Gillian returned the smile, relieved that the compliment had not gone over poorly. He’d meant it more than he perhaps intended, the princess’s charm having won him over before he’d realized. He’d call it dangerous, were it not for the seemingly endless wealthy of idealism and good nature behind it. [i]”…Give it time though…”[/i] he thinks, remembering his first few unpleasant months in Aimlenn, watching as the princess looks over the crowd, noting a few sideways glances at the young woman(not all of them strictly in admiration). [i]”Rare is the role model that isn’t a target your highness…”[/i] He thinks, eyes unconsciously dipping from the princess face downwards.  He should have made his way back to the outskirts last night. With trees, for all their short comings, he didn’t have to worry about them stabbing each other in the back(metaphorically or otherwise). 

Gillian’s eyes whipped in the other direction as soon as he realized where he was staring, biting the inside of his cheek. [i]”And the last thing [b]YOU[/b] need to be doing...”[/i] He thinks to himself, turning his gaze to Ian and the trio he was entertaining and locking it there. [i]”Is gawking at a princess like she’s a barmaid.”[/i]

As he feels the princess returns her gaze to him, he snaps out of his internal berating. “Yes she uh…” He says, regarding the young captain again. “She’s the character for it, beyond all doubt. Though hopefully her career will be a long and uneventful one.” He says, loosening his cravat a bit."Doubts or not, far off are (Mayon wishing) are the days we need another Carthet." Next time he chats up royalty, he’s letting the captain go first.