After all, you may be the King, but Lhant operates autonomously, and that means I do as well. [See, Richard, he's been learning how to be a good Lord and how everything works. Aren't you proud of him?]

...So that means you wouldn't be able to issue an order saying I'm not allowed to help my best friend. [Granted, that's not entirely how it works, Asbel. Richard could still decree you can't make him the target of your assistance or something like that. But he's banking on Richard not being like that anymore. He has faith in his best friend.]