Daybreak:Volume 5 Chapter 1 - Revision history

Aorii at 14:09, 17 October 2025

2025-10-17T14:09:29Z

Aorii at 14:45, 1 October 2025

2025-10-01T14:45:54Z

Aorii at 04:07, 28 September 2025

2025-09-28T04:07:41Z

Aorii: Created page with "===Chapter 1 - A Friendly Recall=== "''Between the peaks of the North and South Lotharin Mountains lay the plains of Lotharingie. Here the heartland of the Lotharin peoples l..."

2025-09-21T21:32:23Z

Created page with "===Chapter 1 - A Friendly Recall=== "''Between the peaks of the North and South Lotharin Mountains lay the plains of Lotharingie. Here the heartland of the Lotharin peoples l..."

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← Older revision		Revision as of 14:09, 17 October 2025
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	Beyond the dozen onlookers stood a single petite girl with snowy-white long hair. Standing sideways with her pink eyes trained on the target, she raised a strange-looking metallic greatbow with asymmetric limbs above her head. Then, after a brief pause and without a single wasted motion, she lowered the bow to chest level while her arms used the downward motion to pull the silvery bowstring to its full draw.		Beyond the dozen onlookers stood a single petite girl with snowy-white long hair. Standing sideways with her pink eyes trained on the target, she raised a strange-looking metallic greatbow with asymmetric limbs above her head. Then, after a brief pause and without a single wasted motion, she lowered the bow to chest level while her arms used the downward motion to pull the silvery bowstring to its full draw.

	''Never seen anyone else pull a bow the way she does,'' Reynaud thought as he eyed how she gripped the bowstring with her thumb~~. There's also the girl's lack of muscle mass which meant she had to be using magic to pull that incredible draw weight~~.		''Never seen anyone else pull a bow the way she does,'' Reynaud thought as he eyed how she gripped the bowstring with her thumb.

	Several nearby villagers noticed Reynaud as he trekked up the dirt trail. The young man raised an open hand in a friendly gesture and smiled. He might not have been wearing his hood and his blades remained hidden beneath his outerwear. But the small community would have undoubtedly felt wary towards the approach of a cloaked stranger.		Several nearby villagers noticed Reynaud as he trekked up the dirt trail. The young man raised an open hand in a friendly gesture and smiled. He might not have been wearing his hood and his blades remained hidden beneath his outerwear. But the small community would have undoubtedly felt wary towards the approach of a cloaked stranger.
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	"Oooh, so close yet so far. Talk about unlucky," the young noble commented with a snide grin.		"Oooh, so close yet so far. Talk about unlucky," the young noble commented with a snide grin.

	''Not unlucky,'' Reynaud observed.		''Not unlucky,'' Reynaud observed. ''She's trying to split her own arrows again.''

	''She's trying to split her own arrows again.''

	Meanwhile, the petite girl who had shot the arrow closed her eyes before inhaling long and deep. She then held her breath for three seconds, before exhaling over the same interval. The nobleman called again but she was completely non-responsive. Her arm slowly lowered her asymmetric greatbow which glowed with a turquoise light as it quickly shrank, disappearing into her gloved hand.		Meanwhile, the petite girl who had shot the arrow closed her eyes before inhaling long and deep. She then held her breath for three seconds, before exhaling over the same interval. The nobleman called again but she was completely non-responsive. Her arm slowly lowered her asymmetric greatbow which glowed with a turquoise light as it quickly shrank, disappearing into her gloved hand.
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	"And speaking of rank," he then pivoted to meet her gaze. "I'm surprised you accepted the title of Baroness. I still remember you turning down Her Highness when she first offered you a fief -- which might be a first in Lotharin history." He chuckled as even now he couldn't help shaking his head at it.		"And speaking of rank," he then pivoted to meet her gaze. "I'm surprised you accepted the title of Baroness. I still remember you turning down Her Highness when she first offered you a fief -- which might be a first in Lotharin history." He chuckled as even now he couldn't help shaking his head at it.

	"You said back then that you didn't think you could fulfill your obligations as a liege. What changed?" The short armiger stopped as he looked at the ~~Samaran~~ girl who, in her high wedge boots, ~~actually stood a hint taller than~~ him.		"You said back then that you didn't think you could fulfill your obligations as a liege. What changed?" The short armiger stopped as he looked at the petite girl who, in her high wedge boots, was almost as tall as him.

