Daybreak:Volume 3 Chapter 3 - Revision history

Aorii at 13:24, 6 April 2017

2017-04-06T13:24:34Z

Aorii at 01:56, 29 December 2015

2015-12-29T01:56:24Z

Aorii at 06:03, 1 December 2015

2015-12-01T06:03:37Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 06:03, 1 December 2015
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	The map also marked the 'current location' in red. An extra semi-transparent overlay covered all within fifty kilopaces, displaying weather effects like the wintry mix of sleet and rain descending upon the northeast.		The map also marked the 'current location' in red. An extra semi-transparent overlay covered all within fifty kilopaces, displaying weather effects like the wintry mix of sleet and rain descending upon the northeast.

	Yet despite the impressive display features, the map was woefully incomplete. When zoomed all the way out, Kaede could see the huge masses of cloudy gray that represented terra incognita. Narrow lanes cut across the far oceans of the world and through the 'Frontier' continents, where much of the eastern coastal regions -- as much as the Thirteen Colonies, Caribbeans, and Argentina combined -- were marked as Skagen colonial territory. But the interiors of the Hyperion and Eurypha continents were unknown, not to mention most of Asia's equivalent in this world.		Yet despite the impressive display features, the map was woefully incomplete. When zoomed all the way out, Kaede could see the huge masses of cloudy gray that represented terra incognita. Narrow lanes cut across the far oceans of the world and through the 'Frontier' continents, where much of the eastern coastal regions -- as much as the Thirteen Colonies, Caribbeans, and Argentina combined -- were marked as Skagen colonial territory. But the interiors of the Hyperion and Eurypha continents were largely unknown, not to mention most of Asia's equivalent in this world.

	''Give it another century and Skagen will have an empire on which the sun never sets,'' she thought.		''Give it another century and Skagen will have an empire on which the sun never sets,'' she thought.
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	"Why couldn't you just manage your own food during the campaign?" Sylviane asked from her seat across the table from Kaede.		"Why couldn't you just manage your own food during the campaign?" Sylviane asked from her seat across the table from Kaede.

			The Princess had changed before dinner into a satin evening gown in royal blue, with delicate lace framing her narrow shoulders and silken gloves hugging her thin arms. It made Kaede wonder just how often the Princess came to Nordkreuz to justify outfitting a wardrobe here.

	"The army's policy is no special treatment in regards to anything concerning logistics," Pascal explained. "We have too many nobles in the military. If everyone demands this and that of their own, even the most efficient supply train would be overburdened. So to remove any potential conflicts, our founder King Ferdinand wrote it into the Writ of Universal Conscription that everyone receives the same bland rations in the field; with priority based on military rather than social rank if supplies fall short of needs."		"The army's policy is no special treatment in regards to anything concerning logistics," Pascal explained. "We have too many nobles in the military. If everyone demands this and that of their own, even the most efficient supply train would be overburdened. So to remove any potential conflicts, our founder King Ferdinand wrote it into the Writ of Universal Conscription that everyone receives the same bland rations in the field; with priority based on military rather than social rank if supplies fall short of needs."

Aorii at 15:08, 2 November 2015

2015-11-02T15:08:42Z

Aorii: Created page with "===Chapter 3 - Budding Familiarity=== Kaede hardly noticed as the maid Marina brought her dinner in. Her focus was still transfixed upon the scroll-like magical map, each han..."

2015-08-31T14:13:49Z

Created page with "===Chapter 3 - Budding Familiarity=== Kaede hardly noticed as the maid Marina brought her dinner in. Her focus was still transfixed upon the scroll-like magical map, each han..."

Show changes

← Older revision		Revision as of 13:24, 6 April 2017
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	Hence why the only outsiders to succeed in an invasion of Russia... were the Mongols.		Hence why the only outsiders to succeed in an invasion of Russia... were the Mongols.

	With her napkin set in place, Kaede prepared herself to dig in. Her Sauerbraten beef roast was flavored with red wine and raisins ~~in Rheinischer style~~. She also had potato dumplings, white asparagus with Hollandaise sauce, and as always -- more sausages, even as a side.		With her napkin set in place, Kaede prepared herself to dig in. Her Sauerbraten beef roast was flavored with red wine and raisins. She also had potato dumplings, white asparagus with Hollandaise sauce, and as always -- more sausages, even as a side.

