"Sure I could," was Laharl's response. "I have a castle full of vassals I could order to stand by the damn door." Notably he didn't say he would, he was just pointing out that it was an option.

Why was she smiling at him like that? Ugh. He didn't like this feeling that he was being backed into this.

"Anyways, I'm thinking about it," he said, not committing to any decision yet.