Daybreak:Volume 2 Chapter 1 - Revision history

Aorii at 03:33, 16 January 2022

2022-01-16T03:33:48Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 03:33, 16 January 2022
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	"--What use does my father have for you if your entire unit cannot even keep watch over two ''kids'' by the lakeside!? Or do you think you will be free of responsibility if father returned to find her gravely ill because she did nothing but mope inside a gloomy room all day? Would it not be better for everyone involved to breathe fresh air and stay happier while your friends earned some extra silver for bar tabs this weekend...?"		"--What use does my father have for you if your entire unit cannot even keep watch over two ''kids'' by the lakeside!? Or do you think you will be free of responsibility if father returned to find her gravely ill because she did nothing but mope inside a gloomy room all day? Would it not be better for everyone involved to breathe fresh air and stay happier while your friends earned some extra silver for bar tabs this weekend...?"

	In just one meeting, Sylviane decided that she had never met a nobleman, or noble son, as rude, audacious, downright impertinent, and --Holy Father forbid-- as ''interesting'' as Pascal.		In just one meeting, Sylviane decided that she had never met a nobleman, or noble son, as rude, audacious, downright impertinent, and -- Holy Father forbid -- as ''interesting'' as Pascal.

Aorii at 21:39, 22 August 2021

2021-08-22T21:39:08Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 21:39, 22 August 2021
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	The soldier's feeble retort was cut off before he could finish.		The soldier's feeble retort was cut off before he could finish.

	"My father has already left this morning, which leaves me lord of this castle. Perhaps you are not aware of how insolent your behavior is towards a presiding lord? The word of a mere ''guard'' against the ~~prodigal~~ son of a Landgrave and Weichsel's hero. Who do you think your commanding officer will believe when my men come to arrest you?"		"My father has already left this morning, which leaves me lord of this castle. Perhaps you are not aware of how insolent your behavior is towards a presiding lord? The word of a mere ''guard'' against the prodigious son of a Landgrave and Weichsel's hero. Who do you think your commanding officer will believe when my men come to arrest you?"

	Even across the wide room and through closed doors, the girl could feel the pressure of the young boy's threats.		Even across the wide room and through closed doors, the girl could feel the pressure of the young boy's threats.

Aorii at 17:31, 10 April 2021

2021-04-10T17:31:41Z

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Aorii at 18:25, 14 November 2020

2020-11-14T18:25:07Z

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Aorii: REDUX STARTS, FULL CLEAR

2020-11-14T18:24:26Z

REDUX STARTS, FULL CLEAR

← Older revision		Revision as of 18:24, 14 November 2020
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	~~REDUX STARTS, FULL CLEAR~~

Aorii: Replaced content with "REDUX STARTS, FULL CLEAR"

2020-11-14T18:24:20Z

Replaced content with "REDUX STARTS, FULL CLEAR"

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Aorii at 23:14, 30 January 2016

2016-01-30T23:14:04Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 23:14, 30 January 2016
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	Ten minutes later, she was almost wondering if he had quietly left, with the door's closing silenced by his spell.		Ten minutes later, she was almost wondering if he had quietly left, with the door's closing silenced by his spell.

	She slowly ~~peaked~~ out from under the covers, only to meet eye to eye with a boy of her own age.		She slowly peeped out from under the covers, only to meet eye to eye with a boy of her own age.

	Pascal wore a faint grin below turquoise eyes brightened by curiosity. His golden soft curls were neatly cut and draped over both ears. His visage was well-proportioned, poised confidently atop a balanced build. Even at a mere seven years old, it was already apparent that he would grow up to become a handsome young man.		Pascal wore a faint grin below turquoise eyes brightened by curiosity. His golden soft curls were neatly cut and draped over both ears. His visage was well-proportioned, poised confidently atop a balanced build. Even at a mere seven years old, it was already apparent that he would grow up to become a handsome young man.

