|
|
| (254 intermediate revisions by the same user not shown) |
| Line 1: |
Line 1: |
| ===Chapter 11 - Not My Choice===
| |
|
| |
|
| Pascal smiled stiffly at the mirror as he adjusted the Knight's Cross he wore just under the collar, now set atop a four-pointed starburst in white gold. Brand new rank insignias also adorned the crimson highlights on his shoulders -- a silver star laid between two stripes, identifying him as the youngest Major in the Weichsel army.
| |
|
| |
| Staring at his own reflection, he raised his hand in a solemn military salute.
| |
|
| |
| ''Father if you could only see me now...''
| |
|
| |
| Pascal twisted his lips as his hand came back down. Honors and promotions simply didn't feel as meaningful as before, not even when von Manteuffel -- stone-faced as always -- had pin it onto him in person. In fact, Pascal stood through the entire evening ceremony feeling as though something was just... missing.
| |
|
| |
| It was as though a hole in space had drained its colors away, and not even Sylviane's proud smile could patch it up.
| |
|
| |
| Still staring at his image, Pascal began undoing the buttons to his uniform shirt as he prepared for bed.
| |
|
| |
| His eyes then fell upon a small box. Kaede had passed out from fatigue by the time of the evening ceremony, so Pascal had received its contents in her stead. After everything that happened, he didn't have the heart to drag her to an event that she strongly resented.
| |
|
| |
| Which was kind of a shame...
| |
|
| |
| Down to just his trunks, Pascal hanged his uniform neatly over a chair before doing the same to Kaede's. The girl had a tendency to just leave her clothing strewn over the bedcovers. Thankfully her undergarments were self-cleaning, otherwise he'd probably have to remove them from his pillow on a daily basis.
| |
|
| |
| ''Why am I doing the servant work...?''
| |
|
| |
| But any desire to sigh was immediately forgotten as Kaede muttered in her sleep:
| |
|
| |
| "No... don't..."
| |
|
| |
| Her wispy words almost trembled despite their softness. The small girl was curled up under the comforter again with only her face exposed. Meanwhile Pascal could see the faint perspiration rolling down her pale forehead as she turned about in her sleep with hastened breaths.
| |
|
| |
| ''Another nightmare...'' he thought in sympathy.
| |
|
| |
| Pulling open the comforter, Pascal laid down next to her in the double bed. He then draped one arm over her side as he brushed the silky hair at the back of her head with gentle strokes.
| |
|
| |
| "It is just a dream, you are safe here..." he whispered slowly, again and again.
| |
|
| |
| It took only three brushes before her faint shivering stopped.
| |
|
| |
| Another minute, and her breath calmed back to a tranquil waft as well.
| |
|
| |
| Her expression grew peaceful again, except for the worsening shadow under her eyes.
| |
|
| |
| ''Really has been hard on you...'' Pascal exhaled as he gestured the lights off.
| |
|
| |
| He kept stroking her head for as long as he remembered. For a mere history student he had forced into military life, helping her get some sleep was the least he could do.
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
| ...
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
| "Uhnnnnng..."
| |
|
| |
| Kaede groaned as she turned in the bedcovers, away from the rays of light pouring through the small window. It was the best she had slept all week, through the whole night no less. Why couldn't the sun be a little more understanding?
| |
|
| |
| ...Then her small nose came across something smooth but firm -- certainly not a pillow.
| |
|
| |
| Her hand crawled upwards under the covers, feeling the extra weight over her shoulder but ignoring it, until she felt the bottom of what seemed like a rough palm.
| |
|
| |
| ''Huh--''
| |
|
| |
| Kaede's eyes finally opened. Sure enough, Pascal's left hand was right in front of her face, palm down and thumbnail just under her nose.
| |
|
| |
| ...Which meant the weight on her shoulders was the rest of his arm.
| |
|
| |
| ''Why is... you said you wouldn't touch me without asking!''
| |
|
| |
| She wasn't really alarmed, just... startled. His hand was ''wayyyy'' too close for comfort, even putting aside the conservative nature of her Russian and Japanese cultural upbringing. Sure, Pascal had also done this once before, but that was ''one time'' and he had asked with special circumstances!
