Still with a solemn expression, Briella regarded Ethan as he mentioned wanting to spar. She pursed her lips a moment, then shook her head.
"If you feel the need to spar again. But my style more so includes my magic, of which I doubt you would stand a chance against. Unless, of course, you have an enchanted blade in your possession," she told him plainly. She would never fully admit it, but if it came to brute strength, he easily had the upper hand. But then, she had never relied too heavily on brute strength, relying more on keeping light on her feet, and more importantly on her magic and stratagem.
Troy made comment about how she did indeed look, and avoided rolling her eyes by taking a sip of her wine that she had grabbed from a passing platter. Before lowering the cup, she took another sip, letting the flavor linger on her tongue a moment before swallowing. "Me, staring? You have the wrong impression. Just because you're not a clown, doesn't mean you're that attractive. Not my definition of handsome, though other courtesans might say otherwise. But then, I don't have a definition of handsome, because I don't care to compare people in that way. Ability and heart is more important than looks. You can meet someone more beautiful than the rising sun, but once you get to know them, and find the blackness in their heart, they become ugly. But on the contrary, you may find someone of average or bellow in looks, and they are the most gentle of creatures, they suddenly grow in beauty more radiant than the dawn," she said, glancing around at all the different attendees. It was like the room radiated beauty, with grand dresses and bright colors, and hair set perfectly upon their heads. But Briella knew the hearts of many of them, having grown up among them, and she knew the darkness there, which dulled the scene to her. "And going by your words of my appearance, and I knowing my own heart, I am the first of those two kinds of people."
A moment she watched those who had begun dancing, before turning away, and looking up at Ethan and his grin at her words of his fight. She suddenly had the urge to wipe that grin off his face with a good punch to the teeth, but resisted the urge by taking another sip of her wine. She glanced down at the cup and found it nearly empty, so finished it off in a few more gulps, placing it in the hands of a passing servant and asking for another.
"What, did you not hear me the first time? I'm not repeating myself," she told him, glaring back at him as he went to nudge her. But she didn't move, choosing to stand stubbornly. "And don't be so sure of yourself. I might help, if only to finally be able to wipe the smug looks of some of the faces here."
When the prince had come, his majesty listened to Ethan with obvious interest, nodding to his words, before continuing the exchange. Though the blond haired boy was quickly lost in the crowd when he departed from their company. He was quick to mingle and give a smiling face to anyone, and it was a genuine smile. Unlike his brother Donovan and his father Breadon. They stood on their dais at the end of the great room, watching the crowd with almost disinterested looks. They spoke to those who approached them, but only curtly. Briella took a moment to watch them now, as cold gazes fanned over the room. When the king's gaze landed on her and Ethan, a strange feeling overcame Briella. But she nodded to the king, and his eyes passed them, moving on. Though she said nothing, Briella wondered what that had been about, that strange feeling, but instead of worrying out it, she turned away and back to Ethan, who she suddenly realized was again speaking to her.
"Ah, sorry, I missed that. Something about being Prince Aaron's royal guard? Well, that would be a step down from your current position, but would almost seem more fitting for you. On second thought, no, you would be bored to tears. Being a royal guards means mostly standing at attention nearby him at all times. I can't see you doing that. You're better in the field of battle," she told him, going over to the table of foods with him. Without thinking, she picked up a small pastry, and bit into it, able to eat it in a few small bites, and licking her fingers clean. A servant came with her second glass of wine, which she accepted graciously, and took a sip.
"It is likely everyone will eat eventually. Though there is some left over from these events, it is common for the servants to finish off any left. Either eating it themselves or taking it to family. Servants of nobles are better off than others. More of a middle class than the lower class most people of the court consider them," Briella told Ethan at his question. "But eat, or at least taste some. Even if you have qualms against this way of living, you're here so you might as well," with that she picked up another pastry and ate. The music changed to a light song that had many going to the dance floor in quick steps of a familiar pattern of movements that had everyone moving the same, and switching partners at change of pitch in the music.
Briella watched the dancers again, but turned away.
"I think I shall step to the balcony for a bit of fresh air. It has suddenly become close in here to me. Perhaps you might join me," she said, turning to make her way out.