Truth Of The Matter

"What can you possibly mean?" I ask as the admiral- or sultan- God knows what.

He, however, decides to dodge my question, clears his throat and asks, "What are those flowers for?"

Well, that's irrelevant. "The party for the shehzade. And I'll be forced to dance in itchy, skimpy clothes. What shame."

He gives a troubled look and I change the subject, lest I get charged with treason or something. "Either way, why are you asking? You've been ignoring me for days."

"I apologize for ignoring you, but hear me out. I don't know what my mother saw in you, but you agreed to be her servant?"

"I am no one's servant- wait, did you say your mother? Does that mean you're really-"

He raises a hand with a flourish. "The great Shehzade Mahmut, aye, how surprising."