| |
|
| |
| Kaede shifted back almost in reflex, right into the rest of Pascal's body.
| |
|
| |
| That only made it worse, far worse. She was certain he was now spooning her, judging from the heat across her back. But that wasn't even the part that shocked her eyes wide open...
| |
|
| |
| ...Something hard had pressed into her butt. More like jabbed, since it felt more like a stiff baton.
| |
|
| |
| Kaede froze on the spot as her breath halted. She could feel her cheeks catching on fire.
| |
|
| |
| Unlike proper girls who at least had some naivety to shield them from the surprise, she knew ''exactly'' what that was.
| |
|
| |
| ''Getoffitgetoffitgetoffitgetoffit...''
| |
|
| |
| She rolled back the other way and flipped his arm off of her at the same time.
| |
|
| |
| "Wake up!" she cried out as soon as Pascal's golden soft curls came into sight.
| |
|
| |
| The lazy eyes that lifted were rather grumpy. Meanwhile Pascal was flexing his left arm and shrugging its shoulder joint before focusing upon her.
| |
|
| |
| "What did I do to deserve abuse this early in the day?"
| |
|
| |
| "W-what were you doing in my sleep!?" Kaede cried back.
| |
|
| |
| Pascal paused for several moments to think back, but his stare never left her gaze.
| |
|
| |
| "You were having a nightmare," he stated simply.
| |
|
| |
| "That doesn't--!" her incensed momentum carried on a bit further before deflating into the air like a runaway balloon. "...Oh..."
| |
|
| |
| Kaede's cheeks grew a shade darker as her eyes shifted away towards the ceiling.
| |
|
| |
| ''I didn't ask for that...''
| |
|
| |
| She managed to keep that in. Ungrateful prickliness rated atop the list of things people hated when they only tried to help. And while it was embarrassing to think about, it was certainly true that she slept unusually well last night.
| |
|
| |
| ''Nonono. I was just ''really'' darn tired. Nothing to do with...''
| |
|
| |
| Kaede sighed. Ignoring what she didn't want to think about was one thing. But being fictitious towards herself when she did ponder over it? Not her forte at all.
| |
|
| |
| ''Okay he did help with the nightmare, probably...''
| |
|
| |
| She snuck a peek at Pascal's lazy turquoise eyes before glancing away again, her face still burning.
| |
|
| |
| "T-thank you... I guess," she muttered. "You might want to do something about that down there."
| |
|
| |
| "Kind of hard when you are in the bed. Taking care of it hardly seems appropriate," Pascal sighed as he began to sit up in the bed, dragging a lightly propped tent across the bedcovers as he did.
| |
|
| |
| Kaede almost snorted at that response. Her countenance was still flushed, but she couldn't resist the temptation to return a little cheek this time:
| |
|
| |
| "So... you haven't been able to masturbate at all since I came here?"
| |
|
| |
| She actually felt really sorry for him. It was one of those common urges that she welcomed not having a ton of in her current body. Back then as a young man, ''he'' had always felt bad after getting it out of the way. It supposedly had something to do with the decrease in testosterone levels... or was it the social stigma?
| |
|
| |
| Pascal raised one eyebrow in mild surprise as he turned towards her:
| |
|
| |
| "Sometimes I forget that you were male once also..." Then, with a faint smirk: "do you ''want'' me to do it while watching your cute little sleeping face? Or perhaps you would like to help? You do have the equipment now."
| |
|
| |
| The first question sent a shiver back up her spine, while the second reignited her embarrassment altogether into a wildfire.
| |
|
| |
| Kaede pulled up the bedcovers and buried her entire face under it this time, all the while retorting:
| |
|
| |
| "Pedophile! you total pervert!"
| |
|
| |
| "Only two years difference between us," came the matter-of-fact answer. "And if you were a boy once, you know exactly how our urges work."
| |
|
| |
| Kaede was more thinking of the twenty-four centimeters (9") height difference between them and the fact she ''looked'' mid-teen. Meanwhile Pascal was almost twenty and appeared even older with his mature expressions and ever-composed demeanor.
