That's too bad. It might've been better...

[It wouldn't have made up for the way his family was, but at least he'd have had someone.]

...I waited around afterwards until Lars came home. Told him I'd check in on him later, to make sure he was being a good king. [It was kinda a deliberate threat? The Balladeer is not used to being the one making threats.] So I guess I have to do that in a few years.