--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Nicaise had picked up a gilt…" description: "\"“Nicaise had picked up a gilt three-pronged fork, but had paused before sampling the dish in order to speak. The fear he'd shown of Damen at the ring s..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cf3/s-u-pacat-4352_captive-prince_nicaise-had-picked-up-a-gilt-three-prong_278883.jpg" --- # Nicaise had picked up a gilt three-pronged fork, but had… ![“Nicaise had picked up a gilt three-pronged fork, but had paused before sampling the dish in order to speak. The fear he'd shown of Damen at the ring seemed to still be there. His knuckles, clenched around the fork, were white. 'It's all right,' said Damen. He spoke to the boy as gently as he…” quote by S.U. Pacat](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cf3/s-u-pacat-4352_captive-prince_nicaise-had-picked-up-a-gilt-three-prong_278883.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cf3/s-u-pacat-4352_captive-prince_nicaise-had-picked-up-a-gilt-three-prong_278883.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cf3/s-u-pacat-4352_captive-prince_nicaise-had-picked-up-a-gilt-three-prong_278883.jpg) > ““Nicaise had picked up a gilt three-pronged fork, but had paused before sampling the dish in order to speak. The fear he'd shown of Damen at the ring seemed to still be there. His knuckles, clenched around the fork, were white. 'It's all right,' said Damen. He spoke to the boy as gently as he could. 'I'm not going to hurt you.' Nicaise stared back at him. His huge blue eyes were fringed like a whore's, or like a doe's. Around them, the table was a coloured wall of voices and laughter, courtiers caught up in their own amusements, paying them no attention. 'Good,' said Nicaise, and stabbed the fork viciously into Damen's thigh under the table. Even through a layer of cloth, it was enough to make Damen start, and instinctively grab the fork, as three drops of blood welled up. 'Excuse me a moment,' Laurent said smoothly, turning from Torveld to face Nicaise. 'I made your pet jump,' said Nicaise, smugly. Not sounding at all displeased: 'Yes, you did.' 'Whatever you're planning, it's not going to work.' 'I think it will, though. Bet you your earring.' 'If I win, you wear it,' said Nicaise. Laurent immediately lifted his cup and inclined it toward Nicaise in a little gesture sealing the bet. Damen tried to shake the bizarre impression that they were enjoying themselves. Nicaise waved an attendant over and asked for a new fork.”” [S.U. Pacat](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/s-u-pacat/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. A tense banquet scene reveals power dynamics, betrayal, and a dangerous game of wagers between characters. **In simple terms:** A risky bet at a dinner leads to violence. Key Takeaway Beware of hidden motives in social settings. Themes betrayal power games violence Mood tense dangerous Type scene dialogue When to use this quote - dinner party - political maneuvering - risk assessment - trust issues Key Concepts court intrigue psychological tension Questions to Reflect On - What drives Nicaise to provoke? - How do social rituals mask underlying threats? A Different Perspective The gamble may escalate conflict beyond control. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Captive-prince](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/captive-prince/) [Damen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/damen/) [Fork Viciously](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fork-viciously-2709053/) [Forks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/forks/) [Hurt Nicaise](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hurt-nicaise-2709051/) [Laurent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/laurent/) [Nicaise](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/nicaise-131409/) [Nicaise Stabbed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/nicaise-stabbed-2709050/) [Nicaise Stared](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/nicaise-stared-2709052/) [Stabbed Fork](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/stabbed-fork-2709049/) ## Related quotes > [“Damen bridged the nine chilly inches at the first opportunity. 'What are you doing? You were the one who warned me about Nicaise.' He…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/s-u-pacat/damen-bridged-the-nine-chilly-inches-at-the-first-opportunity-what/) [S.U. Pacat](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/s-u-pacat/) ## More by S.U. Pacat > [“Damen's understanding of Laurent rearranged itself, in order that he might despise him more accurately.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/s-u-pacat/damen-s-understanding-of-laurent-rearranged-itself-in-order-that-he/) [S.U. Pacat](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/s-u-pacat/) > [“Damen bridged the nine chilly inches at the first opportunity. 