Daybreak:Volume 2 Chapter 7 - Revision history

Aorii at 02:10, 18 March 2022

2022-03-18T02:10:59Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 02:10, 18 March 2022
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	"I fail to see how 'meditation' has anything to do with strangling my lungs." Kaede gasped out as the leather corset around her waist tightened another notch. She could feel how it forcely shaped her waist into an hourglass-like arc. "Why do I have to wear this again?"		"I fail to see how 'meditation' has anything to do with strangling my lungs." Kaede gasped out as the leather corset around her waist tightened another notch. She could feel how it forcely shaped her waist into an hourglass-like arc. "Why do I have to wear this again?"

	"Because Her Highness ~~ordered~~ it," Rachel reminded the familiar girl. Though her words ran with approval as she continued: "besides, every girl wears one. It helps you maintain better posture and provides support for your back through a day's work. Even the Princess wears one beneath her dress."		"Because Her Highness suggested it," Rachel reminded the familiar girl. Though her words ran with approval as she continued: "besides, every girl wears one. It helps you maintain better posture and provides support for your back through a day's work. Even the Princess wears one beneath her dress."

	Kaede did notice that all of the palace maids ~~had~~ a leather ~~cincher~~ around their waist~~, which~~ hugged their midsections from ~~below~~ the ~~chest~~ to above the hips. The Princess' dress had ~~it was~~ well. Though in her outfit, the leather simply blended in with the other patches that were meant to anchor armor straps.		Kaede did notice that all of the palace maids wore a pair of leather stays -- an early version of the corset -- around their waist. It hugged their midsections from the breasts to above the hips. The Princess' dress had leather sewn in around her midriff as well. Though in her outfit, the leather simply blended in with the other patches that were meant to anchor armor straps.

	''I don't remember seeing anything like this on Ariadne's uniform,'' Kaede thought. It was yet further proof that Rhin-Lotharingie was 'backwards' compared to the more progressive Weichsel.		''I don't remember seeing anything like this on Ariadne's uniform,'' Kaede thought. It was yet further proof that Rhin-Lotharingie was 'backwards' compared to the more progressive Weichsel.

Aorii at 21:00, 16 March 2022

2022-03-16T21:00:42Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 21:00, 16 March 2022
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	"I fail to see how 'meditation' has anything to do with strangling my lungs." Kaede gasped out as the leather corset around her waist tightened another notch. She could feel how it forcely shaped her waist into an hourglass-like arc. "Why do I have to wear this again?"		"I fail to see how 'meditation' has anything to do with strangling my lungs." Kaede gasped out as the leather corset around her waist tightened another notch. She could feel how it forcely shaped her waist into an hourglass-like arc. "Why do I have to wear this again?"

	"Because Her Highness ordered it," Rachel reminded the familiar girl. Though her words ran with approval as she continued: "besides, every girl wears one. It helps you maintain better posture and provides support for your back through a day's work. Even the Princess' dress ~~has a leather corset sewn in~~."		"Because Her Highness ordered it," Rachel reminded the familiar girl. Though her words ran with approval as she continued: "besides, every girl wears one. It helps you maintain better posture and provides support for your back through a day's work. Even the Princess wears one beneath her dress."

	Kaede did notice that all of the palace maids had a leather cincher around their waist, which hugged their midsections from below the chest to above the hips. The Princess' dress had it was well. Though in her outfit, the leather simply blended in with the other patches that were meant to anchor armor straps.		Kaede did notice that all of the palace maids had a leather cincher around their waist, which hugged their midsections from below the chest to above the hips. The Princess' dress had it was well. Though in her outfit, the leather simply blended in with the other patches that were meant to anchor armor straps.
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	She really did not want to have first-hand user experience with the infamous 'fainting couch'.		She really did not want to have first-hand user experience with the infamous 'fainting couch'.

	"If you do, you'd enter palace history as the first girl to do so from something so mild." Rachel's reply came flat. She then ~~patted~~ the leather ~~waist cincher attached to~~ her ~~own dress~~. "I've worn one of these every day for the past century."		"If you do, you'd enter palace history as the first girl to do so from something so mild." Rachel's reply came flat. She then ran her hand across the exterior of her own leather stays, which wrapped around her midsection and held tight by laces. "I've worn one of these every day for the past century."

	"I'm ~~pretty sure leather expands more than this one does.~~" Kaede's wispy answer came with an exhale.		"You may be used to them but I'm not!" Kaede's wispy answer came with an exhale.

	She reached down with her fingers and traced across a stiff, vertical bump on ~~the~~ corset's exterior. It was hidden beneath a column of pink, floral laces.		She reached down with her fingers and traced across a stiff, vertical bump on her corset's exterior. It was hidden beneath a column of pink, floral laces.

	"Is this... steel boning?"		"Is this... steel boning?"

Aorii at 23:13, 15 March 2022

2022-03-15T23:13:14Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 23:13, 15 March 2022
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	''I don't remember seeing anything like this on Ariadne's uniform,'' Kaede thought. It was yet further proof that Rhin-Lotharingie was 'backwards' compared to the more progressive Weichsel.		''I don't remember seeing anything like this on Ariadne's uniform,'' Kaede thought. It was yet further proof that Rhin-Lotharingie was 'backwards' compared to the more progressive Weichsel.

