The court ring loosens into murmuring clusters beneath the lanterns. The elder prince remains among the nobles, accepting lowered voices and guarded smiles, while Katarina stays at Kaelen's side.
She guides him through an arched passage into a quieter gallery overlooking the animal pens. His armor creaks with each step, shield resting against his arm as the gala fades behind them.
Katarina
You gave them exactly what they wanted, Kaelen. Not anger, but a moment they can carry from table to table.
Kaelen Winterhide
The murmurs are clearer here than the music.
Katarina
Your brother cannot easily accuse you of discourtesy now. So he will make your defense of me into evidence that you gather factions around yourself.
Below, a restless leopard circles its enclosure while servants replace scattered hay. From the gallery, the court seems distant, yet every word still feels arranged for listening.
Katarina
They are contesting the succession without naming it. If you become a symbol before you possess power, they may decide you are safer removed than respected.
✓ Quest Accepted
Learn the cost Katarina has been concealing
“*I slowly lean against the the balcony glancing at her then out into the opening.* "Your right... The goal was not to be a symbol or factions, but to ensure that you are respected and remain by my side. Unless you are wanting to leave my side?" *I slowly turn to her my expression only softening briefly before it went back to neutral as I looked at her.* "I will not force you to remain by my side Katarina. But, you do I will protect you as I've always have. Now please speak freely."”
SUCCESS (Good Oratory, rolled -1)
Kaelen leans against the stone balustrade, glancing toward Katarina before looking over the darkened pens. Lanternlight catches the silver dragon on his tabard.
Kaelen Winterhide
You are right. I did not mean to become a symbol or gather factions. I meant to ensure you are respected and remain at my side.
Kaelen Winterhide
Unless you wish to leave it. I will not force you to remain, Katarina. If you stay, I will protect you as I always have. Speak freely.
The balcony's iron grille gives a faint groan beneath his weight. Beyond the archway, conversation stops, and a courtier's footsteps retreat too slowly to be innocent.
Katarina
Then hear me plainly. I stay because I choose to, not because your title binds me or because tonight's nobles approve.
Katarina
He offers freedom in a court where every kindness is recorded as leverage.
Katarina
But your defense has raised the danger around you. If I remain beside you, they will call me your faction, and call you reckless for keeping me.
✓ Quest Accepted
Identify the courtier spying on Kaelen and Katarina
Quest Complete
Learn the cost Katarina has been concealing
“"And if I were to court you to prove such wrong?" *I sigh then look back to the pins feeling like something or someone's watching me.* "Forget it... it would likely cause the courts to be more suspicious and you to fall into more danger. And no doubt all my brothers would laugh."”
FAILURE (Fair Etiquette, rolled -3)
Kaelen Winterhide
And if I were to court you, to prove them wrong? Forget it. That would make the court more suspicious, endanger you further, and give my brothers cause to laugh.
Kaelen sighs and turns back toward the darkened pens. The leopard has stopped circling; its fixed stare follows the gallery above, while the iron grille gives another faint complaint.
Katarina
You withdrew the offer, but not before the walls heard it. In this court, even a discarded thought becomes a weapon once spoken aloud.
Katarina
He tries to shield me by retreating, yet now they can claim he considered binding his honor to mine.
From beyond the archway, the courtier's retreating steps stop. A pause follows, deliberate and close enough to confirm that someone has remained within earshot.
Katarina
Do not look toward him. If he wants us to know he listened, let him believe we have not given him another reaction to carry away.
Katarina
Your brothers may laugh at courtship, Kaelen, but they will fear a prince who chooses his own loyalties. That is the danger they are measuring now.
“"I know Katarina. I am the youngest born son to the Emperor. I know the politics well... Too well.. And assumed someone was listening. It is better that they heard a prince thought of marrying their closest friend rather then factions. That and you did not decline the idea so perhaps there is hope." *I push off the balcony.* "Apologies if I have brought you issues Katarina or have bothered. I will be returning to the Gala would you care for a dance or do you have someone else you plan to dance with if so I understand."”
SUCCESS (Good Oratory, rolled +0)
Kaelen Winterhide
I know the politics, Katarina. I am the youngest son of the Emperor. It is better they heard I considered marrying my closest friend than imagined factions gathering.
Kaelen Winterhide
You did not decline the idea, either. Perhaps there is hope. I apologize if I have brought you trouble or bothered you.
Kaelen pushes away from the balcony. His greave strikes the stone with a sharp clang, and beyond the archway the waiting courtier begins walking again, no longer pretending secrecy.
Kaelen Winterhide
I am returning to the gala. Would you care for a dance, or have you planned to dance with someone else? If so, I understand.
Katarina
I have no one else planned, Kaelen. And you have not bothered me. You have merely made my evening more dangerous in a remarkably honest fashion.
Katarina
He offers me a place beside him before the whole court, knowing they will turn even a dance into evidence.
Katarina
Come, then. Let them record that I chose the dance, too. But keep your eyes open. Your brother will hear of this before the music ends.
“*I nod to her.* "Point out the one who was spying on us. I will deal with them appropriately. And Katarina..." *I slowly turn back.* "I.. you look lovely.." *I turned away to walk back into the gala offering her my hand to dance and to do a waltz.*”
SUCCESS (Fair Etiquette, rolled +0)
Kaelen Winterhide
Point out the one who was spying on us. I will deal with them appropriately. And, Katarina... you look lovely.
Kaelen turns back toward the archway and offers Katarina his armored hand. The waiting courtier stands beneath a lantern, a lean middle-aged man in dark green velvet, his narrow face clean-shaven and his thinning hair tied at the nape.
Katarina
There. The man with the green sleeves and the silver-headed cane. He serves your elder brother's household.
The waiting courtier's expression remains composed, but his fingers tighten around the cane. Kaelen's quiet compliment and public gesture have drawn several nearby glances, making the exchange impossible to conceal.
Katarina
You have dealt with him already, Kaelen. You made him witness a kindness he cannot safely deny. Now let us give him something more troublesome to report.
She places her hand in his and steps with him through the archway. The gala's musicians catch their movement, and the measured opening of a waltz carries across the lantern-lit floor.
Kaelen leads Katarina into the turning dance. His greave scrapes once against the polished boards, a sharp metallic note that earns a few smiles, while the green-sleeved courtier watches from the gallery.
Quest Complete
Identify the courtier spying on Kaelen and Katarina
Skill Upgrade: Etiquette Fair→Good