Daybreak:Volume 4 Chapter 11 - Revision history

Aorii at 04:06, 28 September 2025

2025-09-28T04:06:54Z

Aorii at 02:58, 26 April 2025

2025-04-26T02:58:13Z

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Aorii at 18:37, 21 July 2023

2023-07-21T18:37:32Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 18:37, 21 July 2023
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	"She already took one into her service." He answered before meeting Kaede's eyes in the mirror. "Though are you sure you want a former Imperial spy to take the role?"		"She already took one into her service." He answered before meeting Kaede's eyes in the mirror. "Though are you sure you want a former Imperial spy to take the role?"

	"Whom better?" Kaede's smile grew. "~~Mari~~ is far more astute and observant than most maids could ever be. And I have faith that I can earn and retain her loyalty."		"Whom better?" Kaede's smile grew. "Marina is far more astute and observant than most maids could ever be. And I have faith that I can earn and retain her loyalty."

	"Very well." Pascal responded in a tone that hinted at his lingering misgivings. Nevertheless, the slight smirk he wore expressed his confidence and pride in his familiar's abilities. "I will work with Majordomo Karsten to make arrangements so that ~~Mari~~ can travel with you in the future then."		"Very well." Pascal responded in a tone that hinted at his lingering misgivings. Nevertheless, the slight smirk he wore expressed his confidence and pride in his familiar's abilities. "I will work with Majordomo Karsten to make arrangements so that Marina can travel with you in the future then."

	It was a reminder that ~~Mari~~ was an indentured servant bound by a magical curse. And while Kaede could offer ~~Mari~~ a better life as a Lady's Maid, she couldn't change the fundamental status of the girl's lifetime servitude.		It was a reminder that Marina was an indentured servant bound by a magical curse. And while Kaede could offer Marina a better life as a Lady's Maid, she couldn't change the fundamental status of the girl's lifetime servitude.

	Before the familiar could ruminate further about the topic, her familiar-enhanced hearing picked up several sets of footsteps from outside the bedroom. Two men walked up to the door before one of them knocked on the thick, mahogany wood.		Before the familiar could ruminate further about the topic, her familiar-enhanced hearing picked up several sets of footsteps from outside the bedroom. Two men walked up to the door before one of them knocked on the thick, mahogany wood.
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	"Of course I'd be happy to share information with my ''maid''." She said with a grin that ran from ear to ear, which she exchanged with the Princess.		"Of course I'd be happy to share information with my ''maid''." She said with a grin that ran from ear to ear, which she exchanged with the Princess.

	''You're as bad as ~~Sylviane~~.'' Kaede's smile faltered as she barely stifled a groan.		''You're as bad as Elder Sister.'' Kaede's smile faltered as she barely stifled a groan.


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	The familiar felt like her voice was being choked as she uttered those last few words. Yet at the same time, it seemed a relief to finally say it out loud. It would have been better if she could clearly remember the person who had finally convinced her to accept this reality. Her memories of the encounter, where she learned so much about the life and fate of Samarans, always grew fuzzy whenever she tried to bring up this topic with Pascal -- only to remember later when she quietly contemplated it herself.		The familiar felt like her voice was being choked as she uttered those last few words. Yet at the same time, it seemed a relief to finally say it out loud. It would have been better if she could clearly remember the person who had finally convinced her to accept this reality. Her memories of the encounter, where she learned so much about the life and fate of Samarans, always grew fuzzy whenever she tried to bring up this topic with Pascal -- only to remember later when she quietly contemplated it herself.

	"I don't know what it was that I had died from, or even when." Kaede spoke as she took a deep exhale and her shoulders sagged. "All I know is that my old life would have been forfeit anyway, so it wasn't you who ripped me away." Her wistful smile then returned with a voice of acceptance. "I wanted to tell you this, both for my own closure, and to ease your conscience. I have forced you to bear the guilt of that for long enough."		"I don't know what it was that I had died from, or even when." Kaede spoke as she took a deep exhale and her shoulders sagged. "All I know is that my old life would have been forfeit anyway, so it wasn't you who ripped me away." Her wistful smile then returned with a voice of acceptance. "I wanted to tell you this, both for my own closure, and to ease your conscience. I have forced you to bear the guilt of that for long enough. And I have to stop blaming others if I am to truly find acceptance for my new life."

