"That sounds wonderfully decedent, my lord." Kaiden lied, swirling the wine he wished was vodka in his glass cup. He was likely the only person here save the few children present that yearned to be elsewhere. Hearing tales of from a bastard like Malgin was tiresome enough, but he could not care less about the fellow's yacht or the breasts of his mistress. He was likely extremely drunk, or his drink had been spiked to make him confess of such an affair in public. Kaiden wouldn't be surprised if the man's wife hadn't orchestrated just such a thing to embarrass himself in front of the Prince. 

Luckily for him, Kaiden did not give a shit. In fact it would likely amuse him more if his wife attempted to casually speak to Kaiden and the Prince gave no indication her plan had come to fruition. If that was indeed what was occurring. The problem was, Malgin was not alone in speaking to the Prince. Two other gentlemen decidedly less inebriated stood there. Lord Paul Felitides, a man with a grave look and facial hair that Kaiden believed would have made a fine broom, along with the plump Guild Master Veraden Kornamy, who had taken no time in offering Kaiden an unofficial partnership in his evidently thriving business.

"Malgin, would you deign to take a seat? You look ghastly." Veraden commented. 

"Oh, truly? Yes, yes I should. Good day to you gentlemen." 

Once the man was gone, Veraden shook his head. "Swing, I say. I don't make a habit of insulting nobility, but the fellow is simply an embarrassment here." 

"Are you not an unusual guest?" Kaiden remarked. The Guild Master seemed taken aback, no doubt his lack of a noble title was a sore spot. Lord Felitides smirked behind him, but said nothing. Kaiden had already gleaned whatever information he needed from the two men and now he was simply trying to pass the time by stirring trouble. If it weren't for Captain Micha he would have called for a duel already to spice up the vast ballroom chamber they stood within. 

Among the crowd, Kaiden caught sight of Tilda making her way toward him. He was surprised to say he was glad to see her. They had been together for hours before she left him alone to snoop or lurk or whatever it was she was up to for around an hour. The two fellows with Kaiden appraised Tilda like she was a prime cut. It was true, but Kaiden had consciously kept himself from looking at her like that, lest she get idea. As usual, Kaiden was entirely indecisive when it came to women he'd have to continue to spend time with on his duty. If she wasn't his servant he would have bedded her already. 

"Gentlemen, pardon my interruption. May I steal my date for a few moments?" She asked, gliding past them. 

"I'm certain you'll have plenty of time to entertain him later." Lord Felitides replied dismissively. "You've some nerve for a woman." 

"I was going to tell you the same thing." She said, fluttering her lashes. Before the Lord came over the shock of being spoken to in such a manner, she had already yanked Kaiden away, one hand on his hip and the other behind his neck. Kaiden's resolve to keep his eyes off of her took a blow from her hand being mere inches from his groin, but he played it off as being simply surprised she whisked him away. 

Stepping onto the balcony, the woman shut the curtains behind him, giving Kaiden a nice eyefull of her rump in the tiny dress she'd chosen to wear. The planet's moon was bright this night, and the stars accentuated the vastness of the sky. Kaiden crossed his arms as she turned, looking at her expectantly. "What is it?" He asked. 

"Hmm? Oh, nothing." She declared, grinning. She sauntered over to him, the way women do with their hips swaying. "I just was finished with my errands and saw you were bored, so I saw fit to save you. Was that wrong?" 

Kaiden chuckled, and leaned back on the balustrade. "No, but I do need to ask what you were doing." 

She stalked by him and leaned her arms on the stone railing just beside him, overlooking from the front garden. He cursed himself, thinking how beautiful she was. "Gathering information. Old habits die hard, I guess. Wasn't that what the Captain wanted you to do?" 

"I've been doing it." He replied. 

"And I am helping. Why am I never appreciated? You treat your ex with more respect than me, and by everything you've said, you're still not fond of her." Kaiden's look was all she needed to see. She shook her head. "I think an apology is in order, Prince." 

Kaiden knew she was right. He'd been so focused on keeping professional with Sabatine that he threw whatever task he needed done to Tilda without so much as a thank you. True, he flirted with her. But he did it off an on, pinching himself whenever he caught himself in the act. "Ok ok," He replied, hands in the air. He leaned on the balustrade beside her the next moment, overlooking the gardens. "I agree. I just don't entirely trust you. You never did explain why you dropped your job so quickly on my offer."

It was her turn to hesitate. "Because being a reporter, I snoop into people's lives. As with most Republic reporters, I've snooped into yours." She confessed. "I saw you struggling and I know what you've been through, and I respect you. Also you're hot, but that has little to do with anything I'm sure." The woman began playing with one of the loose strands of blonde hair that curled behind her elaborate bun. "And I hated my bosses, so I took a chance. Is that so difficult to understand?" 

"I took a chance on you, so...no." He replied, smirking. 

She sighed. "Don't worry, boss. I will be the perfect little-" 

Kaiden turned her head and kissed her full on the lips. Tilda's eyes widened for a quick moment, before her arms snaked around his neck and she kissed him back hungrily. Kaiden found it intoxicating, his hands on her lower back and slowly sliding down to her round bottom. The next few moments they enjoyed themselves, until their lips separated. 

"That is more like it." She said, grinning. "Now what's say we...oh..." 

"What?" 

Tilda untangled from Kaiden the next moment, and the prince turned to see the gate to the garden opening. Sabatine and a few members of the crew strode in, searching every-which way for Kaiden. Luckily, they hadn't seen what just happened. [i]Why would I care?[/i] Kaiden thought. 

"Tilda, what information exactly did you find?" 
[@Penny]