Rama took his time before answering, because the question deserved more than reflex, and because Ardhana had waited an entire audience to earn the right to hear something real. The silence stretched long enough that he felt their daughter's grip tighten slightly on Sekar's hand, though she didn't make a sound, and long enough that he heard, somewhere behind the throne, one of the advisors shift his weight against the stone floor.
"Both," he said finally. "I won't insult you by claiming otherwise, Your Majesty. I could be a danger to Swarnabhumi. I could be a danger to any kingdom I stood inside of, if circumstances turned me that direction. But I have no interest in that direction, and everything I did at Tirtayasa was spent protecting people who owed me nothing, at cost to myself I didn't have to accept."
"Words are inexpensive, traveler."