	The Samaran girl then immediately snapped off that train of thought. She closed her eyes and shook her head in self-disgust. ''I sound like an egocentric ~~American~~.''		The Samaran girl then immediately snapped off that train of thought. She closed her eyes and shook her head in self-disgust. ''I sound like an egocentric child.''

	"Done." Rachel announced at last as she knotted the laces' extra length. "That's the first tightening. We'll let your body adjust for a few minutes before we finish with a second round."		"Done." Rachel announced at last as she knotted the laces' extra length. "That's the first tightening. We'll let your body adjust for a few minutes before we finish with a second round."
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	"<All men have tempers, Sylv. Even your beloved Pascal.>" Cecylia's reply was mostly-consoling yet still partly-teasing. "<Besides, Pascal takes his responsibilities seriously. And this is a critical time for him to spend away from his fiefdom. Perhaps he simply wanted to see his familiar for some... familiarity, no implications intended.>"		"<All men have tempers, Sylv. Even your beloved Pascal.>" Cecylia's reply was mostly-consoling yet still partly-teasing. "<Besides, Pascal takes his responsibilities seriously. And this is a critical time for him to spend away from his fiefdom. Perhaps he simply wanted to see his familiar for some... familiarity, no implications intended.>"

	Sylviane sighed as her heart softened with sympathy. Cecylia was right: Pascal hadn't even seen his father's body or arranged a funeral yet. Nor ~~has~~ he returned to Nordkreuz to officially take up the seat of his inheritance. There were a great many things that undoubtedly awaited his attention back at home. Yet he came to the royal palace upon her beckon without any conditions.		Sylviane sighed as her heart softened with sympathy. Cecylia was right: Pascal hadn't even seen his father's body or arranged a funeral yet. Nor had he returned to Nordkreuz to officially take up the seat of his inheritance. There were a great many things that undoubtedly awaited his attention back at home. Yet he came to the royal palace upon her beckon without any conditions.

	"<You're right,>" the Princess admitted. "<nowiki><I</nowiki> am demanding too much from him.>"		"<You're right,>" the Princess admitted. "<nowiki><I</nowiki> am demanding too much from him.>"
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	She knew she was being irrational. She knew that trying to keep Kaede from Pascal wouldn't work, certainly not in the long term. Yet she didn't want these past two days to end, when it was just the Pascal and her once again...		She knew she was being irrational. She knew that trying to keep Kaede from Pascal wouldn't work, certainly not in the long term. Yet she didn't want these past two days to end, when it was just the Pascal and her once again...

	"<You've already made it clear to the girl that you can keep them apart.>" Cecylia pointed out. "<Now you can show her that they can be together too. Just make sure she knows that it is ''at your discretion''. It reinforces the idea that she'll want to stay on your good side.>" The dhampir advised before she explained in a playful voice. "<Kaede has a plucky exterior, but she also has a rather submissive nature. I could tell almost immediately when I teased her that night. Her cultural background seems to give her a preference for following rules and authority. Plus she herself desires stability and predictability in life. Therefore if you offer her a compromise, even if it's on your terms, she will likely accept the ground rules you lay down as long as ''you'' uphold your end of the bargain.>"		"<You've already made it clear to the girl that you can keep them apart.>" Cecylia pointed out. "<Now you can show her that they can be together too. Just make sure she knows that it is ''at your discretion''. It reinforces the idea that she'll want to stay on your good side.>" The dhampir advised before she explained in a playful voice. "<Kaede has a plucky exterior, but she also has a rather submissive nature. I could tell almost immediately when I teased her that night. Her cultural background seems to give her a preference for following rules and authority. Plus she herself desires stability and predictability in life. Therefore if you offer her a compromise, even if it's on your terms, she will likely accept the ground rules you lay down as long as ''you'' fairly uphold your end of the bargain.>"

	Sylviane grinned a little as she nodded along to Cecylia's suggestions. None of this surprised her as she knew exactly how Cecylia operated. Beneath the adorable tease was a shrewd, calculating girl with a domineering personality and an excellent judge of character. Yet despite this, the dhampir had never tried to manipulate the Princess. It was one of the reasons they'd been best friends since childhood.		Sylviane grinned a little as she nodded along to Cecylia's suggestions. None of this surprised her as she knew exactly how Cecylia operated. Beneath the adorable tease was a shrewd, calculating girl with a domineering personality and an excellent judge of character. Yet despite this, the dhampir had never tried to manipulate the Princess. It was one of the reasons they'd been best friends since childhood.

Aorii at 17:11, 4 July 2021

2021-07-04T17:11:53Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 17:11, 4 July 2021
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	"I fail to see how 'meditation' has anything to do with strangling my lungs." Kaede gasped out as the leather corset around her waist tightened another notch. She could feel how it forcely shaped her waist into an hourglass-like arc. "Why do I have to wear this again?"		"I fail to see how 'meditation' has anything to do with strangling my lungs." Kaede gasped out as the leather corset around her waist tightened another notch. She could feel how it forcely shaped her waist into an hourglass-like arc. "Why do I have to wear this again?"

