[His smile widens, and he starts to eat as he listens, a sure sign his nerves have settled.]

I still dance with Drou sometimes, actually. More gracefully now, I hope. Saves a lot of questions if I reserve all my dances for married women.

Though, I haven't yet exercised my Imperial authority to have four cream cakes, [he says thoughtfully.] Seems short-sighed of me in retrospect.