"Well Prince, I'm sure you'll find who you're looking for sooner or later." The duke doubted he would be able to put a dent in Jasper's rigid opinions at all. He reluctantly gave up thinking of anything else to say for the time being. Samuel noticed the newcomers at about the same time the prince had. But, unlike his aloof companion, the dark haired youth warmly welcomed the two. "Good afternoon. I don't believe I've seen you two around the castle earlier. Have you just arrived?"

Had he known there was a third person who also joined them, he would have greeted her as well. Alas, he had been too preoccupied with conversation to have noticed when she had slipped in. The fact that she kept herself out of sight afterwards also contributed to his obliviousness.