"Because I know that once I lose my honor, I will be doomed to wander in an abyss of evil for eternity. There will be no place left for me in this world, for the Bible teaches us that the faithless are to be scorned by all!
That is why I refuse. I will only fight for what is mine."
With that, Eric gave Robert a slight bow and left the room.
Robert picked up the ring and clutched it in his hand.
Just then, a middle-aged man emerged from behind a nearby bookshelf.
It was none other than the Earl of Kent, Earl of Essex, and Bishop of Bayeux, Conqueror William's maternal half-brother, Odo de Conteville.
"Arrogant! How dare he refuse? The rumors are true, then. He actually takes that nickname the rabble gave him seriously. 'Kingmaker.' The sheer audacity.
The ring, a Divine Office—these are gifts from the King. Who does he think he is?
He has no royal blood, no distinguished lineage. He's nothing but a bastard, and the Outville family are nothing but upstarts.