	''I swear Weichsel has a wiener obsession,'' she commented to herself. Her fork raised and ready.		''I swear Weichsel has a wiener obsession,'' she commented to herself. Her fork raised and ready.
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	"Not so fast," the Princess stared with disapproval. "I don't know how your world's God prefers it. But here in Hyperion, prayers first."		"Not so fast," the Princess stared with disapproval. "I don't know how your world's God prefers it. But here in Hyperion, prayers first."

	Kaede put her utensils down again with an impatient scowl. Her meal was about to taste a minute colder through no fault of her own due to the gross religious tyranny against her freedom of... ingesting. As such, it ~~should~~ be within her right to protest by adorning her head with the holiest symbol of the pasta gods: the colander.		Kaede put her utensils down again with an impatient scowl. Her meal was about to taste a minute colder through no fault of her own due to the gross religious tyranny against her freedom of... ingesting. As such, it shall be within her right to protest by adorning her head with the holiest symbol of the pasta gods: the colander.

	But then, she doubted the Almighty -- whatever form he or she might take -- would approve of her being disrespectful of others practicing their own faiths. After all, there was ''no'' holy text that claims 'thou shalt be an intolerant cur'; not even the Abrahamic ones, despite the popular notions of their more zealous believers.		But then, she doubted the Almighty -- whatever form he or she might take -- would approve of her being disrespectful of others practicing their own faiths. After all, there was ''no'' holy text that claims 'thou shalt be an intolerant cur'; not even the Abrahamic ones, despite the popular notions of their more zealous believers.
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	"They're an entrenched heresy in the Kingdom of Garona," the Princess explained without even an attempt at holding back her derisive tone. "They believe that the Old Testament and everything written within, including the creation of the world, was the work of the Devil."		"They're an entrenched heresy in the Kingdom of Garona," the Princess explained without even an attempt at holding back her derisive tone. "They believe that the Old Testament and everything written within, including the creation of the world, was the work of the Devil."

	"Crazy fools," Pascal ~~jumped in on the mockery himself~~, before ~~adding~~ a little fairness:		"Crazy fools," Pascal added, before offering a little fairness:

	"Although you have to admit, the Holy Father did change quite a bit between the Old and New Testaments. He was so vengeful and full of wrath in the older tales -- the very antithesis of our merciful Savior."		"Although you have to admit, the Holy Father did change quite a bit between the Old and New Testaments. He was so vengeful and full of wrath in the older tales -- the very antithesis of our merciful Savior."
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	"The Empire of Rhin-Lotharingie was born from a coalition of rebellious forces who rose up against the Holy Imperium's attempt to enforce Trinitian conversion," Pascal noted as he stirred his thickening soup. "When an empire begins like that, its laws and rulers must learn to accept religious differences from the very start."		"The Empire of Rhin-Lotharingie was born from a coalition of rebellious forces who rose up against the Holy Imperium's attempt to enforce Trinitian conversion," Pascal noted as he stirred his thickening soup. "When an empire begins like that, its laws and rulers must learn to accept religious differences from the very start."

	"Quite, although other factors like taxes raised for the ~~war against the Caliphate~~ and cultural encroachment were also major contributors," the Princess clarified. "Religious Autonomy is one of the few common laws within the Empire -- the regional lords are allowed to choose their own religious leanings. ~~For example, there~~ are several duchies within the Kingdom of Gleann Mòr that still openly worship the Northmen's pagan gods, not to mention the druidic minorities in the Kingdom of Ceredigion."		"Quite, although other factors like taxes raised for the First Crusade and cultural encroachment were also major contributors," the Princess clarified. "Religious Autonomy is one of the few common laws within the Empire -- the regional lords are allowed to choose their own religious leanings. There are several duchies within the Kingdom of Gleann Mòr that still openly worship the Northmen's pagan gods, not to mention the druidic minorities in the Kingdom of Ceredigion."

