Had Arturia lacked the discipline she had -- to say nothing of her need to present the image of the perfect and even-tempered queen -- she would have glared at her adopted sister and commended sourly on the numerous times she had done just that during their childhood. Instead, the petite knight merely tilted her head slightly, as if considering something.

"Then...considering the circumstances, it must have been my cousin, the Rose Empress of Rome you noticed. In truth, I have only just returned from my campaign in the East."

But Kay's next comment baffled her, though only the hint of a puzzled frown made it past the regal mask. "Court has not yet convened...I am about to do so now that I have returned."