Long May She Reign

Alliance (Ep 2)

Hudson had made his way up to the hall outside of Owen's chamber where he was now engrossed in conversation with his son.

"There is no set of laws, not diplomatical, not French, that allows them to do such a thing, especially not in our home," Acho stood firm in his stance.

"But nothing can be proven until that servants body is found," Hudson retorted, glaring at his second son.

"Then torture that English envoy if you need to, he has no qualms with touring Owen," Acho spat, angry.

"Simon knows the consequences if he's found to be involved, he's having a drink with my advisor," Hudson shrugged.

Acho looked at his father with disgust, "You truly won't do anything, will you?"

"Now you are putting words I didn't say into my mouth," Hudson took a step towards his son.

Acho, instead of stepping back, stepped forward too, "So you'll just keep her here like some tangible object, some little weapon that you might or might not use some day."

Hudson rolled his eyes at how cocky his son was being, "All an alliance is is a weapon."

"So you'll sacrifice her life over an alliance you might never even honour? Just end the alliance and let her go, at least she'll have a chance out there!" Acho demanded.

"You don't understand, her life is always on danger. When she was six years old, she was sent to us because the English wanted her dead," Hudson noted, reminding his son just how much they were protecting Owen.

"Well she isn't any more safe here than anyone else, so why not let her return to her own country?" Acho raised his voice, his voice hard.

"You are exactly right, she's in danger everywhere you go. And his nother doesn't want her back in Scotland unless she brings a King back as her husband. She is doing her duty to Scotland and me by waiting for me to decide if and when she'll marry you," Hudson's own tone was daring Acho to argue back.

"He's..." Acho started but was cut off by star's father.

"He, Acho, is not going anywhere, she is staying here because I am ordering it!" Hudson cut in, staring Acho down yet again.

"Father, Owen is not simply an alliance, she is human, a young girl under your care but you don't care about that, do you?" Acho accused.

"Do not act as if you are a kind and worried fiancé. All this worrying over a man you don't even want to wed," Hudson turned on his heel, leaving Acho speechless as to how his father knew about star's reluctance to marry Owen.