"I get the impression he wouldn't have fought very hard even if you'd challenged him the usual way. Roxim's pretty mellow for a dragon."

"That's lucky. I wonder why I already smell like a knight? How does that even work?"

"Magic, probably. I'm more worried about the fact that apparently I smell like a princess."

"Change soaps. Or something."

"Yeah. 'Or something'. Or what?"

"I don't know. Uh, marry up? Probably less inconvenient to smell like something other than a princess, and they're getting your noble status right, just not your gender?"

"Marry up. Right. And smell like a queen, I guess."

"Well, queens tend not to be carried off!"

"Yes. That would be an advantage. However, I don't know any single monarchs I want to marry."

"Well, you never seem to like anybody, and you can't just stay single forever unless you're planning to stick me with Raxwell. Please don't, by the way."

"I've liked people!" he exclaims, perhaps unwisely. "I just don't tell you about it the way you seem determined to make sure everyone you've ever met knows Jann of Raxwell has kissed yet another girl."

"Oh really? Who've you liked?"

"Ugh. It doesn't matter."

"But I want to know! You look so dejected. I could give you tips."

"I'm pretty sure your tips will not help me."

"They work for me!"

"I'm not you!"

"What, do you think I get damsels solely by being tall?"

"Tall, handsome, seventeen years old, able to wield a sword without breaking your arm..."

"There's more to it than that, though. Moping hopelessly isn't doing you any favors."

"But it's so much fun."

Jann snorts. "Come on, though, who? I don't even know what gender I'd be trying to set you up with if you wanted me to help."

"I don't feel like saying!"

"Well, it's going to take about four days to get home, what do you want to talk about?"

"Kissed any girls lately?"