"I see," and he nods with it, keeps his eyes on the boy and the youth of him. "I... I see. They do not trust that their liege will provide them. Although he has for... generations."

Heat should come with that comment, objections to 'their' distrust. He was — is — the bearer of the ducal power. All eyes and questions inevitably turn to him.

"Perhaps their confidences would be better served by a younger man." A pause, "Or a woman."