The ladies all crowded near the empress and ask her to teach them to play while the men praised and admire the Empress talent.
The Empress is an open person and of outgoing personality entertained the noble ladies and treats them courteously even while refusing.
Even though Arial himself was very much entranced by the song, he stood near the empress with silent indignation, to the exclusion of every conversation near him, his eyes staring at Rhyssa like a hawk as he begins feeling curious …. of her.
'What a charming lady the Empress is!' Charles said to the Emperor.
In the palace, as the emperor vassal he would not dare to even say anything but this is an open occasion and while titles are not forgotten in such settings, it is permissible to speak even with those of higher station than oneself.
'Do you not want to dance with your fiancé, Your Grace?'
'I am not adept in it. You saw me dance at the last ball. I was terrible, Charles.'