	"Because Her Highness ordered it," Rachel reminded the familiar girl. Though her words ran with approval as she continued: "besides, every girl wears one. It helps you maintain better posture, provides support for your back through a day's work~~, and trains you to move more gracefully~~. Even the Princess' dress has a leather corset sewn in."		"Because Her Highness ordered it," Rachel reminded the familiar girl. Though her words ran with approval as she continued: "besides, every girl wears one. It helps you maintain better posture and provides support for your back through a day's work. Even the Princess' dress has a leather corset sewn in."

	Kaede did notice that all of the palace maids had a leather cincher around their waist, which hugged their midsections from below the chest to above the hips. The Princess' dress had it was well. Though in her outfit, the leather simply blended in with the other patches that were meant to anchor armor straps.		Kaede did notice that all of the palace maids had a leather cincher around their waist, which hugged their midsections from below the chest to above the hips. The Princess' dress had it was well. Though in her outfit, the leather simply blended in with the other patches that were meant to anchor armor straps.
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	It summoned only a louder, more resentful groan from the Samaran girl.		It summoned only a louder, more resentful groan from the Samaran girl.

	''Bear with it ~~for now~~,'' Kaede had to ~~tell~~ herself. It was important that she keep her word to the Princess and not create more reasons to be disliked at present.		''Bear with it,'' Kaede had to remind herself.

			It was important that she keep her word to the Princess and not create more reasons to be disliked at present. Not to mention she needed to at least work on 'fitting in'. Fashion has always been dictated by the culture of a society and not the individual. Those who refused to accept the 'norm' inevitably attracted prejudice, and the Samaran girl already received enough strange looks as it is.

			Besides, Kaede figured that the current status quo wouldn't last since Pascal wasn't the type to just stay in a palace anyway, not when there was a war raging outside. Then, once she had a chance to prove herself before the Princess, perhaps things would change...

	"Be glad then that Her Highness isn't the one pulling," Rachel remarked almost off-handedly. "Her standards for a 'proper waistline' are far stricter than mine."		"Be glad then that Her Highness isn't the one pulling," Rachel remarked almost off-handedly. "Her standards for a 'proper waistline' are far stricter than mine."

	Kaede swallowed. ''Just what kind of unrealistic body image was ~~the Princess~~ taught?''		Kaede swallowed. ''Just what kind of unrealistic body image was this princess taught?''


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	She knew she was being irrational. She knew that trying to keep Kaede from Pascal wouldn't work, certainly not in the long term. Yet she didn't want these past two days to end, when it was just the Pascal and her once again...		She knew she was being irrational. She knew that trying to keep Kaede from Pascal wouldn't work, certainly not in the long term. Yet she didn't want these past two days to end, when it was just the Pascal and her once again...

	"<You've already made it clear to the girl that you can keep them apart.>" Cecylia pointed out. "<Now you can show her that they can be together too. Just make sure she knows that it is ''at your discretion''. It reinforces the idea that she'll want to stay on your good side. Kaede has a plucky exterior, but she also has a rather submissive nature -- I could tell almost immediately when I teased her that night.>"		"<You've already made it clear to the girl that you can keep them apart.>" Cecylia pointed out. "<Now you can show her that they can be together too. Just make sure she knows that it is ''at your discretion''. It reinforces the idea that she'll want to stay on your good side.>" The dhampir advised before she explained in a playful voice. "<Kaede has a plucky exterior, but she also has a rather submissive nature. I could tell almost immediately when I teased her that night. Her cultural background seems to give her a preference for following rules and authority. Plus she herself desires stability and predictability in life. Therefore if you offer her a compromise, even if it's on your terms, she will likely accept the ground rules you lay down as long as ''you'' uphold your end of the bargain.>"

	Sylviane grinned a little as she knew exactly how Cecylia operated. Beneath the adorable tease was a shrewd, calculating girl with a domineering personality. Yet despite this, the dhampir had never tried to manipulate the Princess. It was one of the reasons they'd been best friends since childhood.		Sylviane grinned a little as she nodded along to Cecylia's suggestions. None of this surprised her as she knew exactly how Cecylia operated. Beneath the adorable tease was a shrewd, calculating girl with a domineering personality and an excellent judge of character. Yet despite this, the dhampir had never tried to manipulate the Princess. It was one of the reasons they'd been best friends since childhood.

	''If only you weren't a Weichsen, you’d be my closest confidante,'' Sylviane sighed with longing. She never once forgot that Cecylia was also the eyes and ears of King Leopold, which made it... difficult, to discuss certain topics.		''If only you weren't a Weichsen, you’d be my closest confidante,'' Sylviane sighed with longing. She never once forgot that Cecylia was also the eyes and ears of King Leopold, which made it... difficult, to discuss certain topics.

Aorii at 04:07, 2 June 2021

2021-06-02T04:07:50Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 04:07, 2 June 2021
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	"And you are my fiancé!" Sylviane gritted her teeth as she stared back. "You're here to support me! Not to create more headaches for me!"		"And you are my fiancé!" Sylviane gritted her teeth as she stared back. "You're here to support me! Not to create more headaches for me!"

	"''Create headaches!?''" Pascal responded with an incredulous laugh. "I only asked to see ~~my familiar~~, to meet my personal responsibilities for the first time in two days!"		"''Create headaches!?''" Pascal responded with an incredulous laugh. "I only asked to see Kaede, to meet my personal responsibilities for the first time in two days!"