Aorii at 17:21, 1 March 2015

2015-03-01T17:21:40Z

Aorii: 2nd full edit

2014-05-03T18:18:07Z

2nd full edit

Aorii at 17:35, 14 February 2014

2014-02-14T17:35:13Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 17:21, 1 March 2015
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	She didn't need some petty Weichsel lord-junior to tell her that. She had already heard enough growing up. As the third and youngest child of the Geoffroi the Great, Emperor of Rhin-Lotharingie, she spent her years under the adoration of two older brothers. They were perfect noblemen, as handsome as they are talented, as capable as they are kind. Few younger sisters enjoyed the blessing of even one admirable and caring older brother, let alone two. Yet even though she loved them with all her heart, she couldn't help but feel the slow creep of inferiority every time she watched them from afar.		She didn't need some petty Weichsel lord-junior to tell her that. She had already heard enough growing up. As the third and youngest child of the Geoffroi the Great, Emperor of Rhin-Lotharingie, she spent her years under the adoration of two older brothers. They were perfect noblemen, as handsome as they are talented, as capable as they are kind. Few younger sisters enjoyed the blessing of even one admirable and caring older brother, let alone two. Yet even though she loved them with all her heart, she couldn't help but feel the slow creep of inferiority every time she watched them from afar.

	It certainly didn't help to hear the nobles, ~~and~~ even the ''servants'' chatter from behind corners~~, admiring~~ how 'princely' her brothers were while expressing that she looked less of a princess than a mere countess' daughter.		It certainly didn't help to hear the nobles, or even the ''servants''' chatter from behind corners. They admired how 'princely' her brothers were while expressing that she looked less of a princess than a mere countess' daughter.

	"--But of course, none of really matters," the boy named Pascal continued. "Still, there are some protocols to follow."		"--But of course, none of really matters," the boy named Pascal continued. "Still, there are some protocols to follow."
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	Aside from the boy Pascal, who laid back besides her against the grassy earthen motte, they were also watched by at least two dozen soldiers. Some of them were Pascal's men-at-arms and had already learned the bodyguards' art of discretion. But most were garrison guards responsible for the captive princess, and she could almost feel their sweeping glances continuously crisscrossing over her back.		Aside from the boy Pascal, who laid back besides her against the grassy earthen motte, they were also watched by at least two dozen soldiers. Some of them were Pascal's men-at-arms and had already learned the bodyguards' art of discretion. But most were garrison guards responsible for the captive princess, and she could almost feel their sweeping glances continuously crisscrossing over her back.

	Sylviane had just enough introductory martial training to realize how suicidal it would be to take ~~her~~ this many soldiers at once, even assuming she had a weapon. Yet just because she was helpless didn't mean she could allow them to see it.		Sylviane had just enough introductory martial training to realize how suicidal it would be to take on this many soldiers at once, even assuming she had a weapon. Yet just because she was helpless didn't mean she could allow them to see it.

	"Let me guess -- your father wished he stood here," Pascal asked with nonchalance after a moment's thought.		"Let me guess -- your father wished he stood here," Pascal asked with nonchalance after a moment's thought.
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	After taking a deep breath and donning her 'royal composure' once again, the princess started to explain:		After taking a deep breath and donning her 'royal composure' once again, the princess started to explain:

	"Father always said that political marriages are the folly of short-sighted nobles and certainly not the 'de Gaetane' way. He told my elder brothers and I that because we are royalty who bear the burden of the realm, we must take extra care to marry well and create warm, caring families. Because only a good family may raise a good heir, and only a responsible child with a healthy mind may become an excellent liege..."		"Father always said that political marriages are the folly of short-sighted nobles and certainly not the 'Gaetane' way. He told my elder brothers and me that because we are royalty who bear the burden of the realm, we must take extra care to marry well and create warm, caring families. Because only a good family may raise a good heir, and only a responsible child with a healthy mind may become an excellent liege..."

	She paused for a moment in uncertainty before continuing:		She paused for a moment in uncertainty before continuing:
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	But after many months of playing catchup, Sylviane slowly came to the realization that she had never been a foreigner in his eyes. She had held a suspicion since her first week that the entire meeting with Pascal may have been set up by the elder von Moltewitz. But in the end it hardly mattered whether or not the old Marshal plotted and schemed, for Pascal himself was truly sincere.		But after many months of playing catchup, Sylviane slowly came to the realization that she had never been a foreigner in his eyes. She had held a suspicion since her first week that the entire meeting with Pascal may have been set up by the elder von Moltewitz. But in the end it hardly mattered whether or not the old Marshal plotted and schemed, for Pascal himself was truly sincere.