	"Practicality over piety then," Kaede noted as she stabbed a sausage. "No wonder why the Pope dislikes your country."		"Practicality over piety then," Kaede noted as she stabbed a sausage. "No wonder why the Pope dislikes your country."
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	...The last thing she needed from Pascal was a patronizing lecture on 'getting fat'.		...The last thing she needed from Pascal was a patronizing lecture on 'getting fat'.

	"Evening," Kaede ~~raised~~ her ~~hand~~ in greeting as she passed two maids walking the opposite way.		"Evening," Kaede bowed her head in greeting as she passed two maids walking the opposite way.

	She received two curtsies and fake smiles in return, but not a single opportunity for friendly conversation.		She received two curtsies and fake smiles in return, but not a single opportunity for friendly conversation.
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	Events in real life always proved wishful thinking wrong in the most unpleasant way.		Events in real life always proved wishful thinking wrong in the most unpleasant way.

	The problem was: part of her was afraid of exactly what they said. Perhaps the Princess really was just tolerating her for the moment, and would seek to remove her as soon as they tied the knot in the eyes of God. Nothing brought cruelty out like jealousy; ~~and~~ in a world like this, facing the guillotine might even be a 'good end' compared to, say, being vanished off onto the black market as a slave.		The problem was: part of her was afraid of exactly what they just said. Perhaps the Princess really was just tolerating her for the moment, and would seek to remove her as soon as they tied the knot in the eyes of God. Nothing brought cruelty out like jealousy; in a world like this, facing the guillotine might even be a 'good end' compared to, say, being vanished off onto the black market as a slave.

	''No, no,'' Kaede closed her eyes and shook her head. ''I can't think the worst of people. It's neither fair nor right.''		''No, no,'' Kaede closed her eyes and shook her head. ''I can't think the worst of people. It's neither fair nor right.''
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	''She is trying to be nice.''		''She is trying to be nice.''

	Kaede stopped by a window at the edge of the hallway's turn, one of those upper class Weichsel windows with beautiful stained glass framing its transparent center. ~~Exerting her meager strength, she managed to~~ open it to the icy winds outside. The cold air billowing in from the lake stung her cheeks. But at the same time, feeling the refreshing chill, listening to relaxing waves of Cross Lake washing ashore -- it was exactly what she needed to calm her conflicted thoughts.		Kaede stopped by a window at the edge of the hallway's turn, one of those upper class Weichsel windows with beautiful stained glass framing its transparent center. She pushed it open to the icy winds outside. The cold air billowing in from the lake stung her cheeks. But at the same time, feeling the refreshing chill, listening to relaxing waves of Cross Lake washing ashore -- it was exactly what she needed to calm her conflicted thoughts.

	Thankfully for her small shoulders and even smaller hands, her self-heating garments continued to keep her body at a soothing warmth.		Thankfully for her small shoulders and even smaller hands, her self-heating garments continued to keep her body at a soothing warmth.
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	"Perhaps if Your Highness stopped doing it," the lady's maid replied in her ever composed tone.		"Perhaps if Your Highness stopped doing it," the lady's maid replied in her ever composed tone.

	"That's easy for you to say. I wasn't born with good metabolism you know, and I certainly don't need to hear anyone else mocking me for my appearance~~, ever~~... least of all Pascal."		"That's easy for you to say. I wasn't born with good metabolism you know, and I certainly don't need to hear anyone else mocking me for my appearance again... least of all Pascal."

	Kaede was a hundred percent certain that she ''shouldn't be here''. She definitely shouldn't be hearing this. But at this point, any movement from her was more likely to give her presence away.		Kaede was a hundred percent certain that she ''shouldn't be here''. She definitely shouldn't be hearing this. But at this point, any movement from her was more likely to give her presence away.
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	Sylviane then paused to take a few deep breathes.		Sylviane then paused to take a few deep breathes.

	"In any case, we've been over this a hundred times. Just help me back to my room, then get me something to drown this wretched taste out of my mouth."		"In any case, we've been over this a hundred times. Just help me back to my room, then get me something to drown this wretched taste out of my mouth."

	Neither said anything after that, and the pair of footsteps began moving down the hallway in the other direction.		Neither said anything after that, and the pair of footsteps began moving down the hallway in the other direction.

