Alric smiles a touch more sincerely. That's at least one more person about whose reaction to his status he doesn't have to worry.

"Mm. It is. In addition to the ethical imperatives of my station, I have duties to fulfill, in order to complete my Errancy with the Order of the Dragon. ...in principle, I could have thrown my family's money at some problem and called it 'good works,' but, in light of my position in Kaitheny, I felt it would be necessary that I seek a quest involving a more... personal investment."

His smile grows a bit playfully lopsided.

"...and, as there are, to my knowledge, no actual dragons available to be slain..."