It is unusually early - not for you - when the door chime sounds. You have been up for a couple of hours, done your morning exercises and already had breakfast and some amazing, golden-yellow tamaryokucha tea that showed up as a surprise. It is very rare, even among your people, and highly prized. Someone has done their homework.
So, you expected the palace to still be asleep when the door chime sounds.
Opening the door, you see Major Antilles standing there in his dress uniform. He gives you a fairly good approximation of a Shinobi bow. In formal tones he says, "Master Nightshade. I am here on behalf of the Queen and the Prince Consort. They owe you a debt of honour for your efforts on their behalf. I am here to learn what boon or gift they might provide you against that debt."
His manner relaxes somewhat, and smiles. "Beyond their debt, they wish to reward you for actions, and have asked me to find out what you might desire that they could provide."
He returns to the formal phrasing. "May I come in?"