	It ~~was his~~ precious chance to garner a new friend.		It had been a precious chance for Pascal to garner a new friend.

	...One of his only.		...One of his only.
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	Yet despite all their time spent huddled in libraries and studies, despite all their heated lakeside discussions and peacefully humored strolls, it was Pascal's words during her last day beside the shores of Cross Lake that would forever be engraved into her memories:		Yet despite all their time spent huddled in libraries and studies, despite all their heated lakeside discussions and peacefully humored strolls, it was Pascal's words during her last day beside the shores of Cross Lake that would forever be engraved into her memories:

	"Tell your father I think he should hire healers to check ~~the~~ his court nobles for vision problems," the nine-year-old Pascal said nonchalantly as his beautiful turquoise eyes left the sunlit glittering lake and turned towards her.		"Tell your father I think he should hire healers to check his court nobles for vision problems," the nine-year-old Pascal said nonchalantly as his beautiful turquoise eyes left the sunlit glittering lake and turned towards her.

	Sylviane almost giggled. Saying something equivalent to 'tell the Emperor to do this' was just... such a Pascal thing to do.		Sylviane almost giggled. Saying something equivalent to 'tell the Emperor to do this' was just... such a Pascal thing to do.
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	''I'll see him soon enough,'' she thought.		''I'll see him soon enough,'' she thought.

	"Just planning ahead, Sir ~~Dunois~~."		"Just planning ahead, Sir Robert."

	Crown Princess Sylviane lied through her royal mask of imperturbable confidence. Her shoulders felt heavy, burdened by the responsibilities that may spell victory or defeat for the entire realm. But she could not reveal an ounce of it -- not to her closest guards, not to the ministers in court, not to anyone, except maybe the two most important men in her life.		Crown Princess Sylviane lied through her royal mask of imperturbable confidence. Her shoulders felt heavy, burdened by the responsibilities that may spell victory or defeat for the entire realm. But she could not reveal an ounce of it -- not to her closest guards, not to the ministers in court, not to anyone, except maybe the two most important men in her life.

← Older revision		Revision as of 18:18, 3 May 2014
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	With eyes full of amused curiosity, Pascal's slow speech had a nature of being almost... irritating.		With eyes full of amused curiosity, Pascal's slow speech had a nature of being almost... irritating.

	"What, did you expect me to wear a flower tiara as appropriate of ''tribal'' Rhin-Lotharingie!? You arrogant ~~Weichs~~ are little better than Imperials!" she retorted in an almost yell.		"What, did you expect me to wear a flower tiara as appropriate of ''tribal'' Rhin-Lotharingie!? You arrogant Weichsens are little better than Imperials!" she retorted in an almost yell.

	Yet somehow, Pascal smiled:		Yet somehow, Pascal smiled:
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	Pascal then stood back up straight, a playful smile stretching across his countenance:		Pascal then stood back up straight, a playful smile stretching across his countenance:

	"~~Now, that~~ was not too hard, was it now? Although I could certainly see how one would be troubled by worries in such a stuffy room. What was father thinking!? No maps, no projectors, not even a single shelf of books, forget the bright sun and open air to let the mind flourish!"		"That was not too hard, was it now? Although I could certainly see how one would be troubled by worries in such a stuffy room. What was father thinking!? No maps, no projectors, not even a single shelf of books, forget the bright sun and open air to let the mind flourish!"

	The girl named Sylviane blinked. The boy's lines seemed almost... contradictory. His first three items listed were precisely the culprits that palace servants often accused of stuffiness. Meanwhile free sun and air were simply not comforts normally given to any prisoner of war, which she certainly was.		The girl named Sylviane blinked. The boy's lines seemed almost... contradictory. His first three items listed were precisely the culprits that palace servants often accused of stuffiness. Meanwhile free sun and air were simply not comforts normally given to any prisoner of war, which she certainly was.
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	The princess suppressed it, hard. This was no place to be seen crying.		The princess suppressed it, hard. This was no place to be seen crying.