	"Do you remember the letter that the late Sir Robert left me?" Kaede's smile grew nostalgic and mournful.		"Do you remember the letter that the late Sir Robert left me?" Kaede's smile grew nostalgic and mournful.
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	''It's such a Samaran thing to do,'' Reynaud felt a smile tug at his lips. ''To prioritize mental trauma over physical wounds.''		''It's such a Samaran thing to do,'' Reynaud felt a smile tug at his lips. ''To prioritize mental trauma over physical wounds.''

	The men ~~shut up~~ as they saw Kaede returning from the village with another petite girl in her late teens. The two brought food on wooden trays. It consisted of whole loaf bread soup with lentils, mushrooms, herbs, and salted pork. There was also an eighth of a wheel of cheese.		The men stopped talking as they saw Kaede returning from the village with another petite girl in her late teens. The two brought food on wooden trays. It consisted of whole loaf bread soup with lentils, mushrooms, herbs, and salted pork. There was also an eighth of a wheel of cheese.

	"Thank you, Marina, that'll be all," Kaede spoke to the maid. "I'll come get you if I need anything else."		"Thank you, Marina, that'll be all," Kaede spoke to the maid. "I'll come get you if I need anything else."
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	"She looks familiar," Reynaud added.		"She looks familiar," Reynaud added.

	"She was at Alisia Academy when you two were still attending before the war started." The ~~Samaran~~ girl frowned slightly, as though she'd rather not discuss this further.		"She was at Alisia Academy when you two were still attending before the war started." The girl frowned slightly, as though she'd rather not discuss this further.

	"Please, help yourselves," she then gestured with an open palm. "And sorry I don't have anything better to offer," she added sheepishly as she sat down.		"Please, help yourselves," she then gestured with an open palm. "And sorry I don't have anything better to offer," she added sheepishly as she sat down.
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	"What're you talking about?" Gerard joyfully remarked. "This is perfect -- it's just like what we ate back on campaign."		"What're you talking about?" Gerard joyfully remarked. "This is perfect -- it's just like what we ate back on campaign."

	"Assuming you paid coin for the herbs," Reynaud nodded ~~with beaming agreement~~.		"Assuming you paid coin for the herbs," Reynaud beamed as he nodded.

	"True, those field kitchens were stingy," Gerard commented before examining the ingredients in the soup, which was thick enough to be considered a stew.		"True, those field kitchens were stingy," Gerard commented before examining the ingredients in the soup, which was thick enough to be considered a stew.
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	"Do you even grow any food here?"		"Do you even grow any food here?"

	"There are terraces being built further downstream," Kaede answered as she pulled a furry waterskin from her pockets. "We've also ~~got~~ plenty of wild herbs and mushrooms thanks to the mountains. Two of my people are retired rangers who have been teaching the kids."		"There are terraces being built further downstream," Kaede answered as she pulled a furry waterskin from her pockets. "We've also plenty of wild herbs and mushrooms thanks to the mountains. Two of my people are retired rangers who have been teaching the kids."

	"Oh good," Gerard feigned a sign of relief. "At least I don't have to worry about being poisoned like that one time Reynaud pretended he knew how to forage."		"Oh good," Gerard feigned a sign of relief. "At least I don't have to worry about being poisoned like that one time Reynaud pretended he knew how to forage."
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	"True brothers are forged in adversity!" The short armiger puffed up his chest before pounding a fist into it. "Sisters too," he then grinned at Kaede.		"True brothers are forged in adversity!" The short armiger puffed up his chest before pounding a fist into it. "Sisters too," he then grinned at Kaede.

	The ~~Samaran~~ girl looked taken aback before a faint blush came over her cheeks.		The snowy-haired girl looked taken aback before a faint blush came over her cheeks.

	''She's cute when she's embarrassed,'' Reynaud couldn't help thinking.		''She's cute when she's embarrassed,'' Reynaud couldn't help thinking.
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	"Even with the partial demobilization?" Reynaud asked before eating a mouthful.		"Even with the partial demobilization?" Reynaud asked before eating a mouthful.

	After all, the entire Wayfarer network, as well as individual Wayfarers like him, had been working overtime to help bring as many soldiers back home as possible in time for the planting season. Their ''Astral Teleport'' spells might ~~have~~ only ~~ferried~~ up to a dozen people at a time. But even that was a godsend for villages who have lost most of their able-bodied men to the war effort.		After all, the entire Wayfarer network, as well as individual Wayfarers like him, had been working overtime to help bring as many soldiers back home as possible in time for the planting season. Their ''Astral Teleport'' spells might only ferry up to around a dozen people at a time. But even that was a godsend for villages who have lost most of their able-bodied men to the war effort.

