[ He can't help but laugh. It doesn't seem to be at Byerly's expense, with how he speaks of the Empress after. ]

She'll open her legs to them before she opens her ears, but I won't tell you that it's a lost cause. It has been some time since men like myself have had the opportunity to try and talk her out of her agenda, and I will admit that they did they did not present enticing enough alternatives. You think yourself more capable of painting a prettier picture?