	He then raised his palms and shook them in the air between them, as though to stress how empty they were.		He then raised his palms and shook them in the air between them, as though to stress how empty they were.
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	"You're supposed to help me--!" The Princess stated. However she had barely finished her sentence before Pascal's voice burst out:		"You're supposed to help me--!" The Princess stated. However she had barely finished her sentence before Pascal's voice burst out:

	"Then ''let me help!''" He shouted, before taking a deep breath and reducing his volume. "Give me a task that I can do for you! Anything! Do not just ''drag me around'' from meeting to meeting all day with neither role nor purpose, as though I am just a child that you must keep in your sight! I did not come here just to hold onto your hand! And I certainly did not come here for you to tear ~~my familiar~~ from me!"		"Then ''let me help!''" He shouted, before taking a deep breath and reducing his volume. "Give me a task that I can do for you! Anything! Do not just ''drag me around'' from meeting to meeting all day with neither role nor purpose, as though I am just a child that you must keep in your sight! I did not come here just to hold onto your hand! And I certainly did not come here for you to tear Kaede from me!"

	"I'm not--" Sylviane tried to say before an angry glare from Pascal stopped her cold.		"I'm not--" Sylviane tried to say before an angry glare from Pascal stopped her cold.
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	Her eyes swelled as though they were in shock. Her lips were left ajar as though she had forgotten what to even say. There was a glint in her eyes that saw him as something... foreign, even frightening. It was as though she had never seen him like this.		Her eyes swelled as though they were in shock. Her lips were left ajar as though she had forgotten what to even say. There was a glint in her eyes that saw him as something... foreign, even frightening. It was as though she had never seen him like this.

	''She might be right too.'' A faint voice in the back of his mind ~~whispered~~, almost begged for the rest of him to calm down. ''I have never been like this in front of her.''		''She might be right too.'' A faint voice in the back of his mind spoke, almost begged for the rest of him to calm down. ''I have never been like this in front of her.''

	Pascal pursed his lips as he turned away and exhaled another deep breath. He struggled to suppress his boiling temper as he reached out and pulled open the staircase door. If Sylviane wouldn't let him see Kaede then he could at least talk to his familiar over their telepathy. It was ''ridiculous'' that he didn't even know what Kaede had been up to these past two days and three nights.		Pascal pursed his lips as he turned away and exhaled another deep breath. He struggled to suppress his boiling temper as he reached out and pulled open the staircase door. If Sylviane wouldn't let him see Kaede then he could at least talk to his familiar over their telepathy. It was ''ridiculous'' that he didn't even know what Kaede had been up to these past two days and three nights.

	But regardless of what he did next, he needed to leave the Princess' presence.		But regardless of what he did next, he needed to leave the Princess' presence. In his current emotional state, the longer he stayed the more he was likely to do something he might regret.

	"Pascal..." Sylviane was still at a loss for words when he walked through the door.		"Pascal..." Sylviane was still at a loss for words when he walked through the door.
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	Reluctantly, Sylviane nodded to herself. "<nowiki><I</nowiki> know... I've been holding back too...>"		Reluctantly, Sylviane nodded to herself. "<nowiki><I</nowiki> know... I've been holding back too...>"

	''It's not like I've forced her into lingerie... yet.''		''It's not like I've forced her into any lingerie... yet.''

	The Princess thought to compare Kaede with Vivienne, or Vivi as Sylviane affectionately called her. She was always so obedient, wearing what she'd been given and doing as she'd been told. Kaede seemed to be more bashful compared to Vivi, but that also had a charm of its own as it only added to the girl's cuteness.		The Princess thought to compare Kaede with Vivienne, or Vivi as Sylviane affectionately called her. She was always so obedient, wearing what she'd been given and doing as she'd been told. Kaede seemed to be more bashful compared to Vivi, but that also had a charm of its own as it only added to the girl's cuteness.
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	Cecylia laughed. "<You don't have to remind me!>"		Cecylia laughed. "<You don't have to remind me!>"

	"<And as for Kaede, what if she starts sleeping with him?>" Sylviane's eyes narrowed. "<And I mean: actually laying together, not just sharing a bed.>"		"<And as for Kaede, what if she starts sleeping with him?>" Sylviane's eyes narrowed. "<And I mean: actually laying together, not just sharing a bed.>"

	The Princess already knew they did that at his academy dormitory.		The Princess noted as she already knew they did that at his academy dormitory.

			"<nowiki><I</nowiki> mean sure, she doesn't seem to be romantically interested in him ''now'',>" Sylviane then added. "<But they have over a hundred years of life together ahead!>"

	"<Then at least you'll have a guarantee that there isn't some other woman whom he might be spending time with.>" Cecylia answered straight. "<nowiki><I</nowiki> mean think about it, Sylv. You'll be the Empress, and he'll be your Marshal. There'll be months, even years when he goes on campaign and you two will be apart. And like all men pressed into the stress of battle, he'll feel lonely from time the time, seek the comfort of feminine embrace...>"		"<Then at least you'll have a guarantee that there isn't some other woman whom he might be spending time with.>" Cecylia answered straight. "<nowiki><I</nowiki> mean think about it, Sylv. You'll be the Empress, and he'll be your Marshal. There'll be months, even years when he goes on campaign and you two will be apart. And like all men pressed into the stress of battle, he'll feel lonely from time the time, seek the comfort of feminine embrace...>"
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	"<nowiki><I</nowiki> can see that. And I know Pascal hates being micromanaged, so it's best I leave a task with him and not interfere. But I can't just let Kaede orbit him all day...>" Sylviane scowled.		"<nowiki><I</nowiki> can see that. And I know Pascal hates being micromanaged, so it's best I leave a task with him and not interfere. But I can't just let Kaede orbit him all day...>" Sylviane scowled.

