[ When he'd told her that they had received a invitation with what she had come to know as this - planets, kingdom, she was never going to get used to that - equivalent of nobility. Vor, she learned the name. The counts. The ones she hadn't made up her mind about, but had invited him and her by virtue of extension by someone he knew - Miles Vorkosigan. Important, apparently, a high enough family to be able to do that. Her intention, however, wasn't to embarrass him or do herself a disservice of pretending she was anything less than what she was. So she dressed like she had every day she had been queen. She didn't have much of an interest of being like them, but meeting their standards with her own. Any gathering she was attending of this kind of level would be treated like that. She didn't pretend she was other than what she was anymore, not to anyone. She just didn't always say it immediately. Besides, where her stomach was exposed, the scars wouldn't be hidden. The bullet wound through her abdomen, the claw marks at her hip. The sooner she didn't have to explain why she carried the sword that she had cleaned, polished and strapped to her hip via decorative chains and leather, the better. Let them know she was a foreigner, too, save her that conversation nor became her entirely beholden to understanding their laws. Other than causing somewhat of a shock, she stays on his arm, happy to glitter there, and for this she does keep her veil drawn. Her own private barrier to hide any sharp reactions she might have behind it and as the night wears on, takes up a game, anyone she likes the company of, she lets work to draw it away to see her face. The only one that doesn't have to try at all remains Duv. Him and him alone does she keep nothing hidden from. Because she didn't think her regard for him to be plainer. To her, to those that watched him. In fact, anyone and everyone seemed to be able to work it out. Anyone, but him apparently. She was starting to thinking she was going to go mad. The way that she could feel the exact shape of his fingers on her bare back as he guided her to be introduced to this Lord or that Lady or this member of staff. The way he had a half smile at times that he didn't seem to notice he was making. The way when she didn't understand he'd lean in a tickle words of explanation next to her ear and she could feel all the way down her spine. Right up until the one that had invited him, Miles apparently takes pity on her and asks her to dance. Doesn't know how but she can mime the steps enough to pass for what it actually was. Didn't dislike him, not at all, he was quick if nothing else. Quick enough to work out her problem that - Duv is quite thick when it comes to women. Murmured politely to her as he leads her about. Her brow pinches, wondering if she should be insulted, but he hurries along. That from the look of Duv, he had no idea, and she was going to need to be more blunt, and he said so with only affection. That he just wanted Duv to have something good. Right. She settles after that, falling quiet as she follows the rest of the dance through before she turns back to find Duv. Shifting a little, forming something of a battle plan in her mind. Besiegement was best done quickly, no one liked them drawn out. It was a drain on resources, on both sides. She'll have to begin then - as she slips back to his side, smiling up at him as she ever did. Warm, inviting. Content, as she picks another glass off a passing by tray. ] Your night is going well?