	Only when Kaede heard their steps traverse far down the hall did she ~~let go of~~ the breath that she unconsciously held. Peeking across the corner once more, she confirmed they were gone before thinking to herself:		Only when Kaede heard their steps traverse far down the hall did she exhale the breath that she had unconsciously held. Peeking across the corner once more, she confirmed they were gone before thinking to herself:

	''She threw up. Intentionally. And not for the first time.''		''She threw up. Intentionally. And not for the first time.''
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	Sylviane's appearance might not be exceptional, but she did have the slim figure that girls in well-fed societies sought as the epitome of beauty.		Sylviane's appearance might not be exceptional, but she did have the slim figure that girls in well-fed societies sought as the epitome of beauty.

	Kaede ~~did~~ understand why people turned to such ends. Many girls in Japan were borderline if not outright anorexic, pressured by the demands of society and unfair gender expectations. Except, for Sylviane, not touching her food was hardly an option. After all, she attended a lot of banquets and feasts with men -- who are blessed with high metabolism in their youth and tended to run loose with weight as they aged.		Kaede could understand why people turned to such ends. Many girls in Japan were borderline if not outright anorexic, pressured by the demands of society and unfair gender expectations. Except, for Sylviane, not touching her food was hardly an option. After all, she attended a lot of banquets and feasts with men -- who are blessed with high metabolism in their youth and tended to run loose with weight as they aged.

	''But still... does Pascal know about this?''		''But still... does Pascal know about this?''
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	"<u>I can imagine!</u>" Kaede almost said out loud. "<u>So she's been doing this for at least seven, eight years already? It's a really unhealthy habit!</u>"		"<u>I can imagine!</u>" Kaede almost said out loud. "<u>So she's been doing this for at least seven, eight years already? It's a really unhealthy habit!</u>"

	"<u>I think she already knows that; although healing magic goes a long way to patching up any damage ~~to her throat~~. Either way, I am not going to scold a girl about her eating or dieting habits when she has a complex over appearances. People may think me insensitive, but I am far from downright stupid.</u>"		"<u>I think she already knows that; although healing magic goes a long way to patching up any damage. Either way, I am not going to scold a girl about her eating or dieting habits when she has a complex over appearances. People may think me insensitive, but I am far from downright stupid.</u>

	"<u>Besides...</u>" Pascal continued on. "<u>She has enough pressure on her without me nitpicking her bad habits. None of us are perfect, after all.</u>"		"<u>Besides...</u>" Pascal continued on. "<u>She has enough pressure on her without me nitpicking her bad habits. None of us are perfect, after all.</u>"
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	"As a spy?" Kaede realized immediately, her hands reflexively rising to wave 'no'.		"As a spy?" Kaede realized immediately, her hands reflexively rising to wave 'no'.

	"I did think of it," she admitted. "But I swear that wasn't my intention in asking you. Sure, opportunities ~~might~~ arise, and I ~~can~~'~~t guarantee that I won't~~ raise the topic. But I promise you this: I will not force you to do anything that you feel uncomfortable with, or undertake a risk that I would not be willing to take upon myself."		"I did think of it," she admitted. "But I swear that wasn't my intention in asking you. Sure, opportunities may arise, and I'll probably raise the topic. But I promise you this: I will not force you to do anything that you feel uncomfortable with, or undertake a risk that I would not be willing to take upon myself."

	Staring back at the maid's downcast, worried gaze, Kaede felt her stomach twist in anticipation, concerned that she might have ruined the best opportunity she had thus far at patching up things with her first friend in this world.		Staring back at the maid's downcast, worried gaze, Kaede felt her stomach twist in anticipation, concerned that she might have ruined the best opportunity she had thus far at patching up things with her first friend in this world.

← Older revision		Revision as of 01:56, 29 December 2015
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	"Why couldn't you just manage your own food during the campaign?" Sylviane asked from her seat across the table from Kaede.		"Why couldn't you just manage your own food during the campaign?" Sylviane asked from her seat across the table from Kaede.

	The Princess had changed before dinner into a ~~satin~~ evening gown in royal blue, with delicate lace framing her narrow shoulders and silken gloves hugging her thin arms. It made Kaede wonder just how often the Princess came to Nordkreuz to justify outfitting a wardrobe here.		The Princess had changed before dinner into a velvet evening gown in royal blue, with delicate lace framing her narrow shoulders and silken gloves hugging her thin arms. It made Kaede wonder just how often the Princess came to Nordkreuz to justify outfitting a wardrobe here.

