"Don't worry about them," Briella told him. "A fight in this situation is highly frowned upon. Guards would come and arrest both them and you for disturbing a court event. They may snicker, and make remarks, but that is the extent of what they would do. Glare daggers, but not throw any." She glanced at the ones that Troy was referring to. The glares were definitely unmistakable. Briella had to laugh at the thought of the noble nights being humiliated by Troy. Though to him it may have seemed like she suddenly for no reason out of the blue. "Oh, two of those men went through training with me before we were knighted. Though they were knighted before I was, actually. My uncle felt extra training was necessary for me so that I would be more than strong enough to hold my own. I'm glad of it." Then her face grew expressionless, almost staring off in sad thoughts at the mention of her uncle. But she shook her head, pulling her eyes back to the room, though the sad expression didn't leave.

"You look noble enough. If you look around there are scarce others that are not quite as dressed up. Not all nobles feel the need to dress up on every occasion, especially the more active duty knights," Briella explained to him. "But you look fine just as you are. You would be a clown had you gone any fancier. As for looking, can't say I'm keeping an eye out to look. Like I said before, romance is the last thing on my mind, which means I'm a bit too distracted to care to... what was the word you used? Ogling? Over a man."

"Let them look and talk? What would we do to make them not talk?" she asked him. A server passed with a tray covered in glasses of wine. Briella grabbed one of the glasses, swirling it in the cup for a moment before taking a sip. Though it would not be her last cup for the night. Many more would follow. "As for a good time, good luck with that. Mostly these events are meant for mingling, getting to know others of the higher class. Try to gain higher standings with the right people. As for what could be done for fun. Well, there's a long table full of delicacies to try. Not to mention soon the dancing music shall start and couples will make their way to the dance floor. The king might propose a toast later. Oh, and I had heard rumors that the king had highered some fire dancers for entertainment."

When Ethan spoke of getting his sword, Briella glared at him. "Yes, everyone would mind. I would mind. This is no place for a sword. As impressive as your skills are with a sword, that skill is useless here," she told him. "Though there are ways of being here without being completely unarmed. A hidden knife can be cause for some comfort. And if you mean when you were tested in the arena? I'm very much aware of how well you fought there, of what impressed the king so much. I was across the arena, watching from the other side. Though I had come to watch Dante at his request, you were, indeed, impressive."

As she finished speaking, a young man came up to them. He was only fourteen, with dark blonde hair and blue eyes. He wore fine purples cloths embroidered in gold and gems. Upon his head was a circlet of silver, marking him as one of the princes of the country. He came up to her, and bowed.
"Sir Briella!" he said with a smile. Briella smiled back and gave him a curtsy.
"Your majesty, prince Aaron," Briella said.
"I'm glad to see you here! I heard about your uncle, and I thought you would not make it!" he said, then glanced up at Ethan. "You must be Sir Ethan! I've heard about you, but haven't had the chance to meet you. I'm always busy with my studies. I hear you're one of the greatest swords men. I would love to see you fight some day. I wish to be great with a sword myself." Then his attention quickly turned back to the lady knight. "Briella, I've come over to inquire something of you. I think I may have finally come up with a riddle to stump you."
"Oh? Let me hear it," Briella said, giving the boy a soft smile.
"Alright. I have skin harder than chain mail, wings that of a bat. A long slicing tail, and eyes of a cat. What am I?" he asked. Briella thought for a moment, then raised an eyebrow.
"You really thought that such a riddle would stump me, my prince? The answer is easy. A dragon," she said.
"Aw, you got it right off! One of these days I'll stump you."
"Alright, in the meantime, it's my turn to give a riddle. With thieves I consort, with the vilest, in short, I'm quite at ease in depravity; yet all divines use me, and servants can't loose me. For I am the center of gravity," Briella said to him.
"Um... Magic?" the prince guessed, but Briella shook her head. Then someone called the prince's name. "Oh, I must go now. Someone else to talk to. Always someone else. I shall see you, Sir Briella, Sir Ethan." With that, the prince ran off.

Briella sighed, and turned back to Ethan. "Such a hopeful and kind child. Much more like his mother. It may be wrong of me to say this out loud, but I more so wish he was the crown prince to inherit the kingdom. Not his elder brother Donovan."