For a moment, there was an absurdly strong urge to tell her to mind her own business because the question almost felt intrusive. It was not. Not really. Had it come from anyone else, he would have given them a smile and a teasing answer. But he could not do that with Ella. She was his wife, and if she did not hear the truth of it from him, she would from someone else in the castle. That was his sticking point, he supposed. He felt he had fewer options with her.
Which was not at all her fault, and he refused to take it out on her. So he did smile. But instead of the teasing answer, he said, "I learned to hunt when I was nearing my teens, actually. When I was very young, I was not really allowed to play outside in the same manner as other children. I had occasional companions, children of courtiers or tutors, but there was no running or games, there were learning opportunities. Even when I thought something was fun, I'd find out later it was educational and that took some of the shine off of it. So when the gamekeeper approached my father about me learning to hunt, he did it with the suggestion that it would teach me valuable skills that I would need as a king. Very clever, don't you think?"
They walked a bit more before he added, "The truth is, what you are learning, of the histories, that is important. Knowing the past helps us understand tradition and precedents that have been set. But the politics and the etiquette, that is what you will be judged on. It's superficial really, but there it is. And were you born in my position, it wouldn't matter if you had the occasional lapse. That's an eccentricity. But because you were not, they are going to be watching you closer. And they will not be kind in their comments if you falter."
Felix stopped, causing her to halt as well, and he waited until she looked at him. "I am sorry that I put you in such a position where you cannot simply be yourself, Ella. Very sorry."