An unexpected guest

As you hurry back down to the reception, you are fortunate enough to encounter Yvette, who certainly fits the description of "very discreet". The corner of her mouth twitches slightly when you briefly explain the situation to her, but otherwise she shows no sign that there's anything amusing about it, and soon she's on her way to help Rosaline get dressed.

That having been taken care of, you reach the steps to the Great Hall and slow your pace as if you had just been taking a leisurely walk. It would be nice if you could just quietly slip back into the party as if nothing had happened, but of course the guards snap to attention as you appear, the clanging of their armored legs and arms announcing your arrival as loudly as the cathedral bells might have. Most of the faces in the crowd turn your way, but everyone present knows their place well enough to make no mention of your absence (though you do notice one or two knowing smiles!).

"Sire!" Duncan says to you, as he runs up before anyone else has a chance to intercept you. "Your Majesty, may I have a word?"

Duncan never uses your more formal title unless there is something of great importance he wishes to discuss; it is one of many subtle verbal codes you have established. "Er, Duncan," you say in a low voice, "if this is about my having left the party for a brief time -"

"No, Sire," Duncan says, uncharacteristically interrupting. He notices immediately the gaffe on his part, and bows his head slightly. "My apologies, Sire. There is a young lady in the foyer who insists upon an audience with you, though she is not on the guest list."

"News of my search for a queen has traveled, it would seem."

"I do not think that is why she is here, Sire." Duncan's voice drops to a whisper. "The young lady in question is Katyana of Reznik."

"The daughter of Lord Velimir?" you ask, also whispering. "What on Earth could she be doing here, today of all days?"

"I cannot imagine, Sire, nor would she say. She insists that she must speak only with the King. She and two of her personal guard await just without; they voluntarily surrendered their weapons at the gate. Captain Navarre and Sir Magnus are with them now. Sire, I know that your standing orders are that Lord Velimir is unwelcome anywhere within your Kingdom, but it seemed best to me not to immediately dismiss his daughter. She would not have come here without good reason."

Though your conversation is in low tones which no one else can hear, of course you and Duncan are attracting a great deal of attention. A sudden thought occurs to you - you glance quickly around the room, and are relieved to see the Vixen is still there, apparently in conversation with Arethousa, the proprietor of the bathing pools. Like almost everyone else in the room, their eyes have turned to you - but Lady Trina, who has her orders, continues to watch the Vixen carefully.

"I am sorry to have drawn such attention, Sire," Duncan says with a sigh. "I meant to try and reach you before you returned, but... I am not as quick on my feet as I once was."

You consider your options carefully. You could, of course, simply refuse to see Katyana - she was certainly not invited to the castle, and it is quite a breach of protocol for her to have failed to even send advance word of her arrival. It would not be out of line for you to ask that she return later if she wants an audience, and such an action would certainly assert your authority as King. On the other hand, Duncan is quite correct - she would not have come without a very good reason, and it might be worth the disruption to find out what that reason is.