	"<Why not?>" Cecylia countered with ~~another cute giggle~~. "<You've already made it clear to the girl that you can keep them apart. Now you can show her that they can be together too. Just make sure she knows that it is ''at your discretion''. It reinforces the idea that she'll want to stay on your good side. Kaede has a plucky exterior, but she also has a rather submissive nature -- I could tell almost immediately when I teased her that night.>"		"<Why not?>" Cecylia countered. "<Sylv, you do realize that keeping them apart is no long term solution? Pascal's sense of responsibility would never allow it. It's why he grew angry with you today. You have to use more subtle means of controlling Kaede if you want to make your future marriage with Pascal work.>"

			"<nowiki><I</nowiki> understand that. But it's just...>" Sylviane remarked as she struggled to put her feelings into words.

			She knew she was being irrational. She knew that trying to keep Kaede from Pascal wouldn't work, certainly not in the long term. Yet she didn't want these past two days to end, when it was just the Pascal and her once again...

			"<You've already made it clear to the girl that you can keep them apart.>" Cecylia pointed out. "<Now you can show her that they can be together too. Just make sure she knows that it is ''at your discretion''. It reinforces the idea that she'll want to stay on your good side. Kaede has a plucky exterior, but she also has a rather submissive nature -- I could tell almost immediately when I teased her that night.>"

	Sylviane grinned a little as she knew exactly how Cecylia operated. Beneath the adorable tease was a shrewd, calculating girl with a domineering personality. Yet despite this, the dhampir had never tried to manipulate the Princess. It was one of the reasons they'd been best friends since childhood.		Sylviane grinned a little as she knew exactly how Cecylia operated. Beneath the adorable tease was a shrewd, calculating girl with a domineering personality. Yet despite this, the dhampir had never tried to manipulate the Princess. It was one of the reasons they'd been best friends since childhood.

Aorii at 18:47, 1 June 2021

2021-06-01T18:47:01Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 18:47, 1 June 2021
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	It summoned only a louder, more resentful groan from the Samaran girl.		It summoned only a louder, more resentful groan from the Samaran girl.

	''Bear with it~~...~~'' Kaede had to ~~remind~~ herself. It was important that she keep her word to the Princess and not create more reasons to be disliked ~~right now~~.		''Bear with it for now,'' Kaede had to tell herself. It was important that she keep her word to the Princess and not create more reasons to be disliked at present.

	"Be glad then that Her Highness isn't the one pulling," Rachel remarked almost off-handedly. "Her standards for a 'proper waistline' are far stricter than mine."		"Be glad then that Her Highness isn't the one pulling," Rachel remarked almost off-handedly. "Her standards for a 'proper waistline' are far stricter than mine."

Aorii at 12:41, 30 May 2021

2021-05-30T12:41:16Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 12:41, 30 May 2021
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	It summoned only a louder, more resentful groan from the Samaran girl.		It summoned only a louder, more resentful groan from the Samaran girl.

	''Bear with it... ~~for now,~~'' Kaede had to remind herself. It was important that she ~~not give~~ the Princess ~~any~~ reasons to ~~dislike her even more~~ right now.		''Bear with it...'' Kaede had to remind herself. It was important that she keep her word to the Princess and not create more reasons to be disliked right now.

	"Be glad then that Her Highness isn't the one pulling," Rachel remarked almost off-handedly. "Her standards for a 'proper waistline' are far stricter than mine."		"Be glad then that Her Highness isn't the one pulling," Rachel remarked almost off-handedly. "Her standards for a 'proper waistline' are far stricter than mine."

Aorii at 12:37, 30 May 2021

2021-05-30T12:37:38Z

Aorii at 17:44, 10 April 2021

2021-04-10T17:44:03Z

Aorii at 15:13, 19 December 2020

2020-12-19T15:13:47Z

Show changes

← Older revision		Revision as of 12:37, 30 May 2021
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	===Chapter 7 - Pecking Order===		===Chapter 7 - Pecking Order===

	"I can't ~~breath~~..."		"I can't breathe..."

	Kaede gasped out as she leaned forward with her hands holding onto the table's edge. Rachel, the head maid, was tightening the laces on her back, and it was impressive how much strength the old woman's bony fingers had.		Kaede gasped out as she leaned forward with her hands holding onto the table's edge. Rachel, the head maid, was tightening the laces on her back, and it was impressive how much strength the old woman's bony fingers had.
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	It summoned only a louder, more resentful groan from the Samaran girl.		It summoned only a louder, more resentful groan from the Samaran girl.

			''Bear with it... for now,'' Kaede had to remind herself. It was important that she not give the Princess any reasons to dislike her even more right now.