	Aside from the boy Pascal, who laid back besides her against the grassy earthen ~~flood-dike~~, they were also watched by at least two dozen soldiers. Some of them were Pascal's men-at-arms and had already learned the bodyguards' art of discretion. But most were garrison guards responsible for the captive princess, and she could almost feel their sweeping glances continuously crisscrossing over her back.		Aside from the boy Pascal, who laid back besides her against the grassy earthen motte, they were also watched by at least two dozen soldiers. Some of them were Pascal's men-at-arms and had already learned the bodyguards' art of discretion. But most were garrison guards responsible for the captive princess, and she could almost feel their sweeping glances continuously crisscrossing over her back.

	Sylviane had just enough introductory martial training to realize how suicidal it would be to take her this many soldiers at once, even assuming she had a weapon. Yet just because she was helpless didn't mean she could allow them to see it.		Sylviane had just enough introductory martial training to realize how suicidal it would be to take her this many soldiers at once, even assuming she had a weapon. Yet just because she was helpless didn't mean she could allow them to see it.
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	"Well, what do you think?"		"Well, what do you think?"

	Sylviane's ~~light-violet~~ eyes were lost between astonishment and ~~puzzled~~.		Sylviane's entranced eyes were lost between astonishment and stupefaction.

	"It definitely has 'attitude'. But nothing like what my tutors taught me."		"It definitely has 'attitude'. But nothing like what my tutors taught me."
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	"A mere Count?" Pascal's brows went up. "I thought noble marriages were usually made for more political gain than that? A lone county will not offer much to help back up an Emperor's authority."		"A mere Count?" Pascal's brows went up. "I thought noble marriages were usually made for more political gain than that? A lone county will not offer much to help back up an Emperor's authority."

	Sylviane snapped her irritated glare back onto him. Only then did she realize that his ~~turquoise gaze~~ held not an ounce of condescension, merely curiosity and surprise.		Sylviane snapped her irritated glare back onto him. Only then did she realize that his eyes held not an ounce of condescension, merely curiosity and surprise.

	After taking a deep breath and donning her 'royal composure' once again, the princess started to explain:		After taking a deep breath and donning her 'royal composure' once again, the princess started to explain:
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	Turning back towards the lake, Pascal thought it over as his golden soft curls swayed in the waterside breeze. Then, with his eyes still far away, he began with pensive words:		Turning back towards the lake, Pascal thought it over as his golden soft curls swayed in the waterside breeze. Then, with his eyes still far away, he began with pensive words:

	"I think you are probably right. My mother died before I really knew her, and father is too busy to return home often. But it does not matter how tired or how far away he is, he always makes sure to write to me, or send long messages every week through our Majordomo ~~Wilfried~~. He is one of the main reasons I want to learn and understand all manners of stately affairs, and magic too--!"		"I think you are probably right. My mother died before I really knew her, and father is too busy to return home often. But it does not matter how tired or how far away he is, he always makes sure to write to me, or send long messages every week through our Majordomo Karsten. He is one of the main reasons I want to learn and understand all manners of stately affairs, and magic too--!"

	Pascal's tone suddenly rose in excitement:		Pascal's tone suddenly rose in excitement:
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	''I'll see him soon enough,'' she thought.		''I'll see him soon enough,'' she thought.

	"Just planning ahead, Sir ~~Robert~~."		"Just planning ahead, Sir Dunois."

	Crown Princess Sylviane lied through her royal mask of imperturbable confidence. Her shoulders felt heavy, burdened by the responsibilities that may spell victory or defeat for the entire realm. But she could not reveal an ounce of it -- not to her closest guards, not to the ministers in court, not to anyone, except maybe the two most important men in her life.		Crown Princess Sylviane lied through her royal mask of imperturbable confidence. Her shoulders felt heavy, burdened by the responsibilities that may spell victory or defeat for the entire realm. But she could not reveal an ounce of it -- not to her closest guards, not to the ministers in court, not to anyone, except maybe the two most important men in her life.
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	It was but another reason why no true heir of 'de Gaetane' ever wanted the throne.		It was but another reason why no true heir of 'de Gaetane' ever wanted the throne.

