Polonius waited until Laertes' carriage had fully departed, which left only him and Ophelia standing in the front courtyard of the castle grounds.
Being a preternaturally curious man-some would even go so far as to describe him as being "nosy"-Polonius turned to his daughter, wanting to ask what his children were discussing beforehand.
"What is it Ophelia, that your brother had said to you that was important enough for him to ask for you to swear it be locked away in your heart?" he asked the pink hedgehog.
Again, Ophelia groaned inwardly, for however much she despised discussing the matter of Prince Hamlet and his advances on her with Laertes, she absolutely loathed discussing it with her oft-overbearing father that much more. Swallowing her trepidation, she replied evenly and bluntly, "If it so please you, it was the subject of Lord Hamlet."
"And thank Heavens he did," Polonius barked out sharply, which made the rose-colored hedgehog flinch, though the cobalt blue hedgehog took no notice and spun on his heel, walking back towards Elsinore, "I have heard of rumors that speak of Lord Hamlet seeking to spend an awful lot of private time with you as of late, and that you've made yourself quiteavailable to him," Ophelia turned her head to hide her growing blush, but Polonius either ignored it or was completely oblivious to it, for he continued, "If it be so-and my sources only inform me of this out of caution-then I must say, you are not conducting enough self-restraint that any daughter of mine should show."
The elder hedgehog suddenly grasped his daughter's hands in his own, and turned her so that they were forced to make eye contact. Ophelia yelped at her father's movements and quivered in trepidation as she now could not hide the dark blush that had shaded her muzzle almost beyond the pink of her fur.
Taking note of her almost color-blended face, Polonius asked, with as little tension as he could, "What is between you two? Tell me the truth."
Ophelia decided to answer simply, "He has, as of late, made many tenders of his affection to me."
"Affection!" Polonius barked and, throwing Ophelia's hands away, resumed walking, again making the maiden yelp before following in his stead, though a few paces behind, "Pooh! You speak like a green girl, unaware and ignorant to the ways of the world. Don't tell me you believe in these 'tenders,' as you call them."
Deciding to answer honestly, the pink hedgehog replied, "I know not what I should believe, father."
"Marry, I'll tell you," the elder hedgehog snapped over his shoulder, "Think of yourself as a foolish little infant, should you take these 'tenders' as true pay, for they are far from sterling.Tender and respect yourself more dearly, or-not to beat the poor word to death-you'll tender me a laughing-stock."
"Father, he has always spoken of love in an honorable fashion-" Ophelia began, but stopped as she was interrupted by her father.
"Ay, 'fashion' you may call it-a passing whim," Polonius remarked sarcastically. Seeing he had halted his daughter mid-sentence, he then urged her, "Go on."
"He gives countenance to his word, with the holiest of vows," Ophelia continued, now with a slight hint of vehemence laced into her response.
Though slightly taken aback by his daughter's retort, Polonius unwaveringly shot back, "Ay, these 'vows' are but springes to ensnare stupid birds. When blood burns, how a man's soul succumbs to enough prodigality to lend his tongue ridiculous vows. When the heart itself burns, giving more light than heat, the fire shall be extinct long before his promises are even made. You must not mistake it for the fires of true love.
"From this moment onward, make your maiden presence scant to him, and treat him not to your tongue. Make yourself out to be the precious commodity you should be," the cobalt hedgehog ordered, rounding on his daughter once more, "Remember that young Lord Hamlet walks with a larger tether than may be given to you."
Ophelia, still slightly flushed, looked about ready to argue with her father, but Polonius raised a hand and spoke again, neutering her ability to do so, "In few, Ophelia, believe not his vows, for they are akin to mere pimps; donning suits and acting like pious bawds, the better to beguile women into a fling of indecency.
"Simply put, waste not any more time with the Lord Hamlet. Look to see it be done. Now, come," he commanded, turning on his heel one final time and marching into the halls of Elsinore.
"I shall obey, father," Ophelia replied, though Polonius was already well out of earshot.
But Ophelia already knew that he knew she wouldn't disobey him, not before, and certainly not now.
A/N: I guess I should put a disclaimer here so I don't get shot at or kidnapped by The Copyright SWAT team or something. I own not a single cell of any of the Sonic characters used in this story, SEGA and/or Archie Comics do. Also, the story of Hamlet is not owned by me either, although no one really knows who owns it and therefore can take credit for being the original author because Shakespeare's scripts of it are but his own stage adaptation of an ancient story/stories whose origins and credibility are still being debated today.
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