'What are you doing? You were the one who warned me about Nicaise.' He…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/s-u-pacat/damen-bridged-the-nine-chilly-inches-at-the-first-opportunity-what/) [S.U. Pacat](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/s-u-pacat/) > [“This place sickened him. Anywhere else, you simply killed your enemy with a sword. Or poisoned him, if you had the honourless instincts of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/s-u-pacat/this-place-sickened-him-anywhere-else-you-simply-killed-your-enemy/) [S.U. Pacat](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/s-u-pacat/) > [“As the heavy latticed iron beetled above their heads, Damen found himself wanting it, wanting disruption, a cry of outrage, or of challenge, wanting…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/s-u-pacat/as-the-heavy-latticed-iron-beetled-above-their-heads-damen-found/) [S.U. Pacat](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/s-u-pacat/) > [“I'm not sure that's quite what I asked," said Laurent. His voice had the same quality as his gaze. "This is close quarters." "Close…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/s-u-pacat/i-m-not-sure-that-s-quite-what-i-asked-said-laurent-his-voice-had-the/) [S.U. Pacat](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/s-u-pacat/) > [“When laced into his clothing, Laurent's dangerous grace lent him an almost androgynous quality. Or perhaps it was more accurate to say that it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/s-u-pacat/when-laced-into-his-clothing-laurent-s-dangerous-grace-lent-him-an/) [S.U. Pacat](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/s-u-pacat/) > [“ Ride! ' went the call, and the individuals of the troop became a single lurching, streaming mass of horseflesh pounding toward the trees.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/s-u-pacat/ride-went-the-call-and-the-individuals-of-the-troop-became-a-single/) [S.U. Pacat](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/s-u-pacat/) > [“Stay back, old man. It isn't your business. This is the Prince of Vere.' 'But---I only paid three coppers for him,' said Volo, sounding…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/s-u-pacat/stay-back-old-man-it-isn-t-your-business-this-is-the-prince-of-vere/) [S.U. Pacat](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/s-u-pacat/) > [“It was a kind of fire dance in which the stick was thrown and caught, and the flame, tossed and twirled, created sinuous shapes,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/s-u-pacat/it-was-a-kind-of-fire-dance-in-which-the-stick-was-thrown-and-caught/) [S.U. Pacat](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/s-u-pacat/) > [ “It was with a shock that he felt the touch of Laurent's fingers against the back of his wrist. \[...\] Laurent was shifting the… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/s-u-pacat/it-was-with-a-shock-that-he-felt-the-touch-of-laurent-s-fingers/) [S.U. Pacat](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/s-u-pacat/) > [“When Laurent turned to face him, his eyes were dark. His lips were parted uncertainly. He had lifted his hand to his own shoulder,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/s-u-pacat/when-laurent-turned-to-face-him-his-eyes-were-dark-his-lips-were/) [S.U. Pacat](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/s-u-pacat/) > [“You have to admire it,' said Laurent, in a detached voice. 'It's the perfect time to attack Akielos. Kastor is dealing with factional problems…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/s-u-pacat/you-have-to-admire-it-said-laurent-in-a-detached-voice-it-s-the/) [S.U. Pacat](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/s-u-pacat/) > [“I'm not going to use the knife," said Damen, "but if you're willing to put it in my hand, you underestimate how much I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/s-u-pacat/i-m-not-going-to-use-the-knife-said-damen-but-if-you-re-willing-to/) [S.U. Pacat](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/s-u-pacat/) > [“Talik said, 'His contract with Lord Berenger ends soon. Ancel will seek a new contract, a high bidder. He wants money, status. He is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/s-u-pacat/talik-said-his-contract-with-lord-berenger-ends-soon-ancel-will-seek/) [S.U. Pacat](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/s-u-pacat/) > [“By this time, the camp was cleared, and the newly pitched tents looked like softly glowing globes, the light from lamps inside turning the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/s-u-pacat/by-this-time-the-camp-was-cleared-and-the-newly-pitched-tents-looked/) [S.U. Pacat](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/s-u-pacat/) [Explore all 112 S.U. Pacat quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/s-u-pacat/) ## More Captive-prince quotes > [“Damen's understanding of Laurent rearranged itself, in order that he might despise him more accurately.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/s-u-pacat/damen-s-understanding-of-laurent-rearranged-itself-in-order-that-he/) [S.U. Pacat](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/s-u-pacat/) > [“Damen bridged the nine chilly inches at the first opportunity. 'What are you doing? You were the one who warned me about Nicaise.' He…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/s-u-pacat/damen-bridged-the-nine-chilly-inches-at-the-first-opportunity-what/) [S.U. Pacat](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/s-u-pacat/) > [“This place sickened him. Anywhere else, you simply killed your enemy with a sword. Or poisoned him, if you had the honourless instincts of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/s-u-pacat/this-place-sickened-him-anywhere-else-you-simply-killed-your-enemy/) [S.U. Pacat](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/s-u-pacat/) > [“When laced into his clothing, Laurent's dangerous grace lent him an almost androgynous quality. Or perhaps it was more accurate to say that it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/s-u-pacat/when-laced-into-his-clothing-laurent-s-dangerous-grace-lent-him-an/) [S.U. Pacat](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/s-u-pacat/) > [“ Ride! ' went the call, and the individuals of the troop became a single lurching, streaming mass of horseflesh pounding toward the trees.