--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I notice you didn’t include a blade with…" description: "\"“I notice you didn’t include a blade with your new attire,” Royce said. “Not even a little jeweled dagger.” “Lords no.” Albert looked appalled. “I don’..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a1a/michael-j-sullivan-3113_expectations_i-notice-you-didn-t-include-a-blade-with_83051.png" --- # I notice you didn’t include a blade with your new attire,”… ![“I notice you didn’t include a blade with your new attire,” Royce said. “Not even a little jeweled dagger.” “Lords no.” Albert looked appalled. “I don’t fight.” “I thought all nobles learned sword fighting.” Royce looked to Hadrian. “I thought so too.” “Nobles with competent fathers perhaps. I…” quote by Michael J. Sullivan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a1a/michael-j-sullivan-3113_expectations_i-notice-you-didn-t-include-a-blade-with_83051.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a1a/michael-j-sullivan-3113_expectations_i-notice-you-didn-t-include-a-blade-with_83051.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a1a/michael-j-sullivan-3113_expectations_i-notice-you-didn-t-include-a-blade-with_83051.png) > ““I notice you didn’t include a blade with your new attire,” Royce said. “Not even a little jeweled dagger.” “Lords no.” Albert looked appalled. “I don’t fight.” “I thought all nobles learned sword fighting.” Royce looked to Hadrian. “I thought so too.” “Nobles with competent fathers perhaps. I spent my formative years at my aunt’s at Huffington Manor. She held a daily salon, where a dozen noble ladies came to discuss all manner of philosophical topics, like how much they hated their husbands. I’ve never actually held a sword, but I can tie a mean corset and apply face paint like a gold-coin whore.”” [Michael J. Sullivan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-j-sullivan/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. A character reveals that noble status does not guarantee martial skill; her upbringing was in salon culture, not combat. **In simple terms:** Nobility can be superficial. Key Takeaway Social expectations vs. personal reality. Themes Class Gender Identity Expectations Mood Wry Reflective Type Dialogue Character insight When to use this quote - Courtly gatherings - Family expectations - Self‑presentation Key Concepts Noble upbringing Salon culture Combat training Practical Applications - Character development - World‑building Questions to Reflect On - How do societal roles shape personal identity? - What does the contrast between appearance and ability reveal? ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Expectations](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/expectations/) [Fighting](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fighting/) [Humor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/humor/) [Noble](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/noble/) [Nobles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/nobles/) [Nobles Competent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/nobles-competent-1051306/) [Nobles Learned](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/nobles-learned-1051305/) [Royce Said](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/royce-said-905933/) [Stereotypes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/stereotypes/) [Thought Nobles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thought-nobles-1051304/) ## Related quotes > [“Royce saw to his horse’s needs; then, finding a suitable place, he unrolled his blanket and lay down. “I take it we’re camping here,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-j-sullivan/royce-saw-to-his-horse-s-needs-then-finding-a-suitable-place-he/) [Michael J. Sullivan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-j-sullivan/) > [You’re too visible, Albert,” Hadrian explained. “Can’t afford to have our favorite noble hauled to some dungeon where they cut off your eyelids or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-j-sullivan/you-re-too-visible-albert-hadrian-explained-can-t-afford-to-have-our/) [Michael J. Sullivan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-j-sullivan/) > [So,” Royce said, “you want us to escape from this prison, kidnap the king, cross the countryside with him in tow while dodging soldiers…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-j-sullivan/so-royce-said-you-want-us-to-escape-from-this-prison-kidnap-the-king/) [Michael J. Sullivan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-j-sullivan/) > [“What were you thinking about just now while you were looking out the window?" To his surprise, the question flustered her. "I—wasn't thinking." "Then…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/judith-mcnaught/what-were-you-thinking-about-just-now-while-you-were-looking-out-the/) [Judith McNaught](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/judith-mcnaught/) > [“Well gentlemen,” Royce said as he started for the door.  “And lady.  Welcome to Los Angeles.  This is our Sanctuary in the middle of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/keary-taylor/well-gentlemen-royce-said-as-he-started-for-the-door-and-lady-welcome/) [Keary Taylor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/keary-taylor/) > [“Sir Eustace was with Royce and Stefan looking over some maps when he was informed by the guard that the ladies were asking for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/judith-mcnaught/sir-eustace-was-with-royce-and-stefan-looking-over-some-maps-when-he/) [Judith McNaught](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/judith-mcnaught/) > [“I was even starting to relax—a little—until he took me to his parents' house for dinner. I've never met two people more in need…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gena-showalter/i-was-even-starting-to-relax-a-little-until-he-took-me-to-his-parents/) [Gena Showalter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gena-showalter/) > [“Los seres nobles no pretenden apartar a los demás para abrir su propio camino.