	"The army's policy is no special treatment in regards to anything concerning logistics," Pascal explained. "We have too many nobles in the military. If everyone demands this and that of their own, even the most efficient supply train would be overburdened. So to remove any potential conflicts, our founder King Ferdinand wrote it into the Writ of Universal Conscription that everyone receives the same bland rations in the field; with priority based on military rather than social rank if supplies fall short of needs."		"The army's policy is no special treatment in regards to anything concerning logistics," Pascal explained. "We have too many nobles in the military. If everyone demands this and that of their own, even the most efficient supply train would be overburdened. So to remove any potential conflicts, our founder King Ferdinand wrote it into the Writ of Universal Conscription that everyone receives the same bland rations in the field; with priority based on military rather than social rank if supplies fall short of needs."
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	Kaede was rubbing her stomach as she walked around the halls after dinner. It was yet another downside of becoming a girl, and a petite one at that. She could no longer stuff down entire plates when facing a scrumptious meal. In fact, she couldn't even finish all of the modest servings brought before her~~. With nobles being nobles, asking for leftovers to be saved would hardly be appropriate, even if wasting delicious food was downright sinful in her book~~.		Kaede was rubbing her stomach as she walked around the halls after dinner. It was yet another downside of becoming a girl, and a petite one at that. She could no longer stuff down entire plates when facing a scrumptious meal. In fact, she couldn't even finish all of the modest servings brought before her.

	''First world problems,'' she chided herself.		''First world problems,'' she chided herself.

	~~There were probably people starving somewhere~~ in ~~Hyperion who wish they could feel nourished with less food~~, ~~let alone~~ the masterful cooking ~~she just consumed~~. Nevertheless, ~~her~~ normally flat stomach did sport a small and uncomfortable bulge tonight. Hence ~~Kaede~~ strolled about the Keep's carpeted stone hallways, hoping to hasten digestion before turning in for the night.		Thousands of survivors in the ruined city outside had nothing more than stale bread and cafeteria soup, yet here she was complaining about overindulging in delicacies. At least none of the masterful cooking would be wasted, as Kaede made sure any leftovers from the household would be sent to the downtown kitchens. She even petitioned Pascal to pay the staff extra if they were willing to help out inside the city.

			Nevertheless, Kaede's normally flat stomach did sport a small and uncomfortable bulge tonight. Hence she strolled about the Keep's carpeted stone hallways, hoping to hasten digestion before turning in for the night.

	''I probably should watch my food intake.''		''I probably should watch my food intake.''
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	Sylviane then paused to take a few deep breathes.		Sylviane then paused to take a few deep breathes.

	"In any case, we've been over this a hundred times. Just help me back to my room, then get me something to drown this wretched taste out of my mouth,"		"In any case, we've been over this a hundred times. Just help me back to my room, then get me something to drown this wretched taste out of my mouth."

	Neither said anything after that, and the pair of footsteps began moving down the hallway in the other direction.		Neither said anything after that, and the pair of footsteps began moving down the hallway in the other direction.

← Older revision		Revision as of 15:08, 2 November 2015
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	Kaede hardly noticed as the maid Marina brought her dinner in. Her focus was still transfixed upon the scroll-like magical map, each hand holding one of its rollers.		Kaede hardly noticed as the maid Marina brought her dinner in. Her focus was still transfixed upon the scroll-like magical map, each hand holding one of its rollers.

	Vintersvend's 'World Expedition Map' -- labeled in bright gold letters on top -- was unlike anything she had ever seen. The ~~map~~ stretched no more than a Hyperion pace (76.2cm/30") in width and half as much in height. It displayed twisting rivers and jagged shorelines in an amazing degree of detail, all in vivid watercolors soft to the eyes. Furthermore, ~~when Kaede tried to look closer, she discovered that the map~~ could zoom in or out at her will, with lines shifting and colors rolling across the parchment to as fine as 1/10,000 scale~~. At its maximum zoom it even displayed~~ topography markers and elevation lines.		Vintersvend's 'World Expedition Map' -- labeled in bright gold letters on top -- was unlike anything she had ever seen. The scroll stretched no more than a Hyperion pace (76.2cm/30") in width and half as much in height. It displayed twisting rivers and jagged shorelines in an amazing degree of detail, all in vivid watercolors soft to the eyes. Furthermore, it could zoom in or out at her will, with lines shifting and colors rolling across the parchment to as fine as 1/10,000 scale, complete with topography markers and elevation lines near the maximum zoom.