	"Be glad then that Her Highness isn't the one pulling," Rachel remarked almost off-handedly. "Her standards for a 'proper waistline' are far stricter than mine."		"Be glad then that Her Highness isn't the one pulling," Rachel remarked almost off-handedly. "Her standards for a 'proper waistline' are far stricter than mine."
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	She could almost see Cecylia's satisfied smile as the other continued:		She could almost see Cecylia's satisfied smile as the other continued:

	"<Pascal was never the hand-holding kind. He is a doer. He might not be an outright workaholic like his father, but he nevertheless ~~need~~ something to ''do'', constantly. In fact, it's probably why he summoned a familiar like Kaede -- a walking encyclopedia like her could help him much in whatever he chooses to accomplish. My guess is even when he doesn't have a task to do, he would be bouncing ideas off her all day... that's probably been happening ever since he summoned her a month back.>"		"<Pascal was never the hand-holding kind. He is a doer. He might not be an outright workaholic like his father, but he nevertheless needs something to ''do'', constantly. In fact, it's probably why he summoned a familiar like Kaede -- a walking encyclopedia like her could help him much in whatever he chooses to accomplish. My guess is even when he doesn't have a task to do, he would be bouncing ideas off her all day... that's probably been happening ever since he summoned her a month back.>"

	Sylviane pursed her lips as she leaned back and fell into her huge, four-poster bed. This wasn't the first time she had heard Cecylia compare Kaede to an encyclopedia. Nevertheless it brought a surge of irritation as she imagined Pascal and Kaede chatting for hours on end... just like how she and Pascal used to talk on the shores of Cross Lake.		Sylviane pursed her lips as she leaned back and fell into her huge, four-poster bed. This wasn't the first time she had heard Cecylia compare Kaede to an encyclopedia. Nevertheless it brought a surge of irritation as she imagined Pascal and Kaede chatting for hours on end... just like how she and Pascal used to talk on the shores of Cross Lake.
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	She could almost feel Cecylia giggling to herself the ''Farspeak'' spell's other end.		She could almost feel Cecylia giggling to herself the ''Farspeak'' spell's other end.

	"<That's because you always have something more specific to talk about nowadays.>" Cecylia noted. "<nowiki><It's</nowiki> always this rowdy lord or that troublesome task. You don't quite have the pleasure to just meander as you used to! But really, you should see this ~~has~~ a ''good'' thing.>"		"<That's because you always have something more specific to talk about nowadays.>" Cecylia noted. "<nowiki><It's</nowiki> always this rowdy lord or that troublesome task. You don't quite have the pleasure to just meander as you used to! But really, you should see this as a ''good'' thing.>"

	Sylviane frowned as she stared at her bed's velvet ceiling, which was dyed in her favorite lavender color. "<nowiki><I</nowiki> don't see how.>"		Sylviane frowned as she stared at her bed's velvet ceiling, which was dyed in her favorite lavender color. "<nowiki><I</nowiki> don't see how.>"
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	Reluctantly, Sylviane nodded to herself. "<nowiki><I</nowiki> know... I've been holding back too...>"		Reluctantly, Sylviane nodded to herself. "<nowiki><I</nowiki> know... I've been holding back too...>"

	''I ~~haven~~'~~t even chosen~~ her lingerie ~~yet~~... ~~nor seen her in them~~.''		''It's not like I've forced her into lingerie... yet.''

	The Princess thought to compare Kaede with Vivienne, or Vivi as Sylviane affectionately called her. She was always so obedient, wearing what she'd been given and doing as she'd been told. Kaede seemed to be more bashful compared to Vivi, but that also had a charm of its own as it only added to the girl's cuteness.		The Princess thought to compare Kaede with Vivienne, or Vivi as Sylviane affectionately called her. She was always so obedient, wearing what she'd been given and doing as she'd been told. Kaede seemed to be more bashful compared to Vivi, but that also had a charm of its own as it only added to the girl's cuteness.
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	"<And that's exactly what I'm working on.>" Sylviane replied. "<nowiki><It's</nowiki> just...>"		"<And that's exactly what I'm working on.>" Sylviane replied. "<nowiki><It's</nowiki> just...>"

	"<You're trying to impose your dominance over her, over their relationship. I know.>" Cecylia filled in after the Princess trailed off. "<But you're going about it too hastily. You have take it one step at a time. Discipline her, sure, but offer treats for good behavior as well. If Kaede has been obedient to your will, then you should let her see him more as a reward. The girl is trapped in a foreign world entirely different from the one she was raised on. She'll be happy just to hold onto her pillar of support.>"		"<You're trying to impose your dominance over her, over their relationship. I know.>" Cecylia filled in after the Princess trailed off. "<But you're going about it too hastily. You have to take it one step at a time. Discipline her, sure, but offer treats for good behavior as well. If Kaede has been obedient to your will, then you should let her see him more as a reward. The girl is trapped in a foreign world entirely different from the one she was raised on. She'll be happy just to hold onto her pillar of support.>"

