"I apologize," Solae cut in smoothly, her voice melodic and pleasant to the ears. To everyone else she was being diplomatic, polite, and effortlessly congenial, but her companions knew the calm tenor of her voice was a mask for the deadly strike hidden beneath her words. The golden-haired aristocrat had not been assigned to the New Concordian embassy as an act of nepotism or favoritism for the late marquise; she had earned her position with skill, knowledge, and a sharp wit, one that now intuitively guided her down a path of how to navigate this difficult foreign situation. "I would appreciate some clarity as an outsider of the community and culture," she said, with a respectful bow of her head to Andalyll and Lithyll. They dipped their heads in turn, and she could see that her gesture was appreciated, the crowd watching her without the same disdain in their eyes as when they regarded Totlya.

"Again, I apologize if I am misunderstanding, but a challenge against my fiance for me, yet the challenger is making accusations against humanity. I can not possibly speak for all of the human race, even as the ambassador for my empress; however, if I am required to do so, I humbly request that I speak with the representative for the entirety of the Kalderi race, as it would be only fair. Does Totlya speak for all Kalderi, this community, or himself only?" she inquired placidly, without a hint of aggression, though her question cut deep into the pride of the young male. No one in the room wielded authority over their species; were a comparison to be made, Solae had a voice for a vastly larger population, though the empire, than anyone else in attendance. Guests of the ball visibly cringed at the implication Totlya would speak for all of them, embarrassed for his behavior, and humiliated it could be interpreted as their opinion.

"Totlya has a voice as a challenger only," Andalyll affirmed, quick to point out the distinction when the opportunity was afforded to him. The duchess thought she spotted a fleeting expression of relief wash over the features of Lithyll that this would not be recounted later as an aggressive stance of Kalderi judgment.

Stepping forward, her dress sweeping the floor, the sapphire blue and gold decorations sparkling under the ambient light, she had the outward appearance of trying to distinguish herself visually from the group she had been conversing with until interrupted. In reality, she was putting herself closer to Renee. Confident as she was that she could run verbal circles around the male Kalderi that was addressing her, she was keenly aware that she could provoke him into anger. Dasin and Yarue had started to cut a wide circle around the room as if they too sensed how easily conflict could escalate into violence. The Kalderi on a whole were peaceful, but every populace had outliers, and she took her risks with an appropriate level of caution.

"I can not deny your right to challenge Sir Rene, but I must advise you that I was personally appointed by her highness, Empress Mercedez Viatrente, and can not be discharged from my duties by anyone except the empress. As this appointment is very close to her highness, and I have no heir to act in my stead, my obligations would come before those of my mate, unless they had a similar level of responsibility to their ruler and empire. If this is not the case with Sir Totlya, he would either have to travel with myself and my retinue to imperial space after my visit here has concluded, or else my absence will be viewed... severely. Her highness may consider it an act of war," she elaborated, eliciting a few scandalized gasps and murmurs, "and a certain adversary of mine seeks me, without virtue or honor. Sir Rene, as my mate, has had to protect me from assassination attempts made by the military forces of this adversary, as they use despicable means to obtain what they covet. Sir Totlya, do you still wish to challenge Sir Rene?"

Totlya did not blanche as a human did, but he had lost much of his bravado. It had flagged when Solae elaborated on how he would become secondary to her, assimilated into human society, and almost vanished completely after she had casually mentioned how his taking her for himself could be construed as an act of war. Mention of the threat of Duke Alexis Tan (though unnamed) had compelled him to change his mind about trying to win her by ritualistic combat. Every Kalderi was looking at Rene, whose accomplishments had been alluded to briefly, with a mixture of reverence and awe. If Solae had to wager a guess, Totlya had realized he did not have as good of a chance against the human as he first estimated.

"If it is agreeable to Sir Andalyll and Sir Lithyll," she continued, meeting their gazes and bowing her head respectfully a second time, "I would like to prove the good will and honorable intentions of myself, Sir Rene, and by extension, her highness Empress Mercedez Viatrente, by investigating your missing citizen."