...There's a very old saying, in the ancient language that became the root of modern Lucian. Fere libenter homines id quod volunt credunt. It means 'men generally believe what they want to'. That desire alone may overcome sense and logic, leading one to blind himself to even reason in pursuit of his goal.

I would like you to make careful consideration of those words, Your Highness--for if your superiors don't even trust you with a full range of information, what really makes you believe they think highly enough of you to waste whatever resources on your impossible payment when they can presumably just be rid of you once they've their desired result?