Aldfrith went still, his smile fading. “I’m sure you wouldn’t find it interesting.”
“How do you know that?” Osana reached out and plucked the first sheet of vellum off the pile. “I’d very much like to know what you write.”
Aldfrith took the sheet, although his expression was now guarded. “Very well, although I hope you don’t find it too dry.” He looked down at the piece of paper, his gaze narrowing. “These are just my musings on life.”
Osana did not reply, instead waiting for him to begin. She wondered at his reluctance to read to her; was he really that insecure?
Eventually, after a long pause, Aldfrith began to read.
“Generosity engenders wealth.
Willingness creates one who gives.
Good sense results in fair form.
Lechery leads to disgrace.
Foolishness results in crudity.
Repression results in greater repression.
Hatred engenders reproach.
Abandonment results in slander,
Reluctance leads to reliance on conjecture.
Love begets words.
Humility wins good favor.”
He had a beautiful voice, its low timbre sliding over the words like a caress. Osana listened quietly, and when Aldfrith finished, she smiled. “Love begets words … I like that.”
Aldfrith replaced the sheet with the others. Was she imagining it, or did a slight blush stain his cheeks? “Thank you.”
“So these are maxims for life?”
“As I see them, aye.”
Osana paused, biting at her lower lip before speaking once more. “You must be very sure of your beliefs, of the nature of folk, to write so confidently.”
He inclined his head. “What do you mean?”
“Is life really that easy to summarize? Surely things are more complex than that. For example, not all generous men become wealthy. Not all letches end up disgraced.”
Aldfrith stiffened. “You think I’ve over simplified?”
“No,” Osana replied quickly, regretting her candor now that she could see she had offended him. “I just think the older I get, the harder it is to make such statements about life. It seems that when I think I understand something, the world makes a mockery of me.”
She saw him straighten up further, and with a sinking feeling realized she was just digging herself into a great hole. She was beginning to wish she had not spoken so frankly.
“Man should seek truths about life,” he replied coolly. “It gives us something to aspire to.”
“I’m aware of that,” she answered, sharpness now entering her voice. She did not enjoy being patronized. Raedwulf used to do so if ever she voiced an opinion that did not relate to the running of the household. “All I was saying is that we should be wary of reducing our existence to a list of maxims. They could easily become a cage.”
A heavy silence followed her words, the easy companionship during the lesson now forgotten. Disappointment flooded through Osana; she had so enjoyed this afternoon. She was sorry she had offended the king but even sorrier that he was so easily wounded.
“I should go,” she murmured, pushing back her stool. “Lora will need help with her chores.”