	The map also ~~had a tiny red~~ 'current location' ~~marker~~. An extra semi-transparent overlay covered all within fifty kilopaces, displaying weather effects like the wintry mix of sleet and rain descending upon the northeast.		The map also marked the 'current location' in red. An extra semi-transparent overlay covered all within fifty kilopaces, displaying weather effects like the wintry mix of sleet and rain descending upon the northeast.

	Yet despite the impressive display features, the map was woefully incomplete. When zoomed all the way out, Kaede could see the huge masses of cloudy gray that represented terra incognita. Narrow lanes cut across the far oceans of the world, ~~but~~ the interiors of the Hyperion and Eurypha continents were unknown, not to mention most of Asia's equivalent in this world.		Yet despite the impressive display features, the map was woefully incomplete. When zoomed all the way out, Kaede could see the huge masses of cloudy gray that represented terra incognita. Narrow lanes cut across the far oceans of the world and through the 'Frontier' continents, where much of the eastern coastal regions -- as much as the Thirteen Colonies, Caribbeans, and Argentina combined -- were marked as Skagen colonial territory. But the interiors of the Hyperion and Eurypha continents were unknown, not to mention most of Asia's equivalent in this world.

	~~Kaede~~'~~s fingertips also stumbled across~~ a ~~concealed~~ button ~~hidden~~ in the right scroll roller~~. Pressing it out of curiosity~~, ~~she could feel~~ waves of ether pulled from her and into the map. The magical power requirements were enormous, straining even the rate that Pascal could resupply her through the familiar bond. But the reason behind it soon proved apparent as the map began redrawing its contents within a fifty kilopace spread.		''Give it another century and Skagen will have an empire on which the sun never sets,'' she thought.

			After pressing a button she found in the right scroll roller, Kaede suddenly felt waves of ether pulled from her and into the map. The magical power requirements were enormous, straining even the rate that Pascal could resupply her through the familiar bond. But the reason behind it soon proved apparent as the map began redrawing its contents within a fifty kilopace spread.

	''This is an actual map of Vintersvend's travels!'' Kaede confirmed at last. It was so detailed yet incomplete because the late Admiral had to journey to each region for the map to magically scan and plot the surrounding lands.		''This is an actual map of Vintersvend's travels!'' Kaede confirmed at last. It was so detailed yet incomplete because the late Admiral had to journey to each region for the map to magically scan and plot the surrounding lands.
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	Kaede also didn't miss the disapproving glare from Majordomo Karsten. But then, her mere existence at this table seemed to offend him in some way -- possibly because she was dining with a Landgrave and a Princess as though they were equals.		Kaede also didn't miss the disapproving glare from Majordomo Karsten. But then, her mere existence at this table seemed to offend him in some way -- possibly because she was dining with a Landgrave and a Princess as though they were equals.

	Although Kaede had to admit that she did feel rather out of place. Despite the Keep's austere exterior, Pascal's father had the public areas inside built and decorated with no expenses spared. The opulent dining room exemplified this with its huge crystal chandeliers and life-sized paintings. It was fit to host ~~even~~ state banquets, which it probably did from time to time when the King visited, or the Emperor, or even both.		Although Kaede had to admit that she did feel rather out of place. Despite the Keep's austere exterior, Pascal's father had the public areas inside built and decorated with no expenses spared. The opulent dining room exemplified this with its huge crystal chandeliers and life-sized paintings. It was fit to host state banquets, which it probably did from time to time when the King visited, or the Emperor, or even both.