	"Had Her Highness not demobilized more than half of our armies, we'd probably be starving by winter," Gerard declared in a grave voice. "The Caliphate's invasion late last year overran far too many grain silos in the south. The army was only able to hold together by drawing on the civilian food reserves. However, that placed a tremendous burden on food supplies across the countryside, especially after the failed harvest in the south last year."		"Had Her Highness not demobilized more than half of our armies, we'd probably be starving by winter," Gerard declared in a grave voice. "The Caliphate's invasion late last year overran far too many grain silos in the south. The army was only able to hold together by drawing on the civilian food reserves. However, that placed a tremendous burden on food supplies across the countryside, especially after the failed harvest in the south last year."
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	"This isn't a contest about who can commit the most war crimes," Kaede replied. "Yes, the Imperium is our enemy. They've invaded, occupied, and exploited Lotharins for the past ''eight centuries''," she said agreeably, reminding him they were on the same side. "And in standing up against the oppressor, those men certainly are freedom fighters and martyrs."		"This isn't a contest about who can commit the most war crimes," Kaede replied. "Yes, the Imperium is our enemy. They've invaded, occupied, and exploited Lotharins for the past ''eight centuries''," she said agreeably, reminding him they were on the same side. "And in standing up against the oppressor, those men certainly are freedom fighters and martyrs."

	For a moment, the redheaded armiger felt vindicated as Kaede seemed to admit the truth. However, the ~~Samaran~~ girl also wasn't finished:		For a moment, the redheaded armiger felt vindicated as Kaede seemed to admit the truth. However, the girl also wasn't finished:

	"But children are children regardless of who their parents are. And you cannot tell me that those who commit mass murder against the innocent and the helpless aren't also villains and terrorists!"		"But children are children regardless of who their parents are. And you cannot tell me that those who commit mass murder against the innocent and the helpless aren't also villains and terrorists!"
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	Kaede's eyes softened as she looked back down to her own soup and finally lifted a spoonful.		Kaede's eyes softened as she looked back down to her own soup and finally lifted a spoonful.

	"I think I know what Her Highness has planned," she said as her voice fell quiet and wispy. "She probably wants me to go to our allies to seek assistance. Desperate times call for desperate measures~~, and the~~ Empire needs ~~whatever~~ help it can gather in this darkest hour."		"I think I know what Her Highness has planned," she said as her voice fell quiet and wispy. "She probably wants me to go to our allies to seek assistance. Desperate times call for desperate measures. The Empire needs any help it can gather in this darkest hour."

	Yet even as the petite girl spoke, her expression betrayed neither enthusiasm nor the slightest confidence.		Yet even as the petite girl spoke, her expression betrayed neither enthusiasm nor the slightest confidence.
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	"Knowing Kaede, she's already made arrangements this morning after hearing the news from Pascal," Reynaud commented.		"Knowing Kaede, she's already made arrangements this morning after hearing the news from Pascal," Reynaud commented.

	The armiger considered the girl's unusually keen hearing~~, which could hear murmurs long past the range of conventional earshot~~, before opting to say anyway:		The armiger considered the girl's unusually keen hearing, before opting to say anyway:

	"She's ducking out because she hates crowds and gatherings, especially those full of pomp and ceremony."		"She's ducking out because she hates crowds and gatherings, especially those full of pomp and ceremony."

← Older revision		Revision as of 14:45, 1 October 2025
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	Beyond the dozen onlookers stood a single petite girl with snowy-white long hair. Standing sideways with her pink eyes trained on the target, she raised a strange-looking metallic greatbow with asymmetric limbs above her head. Then, after a brief pause and without a single wasted motion, she lowered the bow to chest level while her arms used the downward motion to pull the silvery bowstring to its full draw.		Beyond the dozen onlookers stood a single petite girl with snowy-white long hair. Standing sideways with her pink eyes trained on the target, she raised a strange-looking metallic greatbow with asymmetric limbs above her head. Then, after a brief pause and without a single wasted motion, she lowered the bow to chest level while her arms used the downward motion to pull the silvery bowstring to its full draw.

