“Royal balls are such a bore, aren’t they?”
This is a test. Everything out of his mouth has been a test.
She’s met suitors like him before --- upstarts who attempt a conversational counterpoint to the challenges she’s devised for them. Some wish to curry favor in the hopes that she’ll help them cheat through the rest of the games. Others are simply so desperate to show off their cleverness at every turn that they can’t help but PEACOCK on or off the arena. Every now and again there are those looking to kick her off her golden pedestal by making her look spoiled. Princess Daphne has kept her sovereignty for as long as she has by playing upon the affections of her people. She remains free so long as her suitors are seen UNWORTHY of her goodness. If she were to appear ungracious, the games would suddenly seem cruel and senseless, and the crowds would turn against her, the capricious aristocrat. And here comes this suitor, dashing and unknown and bent on winning. Every word of his just as DOUBLE-EDGED as the riddles she famously pens.
She keeps her expression placid.
❛ You’ve attended many balls this season, I take it? ❜