Keep standing.

You are man of high birth (or at least pretending to be one). So you kneel for no man nor woman, especially no mere herold, like the one just walking over towards the throne in quite the elegant manner and ... sitting down?

The minister, still on his knee, looks up and proclaims: "Lady Elizka, duchess of Anvas, sole holder of the throne, protector of her lands and people."

Freezing, you realize, this is no herold, but the duchess herself. You don't know what you have expected to look like, but probably not this: A young woman, rather twenty than twenty-five, slightly smaller than average. Dark brown hair covers her forehead and falls down to her shoulders. At the moment, Lady Elizka looks quite stern, but a spark of curiosity lies behind this mask of noblewoman. With a flick of her hand, she allows her subjects to rise again.

"Be greeted, unknown traveller", the duchess says, staring at you. Was it a mistake to refuse kneeling? "You have brought noone to introduce you, I see? So, will you yourself to tell me your name?"

"John ... Lord John, mylady."

She nods at you. "I've been told, a man of higher rank is visiting my homestead. And as so, of course, he does not kneel before a woman he claims to be of equal status."

At least this was the right decision, then. You shudder at the thought that your mask could already have slipped.

"If he really is what he says to be", the minister reminds his superior.

"Yes, indeed. A lord he claims to be, but where is his escort, where his mount, where his belongings? I see, good man, your garment is still tainted by the dust of travelling. Is this your only set of robes?"

Your worries are growing, as you have to nod. Maybe you should have said the truth right away. Now you better prepare some good cover-up stories.

"And he has not been given replacement? What must he think of his hostess?"

"Forgive me, mylady", the minister hurries to say. "But I thought as long as we aren't sure ... and his garment could be the proof ..."

She raises her hand, causing him to fall silent. "I'm sure, our guest can prove this and make our cautiousness forgiven." The politeness of her words is contrasted by an unrelentless gaze. It's time for some real good acting, or this might be the end of your trip to this wonderland. You should take this step by step, starting with the first explanation: How can you prove that these clothes are yours?