"Oh -- that's good. Thank you -- um -- just, thank you, I guess".

"If you really insist, then let's make it 'your highness'. 'Thank you, your highness'. I could get used to that", Valerion said, deadpan. Then a snort escaped him.

Adrien smiled; in spite of his faux pas, he found himself more at ease than he had been at the beginning of the conversation. His first impression of Valerion as a pleasant person had been absolutely confirmed. In fact, the sorcerer Valerion in the flesh seemed to be even cheerier than what Adrien had grasped of his character from his letter. He liked Valerion's good-natured irreverence, and he had noted and appreciated his attempts to defuse the awkwardness of their first meeting. In light of the situation, Adrien decided that it was the case to loosen up a little, and play a bit as well.

"Ah -- not 'your royal majesty'? What about 'milord'?", he laughed.

"'Thank you, your royal majesty'. Hmm. That might be a bit too much. Now, 'milord' -- yes, why not -- please, could you try that?".

"Why, thank you so very much, milord", Adrien said, accompanying his words with an overemphatic bow.

The sorcerer Valerion burst into laughter again - a pleasant sort of laughter, not too loud, not too high or low in pitch, warm, never a cackle, that made Adrien want to laugh with him. "Oh! This is what having an apprentice is all about: to have someone who will call me 'milord'!".

They laughed together a little bit, and when Adrien had calmed down, he said, more seriously: "By the way, what are my duties here?".

"Duties?", Valerion repeated. "I haven't given much thought to that, and, frankly, I never need much help with anything; that's what magic is for. But, if that makes you feel any better, I will let you know whenever I need some help".

"Please, do. I'd hate to impose on your hospitality".