"Rather easy on the eyes for a lowborn," Lady Margerie whispered with a giggle. There was a small group of young women, all of roughly the same marriageable age, gathered together to bear witness to the coronation. Despite being daughters of counts or barons, they were acutely aware they would only be granted a title if they took a husband with such stature. This fact made Galt an attractive prospect to all but one of the present company- not that she would admit it. Silke had become quite adept at feigning interest in male nobility to maintain the pretense of normality. She smiled and nodded in agreement, though her interest in the newly appointed man was not in the least romantic.

"What do you think of him, Silke?" inquired Lady Frescea. The entire group turned to look at Silke expectantly with anticipation of how she might respond, as they did every time there was a new man in the court.

To most of the aristocracy, she knew she was a beloved enigma, one they never tired of trying so solve. She was slightly taller than most of her sex and slender, but while she was beautiful in her right, she did not stand apart from her peers. There were ladies of her age and younger that were prettier, perhaps because they had brilliant blue eyes, golden blonde hair, or tiny button noses. It was her demeanor that drew attention to her more than her appearance ever would or could. She carried herself with a composed, elegant confidence, and listened with a patient intensity when duchesses prattled on about inane topics. Silke always seemed to remember details of the lives of her companions, paid meaningful compliments in most conversations, and picked up on subtle social cues, such as when a subject ought not to be discussed. Since her debut some years ago, she had become popular for her personality, and attracted a crowd wherever she went.

The curiosity about her, however, that Frescea, Margerie, and the rest wanted to solve was why she had not wed. Suitors had presented themselves to her, but she had declined their overtures both kindly and firmly. When pressed on the matter, she always sidestepped an answer, or gave a vague dismissive response. The ladies of the court were mystified and were excited by the challenge of finding her a match, especially since she had proven herself to be a matchmaker when she was so inclined, and helped facilitate at least three proposals.

"I think he's interesting," Silke said after a brief pause. "Anyone who earns the title of count is quite interesting, don't you think?" she explained with a smile. It was a bit of a non-answer, but to the ladies gathered around her, they took it as a sign of possible romantic interest, which had them quite excited.

After the king and the guest of honor left the grand hall of the palace, chatter had broken out among the congregation as they waited for the ceremony to conclude and the revelry to begin. While the arrangement during the coronation proper had been relaxed, allowing Silke the flexibility of standing or sitting with whomever she pleased, it would be more challenging to approach Galt during the feast. Protocol would dictate she sit with her father, Count Johann Kasper, and with her brother, Vincent Kasper. She chewed on the edge of her bottom lip as she was temporarily lost in thought. Ideally she'd talk to him without her family attached at her hip, neither of whom would be particularly friendly. Johann worried about any man that might 'steal' her away from the household while Vincent held all men to impossible standards and was endlessly abrasive to potential suitors.

"Frescea," Silke began sweetly. "Do you think that perhaps you could distract my brother long enough, should an opportunity arise, so I may speak with Galt? I promise to put a good word in for you if you do," she promised, knowing that the flaxen-haired woman was enamored with her brother. Vincent didn't reciprocate with her or anyone else; he was awkward and stilted when he spoke to women. When they were growing up, Vincent and Abelard had seen Silke one of them, an "almost boy" that could run just as fast as they did and scale any tree. Once the Kasper boys became men, they realized they couldn't treat ladies like they treated Silke, and the eldest Kasper still struggled with knowing how to relate to the fairer sex.

"I would be honored," Frescea replied quickly, "so long as you make an excuse to invite me to dinner in exchange."