| |
|
| |
| ''Thank heavens for his self-control though,'' she thought. Somewhat impressed even, if she was frank about it, since he had been sleeping with a girl in the same bed for weeks and never once touched inappropriately.
| |
|
| |
| "Have you ever done it? As a man?" she heard him ask nonchalantly, as though talking about the weather.
| |
|
| |
| "W-what? Uh... no?" she peeked back out from the comforter.
| |
|
| |
| "Have you ever courted a girl then?" Pascal turned towards her with an amused, lopsided smile.
| |
|
| |
| ''What kind of weird pillow talk is this?'' Kaede thought. Was he trying to discuss as though between two men? Despite the body she inhabited now and the fact he ''still'' had a hard on while sharing the same bed? The conversation was beyond awkward by any normal measure, but Pascal himself hardly even seemed to care.
| |
|
| |
| "Once," she replied. It wasn't really an experience she really wanted to talk about. "What about you? Have you ever done it?"
| |
|
| |
| She mostly just wanted to change the topic, but part of her was curious.
| |
|
| |
| "Father made sure I had a chance when I hit puberty," Pascal half-chuckled. "He just came back with a prostitute one day and said that if I did not experience it early, youthful fantasies will just blow it out of proportions. Then, being a highborn, I would be in danger of far worse sins than sex without matrimony..."
| |
|
| |
| ''Wouldn't be the first noble brat to force a maidservant down...''
| |
|
| |
| "--He also taught me how to cast a conception spell around then, just so you know," his eyebrows shot up suggestively, "if you were ever in the mood badly enough."
| |
|
| |
| "Get-on-with-it before I hit you," Kaede retorted sharply while her cheeks continued to glow.
| |
|
| |
| For a moment Pascal looked like he was about to snicker. Then:
| |
|
| |
| "What can I say? It was not as hyped up to be..." he shrugged. "The act itself was pleasurable, sure. But the woman was dumb as a cow. Felt like my brain cells were dying just by laying next to her."
| |
|
| |
| By itself, sexual activity satisfied only a physical urge. The endorphins it produced did help emotional needs, but that really needed an established relationship for it to be more than short-lived. However, for Pascal who coveted intellectual companionship above all else, mere acts of lust weren't even close to enough.
| |
|
| |
| ''Your father knew you too well.''
| |
|
| |
| Kaede was quite impressed. Not many parents knew how to deal with their kids' puberty. In fact, most of them lost touch with their own past and began idealizing... as though youth and hormones had anything to do with wisdom and logic.
| |
|
| |
| "So not a big fan huh? Most guys your age would disagree on that." Then she hurriedly added: "as far as social trends go."
| |
|
| |
| She did not need Pascal to group her under that category.
| |
|
| |
| "Most males my age also behave with hardly any more intelligence than beasts," Pascal commented without care. "If the defining goal of their youth is to lust after girls through a physical urge to mate, then how does that make them any better than animals in heat?"
| |
|
| |
| Kaede couldn't help but let off a half-snort chuckle. Even without an acidic intonation, his choice of words made his disdain clear. Yet at the same time... this was the man whose summoning spell turned Kaede into a girl.
| |
|
| |
| ''News flash: hypocrisy still omnipresent as ever.''
| |
|
| |
| "--But just so you know, it does not mean that I have no interest at all," he continued with an odd glint in his eyes that made her a little nervous. "Though I can certainly wait for a proper relationship, like being married. Until then, dealing with bodily urges is a matter of mere maintenance -- no different from eating or sitting on a chamber pot. I have no need for hormone-induced drama to derail my life."
| |
|
| |
| "Though you came pretty close when you summoned me..."
| |
|
| |
| Pascal sent back a narrow-eyed stare which made Kaede grin a little before nodding lightly:
| |
|
| |
| "--But I can agree with that.''
| |
|
| |
| She certainly did not need her life on Hyperion any more awkward than it already was.
| |
|
| |
| "Speaking of life interests..."
| |
|
| |
| Pascal turned to stand up from the bed. His trunks were mostly flat at this point, although his shirtless, muscular chest still proved quite a distraction. He then walked over to his work desk before fetching a black velvet box.
