They were just...

[ And he has the sense to cut himself off. 'Just girls' doesn't count as an excuse, not knowing the women he knows. A hand rises to pinch the bridge of his nose, his lips thinning. ]

I felt guilty, alright? The way I left this place the last time...I felt bad. I didn't want to just brush them off. Besides, I had to ask them if they'd seen our missing prince.

[ He gestured vaguely at the satchel. ]