Sir Pride left his mansion, boarded his silver-plated carriage, and was driven to the palace. He was stopped by some of the guards at the entrance to the main palace and asked what business he had in the palace that day. Pride didn't take offense as the king had become paranoid and wasn't receiving visitors like he did before – and Pride couldn't blame him for that.
"We have an appointment," Sir Pride said. "And you should know that by now..." he said to the guard, annoyed that this particular guard always asked him this question. There were other guards that would be stationed there and would just allow him through because they had marked his face that he had business with the king.
"I apologize, sir but it is protocol…" the guard replied as he sidestepped, giving Sir Pride some space to walk through the main entrance.