	A soft smile grew across Pascal's own expression as he heard Kaede's words. He limped up to the parapet on her right and, for a long moment, leaned against it to gaze across the river. Then, with a long sigh, he turned to his side and his turquoise left eye met hers once more.		A soft smile grew across Pascal's own expression as he heard Kaede's words. He limped up to the parapet on her right and, for a long moment, leaned against it to gaze across the river. Then, with a long sigh, he turned to his side and his turquoise left eye met hers once more.

Aorii at 18:14, 23 May 2023

2023-05-23T18:14:57Z

Aorii: Created page with "===Chapter 11 - True Acceptance=== "You look beautiful!" Kaede heard Sylviane remark as the Princess placed her palms together beside a beaming grin. The Samaran girl smiled..."

2023-05-14T21:48:33Z

Created page with "===Chapter 11 - True Acceptance=== "You look beautiful!" Kaede heard Sylviane remark as the Princess placed her palms together beside a beaming grin. The Samaran girl smiled..."

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← Older revision		Revision as of 04:06, 28 September 2025
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	The Samaran girl smiled back a little as she turned towards the large, silvered-glass mirror that stood in the corner of the bedroom. She turned to the left and right as she watched the flowing long skirt and its crinoline sway beneath her slim waist.		The Samaran girl smiled back a little as she turned towards the large, silvered-glass mirror that stood in the corner of the bedroom. She turned to the left and right as she watched the flowing long skirt and its crinoline sway beneath her slim waist.

	The new dress was classy and cute while retaining a stylish, formal appearance. It began with a white 'blouse' in stiff ~~taffeta~~ which hugged her narrow shoulders almost like a uniform. A tight, folded collar wrapped around her neck which was held closed by a wisteria ribbon and a star-sapphire brooch -- both of which signaled that she was a personal representative of the princess.		The new dress was classy and cute while retaining a stylish, formal appearance. It began with a white 'blouse' with stiff lines which hugged her narrow shoulders almost like a uniform. A tight, folded collar wrapped around her neck which was held closed by a wisteria ribbon and a star-sapphire brooch -- both of which signaled that she was a personal representative of the princess.

	She also wore bright-cerulean bolero jacket with tight sleeves running down to her lacy wrist cuffs. ~~Yet, despite appearances, the~~ 'blouse' ~~it covered was not a separate article of clothing, but connected~~ to ~~the rest of~~ her dress in a single garment.		She also wore a bright-cerulean bolero jacket with tight sleeves running down to her lacy wrist cuffs. A pink-and-blue underbust corset with floral patterns emphasized her thin waist. It connected her 'blouse' to her lower dress in a single garment despite a layered appearance.

	~~A cherry blossom pink underbust corset with floral patterns emphasized her thin waist.~~ Extending out from below ~~the corset~~ was a long A-line skirt propped up by a crinoline. The skirt reached down to her lower calf where its wide rim stretched from elbow-to-elbow. A bright-cerulean outer skirt split along three panels presented the Empire's phoenix heraldry in front. Meanwhile, a tiered, pink-and-white ruffled underskirt lay exposed between the gaps.		Extending out from below was a long A-line skirt propped up by a crinoline. The skirt reached down to her lower calf where its wide rim stretched from elbow-to-elbow. A bright-cerulean outer skirt split along three panels presented the Empire's phoenix heraldry in front. Meanwhile, a tiered, pink-and-white ruffled underskirt lay exposed between the gaps.

