slightly. “I think that the more women you come to know, Your Majesty, the more you’ll find that statement applies to all of them.”
Elend nodded ruefully.
“Either way,” Tindwyl said, “things are not well as they stand. I will not pry further into your relationship, but—as we’ve discussed—appearances are very important to a king. It isn’t appropriate for you to be seen as having a mistress. I realize that sort of thing was common for imperial nobility. The skaa, however, want to see something better in you. Perhaps because many noblemen were so frivolous with their sexual lives, the skaa have always prized monogamy. They wish desperately for you to respect their values.”
“They’ll just have to be patient with us,” Elend said. “I actually want to marry Vin, but she won’t have it.”
“Do you know why?”
Elend shook his head. “She…doesn’t seem to make sense a lot of the time.”
“Perhaps she isn’t right for a man in your position.”
Elend looked up sharply. “What does that mean?”
“Perhaps you need someone a little more refined,” Tindwyl said. “I’m certain she’s a fine bodyguard, but as a lady, she—”
“Stop,” Elend snapped. “Vin is fine as she is.”
Tindwyl smiled.
“What?” Elend demanded.
“I’ve insulted you all afternoon, Your Majesty, and you barely grew sullen. I mentioned your Mistborn in a mildly disparaging way, and now you’re ready to throw me out.”
“So?”
“So, you do love her?”
“Of course,” Elend said. “I don’t understand her, but yes. I love her.”
Tindwyl nodded. “I apologize, then, Your Majesty. I had to be certain.”
Elend frowned, relaxing in his chair slightly. “So, this was some kind of test, then? You wanted to see how I would react to your words about Vin?”
“You will always be tested by those you meet, Your Majesty. You might as well grow accustomed to it.”
“But, why do you care about my relationship with Vin?”
“Love is not easy for kings, Your Majesty,” Tindwyl said in an uncharacteristically kind voice. “You will find that your affection for the girl can cause far more trouble than any of the other things we’ve discussed.”
“And that’s a reason to give her up?” Elend asked stiffly.
“No,” Tindwyl said. “No, I don’t think so.”
Elend paused, studying the stately Terriswoman with her square features and her stiff posture. “That…seems odd, coming from you. What about kingly duty and appearances?”
“We must make allowances for the occasional exception,” Tindwyl said.
Interesting, Elend thought. He wouldn’t have considered her the type to agree to any sort of “exceptions.” Perhaps she’s a little deeper than I’ve assumed.
“Now,” Tindwyl said. “How are your training sessions going?”
Elend rubbed his sore arm. “All right, I suppose. But—”
He was interrupted by a knock at the door.