| |
|
| |
| "Here is your Knight's Cross from the King."
| |
|
| |
| He opened the container to display the gleaming black-and-white medal, with two rank insignias also pinned against the lid.
| |
|
| |
| "He also gave you an Honorary Junior Lieutenant rank, since the Knight's Cross is meant to be a military medal," Pascal explained, smiling with pride and approval.
| |
|
| |
| Meanwhile, Kaede had the exact opposite reaction, as images of just what she did to earn that honor flew through her head once more:
| |
|
| |
| "I'm not sure I really want a military rank," she frowned. "I mean... helping you is one thing. But this army work... I'm ''really'' not cut out for it."
| |
|
| |
| Pascal's lips went flat in an instant. As displeasure and disappointment ran through his narrowed eyes, Kaede looked back down and braced herself for a tirade.
| |
|
| |
| But as the moments passed, all he gave was a heavy sigh.
| |
|
| |
| "We would have a problem if most people enjoyed war and blood," Pascal reasoned. "It is a duty and a obligation, as the Holy Father gave us our skills and backgrounds for a purpose. The commoners might fantasize about silly notions of individual freedom, but if everyone simply acted as they desired... where do you think our world would be?"
| |
|
| |
| As someone who tended to agree with Eastern philosophy on Earth more than its Western counterpart, Kaede generally adhered to that view. The freedom of choice might have a nice ring that appealed to the masses, but 'duty' should always take the highest spot of consideration when assessing that 'choice'.
| |
|
| |
| After all, every person had an obligation to protect their family, to uphold order in society, and to maintain the prosperity of the human race itself. Because without civil stability, the happiness of individuals were mere illusions that could vanish into thin air at any time.
| |
|
| |
| ''But even then, there are limits to what can be expected of me. Besides...''
| |
|
| |
| "Weichsel isn't my home country." she retorted first.
| |
|
| |
| "You are living here, are you not? If Weichsel falls to ruins and chaos, would you not be affected?" Pascal sternly asked. Then, before she could interject: "I know -- it is my fault that you are here, and I certain will not force you to take this role if you tell me you would rather be back at the estate."
| |
|
| |
| ''Though you will patronize me like some disappointed parent,'' she thought, which was exactly what his downcast eyes were already doing.
| |
|
| |
| "I didn't say that I wouldn't stay." Kaede muttered before conviction recharged her voice: "I promised that I would be your familiar and your family, remember? But following you into combat and being part of Weichsel's army are two different things."
| |
|
| |
| Pascal sighed once more. There was even some relief in it this time.
| |
|
| |
| "It is just an honorary rank. It does not mean you are actually an officer of the army -- that would far too generous a promotion. It only means you are recognized and respected as one. You still have neither any authority nor responsibilities, not that it stopped you from ordering a Captain around during battle," he smiled again at last.
| |
|
| |
| Kaede nodded back with pursed lips before stretching out her fingers and accepting the box from him. Pragmatically, she knew it was the right thing. It would certainly help her standing by tons.
| |
|
| |
| But... that didn't make her conscience feel any better.
| |
|
| |
| "Have you spoken to Captain Lichnowsky since the battle?" Pascal asked.
| |
|
| |
| "Not yet," she mumbled back. ''Not that easy when I'm the one at fault for her getting crippled.''
| |
|
| |
| "You really should," he suggested as he began putting on his shirt after returning the box to the table. "She could probably help you with your troubles. More than I can, at any rate."
| |
|
| |
| Then, as Pascal turned back towards her with a curious gaze:
| |
|
| |
| "I am surprised this is bothering you even more than being a girl."
| |
|
| |
| "Have I broken three of your ribs and knocked out two of your teeth over this?"
| |
|
| |
| "No," his head bobbled slightly in consideration. "But it feels like you are complaining about it a lot more."
| |
|
| |
| "I didn't have a choice over what my body is. I 'sort of' have a choice over this," Kaede grumbled back.
| |
|
| |
| "I did not choose to be a man, or born into a military family as the son of a hero, or be betrothed for marriage into another country," Pascal shrugged as he looked back to the mirror. "Well, look where I am today."
