Nolian's faded blue eyes traveled to the long building. It wasn't the nicest of smells but he didn't particularly mind. Not at all. He took in a deep breath and reminded himself where he had come from.

No matter what, he had started from the literal bottom and worked his way up. Even if it wasn't intentional. But he wasn't going to argue against the King. If he had a reason for it, well, Noilan was going to assume it was for the best.

"I'll be just fine. You don't have to worry about me, just focus on you and what is best for you," he bobbed his head and smiled faintly. "I'm sure there are plenty of others who will help me around. You seem like you have something you need to attend to and I'm sure it's important," he alluded to her rush but shrugged it off as royal duties. Whatever she had, it likely wouldn't involve him.

"Take your time," Nolian added, stepping toward the stables with a firm nod. "Maybe just tell Henry where I went--actually, don't do that. I don't need him to tear any more of his hair out."

He let out a short noise, almost a cheeky laugh, before turning to the stables. His footsteps seemed far more confident as he made his way down through the pastures. His hands unbuttoned the vest he wore, slinging it over one arm and gladly loosening the tight neck of the tunic he wore. That felt better.

His presence drew some questioning eyes before he waved one hand, hung the vest up on a hook with hats, coats and cloaks. There was a giddy light in his eyes as he questioned who or where he could help.

It wasn't too long after before he was laughing along with the other stable helps and managers, shining saddles, fixing ropes and mucking stalls. His hair tousled and messy, looking almost the same way as he had when he first showed up. His eyes were bright--brighter than before--relaxed and casual. He had the lie that he was just getting used to their customs and what better than to learn them from the down-to-earth people that helped the kingdom run.

He just seemed too smart--too confident--for the lie to really work.

The more Nolian interacted with the others in the stables, the more he realized that everyone around the castle had a perspective of the royal family that he wasn't aware of. Not that the north was that far away but it was far enough away that the intricate details weren't readily available to him. They all seemed to have the same opinion.

A headstrong princess wasn't good.

He couldn't quite figure out why though. Someone who had opinions, who didn't let themselves be walked over, who stayed firm and true to what they knew and wanted? Wasn't that a good thing?

It wasn't until he vocalized this question that he was quickly taught otherwise. The old barn manager tutted, leaning over to scribble notes down. "Being headstrong in some areas is alright," he explained briefly. "It is... it is like a good chariot horse. When you pull and pull strong, it benefits both. However, when you stray from that and begin to pull in your own direction without caring about the rest of the chariot or the other horses, you ruin every single attempt to get farther ahead."

Nolian tilted his head slightly. "... so... what if the horse is trying to do what's best?"

The man let out a small breath through his nose, a small chuckle. "Prince, the horse never knows what is best. They can be taught to learn and follow the lead. They can be taught boundaries and good habits. But left to their own devices, it never works."

Deciding to test his limits, Nolian leaned back and rested his elbow on the stall post beside him. "So, what you're saying is that the princess is like this... horse," he said slowly. "Well, I raise the other question. Why? How? If you can prove to me," he waved the saddle polish rag in one hand while he spoke, "that she really is like this horse--and it hasn't been just shoved on her like a pack mule instead--then I might believe you."

A ripple of surprise murmured through the others. Nolian's relaxed smile grew far more mischievous and dangerous. "After all, even the strongest and best of horses can endure too much. You put too much, too fast, you steamroll even the best of horses and what they want... they won't do a thing. You'll break that horse. I may not know how your customs work and your royalty, but--may I remind you--that everyone has a breaking point," he flicked the rag into the pile and stood up with the saddle. "Has anyone ever thought to ask if she might be overwhelmed? Anyone at all?"

His faded blue gaze swiveled and drew across the silent stables.

"Mmh, that's what I thought," his words were disappointed but daring. "Next time you want to talk about headstrong and whatever other garbage opinion you lot have, make sure that it's.... how do you say it... well informed?"

Nolian scoffed and stepped toward the rack, taking the vest again. "Tomorrow, when I come by, I expect to hear better opinions, more information and--compassion. Otherwise, well, we're going to have problems and I'm sure you don't want that," he flashed them a much more genuine smile before wandering out into the gardens. He had no clue where he was going but it made for a dramatic exit so that was fun.

Nolian tilted his head slightly, noting the lack of reaction from the king but the reactions of everyone else. He wasn't jumping to conclusions necessarily... but he was slowly drawing to a few uncanny points.

She seemed far too eager to continue a conversation. There was something she was hiding and, judging by the reactions of almost everyone else, it had to do with the King.

She stated that the level of chat was fairly normal to most days. In which, Nolian spun the answer in his head and tipped his head lightly. "Oh, it... it is much different," he confirmed with a lopsided and rather brainless smile. there wasn't much to see behind his smile, just an empty brain.

"The Diametrya courts are full--I mean full of people! They come from the castle grounds and everywhere. There is so much talking and chatter--meals can take upwards of hours to get through. It's a place of companionship. I'm just not used to the quiet," he admitted and rubbed the back of his neck with one hand.

Henry let out a slow breath. "Things are not always the same, you know."

"I'm learning," Nolian replied with a sheepish smile and a faint wince. "But I'm glad to learn. It is vastly different than what I'm used to."

Very, very different. He was determined to either make them rethink their decision of making him a suitor or change the regular ways of separation. Or, in another world... maybe make the king regret picking some stable boy from the middle of nowhere.

Henry had that look in his eye and Nolian knew full well what was coming later that night. He wasn't looking forward to it and had a feeling it would delve into a rather heated argument. But it wasn't his fault! He was just trying to decipher this world and why it was so vastly different from his own. It shouldn't have mattered!