Final answer:
In the context of a medieval tale, when a king offers to marry a lady who had an affair with him, the lady's husband would likely need to be 'c. Executed' for the marriage to tak place. This follows the historic premise where a husband might be punished more leniently for acting out of fury in response to his wife's adultery.
Step-by-step explanation:
The scenario described in the question reflects a common theme that can be found in medieval tales, particularly those involving nobility and the intricate power dynamics of the time. It includes elements of adultery, moral dilemmas, and the use of authority to manipulate personal outcomes. If we draw parallels to historical practices and laws, the consequences of adultery could be severe. The reference to a king offering to marry the adulterous lady if her husband were to face one of the listed fates (imprisonment, exile, execution, or pardon) might hint at a sort of legal action or resolution taking place.
In some ancient and medieval contexts, adultery was punishable by death, as evidenced by various historical laws and edicts. In accordance with historical documents, such as the Hammurabi code (129), a king or husband could choose to pardon the offending parties. Considering the severity of the circumstances, particularly with regards to the potential for a husband to be punished more leniently (5) if he killed his adulterous wife, the correct answer would be 'c. Executed', as it would remove the seneschal from the equation and allow the king to propose marriage to the wife.