[ Damen's view of politics is necessarily autocratic; that's the world he lives in. He's about to answer this honestly, and then remembers the ruse he and Laurent are playing. It's with some frustration that he restructures his words. ]

There is no 'press' in my country, and we seem to live well enough without it.

[ The communication it offers is impressive to him, but he has also seen its capacity to make trouble. Not every newspaper is reliable. Such falsehood would never be permitted in Akielos. People might see or hear these things and believe them. The Akielon way is simpler and more efficient, as it is in most respects. ]

I've seen little of how things work here. In my world those who rule are born to the role. The last king of Akielos sought to expand. The new king seeks peace, but he knows that this is not always in his power. Sometimes war begins because someone else is seeking it.

This is something every ruler must understand, whether they are King or President.

[ War is no simple game. Damen does not seek it, but he wouldn't hesitate to respond to it. He watches Kitty curiously. ]

Why are these the only questions you ask?