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/takashi-hiraide/los-seres-nobles-no-pretenden-apartar-a-los-dem-s-para-abrir-su/) [Takashi Hiraide](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/takashi-hiraide/) > [“I wondered how much time they'd spent practicing entrances like this one, smoothing away their rough edges and rendering them brief but potent expressions…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/seanan-mcguire/i-wondered-how-much-time-they-d-spent-practicing-entrances-like-this/) [Seanan McGuire](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/seanan-mcguire/) > [“About the nobles—not just de Cygne, all of them. They don’t care. Just remember that. Do what you have to do with them, because…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-rutherfurd/about-the-nobles-not-just-de-cygne-all-of-them-they-don-t-care-just/) [Edward Rutherfurd](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-rutherfurd/) > [“This isn't an army marching on the Mists. This isn't a case you have to solve. It's just a bunch of nobles coming to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/seanan-mcguire/this-isn-t-an-army-marching-on-the-mists-this-isn-t-a-case-you-have/) [Seanan McGuire](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/seanan-mcguire/) > [“The inimitable stories of Tong-King never have any real ending, and this one, being in his most elevated style, has even less end than…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ernest-bramah/the-inimitable-stories-of-tong-king-never-have-any-real-ending-and/) [Ernest Bramah](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ernest-bramah/) > [And upon the nobles of the children of Israel he laid not his hand: also they saw God, and did eat and drink.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bible/and-upon-the-nobles-of-the-children-of-israel-he-laid-not-his-hand/) [Bible](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bible/) > [While nobles are crying in their nights' chains, the squires sing. The terrible politics of the Grail can never touch them. Song is the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-pynchon/while-nobles-are-crying-in-their-nights-chains-the-squires-sing-the/) [Thomas Pynchon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-pynchon/) > [“The King ruled in consultation with his chief nobles, who fromed the nucleus of what was in effect a military aristocracy, whose power was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alison-weir/the-king-ruled-in-consultation-with-his-chief-nobles-who-fromed-the/) [Alison Weir](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alison-weir/) ## More by Michael J. Sullivan > [“Bah!” Magnus scoffed. “Humans always blame dwarves. A baby goes missing and it was a dwarf that stole it. A princess runs off with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-j-sullivan/bah-magnus-scoffed-humans-always-blame-dwarves-a-baby-goes-missing/) [Michael J. Sullivan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-j-sullivan/) > [“Hands could be such expressive things.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-j-sullivan/hands-could-be-such-expressive-things/) [Michael J. Sullivan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-j-sullivan/) > [Stealing swords,” Royce muttered mostly to himself. “Okay, let’s take a look at this tower. The sooner I see it, the sooner I can…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-j-sullivan/stealing-swords-royce-muttered-mostly-to-himself-okay-let-s-take-a/) [Michael J. Sullivan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-j-sullivan/) > [Happiness comes from moving toward something. When you run away, ofttimes you bring your misery with you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-j-sullivan/happiness-comes-from-moving-toward-something-when-you-run-away/) [Michael J. Sullivan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-j-sullivan/) > [“You're not going to charge us for the tower, I hope," Hadrian said. "But if you are, it was Royce's fault and should come…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-j-sullivan/you-re-not-going-to-charge-us-for-the-tower-i-hope-hadrian-said-but/) [Michael J. Sullivan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-j-sullivan/) > [“Verily, for nine hundred years have I lost. Everyone I knew is dead, the empire gone, and who knows in what state the world…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-j-sullivan/verily-for-nine-hundred-years-have-i-lost-everyone-i-knew-is-dead-the/) [Michael J. Sullivan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-j-sullivan/) > [“Your Majesty?” Alric looked up at the thief with a scowl. “I just want to say for the record that as far as royal…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-j-sullivan/your-majesty-alric-looked-up-at-the-thief-with-a-scowl-i-just-want-to/) [Michael J. Sullivan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-j-sullivan/) > [“There always seemed to be a better way, except when it came to people. Once broken, people couldn't be repaired.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-j-sullivan/there-always-seemed-to-be-a-better-way-except-when-it-came-to-people/) [Michael J. Sullivan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-j-sullivan/) > [Another last-minute, good-deed job,” Royce grumbled as he stuffed supplies into his saddlebag. “True,” Hadrian said, slinging his sword belt over his shoulder, “but…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-j-sullivan/another-last-minute-good-deed-job-royce-grumbled-as-he-stuffed/) [Michael J. Sullivan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-j-sullivan/) > [If this hast been done to language, I fear to know the fate of all else.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-j-sullivan/if-this-hast-been-done-to-language-i-fear-to-know-the-fate-of-all-else/) [Michael J. Sullivan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-j-sullivan/) > [“When going forward doesn't get you where you need to be, going back will at least keep you moving”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-j-sullivan/when-going-forward-doesn-t-get-you-where-you-need-to-be-going-back/) [Michael J. Sullivan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-j-sullivan/) > [“A lot can be determined by the choices we make, even if the action is initiated by self-preservation. Many ... no, most ... of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-j-sullivan/a-lot-can-be-determined-by-the-choices-we-make-even-if-the-action-is/) [Michael J. Sullivan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-j-sullivan/) > [Hadrian leapt to his feet. Royce was already up. “Don’t bother,” Esrahaddon told them. “She’s dead, and there’s nothing you can do. The monster…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-j-sullivan/hadrian-leapt-to-his-feet-royce-was-already-up-don-t-bother/) [Michael J. Sullivan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-j-sullivan/) > [Royce cast a harsh and anxious look at the prince. “What?” Alric asked. “I thought we discussed the importance of keeping a low profile.”