The prince sheathes his weapon and sighs, then turns to her and stands tall, his full regal stature rather apparent.  "Captain Katty!  Stand straight!"  He walks a few steps away before stopping.  "I wasn't stopping him, I was stopping you.  I have no doubt that you could have beaten him, just as I have no doubt he won't stop until his friend is rescued or he is dead.  But I was stopping you from having to beat him, because I know how much you didn't want to.  You want to prove yourself, fine.  Take me out tomorrow evening and show me what you can do.  But your abilities as Knight Captain have never been in question, not from me..."