"True," Richard concedes, "Though I'm sure there are many peasants that envy you. People want what they don't have." Richard tries not to think about what he doesn't have, because he has enough. And a better life than either a peasant or Alec, it seems.

He stretches his hand behind his head as he walks. "If I let you leave, right now, what would you do?" He's curious to see what life a noble would live, if given the opportunity. And whether Alec thinks he could really survive any other life.