	''Never seen anyone else pull a bow the way she does,'' Reynaud thought as he eyed how she gripped the bowstring with her thumb.		''Never seen anyone else pull a bow the way she does,'' Reynaud thought as he eyed how she gripped the bowstring with her thumb. There's also the girl's lack of muscle mass which meant she had to be using magic to pull that incredible draw weight.

	Several nearby villagers noticed Reynaud as he trekked up the dirt trail. The young man raised an open hand in a friendly gesture and smiled. He might not have been wearing his hood and his blades remained hidden beneath his outerwear. But the small community would have undoubtedly felt wary towards the approach of a cloaked stranger.		Several nearby villagers noticed Reynaud as he trekked up the dirt trail. The young man raised an open hand in a friendly gesture and smiled. He might not have been wearing his hood and his blades remained hidden beneath his outerwear. But the small community would have undoubtedly felt wary towards the approach of a cloaked stranger.
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	"May I help you, Milord?"		"May I help you, Milord?"

	The petite girl addressed the noble in a soft, wispy voice. Her short stature and small build gave the impression of a fragile girl no older than sixteen. Her straight, snowy-white hair gleamed in the sunlight as it hung loose past her hips. She had large brilliant eyes the color of rose-quartz and dainty features that gave her an almost doll-like appearance. Meanwhile, her flawless white skin shone like fine porcelain tinted by ~~pink from~~ the morning chill.		The petite girl addressed the noble in a soft, wispy voice. Her short stature and small build gave the impression of a fragile girl no older than sixteen. Her straight, snowy-white hair gleamed in the sunlight as it hung loose past her hips. She had large brilliant eyes the color of rose-quartz and dainty features that gave her an almost doll-like appearance. Meanwhile, her flawless white skin shone like fine porcelain tinted pink by the morning chill.

	Yet, in stark contrast to her adolescent appearance, the girl also wore a white jacket with the straight trim of a military uniform. Underneath it was a short skirt and leggings in a style that only women in armed service donned.		Yet, in stark contrast to her adolescent appearance, the girl also wore a white jacket with the straight trim of a military uniform. Underneath it was a short skirt and leggings in a style that only women in armed service donned.
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	Reynaud gazed upon the flooded chasm to the north that was surrounded by stony cliffs on three sides. The water that filled the ravine was sparkling clear and occasionally emitted bubbles. Its surface had a slight sheen and deposited a faint white crust on the rocks around the water's edge.		Reynaud gazed upon the flooded chasm to the north that was surrounded by stony cliffs on three sides. The water that filled the ravine was sparkling clear and occasionally emitted bubbles. Its surface had a slight sheen and deposited a faint white crust on the rocks around the water's edge.

	"Have you tried the water already?" He asked Gerard in a distant voice as he thought of their fallen comrade ~~who~~ led them to this place.		"Have you tried the water already?" He asked Gerard in a distant voice as he thought of their fallen comrade whose final wish led them to this place.

	"Yes. It's quite comfortable. Hot enough to be soothing, but I can stay inside for hours without feeling overwhelmed," the tall engineer answered with a relaxed smile. "Kaede and I are still discussing which of the springs would be best collected for drinking."		"Yes. It's quite comfortable. Hot enough to be soothing, but I can stay inside for hours without feeling overwhelmed," the tall engineer answered with a relaxed smile. "Kaede and I are still discussing which of the springs would be best collected for drinking."
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	"We've survived worse," Reynaud muttered even as he resisted the depressive urge to agree with Gerard. "We Lotharins will ''never'' bend knee to a foreign occupier."		"We've survived worse," Reynaud muttered even as he resisted the depressive urge to agree with Gerard. "We Lotharins will ''never'' bend knee to a foreign occupier."

	"And how many Lotharins will be ''left'' after this!?" Kaede retorted. "You were both with me when we travelled to the Kingdom of Garona back in February. Tell me -- did you see any men of fighting age in the villages and towns that we passed? I've even heard of calls to legalize polygamy among the Garonans, which might just actually pass since the Albigese don't hold the institution of marriage in high regard to begin with."		"And how many Lotharins will be ''left'' after this!?" Kaede retorted. "You were both with me when we travelled to the Kingdom of Garona back in February. Tell me -- did you see any healthy men of fighting age in the villages and towns that we passed? I've even heard of calls to legalize polygamy among the Garonans, which might just actually pass since the Albigese don't hold the institution of marriage in high regard to begin with."

