It was certainly a very stimulating conversation, also one very different from the usual she had to contend with.  His straightforward answers were certainly a breath of fresh air as nobles could be notoriously stuffy.  Of course as they conversed she quickly started to file away all relevant information she could glean.  Sir Garett was, in a sense, second in line to the Jarldom and while he probably had a decent amount of support his older brother was the more likely candidate.  The most important fact though was that Garett really just didn't seem to want to be a ruler, preferring to wield his sword and see the world than to be stuck in politics.

Julianna graciously took his arm with her gloved hand as he started leading her to the drink table.  [b]"Being a leader limits you freedom, a truth I know all too well."[/b]  She thought of her own parents briefly, the Silvern family heads who were always doing their utmost to rise in power and prestige which meant quite often acting in a way to appeal to the other nobles.  It was just such a life that she had been bred for, her parents were using her as a tool for their own ends but she accepted their will as if it was her own.  They were put her in the captain's seat of the Iron Rose Knights and then she too would be completely encased in that game to bring about change to the kingdom.

There was also the princess herself, she would be expected to be the pride and joy of the ball no doubt as her royal duty demanded it.  Leadership was complicated, sticky, and frankly Julianna just could not see Fanilly raising to the ocassion as the leader of the Iron Rose Knights.  Tradition could work for a while, but eventually the reality of the position would come to bite anyone not prepared because they were put into position without proper training.

So Julianna was quite unsure of what to think when Sir Garett had said that the point of the captain position was to be young and naive.  Admittedly the young part had its merits and Julianna herself was still young in comparison to most knights, but the naive part just seemed like a very poor fit for the position.

As they walked Julianna took a sip from her glass. [b]"That being said a strong leader is a necessity, even if that leader may not want to lead.  That being said, there is a bit of romance to the fact you have the freedom to choose your own path.  It's a quality I certainly do not dislike, it even makes me a little envious even."[/b]  Julianna mildly alluded to the fact that her path in life had already been chosen for her, but her happiness was her family's happiness.

They had just made it to the drink's table when a noblewoman intercepted them.  [b]"My, my quite rugged gentleman you have their my dear.  A suitor of yours perhaps?"[/b]  The noblewoman was wearing quite the dashing red dress despite being a tad on the older side though she could have been quite the looker in her youth.  It was mostly just some semi-polite teasing on her part, possibly designed to make them feel awkward but Julianna was too used to such tactics so she lightly smiled in return.

[b]"He is quite the catch isn't he?"[/b]  She gave his arm a light squeeze for fun, [b]"Unfortunately my parents would never allow a relationship with one such as he, forgive me kind sir."[/b]  Julianna looked up at Sir Garett as if in longing to make the statement even more dramatic, but then she returned to the task at hand.  [b]"Needless to say he is one of our order's best knights and an esteemed colleague of mine Countess Prawm, though I am sure you know of Sir Garett by reputation alone."[/b]

[b]"But of course,"[/b] she quickly responded though most likely the woman didn't actually know who the man was, other than his title. [b]"A great honor to meet such a knight in person.  I wish you both the very best."[/b]  The woman retreated to her posse, no doubt to the relief of Sir Garett.

[b]"I certainly hope that did not scare you for life Sir Garett but since things are only to be expected I am afraid."[/b]