[center][h3]~ Crown Of Thaln ~[/h3][/center]

[center][i]Interacted with:[/i] [@FlappyTheSpybot], [@VitaVitaAR][/center]

[quote=Maritza Verenna][color=c4df9b]"You're thinking about this in the wrong way. The fact that we don't really fit in here is... irrelevant. We never have and probably never will. No, what's important is [i]why [/i]the princess invited us. While I can't be certain, I've got an idea. Despite having everything, her position prevents her from getting out much, so the best way for her to see the world is through the eyes of others and who better to ask than a group as diverse as ours?"[/color][/quote]

That made sense. The Princess may be a powerful figure in all the land but that meant she was also burdened with responsibility. She may want to see the kingdom beyond the capital but her duties perhaps shackled her, needing others to tell her what was going on in Thaln.

Still, Jarde did not know what to tell the Princess. Others could tell the tale of the Bandit King's downfall better than he did and he seriously doubted that the Princess wanted to know about his hometown, an average village in Thaln that Jarde doubted anyone in this castle knew existed.

[quote=Maritza Verenna][color=c4df9b]"Of course, I could be wrong. Still, go introduce yourself. Just say something formal sounding and bow. If you really have no idea what to do, follow behind one of the senior knights and follow their lead. Sir Indrau wouldn't be a bad choice."[/color][/quote]

There was no avoiding it, wasn't there? It felt like Jarde's fellow knights want him to be in the center stage, seeing him as equal to them despite the cold, hard truth of it. He supposed he should just suck it up and act like he belonged there. At least if things go south because of him, he would show the others that he tried.

[quote=Maritza Verenna][color=c4df9b]"On less pleasant note, I'd recommend not wandering off alone. We aren't exactly popular with all of the nobility. I'd like to think I'm just being paranoid, but the young noble who was harassing the Captain earlier didn't ease my concerns. While I'm not worried about your ability to fend off some pompous jackass and their flunkies; what does worry me is the potential problems that could arise as a result of an altercation without any witnesses."[/color][/quote]\

That made Jarde raise an eyebrow. "[color=yellow]You think we might get attacked?[/color]" [u]Maritza's[/u] scenario was unbelievable, at least to Jarde. Thinking about it, he supposed it could be possible. Some noble might attempt to assassinate an Iron Rose only to get killed. But if there were no witnesses, then it will look like it was the Iron Rose that did the assassination. "[color=yellow]Well if that happens, I'll just let myself get killed to save the Iron Rose's face. Good plan, right? Hahaha![/color]" The joke was morbid but Jarde could not resist.

He noticed the approach of a familiar noble girl. It was one of the three nobles he was talking with [u]Sir Gerard[/u] earlier, Violette. She was heading straight at him and Jarde quickly wondered why. Did she have some more... remarkable words she wanted to say to him? He doubted it. There was only one way to find out. "[color=yellow]Oh hey, miss. Uhh, do you need something?[/color]"