	"Clearly, I should convert," Reynaud commented dryly.		"Clearly, I should convert," Reynaud commented dryly.
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	Kaede's eyes softened as she looked back down to her own soup and finally lifted a spoonful.		Kaede's eyes softened as she looked back down to her own soup and finally lifted a spoonful.

	"I think I know what Her Highness has planned ~~for me~~," she said as her voice fell quiet and wispy. "She ~~likely~~ wants me to go to our ~~current and historic~~ allies to seek assistance. Desperate times call for desperate measures, and the Empire needs help ~~no matter what~~ it ~~costs us~~."		"I think I know what Her Highness has planned," she said as her voice fell quiet and wispy. "She probably wants me to go to our allies to seek assistance. Desperate times call for desperate measures, and the Empire needs whatever help it can gather in this darkest hour."

	Yet even as the petite girl spoke, her expression betrayed neither enthusiasm nor the slightest confidence.		Yet even as the petite girl spoke, her expression betrayed neither enthusiasm nor the slightest confidence.
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	"Thank you, but no, I won't be going back today," Kaede declared as though the decision was already made.		"Thank you, but no, I won't be going back today," Kaede declared as though the decision was already made.

	"If I'm right and the Princess ~~is going~~ to send me on a diplomatic mission, it~~'ll~~ be a while before I come back to this village," she continued. "I need to get my affairs in order and ensure my people have everything they need in case I take months to return. I'm sure the Princess will understand when I tell her that."		"If I'm right and the Princess wants to send me on a diplomatic mission, it might be a while before I come back to this village," she continued. "I need to get my affairs in order and ensure my people have everything they need in case I take months to return. I'm sure the Princess will understand when I tell her that."

	Yet, even as Kaede explained, her eyes remained downcast and refused to meet his gaze. Then, as she stood up from her seat and looked away, Reynaud couldn't help feeling that the girl was just coming up with excuses.		Yet, even as Kaede explained, her eyes remained downcast and refused to meet his gaze. Then, as she stood up from her seat and looked away, Reynaud couldn't help feeling that the girl was just coming up with excuses.
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	Meanwhile, Gerard exhaled a deep sigh in turn as he stared blankly at the direction Kaede went.		Meanwhile, Gerard exhaled a deep sigh in turn as he stared blankly at the direction Kaede went.

	"You know I don't like to second guess our illustrious Princess..." he remarked. "But is it ''truly'' a good idea to have a Grand Squire, our Empire's ~~top~~ diplomat, be someone with social anxiety?"		"You know I don't like to second guess our illustrious Princess..." he remarked. "But is it ''truly'' a good idea to have a Grand Squire, our Empire's foremost diplomat, be someone with social anxiety?"


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	Six Great Officers - The Six Great Officers of the Empire of Rhin-Lotharingie is based on the Great Officers of the Crown of France, which included the position of the Grand Squire of France.		Six Great Officers - The Six Great Officers of the Empire of Rhin-Lotharingie is based on the Great Officers of the Crown of France, which included the position of the Grand Squire of France.

	Edelweiss Flowers - An alpine flower that famously grows in rocky places at high altitudes, often on cliffs. Thus, they become the symbol of ~~the~~ German/Austrian alpinism and are often recognized as a symbol of courage.		Edelweiss Flowers - An alpine flower that famously grows in rocky places at high altitudes, often on cliffs. Thus, they become the symbol of German/Austrian alpinism and are often recognized as a symbol of courage.

	Albigese and Marriage - The Cathars that the Albigese are based on didn't view marriage with high regard, as they viewed material world as sinful and sex as spiritually harmful. Reproduction itself was often frowned upon as children meant 'trapping more souls in corrupt physical bodies', not that Kaede would entirely grasp their theology here.		Albigese and Marriage - The Cathars that the Albigese are based on didn't view marriage with high regard, as they viewed material world as sinful and sex as spiritually harmful. Reproduction itself was often frowned upon as children meant 'trapping more souls in corrupt physical bodies', not that Kaede would entirely grasp their theology here.

