Count Mono looked at the throng of angry young women glaring at him and, with a tinge of embarrassment, bowed slightly towards Joseph:
"Your Highness, you... aren't dancing?"
Joseph said, "I don't have time to dance. I have serious matters to discuss with you."
Count Mono glanced again at the crowd dancing merrily around them:
"Are you suggesting we discuss serious matters here?"
Joseph thought to himself, I would prefer to sit on a sofa, sipping tea while chatting leisurely, but after searching for you all afternoon, not even your servants knew where you had been gallivanting.
"I came looking for you this afternoon."
"Oh…" Count Mono touched his nose somewhat awkwardly, not wanting anyone to learn about his little affair with Countess Mesayer.
He quickly led the Crown Prince to a more secluded corner:
"Please, go ahead."
Joseph considered for a moment, then said:
