Sophia wrapped an arm around Gareth, patting him gently on the head. "I'm so sorry Gareth..." She hugged him for a moment, releasing him when a large man approached the table. For a moment she was worried, afraid the man was there to ask more questions about the night's events when she was trying so hard to recover. Instead, his voice seemed to shatter the sense of dread hanging over the room, if only for a moment. He spoke with kindness, as if everything in the world was fine. She wiped the tears from her eyes and looked up to the man, forcing a smile. She had to compose herself, what would her mother say if she knew her daughter was falling to pieces in public? After taking a moment to gather her faculties, she replied to the knight. "Oh, greetings sir." Her smile seemed a bit less forced. The man seemed to emanate warmth, something she appreciated in such trying times. "My mother is doing quite well. Thank you for asking. Lyok is at peace, and the people love their Empress. She's busy, of course, always in meetings and the like, but she deals with it quite well, and her advisers are always helpful. She was very excited to make contact with Keilaudrin." The princess' voice took on a courtly tone, despite her disparaged state. While she spoke, she patted Gareth's hand reassuringly. She hadn't known the young man long, but she considered him a friend, and she worried for him.

 Jezin's eyes gazed up at the wall of a man before him. He was quite large, and before he spoke his stature made him quite intimidating. The bodyguard half expected the man to begin interrogating them, but was surprised when he welcomed them warmly. He appreciated the change of mood. With the cloud of despair hanging over the room it was pleasant to see a friendly face. He shook the man's hand when it was offered to him, and smiled ever so slightly when the man mentioned the tournament match, something that felt like it'd taken place weeks ago even though it hadn't even been a day. "Oh you saw that, then? Thank you, I'm afraid it wasn't the best showcase, though." He chuckled slightly. Something about the man was reassuring, He looked from Sophia to Walden. Though he said nothing it seemed to be a silent gesture of thanks for brightening the princess' mood. "I don't believe I got your name." He was curious of the man's identity. Surely if he knew Cole personally enough to be chatting with him he was someone of relative importance.