	''Maybe after all the Dukes and Princesses and Kings on whom Karsten had waited, serving me food is beneath him,'' she mulled.		''Maybe after all the Dukes and Princesses and Kings on whom Karsten had waited, serving me food is beneath him,'' she mulled.
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	There were probably people starving somewhere in Hyperion who wish they could feel nourished with less food, let alone the masterful cooking she just consumed. Nevertheless, her normally flat stomach did sport a small and uncomfortable bulge tonight. Hence Kaede strolled about the Keep's carpeted stone hallways, hoping to hasten digestion before turning in for the night.		There were probably people starving somewhere in Hyperion who wish they could feel nourished with less food, let alone the masterful cooking she just consumed. Nevertheless, her normally flat stomach did sport a small and uncomfortable bulge tonight. Hence Kaede strolled about the Keep's carpeted stone hallways, hoping to hasten digestion before turning in for the night.

	''I probably should watch my food intake.''		''I probably should watch my food intake.''

	The female metabolism was considerably lower than that of males by nature. Combined with her smaller stature, lower muscle mass, and a lack of aerobic exercise routine, it was extremely easy for her to overeat compared to what her body was capable of burning off.		The female metabolism was considerably lower than that of males by nature. Combined with her smaller stature, lower muscle mass, and a lack of aerobic exercise routine, it was extremely easy for her to overeat compared to what her body was capable of burning off.
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	"That's easy for you to say. I wasn't born with good metabolism you know, and I certainly don't need to hear anyone else mocking me for my appearance, ever... least of all Pascal."		"That's easy for you to say. I wasn't born with good metabolism you know, and I certainly don't need to hear anyone else mocking me for my appearance, ever... least of all Pascal."

	Kaede was a hundred percent certain that she shouldn't be ''here''. She definitely shouldn't be hearing this. But at this point, any movement from her was more likely to give her presence away.		Kaede was a hundred percent certain that she ''shouldn't be here''. She definitely shouldn't be hearing this. But at this point, any movement from her was more likely to give her presence away.

	"I don't think His Grace would deride you about something so shallow," Mari countered. "He has never said anything ill about your looks. Quite the opposite, from what you have told me."		"I don't think His Grace would deride you about something so shallow," Mari countered. "He has never said anything ill about your looks. Quite the opposite, from what you have told me."
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	Sylviane's appearance might not be exceptional, but she did have the slim figure that girls in well-fed societies sought as the epitome of beauty.		Sylviane's appearance might not be exceptional, but she did have the slim figure that girls in well-fed societies sought as the epitome of beauty.

	Kaede did understand why people turned to such ends. Many girls in Japan were borderline if not outright anorexic, pressured by the demands of society and unfair gender expectations. Except, for Sylviane, not touching her food was hardly an option. After all, she attended a lot of banquets and feasts with men -- who are blessed with high metabolism in their youth and ~~tend~~ to run loose with weight as they aged.		Kaede did understand why people turned to such ends. Many girls in Japan were borderline if not outright anorexic, pressured by the demands of society and unfair gender expectations. Except, for Sylviane, not touching her food was hardly an option. After all, she attended a lot of banquets and feasts with men -- who are blessed with high metabolism in their youth and tended to run loose with weight as they aged.

	''But still... does Pascal know about this?''		''But still... does Pascal know about this?''
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	"<u>I can imagine!</u>" Kaede almost said out loud. "<u>So she's been doing this for at least seven, eight years already? It's a really unhealthy habit!</u>"		"<u>I can imagine!</u>" Kaede almost said out loud. "<u>So she's been doing this for at least seven, eight years already? It's a really unhealthy habit!</u>"

	"<u>I think she already knows that. ~~But~~ I am not going to scold a girl about her eating or dieting habits when she has a complex over appearances. People may think me insensitive, but I am far from downright stupid.</u>"		"<u>I think she already knows that; although healing magic goes a long way to patching up any damage to her throat. Either way, I am not going to scold a girl about her eating or dieting habits when she has a complex over appearances. People may think me insensitive, but I am far from downright stupid.</u>"

	"<u>Besides...</u>" Pascal continued on. "<u>She has enough pressure on her without me nitpicking her bad habits. None of us are perfect, after all.</u>"		"<u>Besides...</u>" Pascal continued on. "<u>She has enough pressure on her without me nitpicking her bad habits. None of us are perfect, after all.</u>"