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/s-u-pacat/ride-went-the-call-and-the-individuals-of-the-troop-became-a-single/) [S.U. Pacat](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/s-u-pacat/) > [“Stay back, old man. It isn't your business. This is the Prince of Vere.' 'But---I only paid three coppers for him,' said Volo, sounding…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/s-u-pacat/stay-back-old-man-it-isn-t-your-business-this-is-the-prince-of-vere/) [S.U. Pacat](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/s-u-pacat/) > [“It was a kind of fire dance in which the stick was thrown and caught, and the flame, tossed and twirled, created sinuous shapes,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/s-u-pacat/it-was-a-kind-of-fire-dance-in-which-the-stick-was-thrown-and-caught/) [S.U. Pacat](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/s-u-pacat/) > [ “It was with a shock that he felt the touch of Laurent's fingers against the back of his wrist. \[...\] Laurent was shifting the… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/s-u-pacat/it-was-with-a-shock-that-he-felt-the-touch-of-laurent-s-fingers/) [S.U. Pacat](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/s-u-pacat/) > [“You have to admire it,' said Laurent, in a detached voice. 'It's the perfect time to attack Akielos. Kastor is dealing with factional problems…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/s-u-pacat/you-have-to-admire-it-said-laurent-in-a-detached-voice-it-s-the/) [S.U. Pacat](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/s-u-pacat/) > [“Talik said, 'His contract with Lord Berenger ends soon. Ancel will seek a new contract, a high bidder. He wants money, status. He is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/s-u-pacat/talik-said-his-contract-with-lord-berenger-ends-soon-ancel-will-seek/) [S.U. Pacat](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/s-u-pacat/) > [“By this time, the camp was cleared, and the newly pitched tents looked like softly glowing globes, the light from lamps inside turning the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/s-u-pacat/by-this-time-the-camp-was-cleared-and-the-newly-pitched-tents-looked/) [S.U. Pacat](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/s-u-pacat/) > [“Red. Red, the colour of the Regency, scrawled over with the iconography of the border forts, growing, fluttering. These were the banners of Ravenel.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/s-u-pacat/red-red-the-colour-of-the-regency-scrawled-over-with-the-iconography/) [S.U. Pacat](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/s-u-pacat/) > [“That isn't why. She would have chosen him even if you'd had royal blood in your veins, even if you'd had the same blood…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/s-u-pacat/that-isn-t-why-she-would-have-chosen-him-even-if-you-d-had-royal/) [S.U. Pacat](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/s-u-pacat/) > [“Torveld favoured Laurent with another of those long, admiring looks that were starting to come with grating frequency. Damen frowned. Laurent was a nest…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/s-u-pacat/torveld-favoured-laurent-with-another-of-those-long-admiring-looks/) [S.U. Pacat](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/s-u-pacat/) > [“He killed, his sword shearing, shield and horse a ram, pushing in, and further in, opening a space by force alone for the momentum…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/s-u-pacat/he-killed-his-sword-shearing-shield-and-horse-a-ram-pushing-in-and/) [S.U. Pacat](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/s-u-pacat/) [Browse all 55 Captive-prince quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/captive-prince/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“Nicaise had picked up a gilt three-pronged fork, but had paused before sampling the dish in order to speak. The fear he'd shown of Damen at the ring seemed to still be there. His knuckles, clenched around the fork, were white. 'It's all right,' said Damen. He spoke to the boy as gently as he could. 'I'm not going to hurt you.' Nicaise stared back at him. His huge blue eyes were fringed like a whore's, or like a doe's. Around them, the table was a coloured wall of voices and laughter, courtiers caught up in their own amusements, paying them no attention. 'Good,' said Nicaise, and stabbed the fork viciously into Damen's thigh under the table. Even through a layer of cloth, it was enough to make Damen start, and instinctively grab the fork, as three drops of blood welled up. 'Excuse me a moment,' Laurent said smoothly, turning from Torveld to face Nicaise. 'I made your pet jump,' said Nicaise, smugly. Not sounding at all displeased: 'Yes, you did.' 'Whatever you're planning, it's not going to work.' 'I think it will, though. Bet you your earring.' 'If I win, you wear it,' said Nicaise. 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