	Sylviane's gaze looked ahead, from the plaza that held Königsfeld's diplomatic teleportation beacons to the powerful Black Dragon Castle that loomed over the city. The stone-paved Drachenlanzen Royal Pathway was wide and straight, lined with the King's finest men on both sides. Their uniforms began with the black-on-burning-red of the Knights Phantom, dotting the roadside like smoky, burning braziers. But near the gate where the welcoming party stood, the entourage transitioned into the pitch black outfits of the Black Eagles.		Sylviane's gaze looked ahead, from the plaza that held Königsfeld's diplomatic teleportation beacons to the powerful Black Dragon Castle that loomed over the city. The stone-paved Drachenlanzen Royal Pathway was wide and straight, lined with the King's finest men on both sides. Their uniforms began with the black-on-burning-red of the Knights Phantom, dotting the roadside like smoky, burning braziers. But near the gate where the welcoming party stood, the entourage transitioned into the pitch-black outfits of the Black Eagles.

	"The Black Dragon stands before us. Form up and show them the pride of Rhin-Lotharingie!"		"The Black Dragon stands before us. Form up and show them the pride of Rhin-Lotharingie!"
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	As Sylviane strode ahead, her twelve Oriflamme Armigers -- the second best knights of Rhin-Lotharingie -- fanned out behind her with perfectly coordinated steps to form the wings of an inverted-V. Each of them wore a uniform of white and aqua on bright-cerulean, draped by an enchanted cape that billowed flames of golden-white to match her burning embers.		As Sylviane strode ahead, her twelve Oriflamme Armigers -- the second best knights of Rhin-Lotharingie -- fanned out behind her with perfectly coordinated steps to form the wings of an inverted-V. Each of them wore a uniform of white and aqua on bright-cerulean, draped by an enchanted cape that billowed flames of golden-white to match her burning embers.

	All around them, the citizens of Weichsel watched in spellbound awe as the ''Oriflamme'' chevron of ~~golden~~ white-blue flames advanced towards the ''Black Dragon'' through its extended claws, heralding a union of sovereign supremacy.		All around them, the citizens of Weichsel watched in spellbound awe as the ''Oriflamme'' chevron of white-blue flames advanced towards the ''Black Dragon'' through its extended claws, heralding a union of sovereign supremacy.

← Older revision		Revision as of 17:35, 14 February 2014
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	===Chapter 1 - By the Crossroad Shores===		===Chapter 1 - By the Crossroad Shores===

	The chamber was lavishly furnished and fit for royalty. Spacious enough to ~~fit~~ three carriages, its wide floors were covered by intricately decorated rugs of the richest wool. Dressers and drawers built from the finest mahogany lay interspersed along the walls, while two renowned watercolor landscapes sat within gilded frames larger than shelves. Atop the nearby bedside counter sat a tray of gleaming silver, filled with breakfast pastries and sweets almost too beautiful to eat.		The chamber was lavishly furnished and fit for royalty. Spacious enough to park three carriages, its wide floors were covered by intricately decorated rugs of the richest wool. Dressers and drawers built from the finest mahogany lay interspersed along the walls, while two renowned watercolor landscapes sat within gilded frames larger than shelves. Atop the nearby bedside counter sat a tray of gleaming silver, filled with breakfast pastries and sweets almost too beautiful to eat.

	None of that changed the fact it was a prison, occupied by a young girl no more than seven years old.		None of that changed the fact it was a prison, occupied by a young girl no more than seven years old.
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	Pascal then stood back up straight, a playful smile stretching across his countenance:		Pascal then stood back up straight, a playful smile stretching across his countenance:

	"Now, that was not too hard, was it now? Although I could certainly see how one would be troubled by worries in such a stuffy room. What was father thinking!? No maps, no projectors, not even a single shelf of books, ~~not to mention~~ bright sun and open air to let the mind flourish!"		"Now, that was not too hard, was it now? Although I could certainly see how one would be troubled by worries in such a stuffy room. What was father thinking!? No maps, no projectors, not even a single shelf of books, forget the bright sun and open air to let the mind flourish!"

	The girl named Sylviane blinked. The boy's lines seemed almost... contradictory. His first three items listed were precisely the culprits that palace servants often accused of stuffiness. Meanwhile free sun and air were simply not comforts normally given to any prisoner of war, which she certainly was.		The girl named Sylviane blinked. The boy's lines seemed almost... contradictory. His first three items listed were precisely the culprits that palace servants often accused of stuffiness. Meanwhile free sun and air were simply not comforts normally given to any prisoner of war, which she certainly was.
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	''Who does he think he is!?''		''Who does he think he is!?''

