Her heart felt somewhat eased, now. Not that she felt she was guaranteed to do a good job from now on, but rather at the fact that felt have been given some time to think, and though she still felt somewhat guilty at least it didn't seem bother Sir Nicomede.

"I see... er..."

Fanilly took a deep breath, and a smile returned to her lips.

"It's been a lot to get used to... but to be the Captain of the Iron Rose Knights is an honor, your highness," she managed, finally, "I never dreamed of serving such a position when I was younger."

It was true, even if she had been born under a full moon. To be serving as Captain of the Iron Rose Knights... she had never even thought she would be a knight, let alone the captain of the most prestigious order in Thaln. A noble's daughter to be sure, but a knight like this...

Trying to swallow her own self-doubts once more, Fanilly took a deep breath once more before speaking.

"How have affairs been for you, your highness?" the smallish blonde asked.

"Ah, it has been quite lovely, recently... I am still pleased father listened to my request to send you against those bandits," the Princess replied, "The pain they visited on the populace had to be stopped."

Fanilly paused for a moment. It had been the Princess's word that lead to the request from the crown? She hadn't known prior. While she knew that Princess Eliabelle was popular for many reasons, one being her concern for the people, such decision-making capacity when it came to military action as well came as a surprise.

"Ah, but I'm sure you don't want to hear more about that, er... and... I apologize," the Princess paused for a moment, then took a deep breath, "Have you been enjoying the food?"

[hr]

"Ah? So we are knight's aids, and in return you are ours??" commented the drill-haired girl, a smile returning fully to her lips, "Do you hear that, Angenese?"

"I do indeed, Margarite," responded the other blonde, returning the smile, "Well, certainly, if we are assisting you in valuable training, then we are indeed a pair of nobleladies in service of the legend of a brave knight, being waited on by that very same knight!"

Some of their playfulness seemed to have returned with Gerard's more encouraging words.

"Ah... I'm happy that we haven't ruined your first ball, regardless," added Angenese, "A member of the Iron Rose Knights deserves to enjoy themselves!"

She smiled brightly.

"And... indeed, I should like to think we've all learned at least a little, then," the drill-haired girl added, "I hope you can enjoy the rest of your night."

[hr]

"..."

The young black-haired girl averted her eyes, shifting awkwardly. This was quite a bit different then Jarde had last seen her, the small figure fidgeting as she looked away, hands clenching and un-clenching at her sides. That sarcastic, taciturn girl whose face conveyed a distinctly unimpressed expression was now looking quite awkward, failing to meet the knight's gaze entirely.

"... I... I..."

Violette trailed off for several moments. It was quite clear this was not something easy for her, given how much she was hesitating to even speak.

"... I-I'm sorry."

Immediately she turned fully away, blushing and pouting slightly as she did. Making an apology was quite difficult for someone who almost never apologized for anything.

[hr]

The little girl smiled as Fleuri leaned down, whispering to her that he was listening. She looked around in a conspiratory fashion, right and left, before leaning into his ear and imparting her all-important message.

"Watch the crowds," she said, simply, "That Princess isn't as safe as you might think."

While it was delivered in a playful fashion, these words were most certainly not some sort of child's fantasy. It was a warning, delivered by a child but a warning nonetheless.

Somehow, it didn't seem like she was trying to play some kind of trick.

When Fleuri tried to look at her next, the little girl in the tall hat was gone.

As was, somehow, the massive cake. 

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