[that snort gets a glance over, and he's pleased to have caused it though he hasn't the faintest clue what it was he said- ah, the princesses part. they must really be pieces of work, and if he takes a second to imagine some of the upper houses with necromancy he can start to imagine why]

They aren't here, are they? [who was it? emperor, ninth people, a saint? god, pal's world is weird. admittedly his only real interaction with people of his own world involved being pretty sure he was going to be mugged for most of it but none of them have the title of 'saint.'

he glances up again when pal says that line, forcing himself to look down at the paper as he says,] You're good at that. [reciting. he focuses on the words, easily preferring it over the third's.] Preferable to gems and smiles, I think. Is this a widely known poem of your world?

[ several heists gets added, away from avoid because that is important.] Hm, with each amping up the romantic tension, I'm sure. I imagine a good story would make the progress there feel as much of a victory as whatever they are stealing.