	Her temper, although not exactly matching those of ~~a royal princess~~, were at least finally rising.		Her temper, although not exactly matching those of royalty, were at least finally rising.

	Yet oddly enough, Pascal seemed ''happy'' about it.		Yet oddly enough, Pascal seemed ''happy'' about it.
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	"Don't misunderstand. I am merely issuing you a fair reward for your accomplishments..."		"Don't misunderstand. I am merely issuing you a fair reward for your accomplishments..."

	"~~It's not like I favor you.~~ As a princess I must show kindness to loyal attendants, that's all!"		"As a princess I must show kindness to loyal attendants; that is all there is to it!"

	He then gracefully sat back down.		He then gracefully sat back down.
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	"Mother was only the daughter of a Count before father married her," she replied. "As much as we love her, mother never even grew accustomed to being empress. There's no way I would bother her for such advice!"		"Mother was only the daughter of a Count before father married her," she replied. "As much as we love her, mother never even grew accustomed to being empress. There's no way I would bother her for such advice!"

	"A mere Count?" Pascal's brows went up. "I thought noble marriages were usually made for more political gain than that? A lone county will not offer much to back up an Emperor's ~~crown~~ authority."		"A mere Count?" Pascal's brows went up. "I thought noble marriages were usually made for more political gain than that? A lone county will not offer much to help back up an Emperor's authority."

	Sylviane snapped her irritated glare back onto him. Only then did she realize that his turquoise gaze held not an ounce of condescension, merely curiosity and surprise.		Sylviane snapped her irritated glare back onto him. Only then did she realize that his turquoise gaze held not an ounce of condescension, merely curiosity and surprise.
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	After taking a deep breath and donning her 'royal composure' once again, the princess started to explain:		After taking a deep breath and donning her 'royal composure' once again, the princess started to explain:

	"Father always said that political marriages are the folly of short-sighted nobles and certainly not the 'de Gaetane' way. He told my elder brothers and I that because we are royalty who bear the burden of the realm, we must take extra care to marry well and create warm, caring families. Because only a good family may raise a good heir, and only a ~~good~~ child may become an excellent liege..."		"Father always said that political marriages are the folly of short-sighted nobles and certainly not the 'de Gaetane' way. He told my elder brothers and I that because we are royalty who bear the burden of the realm, we must take extra care to marry well and create warm, caring families. Because only a good family may raise a good heir, and only a responsible child with a healthy mind may become an excellent liege..."

	She paused for a moment in uncertainty before continuing:		She paused for a moment in uncertainty before continuing:
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	The list went on...		The list went on...

	For over a year Sylviane stayed at the von Moltewitz estate in the Landgraviate of Nordkreuz as a political hostage. Landgrave Karl August von Moltewitz never disrespected her, and even King Leopold of Weichsel treated her as the royalty she was during his cordial visit. Other than her limited freedoms and the dozen soldiers constantly tailing her, ~~she~~ could easily ~~be mistaken~~ for some other noble daughter staying at the fortified estate as Pascal's study-mate.		For over a year Sylviane stayed at the von Moltewitz estate in the Landgraviate of Nordkreuz as a political hostage. Landgrave Karl August von Moltewitz never disrespected her, and even King Leopold of Weichsel treated her as the royalty she was during his cordial visit. Other than her limited freedoms and the dozen soldiers constantly tailing her, one could easily mistake her for some other noble daughter staying at the fortified estate as Pascal's study-mate.