	Sylviane slowly nodded as she thought back to Cecylia's first assessment on the familiar girl. After taking a trip to the Alisia Academy at Sylviane's request, Cecylia concluded that Kaede wasn't the type who adapted to new environments well. The Samaran girl put on a brave face but she was actually quite scared to be in this world. It was why she embraced every pillar of support she could find, unwilling to let go of even a maidservant-turned-traitor whom she befriended.		Sylviane slowly nodded as she thought back to Cecylia's first assessment on the familiar girl. After taking a trip to the Alisia Academy at Sylviane's request, Cecylia concluded that Kaede wasn't the type who adapted to new environments well. The Samaran girl put on a brave face but she was actually quite scared to be in this world. It was why she embraced every pillar of support she could find, unwilling to let go of even a maidservant-turned-traitor whom she befriended.
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	"<nowiki><I</nowiki> can see that. And I know Pascal hates being micromanaged, so it's best I leave a task with him and not interfere. But I can't just let Kaede orbit him all day...>" Sylviane scowled.		"<nowiki><I</nowiki> can see that. And I know Pascal hates being micromanaged, so it's best I leave a task with him and not interfere. But I can't just let Kaede orbit him all day...>" Sylviane scowled.

	"<Why not?>" Cecylia countered with another cute giggle. "<You've already made it clear to the girl that you can keep them apart. Now you can show her that they can be together too. Just make sure she knows that it is ''at your discretion''. It reinforces the idea that she'll want to stay on your good side. Kaede has a plucky exterior, but she also has a ~~very~~ submissive nature -- I could tell almost immediately when I teased her that night.>"		"<Why not?>" Cecylia countered with another cute giggle. "<You've already made it clear to the girl that you can keep them apart. Now you can show her that they can be together too. Just make sure she knows that it is ''at your discretion''. It reinforces the idea that she'll want to stay on your good side. Kaede has a plucky exterior, but she also has a rather submissive nature -- I could tell almost immediately when I teased her that night.>"

	Sylviane grinned a little as she knew exactly how Cecylia operated. Beneath the adorable tease was a shrewd, calculating girl with a domineering personality. Yet despite this, the dhampir had never tried to manipulate the Princess. It was one of the reasons they'd been best friends since childhood.		Sylviane grinned a little as she knew exactly how Cecylia operated. Beneath the adorable tease was a shrewd, calculating girl with a domineering personality. Yet despite this, the dhampir had never tried to manipulate the Princess. It was one of the reasons they'd been best friends since childhood.

← Older revision		Revision as of 17:44, 10 April 2021
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	"I fail to see how 'meditation' has anything to do with strangling my lungs." Kaede gasped out as the leather corset around her waist tightened another notch. She could feel how it forcely shaped her waist into an hourglass-like arc. "Why do I have to wear this again?"		"I fail to see how 'meditation' has anything to do with strangling my lungs." Kaede gasped out as the leather corset around her waist tightened another notch. She could feel how it forcely shaped her waist into an hourglass-like arc. "Why do I have to wear this again?"

	"Because Her Highness ordered it," Rachel reminded the familiar girl. Though her words ran with approval as she continued: "besides, every girl wears one. It helps you maintain better posture and ~~forces~~ you to move more gracefully. Even the Princess' dress has a leather corset sewn in."		"Because Her Highness ordered it," Rachel reminded the familiar girl. Though her words ran with approval as she continued: "besides, every girl wears one. It helps you maintain better posture, provides support for your back through a day's work, and trains you to move more gracefully. Even the Princess' dress has a leather corset sewn in."

	Kaede did notice that all of the palace maids had a leather cincher around their waist, which hugged their midsections from below the chest to above the hips. The Princess' dress had it was well. Though in her outfit, the leather simply blended in with the other patches that were meant to anchor armor straps.		Kaede did notice that all of the palace maids had a leather cincher around their waist, which hugged their midsections from below the chest to above the hips. The Princess' dress had it was well. Though in her outfit, the leather simply blended in with the other patches that were meant to anchor armor straps.
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	"Many Lotharin woman also know how to use a hunting bow," Rachel added. "Though that's not of much use against soldiers in proper armor. A military-grade bow however is far more strenuous than what most women can manage."		"Many Lotharin woman also know how to use a hunting bow," Rachel added. "Though that's not of much use against soldiers in proper armor. A military-grade bow however is far more strenuous than what most women can manage."

	Kaede nodded sadly as she glanced down at her thin arms. Before coming to this world, Kaede had built up enough arm strength to pull a ''yumi'' greatbow to shoot ~~two~~ dozen consecutive arrows. Now? Her muscles were so weak even carrying stacks of books proved difficult. Strength training seemed a waste of time when her current build was so poorly suited for it. Thus as a result, she had to rely on Pascal's magic whenever she wanted to practice.		Kaede nodded sadly as she glanced down at her thin arms. Before coming to this world, Kaede had built up enough arm strength to pull a ''yumi'' greatbow to shoot a dozen consecutive arrows. Now? Her muscles were so weak even carrying stacks of books proved difficult. Strength training seemed a waste of time when her current build was so poorly suited for it. Thus as a result, she had to rely on Pascal's magic whenever she wanted to practice.

	"Do Lotharin women serve in the military then?" She asked next, shifting the topic to one involving her curiosity rather than her loss.		"Do Lotharin women serve in the military then?" She asked next, shifting the topic to one involving her curiosity rather than her loss.
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	"Of course, but I had to pay first, and it gave him a head start," Alistair recounted. "By the time I left the tavern I couldn't believe my eyes. A drove of pigs had wandered outside between the exit and our horses left outside the fence. The good, fat bishop couldn't even tell the difference as he saddled up on the largest hog instead!"		"Of course, but I had to pay first, and it gave him a head start," Alistair recounted. "By the time I left the tavern I couldn't believe my eyes. A drove of pigs had wandered outside between the exit and our horses left outside the fence. The good, fat bishop couldn't even tell the difference as he saddled up on the largest hog instead!"

