( Honestly? Alexandre just needs to stop talking. Everything he says about the necklace makes him even more of a suspicious character in Yuri's eyes: the King of Faerghus gave his soldier — his huge, muscular soldier — a pretty necklace as a reward? Not a new lance, or a sword, or some kind of pointless yet powerful title?

It's unlikely, all things considered, unless ... )

Seems like he was showing you what his heart wants by giving it to you.

( Said with a meaningfully raised eyebrow. )

Unless he's not that way inclined. I'll be honest, I don't know all that much about the guy—

( Yuri looks thoughtful for a moment. )

For all I'm Faerghan myself. My mother still lives in one of the northern villages. If I sold it, I might be able to send her a little more money this month.

( Or, y'know, put it towards his own funding for orphanage reform — which will be something to seriously think about at some point after the gala. )

You're sure we won't be breaking His Majesty's heart if I decide to accept the justification of your own?