Penelope was more than reluctant to go meet up with Dimia, knowing fully well it was time for the speech. It brought back the nervousness and anxiety she had managed to push down throughout the evening thanks to how well the first half of the party had been going. She took a small step back, hoping that not responding to Dimia's calls would buy her a bit more time before she had to stand up in front of the crowd. Just as she did, she felt Crow grab her hand. The touch was brief but it was enough to pull her out of her spiralling thoughts. 

The knight flickered her gaze over to him as he reminded her that the god had chosen her and that he'd be there for support. While it didn't completely quell all the emotions she was currently feeling, the reassurance did help her work up enough nerve to quit ignoring the noblewoman who was looking for her. "Thanks... I guess I'll see you after then." she said with a nervous chuckle. Penelope shot Crow a small, hopeful smile. "Alright here goes nothing." She let out a long breath, trying to compose herself enough to face Dimia and then eventually the crowd. 

Parting from Crow, she made her way towards Dimia, who was still searching for her. As she wove her way around other nobles, the woman caught sight of her and seemed to exhale in relief as if she had been afraid that the knight had ditched the party. "Gods there you are! Come on, come on Oliver is waiting for us and this song is nearly over." Dimia said urgently, already herding Penelope off towards the small stage where the minstrels were located. 

"Sorry, sorry I just got sidetracked for a moment." Penelope said holding up her hands defensively. With not a chance to say more, she hurried off with Dimia over to the stage where she saw that not only was Oliver waiting but Naida as well it seemed. The knight raised a brow in confusion as they reached the other two. "I thought you'd be in the crowd?" she said as she walked over to her friend's side. 

"I was going to but Oliver said something about it looking better if I was with you guys during the speech." Naida shrugged her shoulders. Casting a grin at Penelope, she added, "So here I am."

"It's better to publicly display you have royalty backing you... Especially when you're going to be trying to also discredit the king's own idea of getting aid from Gorm." Oliver explained softly. 

"Yes, yes that's all well and good but there's no time to discuss this now. Everyone grab a wine glass and spoon." Dimia said impatiently as she waved a servant forward. The young man carried a tray of four empty glasses and spoons, offering them with a respectful bow to the group of nobles. 

Penelope picked up one of each and stepped aside to let the others collect their own. Dimia silently shifted into place and directed the others as well, taking up the left side of Penelope with Oliver while pointing Naida to slip up onto her right. Once they were in place, Dimia motioned for them to lift their glasses and began to clink the spoons against them in order to draw in the attention of the crowd now that the music had ceased.