	But after many months of playing catchup, Sylviane slowly came to the realization that she had never been a foreigner in his eyes. She had held a suspicion since her first week that the entire meeting with Pascal may have been set up by the elder von Moltewitz. But in the end it hardly mattered whether or not the old Marshal plotted and schemed, for Pascal himself was truly sincere.		But after many months of playing catchup, Sylviane slowly came to the realization that she had never been a foreigner in his eyes. She had held a suspicion since her first week that the entire meeting with Pascal may have been set up by the elder von Moltewitz. But in the end it hardly mattered whether or not the old Marshal plotted and schemed, for Pascal himself was truly sincere.
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	Yet despite all their time spent huddled in libraries and studies, despite all their heated lakeside discussions and peacefully humored strolls, it was Pascal's words during her last day beside the shores of Cross Lake that would forever be engraved into her memories:		Yet despite all their time spent huddled in libraries and studies, despite all their heated lakeside discussions and peacefully humored strolls, it was Pascal's words during her last day beside the shores of Cross Lake that would forever be engraved into her memories:

	"Tell your father I think he should hire healers to check the his court nobles for vision problems," the nine-year-old Pascal said nonchalantly as his beautiful ~~aquamarine~~ eyes left the sunlit glittering lake and turned towards her.		"Tell your father I think he should hire healers to check the his court nobles for vision problems," the nine-year-old Pascal said nonchalantly as his beautiful turquoise eyes left the sunlit glittering lake and turned towards her.

	Sylviane almost giggled. Saying something equivalent to 'tell the Emperor to do this' was just... such a Pascal thing to do.		Sylviane almost giggled. Saying something equivalent to 'tell the Emperor to do this' was just... such a Pascal thing to do.
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	Sylviane never figured out if Pascal intentionally did it or if his lack of social common sense simply left him misguided. But her father certainly did not appreciate Pascal's idea of 'royal attitude' rubbing off on her. With the rest of the family now gone, Emperor Geoffroi took it upon himself in the following months to stamp almost every vestige of it out of her.		Sylviane never figured out if Pascal intentionally did it or if his lack of social common sense simply left him misguided. But her father certainly did not appreciate Pascal's idea of 'royal attitude' rubbing off on her. With the rest of the family now gone, Emperor Geoffroi took it upon himself in the following months to stamp almost every vestige of it out of her.

	~~Almost...~~


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	It was but another reason why no true heir of 'de Gaetane' ever wanted the throne.		It was but another reason why no true heir of 'de Gaetane' ever wanted the throne.

	Sylviane's gaze looked ahead, from the plaza that held Königsfeld's diplomatic teleportation beacons to the powerful Black Dragon Castle that loomed over the city. The stone-paved Drachenlanzen Royal Pathway was wide and straight, lined with the King's finest men on both sides. Their uniforms began with the black-on-burning-red of the Knights Phantom, ~~covering~~ the ~~road~~ like smoky, burning braziers. But near the gate where the welcoming party stood, the entourage transitioned into the pitch black outfits of the Black Eagles.		Sylviane's gaze looked ahead, from the plaza that held Königsfeld's diplomatic teleportation beacons to the powerful Black Dragon Castle that loomed over the city. The stone-paved Drachenlanzen Royal Pathway was wide and straight, lined with the King's finest men on both sides. Their uniforms began with the black-on-burning-red of the Knights Phantom, dotting the roadside like smoky, burning braziers. But near the gate where the welcoming party stood, the entourage transitioned into the pitch black outfits of the Black Eagles.

	"The Black Dragon stands before us. Form up and show them the pride of Rhin-Lotharingie!"		"The Black Dragon stands before us. Form up and show them the pride of Rhin-Lotharingie!"
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	As Sylviane strode ahead, her twelve Oriflamme Armigers -- the second best knights of Rhin-Lotharingie -- fanned out behind her with perfectly coordinated steps to form the wings of an inverted-V. Each of them wore a uniform of white and aqua on bright-cerulean, draped by an enchanted cape that billowed flames of golden-white to match her burning embers.		As Sylviane strode ahead, her twelve Oriflamme Armigers -- the second best knights of Rhin-Lotharingie -- fanned out behind her with perfectly coordinated steps to form the wings of an inverted-V. Each of them wore a uniform of white and aqua on bright-cerulean, draped by an enchanted cape that billowed flames of golden-white to match her burning embers.

	All around them, the citizens of Weichsel watched in spellbound awe as the ''Oriflamme'' chevron of ~~bluish~~-~~white~~ flames advanced towards the ''Black Dragon'' through ~~his~~ extended claws, heralding a union of sovereign supremacy.		All around them, the citizens of Weichsel watched in spellbound awe as the ''Oriflamme'' chevron of golden white-blue flames advanced towards the ''Black Dragon'' through its extended claws, heralding a union of sovereign supremacy.