	"How's your flexibility at the waist?" Sylviane asked next, which prompted Kaede to do a few stretches.		"How's your flexibility at the waist?" Sylviane asked next, which prompted Kaede to do a few stretches.
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	The Samaran girl turned her torso left and right. She then tried bending forward and to the sides. There was some resistance each time. But apart from being unable to touch her toes, the overall impairment to her mobility was minimal. It was rather surprising considering that her midriff was being squeezed by a boned corset.		The Samaran girl turned her torso left and right. She then tried bending forward and to the sides. There was some resistance each time. But apart from being unable to touch her toes, the overall impairment to her mobility was minimal. It was rather surprising considering that her midriff was being squeezed by a boned corset.

	The ~~elaborate yet stiff garment came in one piece with three crystal-glass jewels lining the front. It~~ was held closed in the back by wisteria laces which had been pulled tight and knotted off personally by the Princess. Sylviane had some rather high standards for lacing and Kaede had complained during the process. Yet, despite the constriction that squeezed her narrow midriff and pressed her ribs from all around, the boned corset rested with unexpected comfort around Kaede's waist.		The corset was held closed in the back by wisteria laces which had been pulled tight and knotted off personally by the Princess. Sylviane had some rather high standards for lacing and Kaede had complained during the process. Yet, despite the constriction that squeezed her narrow midriff and pressed her ribs from all around, the boned corset rested with unexpected comfort around Kaede's waist.

	"This is... surprising," Kaede muttered as she felt astonished by how comfortable the evenly distributed pressure was.		"This is... surprising," Kaede muttered as she felt astonished by how comfortable the evenly distributed pressure was.
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	It was a clear indication that despite recent victories and outward appearances, Sylviane knew fully well that her position in the ongoing civil war was anything but secure. A single big mistake could still turn the tide against her. And as such, it was imperative that they tread lightly.		It was a clear indication that despite recent victories and outward appearances, Sylviane knew fully well that her position in the ongoing civil war was anything but secure. A single big mistake could still turn the tide against her. And as such, it was imperative that they tread lightly.

	"I'll be careful." Kaede nodded. "Though what can I offer him? He's not exactly lacking in wealth or influence, which means that his appetite will not be cheap to satisfy."		"I'll be careful," Kaede nodded. "Though what can I offer him? He's not exactly lacking in wealth or influence, which means that his appetite will not be cheap to satisfy."

	"Of course not, Huge the Rotund will keep swallowing until he turns into a balloon and floats to Midas' throne," Cecylia joked, which elicited a chuckle from Kaede and others in the room.		"Of course not, Huge the Rotund will keep swallowing until he turns into a balloon and floats to Midas' throne," Cecylia joked, which elicited a chuckle from Kaede and others in the room.

← Older revision		Revision as of 18:14, 23 May 2023
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	The new dress was classy and stylish in appearance yet simple in its design and wear. It began with a white 'blouse' that hugged her thin shoulders and had light ruffles over her small chest. The top had a high, folding collar where she wore a rose-quartz brooch and a simple jabot -- the collar-frill that she used to only see in movies. A bright-cerulean bolero jacket with long, tight sleeves that ran down to her wrists covered her arms and shoulders. Two wisteria ribbons beneath its puffed shoulders further signaled that she was a personal representative of Her Highness.		The new dress was classy and stylish in appearance yet simple in its design and wear. It began with a white 'blouse' that hugged her thin shoulders and had light ruffles over her small chest. The top had a high, folding collar where she wore a rose-quartz brooch and a simple jabot -- the collar-frill that she used to only see in movies. A bright-cerulean bolero jacket with long, tight sleeves that ran down to her wrists covered her arms and shoulders. Two wisteria ribbons beneath its puffed shoulders further signaled that she was a personal representative of Her Highness.

	An underbust corset in black-bordered-blue emphasized her thin waist beneath her small breasts. Extending out from below the corset was a A-line skirt propped up by a crinoline. The long skirt reached her lower calf where its wide rim stretched from elbow-to-elbow. The bright-cerulean outer skirt was split along three panels while a tiered, ruffled white underskirt lay exposed between the gaps.		An underbust corset in black-bordered-blue emphasized her thin waist beneath her small breasts. Extending out from below the corset was an A-line skirt propped up by a crinoline. The long skirt reached her lower calf where its wide rim stretched from elbow-to-elbow. The bright-cerulean outer skirt was split along three panels while a tiered, ruffled white underskirt lay exposed between the gaps.