…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-j-sullivan/royce-cast-a-harsh-and-anxious-look-at-the-prince-what-alric-asked-i/) [Michael J. Sullivan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-j-sullivan/) > [“Wait a minute,” Hadrian said. “Was it a beat-up brown leather notebook? About this big?” He gestured with his hands. “Yes,” the Patriarch said.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-j-sullivan/wait-a-minute-hadrian-said-was-it-a-beat-up-brown-leather-notebook/) [Michael J. Sullivan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-j-sullivan/) [Explore all 138 Michael J. Sullivan quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-j-sullivan/) ## More Expectations quotes > [Balance suggests a perfect equilibrium. There is no such thing. That is a false expectation… There are going to be priorities and dimensions of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/denise-morrison/balance-suggests-a-perfect-equilibrium-there-is-no-such-thing-that-is/) [Denise Morrison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/denise-morrison/) > [My mom had very low expectations for me, and she really had a point. I was a big problem at seventeen. If I had…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alejandro-gonzalez-inarritu/my-mom-had-very-low-expectations-for-me-and-she-really-had-a-point-i/) [Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alejandro-gonzalez-inarritu/) > [I've long believed one of the mainsprings of our own liberty has been the widespread ownership of property among our people and the expectation…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ronald-reagan/i-ve-long-believed-one-of-the-mainsprings-of-our-own-liberty-has-been/) [Ronald Reagan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ronald-reagan/) > [I say this all the time: I've always been really good at managing my expectations so that I'm not let down.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brett-young/i-say-this-all-the-time-i-ve-always-been-really-good-at-managing-my/) [Brett Young](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brett-young/) > [When Allah puts barakah (His blessings) in something, it will come beyond your expectations- never underestimate the power of one good deed.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nouman-ali-khan/when-allah-puts-barakah-his-blessings-in-something-it-will-come/) [Nouman Ali Khan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nouman-ali-khan/) > [Keeping up with everybody's expectation is soooo hard!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/naomi/keeping-up-with-everybody-s-expectation-is-soooo-hard/) [Naomi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/naomi/) > [I recognize I am essentially a failed human being in the sense that I can't possibly live up to the expectations of an Almighty.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-w-bush/i-recognize-i-am-essentially-a-failed-human-being-in-the-sense-that-i/) [George W. Bush](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-w-bush/) > [We're wired to expect the world to be brighter and more meaningful and more obviously interesting than it actually is. And when we realize…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lev-grossman/we-re-wired-to-expect-the-world-to-be-brighter-and-more-meaningful/) [Lev Grossman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lev-grossman/) > [“Does your reality match your expectations? If not it's time to change either your expectations or your reality.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-redhead/does-your-reality-match-your-expectations-if-not-it-s-time-to-change/) [Steven Redhead](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-redhead/) > [Jesus' kingdom was not like the popular expectation. He used the phrase 'kingdom of God' with a different meaning. His kingdom was not of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-harpur/jesus-kingdom-was-not-like-the-popular-expectation-he-used-the-phrase/) [Tom Harpur](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-harpur/) > [Disappointment contains an appointment for doing much better. High expectations mean your higher capacity and belief in abilities.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tasneem-hameed/disappointment-contains-an-appointment-for-doing-much-better-high/) [Tasneem Hameed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tasneem-hameed/) > [It's a good place when all you have is hope and not expectations.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/danny-boyle/it-s-a-good-place-when-all-you-have-is-hope-and-not-expectations/) [Danny Boyle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/danny-boyle/) > [When we give from a place of love, rather than from a place of expectation, more usually comes back to us than we could…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-jeffers/when-we-give-from-a-place-of-love-rather-than-from-a-place-of/) [Susan Jeffers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-jeffers/) > [Everybody out there watches the show and has expectations of wanting to be an 'Idol', but we're going to teach them how much hard…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bo-bice/everybody-out-there-watches-the-show-and-has-expectations-of-wanting/) [Bo Bice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bo-bice/) > [When we fall utterly, something gathers us up. But our falling must be without reservation, without expectation, without hope, though not hopeless. You cant…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roger-housden/when-we-fall-utterly-something-gathers-us-up-but-our-falling-must-be/) [Roger Housden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roger-housden/) [Browse all 4,210 Expectations quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/expectations/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“I notice you didn’t include a blade with your new attire,” Royce said. “Not even a little jeweled dagger.” “Lords no.” Albert looked appalled. “I don’t fight.” “I thought all nobles learned sword fighting.” Royce looked to Hadrian. “I thought so too.” “Nobles with competent fathers perhaps. I spent my formative years at my aunt’s at Huffington Manor. She held a daily salon, where a dozen noble ladies came to discuss all manner of philosophical topics, like how much they hated their husbands. 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