He laughed very briefly at the mention of children, fully aware that one of the biggest reasons for this unification was the desire to see an heir of mixed blood. While the marriage between Polk and Maleea was symbolic of a DESIRE for unification, both the Avatar and Igni had stressed in their conversations with him that an heir(a male, of course) would cement the treaty of peace between the two powers and eventually lead to a consolidation of nations. Polk hadn't mentioned his objections about bringing together two nations that had such differing political systems and cultural backgrounds, but maybe his silence was good. Maybe he was being too cynical about the entire prospect, that maybe Igni's desire for "One Continent, One Kingdom" would be realized. If that were the case, then Polk would gladly carry out the marriage with Maleea. Sacrificing for the good of others was another familiar sentiment he had given into during his travels. Speaking OF his travels, Illyria had just asked about them. 
"Of course you heard about them. Gossip travels fast when it's about royalty." He bitterly proclaimed, finishing his whiskey off and setting the glass down on the endtable separating the conversation partners. 
"I ah...well..." He looked into her curious, soft gaze and his inner gut feeling was that he would be able to trust her with a few details. A few. No one knew the whole story and it was going to stay that way until he died or he found someone willing to accept the deeds he had shamelessly committed. 
"I was young, you see. Young, reckless, impulsive. I made my parents lives a nightmare by carousing at the local inns, taking a few bribes from palace guards to let their dalliances with ladies of the night not affect their status as royal protectors and...well, my theory is that if you give a nineteen year old that much power and expect him to wield it with responsibility, you're a moron. So I exploited my leverage as much as I could at any given opportunity for a couple of years, my sins being swept underneath the rug until I..." He cleared his throat again.
"Well, I was found in a very compromising situation with a few of the palace guard. We decided it would be a great idea to go outside the city and carouse with women of less than high morality. We were ambushed by a group of mercenaries who saw an opportunity to collect a bounty on a stupid prince(we all have bounties on our heads, you know that, don't you? Royalty I mean). I led those men out there and they all died save two, who were gravely wounded in the process of fighting the mercs off. It was then I realized that I...I wasn't fit to be in the position of power I occupied. So, with a crudely written note scribbled that night, I took off." His hands had begun to shake. 
"And from there I wandered. Everywhere." He looked down at the shaking appendages, folding his hands together to try and stop the tremors as he added:
"Not as romantic as the stories they told at court, I'm sure." A smile came to his lips.
"But let's not end our night on such a dour note. Allow me to extend you a formal invitation to come riding with me at seven o clock. Meet me by the stables and we'll traipse around the estate for a while. I'd like to see that training you got in action."