	"How's your flexibility at the waist?" Sylviane asked next, which prompted Kaede to do a few stretches.		"How's your flexibility at the waist?" Sylviane asked next, which prompted Kaede to do a few stretches.
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	"Too bad we can't just roast the fat pig." Elspeth casually added from the room's corner. "Gag his hoity-toity mouth and watch him squeal over some real flames."		"Too bad we can't just roast the fat pig." Elspeth casually added from the room's corner. "Gag his hoity-toity mouth and watch him squeal over some real flames."

	"Aww ~~comeon~~! I did NOT need that image!" Reynaud cried in mock anguish as he looked like he was going to be sick.		"Aww come on! I did NOT need that image!" Reynaud cried in mock anguish as he looked like he was going to be sick.

	Kaede smiled as Reynaud's habit of imagining girls naked clearly backfired on him in this case. Though more importantly, his remark cleared any lingering tension between the Princess and her betrothed. It brought levity back into the conversation as an amused smile returned to both Pascal and Sylviane's expressions.		Kaede smiled as Reynaud's habit of imagining girls naked clearly backfired on him in this case. Though more importantly, his remark cleared any lingering tension between the Princess and her betrothed. It brought levity back into the conversation as an amused smile returned to both Pascal and Sylviane's expressions.
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	"As long as it's not gold. I don't want Reynaud to break his teeth." Sylviane chuckled, which elicited a regurgitation sound from the redhead as though he was about to vomit.		"As long as it's not gold. I don't want Reynaud to break his teeth." Sylviane chuckled, which elicited a regurgitation sound from the redhead as though he was about to vomit.

	With her face beaming, the Princess straightened her tone before continuing: "I think the best offer I can make him would be to elevate his favored son. Henri is, by all accounts, quite brilliant, which means I can give him real power and not just an honorary rank. If an opportunity presents itself, you may tell Duke Hugh that Henri may have his choice of either being the Grand Master, or take charge of any ministry which he ~~choses~~. And should he do well at it, I will even consider him for the position of Grand Chancellor."		With her face beaming, the Princess straightened her tone before continuing: "I think the best offer I can make him would be to elevate his favored son. Henri is, by all accounts, quite brilliant, which means I can give him real power and not just an honorary rank. If an opportunity presents itself, you may tell Duke Hugh that Henri may have his choice of either being the Grand Master, or take charge of any ministry which he chooses. And should he do well at it, I will even consider him for the position of Grand Chancellor."

	Kaede's eyes swelled as Sylviane's offer went far beyond what she had expected. The Grand Master was one of the 'Six Great Officers' of the Crown, who would be in charge of the Empress' household -- which meant running the royal court and its finances. Meanwhile, the Grand Chancellor was the highest authority in the realm outside the sovereign herself when it came to civil affairs.		Kaede's eyes swelled as Sylviane's offer went far beyond what she had expected. The Grand Master was one of the 'Six Great Officers' of the Crown, who would be in charge of the Empress' household -- which meant running the royal court and its finances. Meanwhile, the Grand Chancellor was the highest authority in the realm outside the sovereign herself when it came to civil affairs.
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	"Yet, you are remarkably good at doing what needs to be done when the moment arrives." Pascal said with an amused look. "It is a surprising combination."		"Yet, you are remarkably good at doing what needs to be done when the moment arrives." Pascal said with an amused look. "It is a surprising combination."

	''Only when the course of action is clear to my conscience.'' Kaede~~'s thoughts~~ appended. Otherwise she just became flustered and indecisive, as she was showing right now.		''Only when the course of action is clear to my conscience.'' Kaede silently appended. Otherwise she just became flustered and indecisive, as she was showing right now.

	"Stop flattering me already." The familiar retorted shyly as she turned towards the river once more and began to walk.		"Stop flattering me already." The familiar retorted shyly as she turned towards the river once more and began to walk.