Accept the invitation

“I shall accept the invitation to meet with Althesire,” says Stewart. “We shall make arrangements to do so at the earliest opportunity.”

Mayweather how’s his head. “I shall tend to it, My Liege. I assume you will want a full royal delegation, as per the custom?”

Stewart sees his sister purse her lips and shake her head.

“Something you wish to say, Adella?” he asks.

“Only that if Althesire is using the Old Gortenhäggen language, then it’s fair to say that he is following the Gortenhäggian customs, as well. That culture is known for placing a premium on transparency and openness. Anything that is perceived as excessive formality or showmanship is frowned upon and viewed as deceitfulness.”

Stewart frowns. “So you are suggesting that I travel lightly?”

“That is correct, Brother. If, in your first meeting with him, you show up with your usual entourage, he may interpret that as your way of distracting him from who you really are. You know... it’s like what they say about a man who owns a very expensive, flashy chariot — he’s probably compensating for something.”

Stewart raises a surprised eyebrow at the risqué remark from his virginal sister and turns to Lord Mayweather. “What say you, Mayweather? My sister seems to understand such things.”

Lord Mayweather chooses his words carefully. “With all due respect to Her Royal Highness,” he says with a bow that was intended to be respectful, but comes off as entirely patronizing, “these are not the days of old, nor are you the king of Gortenhäggia. For you to meet with Althesire without your closest advisors runs the risk of a diplomatic disaster. For you to meet with that magical riffraff without your full security detail runs the risk that harm will come to your royal person. I strongly recommend against ‘traveling lightly’ in a situation such as this.”

Stewart looks between his Minister for Internal Affairs and his sister, considering his options.