If you could, I would keep you safe.

[He says this without an ounce of hesitation, before settling in to... well, try to take all that in. Imperial capital?? Leaders and maidens...]

Maidens... to become future partners for a... prince? And leadership is passed down to these princes? I don't really understand, but it seems like a strange system.

[Granted, his own life might seem that way to others, but shhh.]