← Older revision		Revision as of 04:07, 28 September 2025
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	"I'm Sir Reynaud Moreau, Royal Oriflamme Armiger to Her Highness, Crown Princess Sylviane Etiennette de Gaetane," he nonchalantly introduced himself as his hands neatly folded the white cloak. "I am here to recall and escort Grand Squire Kaede to an emergency conference at the capital on Her Highness' orders."		"I'm Sir Reynaud Moreau, Royal Oriflamme Armiger to Her Highness, Crown Princess Sylviane Etiennette de Gaetane," he nonchalantly introduced himself as his hands neatly folded the white cloak. "I am here to recall and escort Grand Squire Kaede to an emergency conference at the capital on Her Highness' orders."

	The armiger watched as the Count looked taken aback. He wondered if Adrien even knew who Kaede truly was. It wasn't exactly common knowledge that she was the new Grand Squire. And the girl was often looked down upon due to her commoner background, meek demeanor, and delicate appearance.		The armiger watched as the Count looked taken aback. He wondered if Adrien even knew who Kaede truly was. It wasn't exactly common knowledge that she was the new Grand Squire. And the girl was often looked down upon due to her commoner background, meek demeanor, and delicate appearance, which made others think she was easy to push around.

	Meanwhile, an audible mutter came from one of Adrien's guards to the side:		Meanwhile, an audible mutter came from one of Adrien's guards to the side:
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	"I don't mind," the young dame answered almost immediately as she waved a small hand.		"I don't mind," the young dame answered almost immediately as she waved a small hand.

	''You're supposed to wait until he apologizes to you!'' Reynaud's smiling lips twitched as he ~~thought to himself.~~		''You're supposed to wait until he apologizes to you!'' Reynaud's smiling lips twitched before he exhaled a faint sigh.

	~~The redheaded armiger could only exhale~~ a faint sigh.

	"Then I'm glad we managed to put that misunderstanding behind us," Count Adrien remained a bit nervous as he replied. "And Sir Reynaud, Dame Kaede, as you have official business at hand to attend to, I shall bid you both farewell for today and offer my welcome at another time."		"Then I'm glad we managed to put that misunderstanding behind us," Count Adrien remained a bit nervous as he replied. "And Sir Reynaud, Dame Kaede, as you have official business at hand to attend to, I shall bid you both farewell for today and offer my welcome at another time."
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	The Count replied with only a half-turned nod before walking away. Nevertheless, Reynaud could feel a sense of righteous victory as he noticed Adrien's arms shaking with suppressed anger, and how the noble's hands had clenched into fists as they parted.		The Count replied with only a half-turned nod before walking away. Nevertheless, Reynaud could feel a sense of righteous victory as he noticed Adrien's arms shaking with suppressed anger, and how the noble's hands had clenched into fists as they parted.



	...		...



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	Kaede sighed as she sent one last annoyed look at the redhead, to which Reynaud playfully stuck out his tongue at her in reply.		Kaede sighed as she sent one last annoyed look at the redhead, to which Reynaud playfully stuck out his tongue at her in reply.



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	Kaede's eyes softened as she looked back down to her own soup and finally lifted a spoonful.		Kaede's eyes softened as she looked back down to her own soup and finally lifted a spoonful.

	"I think I know what Her Highness has planned for me," she said as her ~~tone returned~~ to ~~her calm~~ and ~~gentle voice~~. "Desperate times call for desperate measures, and ~~I'm the Grand Squire of~~ the Empire~~. I ''must'' go to our historic and current allies for~~ help ~~and seek assistance, beg on my knees if I have to,~~ no matter what it costs us."		"I think I know what Her Highness has planned for me," she said as her voice fell quiet and wispy. "She likely wants me to go to our current and historic allies to seek assistance. Desperate times call for desperate measures, and the Empire needs help no matter what it costs us."

			Yet even as the petite girl spoke, her expression betrayed neither enthusiasm nor the slightest confidence.

	"Holy Father knows we could use another ''Leslie's Blessing''," Reynaud ~~responded~~.		"Holy Father knows we could use another ''Leslie's Blessing''," Reynaud nodded.

	"When is the conference that you mentioned?" Kaede stared at ~~Reynaud~~ before stuffing her cheeks with a wooden spoon that was clearly too large for her.		"When is the conference that you mentioned?" Kaede stared at the armiger before stuffing her cheeks with a wooden spoon that was clearly too large for her.

	"In two days," Reynaud answered. "Her Highness has recalled the commanders of every war front and summoned all the monarchs and heads of the major aristocratic houses."		"In two days," Reynaud answered. "Her Highness has recalled the commanders of every war front and summoned all the monarchs and heads of the major aristocratic houses."