He kissed her back fiercely, but then pushed her from him, still holding her at her shoulders yet keeping her away at arms length. He mustered her with a stern expression on his face. She returned his gaze, giving nothing away of what was going on inside of her under his examining look.

He knew he needed to say something, but words never came to him naturally and so an odd silence lingered between them for a while. Finally he cleared his throat and spoke up. “Lady, I fear I have judged you wrong. You appeared sweet-tempered and lovely to me in the beginning and now it seems you have turned into a wildcat. I am not sure if this is what I really am looking for. I have always been straightforward and not one for playing games, so excuse me if this is not what you want to hear. I just cannot help myself. You can find me outside if you wish.”

Not waiting for her to reply, he turned round, smiling sadly, and left the Boar. He walked over to the pond and sat down there, throwing pebbles into the water. He sighed. He might just have been a fool to have spoken to this beautiful lady like that. But then he never had been particularly great to deal with women. Why couldn’t one just do withouth them!