"I... I-I-I, I don't, no, that's not it. I-I just don't want to make my mother sad."
Robert seemed to hesitate, but he quickly thought of a suitable answer.
"Besides, if the Holy See found out about this... he would probably refuse to support me. No one looks kindly on a kinslayer. The Holy See's support is very important to us, right?"
"Of course."
Eric shrugged and pressed the Crown in his hands against Robert's chest.
"You can take it now. It belongs to you."
He then made a motion as if he were about to leave immediately.
Robert took the Crown, but he also grabbed Eric's arm.
"So... that old man..."
"He's a man of strong will. A little humiliation like that isn't enough to make him surrender without a fight. The Normans are much more pragmatic than the average Franks—you and I are both well aware of that.
Besides, if I had actually succeeded, there would be no reason not to present the one who did it. What Knight doesn't thirst for greater honor?"
