Encourage him discreetly

Feeling herself grow warm at the Prince's bold touches, Machiko gave him a small smile of encouragement, hoping the heavy dining room table cloth would keep his wandering hand safe from view. Fortunately the Prince seemed to understand the risk, with all the servants hovering around them, and soon his hand withdrew.

Not even believing what she was doing, Machiko found herself reaching out with her right foot and ever so slightly, nudging it against the Prince's calf playfully. He smiled ever so slightly and playfully returned the pressure, all the while continuing his anecdote about a voyage to the Isles of the Moon to her father's oldest and most sour minister of state.

When a lull in the conversation presented itself, the Prince conveniently dropped a fork between the two of them. Quickly fishing it off the ground, he paused in mid-reach to whisper to her intently: "Dearest, I must see you, tonight! Meet me in the Hall of Records at the stroke of twelve!"

Machiko had to think fast. Covering her mouth with her fan, she kept her eyes fixed ahead as she whispered her reply.