At Yvonne's words, Kirsten flustered [b][color=#F6E1D3]"Wa-What does that even mean?! But yeah, since my brother is so slow-witted, I will be taking him with me and save you the trouble." 
[/color][/b]

At that barb, Silas shrugged nonchalantly. [b][color=FEF9A7]"Well, at least I am approaching it in an appropriate order, unlike a certain someone who dragged a confused boy to dance and then dumped him afterwards." [/color][/b]

Now repositioning herself, It was Kirsten's turn to add her own strength to her squeezed palm and clutch his brother's back, causing the admiral to grimace and let her hand go.

[b][color=FEF9A7]"That hurts you know..." [/color][/b]

Smiling gleefully Kirsten turned to Yvonne. [b][color=#F6E1D3]"He such a piece of work, isn't he?"[/color][/b]

[b][color=#a4161a]"Was that why our admiral is still single and pringle? His charisma doesn't extend to romantic affairs? Who would've thought."[/color][/b]

[b][color=#F6E1D3]"Maybe?"[/color][/b] purred Kirsten.

[b][color=FEF9A7]"Look who's talking."[/color][/b] groaned Silas almost bemusingly.  [b][color=FEF9A7]"Ladies, you two are on the shelves as well. So we are equal in this misfortune. But I beg to differ, at least men like me have duties to prioritize."[/color][/b]

[b][color=#a4161a]"I'm not even thirty, that's barely an adult! Kirsten dear here have even longer to play around still. You sir, on the other hand..." [/color][/b]She let the unsaid words hang in the air, the jab quite clear without having to be heard. [b][color=#a4161a]"People will start thinking that you've got some issue down there, you know."[/color][/b]

[b][color=FEF9A7]"I am afraid that's just your imagination."[/color][/b] Silas tilted his head and smirked as if swallowing an urge to brag. It wasn't really a smart jab considering myriads of families and maidens were practically lining up to get his family's favor. The same could also be said for this Rosenving's heir but on a smaller level. So, yeah the banter has become less sensible in every word exchanged. 

As if their pride were at stake. 

[b][color=#a4161a]"If you say so, Admiral."[/color][/b] Yvonne's smirk practically said that she thought otherwise, but she was willing to let the conversation end. [b][color=#a4161a]I have someone waiting, so if you'd excuse me. Take good care of Kirsten, you hear?"[/color][/b]

But Silas persisted. a smug smile curled on his lips when he sneered back.  

[b][color=FEF9A7]"Oh, backing down I see..."[/color][/b] he said gamely. [b][color=FEF9A7]"It was a serious accusation, Miss Yvonne Rosenving, and I'm more than happy to show how [i]wrong[/i] you are."[/color][/b]

He winked and Kirsten rolled her eyes in dismay.

[b][color=#a4161a]"Well, tell you what..."[/color][/b] The mercenary stepped closer, and it brought up some attention toward the trio. Silas appreciated the gesture by slightly leaning forward, so her whispers would be unheard by the other guests. [b][color=#a4161a]"If we're both still alive by the end of next year, I don't mind continuing this conversation, yeah?"[/color][/b]

Stepping away, the roguish smirk still painted on her visage, Yvonne winked back at the siblings as she curtsied briefly at the two. [b][color=#a4161a]"Adieu."[/color][/b]

[b][color=FEF9A7]"Fiesty isn't she?"[/color][/b] Mused the admiral as she left, his reward was a punch to the arm by his sister. [b][color=FEF9A7]"Hey, what's the deal?!"[/color][/b]

At that moment a servant approached them. Silas thought he was offering them a drink, so he plucked two beverages from his tray and offered one to Kirsten. But unexpectedly the servant handed her a letter. 

[b]"For you ma'am."[/b] and then he left. 

Ignoring his brother's offer, Kirsten opened the letter immediately. Her expression was deadpan when she read its content. 

[i][quote]I had no idea such scandalous stories could be true.

Please accept my heartfelt apologies, and please enjoy yourself tonight! You would never have to work like that in the York household, and I would love to have you visit sometime, if I have not offended you too greatly... 
---Gepard.[/quote][/i]

[color=FEF9A7]"The boy has guts, I give him that."[/color] quipped Silas as he elegantly retreated from his sister's striking distance. Kirsten's expressionless mien turned into an annoyed scowl, but no further strike was launched, so Silas continued. [color=FEF9A7]"Gepard. The name rings a bell somewhere."[/color] 

[color=#F6E1D3]"He is from York Family."[/color] Kirsten was still having her brow furrowed when he said that. 

[color=FEF9A7]"Oh... yes. the former Duke of Hdur. So he is the boy you dumped earlier?"[/color] Silas rubbed his chin, and continued teasingly [color=FEF9A7]"He seemed pretty serious. If you ask me.[/color]

[color=#F6E1D3]"Oh please, he was not the first."[/color]

[color=FEF9A7]"None of your previous suitors ever went this far. What I am saying is, [i]Kirsten York[/i] has a nice ring to it."[/color]

[color=#F6E1D3]"We were just dancing. Okay."[/color] she retorted, sharper than both of them had anticipated. Knowing that it was just a slightly distasteful jest, Kirsten then veered from tensed to a more relaxed disposition. [color=#F6E1D3]"I don't know. He looks cute, but that's all I know for now."[/color]

[color=FEF9A7]"And seemed chivalrously reckless, if I might add."[/color] Silas handed Kirsten the wine he had intended to give and toasted her. Either because of the bitterness of the liquor or the brazenness of the words in that letter, he frowned. [color=FEF9A7]"Imagine the uproar if Father reads it..."[/color]  

He spared a moment to look around them. Jonas Delving was still chatting with his co-conspirators and seemed to be absorbed in their hobnobs. But you never know, his spies and agents were everywhere and it would be easy for him just to intercept a letter from a servant. It was fortunate no matter how shrewd their father was he too is not immune to overlooking things that seemed trivial. 

At his words, Kirsten just sighed.

[color=FEF9A7]"Sister. I want you to know that I am not in any capacity to deprive you of choice." [/color]

[color=#F6E1D3]"I don't want to think about it now."[/color] Kirsten folded the letter and tucked it somewhere in her bodice. Her lips tightened trying to stifle a smile as if the words embarrassed her. [color=#F6E1D3]"What if we grab a bite? I am a bit peckish now. And I am sure your lips are tired after all of that fake smiles." [/color]