	Sylviane almost snorted into her food, while Emperor Geoffroi didn't hold back and burst out laughing. Even Pascal couldn't help but give a chortle. The young landgrave might not like Alistair in many ways, but he had to admit that the King was quite a storyteller ~~-- there~~ was a reason why many of Alistair's tales and ~~adventurers~~ could now be found circulating the taverns of Rhin-Lotharingie.		Sylviane almost snorted into her food, while Emperor Geoffroi didn't hold back and burst out laughing. Even Pascal couldn't help but give a chortle. The young landgrave might not like Alistair in many ways, but he had to admit that the King was quite a storyteller. There was a reason why many of Alistair's tales and adventures could now be found circulating the taverns of Rhin-Lotharingie.

	"It took a moment for my shock to wear off before I shouted at him: 'Wait Archbishop! That's a pig!'" Alistair feigned yelling. "But the good bishop didn't seem to care as he grabbed the swine by the ears and kicked its rear. The squealing hog charged right through the rickety fence gate and up the meadowed hill to the west. It was dusk too and the image was almost picturesque: a prelate riding a pig off into the sunset!"		"It took a moment for my shock to wear off before I shouted at him: 'Wait Archbishop! That's a pig!'" Alistair feigned yelling. "But the good bishop didn't seem to care as he grabbed the swine by the ears and kicked its rear. The squealing hog charged right through the rickety fence gate and up the meadowed hill to the west. It was dusk too and the image was almost picturesque: a prelate riding a pig off into the sunset!"
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	"Then I will call her down." Pascal insisted. "I have neither seen nor spoken to her, at least not face-to-face, for two days! I need to know if she has been doing alright in this new place."		"Then I will call her down." Pascal insisted. "I have neither seen nor spoken to her, at least not face-to-face, for two days! I need to know if she has been doing alright in this new place."

	Pascal's thoughts replayed Kaede's depressed reply from earlier, when he had asked her if she wanted to join them for dinner. He turned away to grab the handle of the door to the stairway. However before he could open it, Sylviane took hold of his arm and stopped him.		Pascal's thoughts replayed Kaede's depressed reply from earlier, when he had asked her if she wanted to join them for dinner. Even now the emotions that emerged across their link remained gloomy and restless. He turned away to grab the handle of the door to the stairway. However before he could open it, Sylviane took hold of his arm and stopped him.

	"It's almost eleven. Kaede is probably asleep by now."		"It's almost eleven. Kaede is probably asleep by now."
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	"I'm not--" Sylviane tried to say before an angry glare from Pascal stopped her cold.		"I'm not--" Sylviane tried to say before an angry glare from Pascal stopped her cold.

	Her eyes swelled as though they were in shock. Her lips were left ajar as though she had forgotten what to even say.		Her eyes swelled as though they were in shock. Her lips were left ajar as though she had forgotten what to even say. There was a glint in her eyes that saw him as something... foreign, even frightening. It was as though she had never seen him like this.

	There was a glint in her eyes that saw him as something... foreign, even frightening. It was as though she had never seen him like this.

	''She might be right too.'' A faint voice in the back of his mind whispered, almost begged for the rest of him to calm down. ''I have never been like this in front of her.''		''She might be right too.'' A faint voice in the back of his mind whispered, almost begged for the rest of him to calm down. ''I have never been like this in front of her.''
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	"<--And he just stormed off after that. Can you believe it?>" Sylviane complained over a ''Farspeak'' spell as she conversed with Cecylia. The dhampir was probably her best, and only, female friend from childhood.		"<...And he just stormed off after that. Can you believe it?>" Sylviane complained over a ''Farspeak'' spell as she conversed with Cecylia. The dhampir was probably her best, and only, female friend from childhood.

	It was strange in many ways: the only real friends Sylviane had as a child were from a country that she had been kidnapped to during wartime. As a kid, she had never been any good at breaking down barriers. The fact that she was a princess had set up a great many of them in any social encounter.		It was strange in many ways: the only real friends Sylviane had as a child were from a country that she had been kidnapped to during wartime. As a kid, she had never been any good at breaking down barriers. The fact that she was a princess had set up a great many of them in any social encounter.
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	"<No!>" The Princess retorted almost on instinct. "<Well. I had her squeezed into a dress. Apparently the girl had never worn a corset before. But that's all!>"		"<No!>" The Princess retorted almost on instinct. "<Well. I had her squeezed into a dress. Apparently the girl had never worn a corset before. But that's all!>"

	"<Hehe. That's 'normal' for you. I just wanted to make sure you haven't tortured the poor girl or something. You do have a sadistic streak-->"		"<Hehe. That's 'normal' for you. I just wanted to make sure you haven't tortured the poor girl or something. You do have a sadistic streak...>"

	Cecylia didn't even finish before Sylviane bolted to sit upright in her bed. Her voice immediately hissed back:		Cecylia didn't even finish before Sylviane bolted to sit upright in her bed. Her voice immediately hissed back: