"But why?!"
Seriously, sometimes Richard has a hard time reminding his mother that she is no housewife but a Duchess.
Holding her shoulders softly, he told her, "I would have loved to be with you, but you have your work to look after, no?"
Richard was convincing his mother to return to the Duchy, while the lady was protesting to be with him. It was no surprise that she didn't like to get separated from Richard again, but the situation at home needs to be monitored as well.
Bellarine pouted and crossed her arms loosely below her chest. Through those puffed lips, some words of complaint seeped, "You no longer want to be with your old Mom, just say it already."
Richard raised his brows in clear surprise before he leaned forward and whispered in a coquettish tone, "After what happened when you came to my rescue, do you think I would feel like letting you go?"