Imagine Aethelred scared to admit he's in love with you.
Setting: Aethelred and Aldelm are working on something important in Aethelred's office.
Aldelm: Lord?.....Lord?
Aethelred snaps back from his thought.
Aethelred: Yes Aldelm?
Aldelm: You seem a little distracted. Are you alright?
Aethelred: I'm fine Aldelm. Where were we?
Aldelm: The arguments for tomorrow's witan.
Aethelred: About Blackpool.
Aldelm: Liverpool, Lord.
Aethelred: Liverpool.
The conversation continues for a good ten minutes, but Aldelm is starting to notice a slight change in Aethelred's tone and demeanor. He inquires once more if Aethelred is alright. Aethelred reluctantly gives up and starts talking.
Aethelred: I can't stop thinking about her.
Aldelm: Who Lord?
Aethelred: My wife.
He continues
Aethelred: Every morning I wake up before her. I find myself staring at her, going over every detail of her face I....I feel protective of her.
Aldelm: Do you love her Lord?
Pushing back his feelings
Aethelred: Kings bed their wives, they don't love them.
Aldelm: With all do respect Lord. Feelings can change. Even for Kings.
Aethelred: Not this King