"Duke," Harlan nodded politely.
"Come, Norton has asked me to take you to an interesting place," Duke Shaq said as he made a courteous 'after you' gesture.
After saying 'please' in return, Harlan politely accompanied Duke Shaq, weaving through the crowd of toasters until they finally arrived at a room.
There were people in the room, men and women, the men were Duke Shaq's bodyguards and as for the women, they were scantily clad, clearly, to the discerning eye, known for their profession.
To put it nicely, they were the socialites of the noble circle. To phrase it less pleasantly, they were just women passed around by the men of the nobility.
Yet, Norton was not here.
Harlan never liked such settings, but having arrived he couldn't dismiss Duke Shaq's face.
After inviting Harlan to sit, the Duke himself took a seat opposite Harlan.