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
| <nowiki>----- * * * -----</nowiki>
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
| By the time they had finally stopped chatting, Sylviane had arrived to drag Pascal out of his cabin:
| |
|
| |
| "You've been doing nothing but paperwork, mapwork, and mouthwork the past few days. Stop staying in one place or you'll get fat."
| |
|
| |
| "Does ''Your Highess'' not have anything better to do than pester me first thing in the morning?" he grumbled aloud.
| |
|
| |
| "I am neither in charge of this army nor working with the ministers in Alis Avern," the Princess noted the Rhin-Lotharingie Capital. "There's only so much for me to do while we are camped here. Besides, since you're my fiancé, it's part of your job to walk around with me and show the world how close we are."
| |
|
| |
| She was correct enough that Pascal couldn't argue against it, so he simply stood against the mirror to fix his image.
| |
|
| |
| "One hour then," he declared. "I have new intelligence reports to dig through," Then, with a grin: "meanwhile, Kaede could amuse us with her experiences in courtship in the other world."
| |
|
| |
| The familiar girl, who had been carefully eying the Princess while avoiding her gaze until now, suddenly turned towards Pascal with an outraged glare.
| |
|
| |
| "What? I told you my stories, did I not?" he smirked back. "Fair trade is fair."
| |
|
| |
|
| |
| ...
| |
|
| |
|
| |
| "So ''she'' asked ''you'' first?"
| |
|
| |
| Pascal's response to her introduction was slightly surprised. A bit impressed even, if Kaede wasn't mistaken about the tone.
| |
|
| |
| "Yes," she nodded back as they stepped out of his cabin. "It's not as common as the other way around in my culture either, but it happens."
| |
|
| |
| Under the clear winter skies, the three of them began a casual stroll around the fortified army encampment that went right up to Nordkapp's shattered gate. The day was early enough that most troopers not on duty were just starting to emerge from their cabins.
| |
|
| |
| After all, 1st Echelon was still on rest and recuperation time after a week-long offensive plus one bloody battle.
| |
|
| |
| "It's actually not that rare in our world, at least for the nobles," Sylviane commented neutrally from Pascal's other side, always sure to make eye contact when she spoke. "But when a lady is the initiator of the courtship, she tend to be very picky about the qualities of the man."
| |
|
| |
| Kaede's mouth felt dry as her lips formed a faint scowl. If Sylviane was trying to offer a mild compliment, it had the exact opposite effect.
| |
|
| |
| "Did you agree?"
| |
|
| |
| "Well... I didn't really know her much. But I figured since I was in high school and a romantic relationship was lauded as like -- ''the'' ideal school life -- why not?"
| |
|
| |
| She had to take a moment and explain what modern standardized education was to the Princess. For a brief moment, Kaede thought Sylviane's fascinated gaze might change the topic, which would have suited her just fine.
| |
|
| |
| Unfortunately, the Princess suppressed the urge and returned to her attentive smile:
| |
|
| |
| "How did the courtship go?"
| |
|
| |
| "We dated for about two weeks before she dumped me," Kaede shrugged.
| |
|
| |
| "Well that was fast," Pascal piped in.
| |
|
| |
| A stare from his familiar then made Pascal look back innocently:
| |
|
| |
| "Nobody ever said most girls in teen years are any less retarded than most boys. That does doubly so for commoners."
| |
|
| |
| ''Are you trying to console me or insult me?'' Kaede thought as her gaze hardened into an outright glare. "You're not even twenty yet yourself."
| |
|
| |
| "''I'' do not belong under 'most teens'," Pascal countered as his drawling haughtiness returned in full, then brushed aside as he hurriedly added: "nor did I say you do."
| |
|
| |
| ''Your compliments suck.''
| |
|
| |
| "Did she explain why?"
| |
|
| |
| It was the Princess who finally derailed them back towards some semblance of maturity.
| |
|
| |
| "Apparently I'm not manly enough," Kaede shrugged, trying to keep the bitterness out of her voice. "She said since I studied martial arts, had excellent grades -- academics, good friends, and knew what I wanted to do for life while still in school, I seemed like a pretty manly guy. Then she accuses me of being uncompetitive, unambitious, rather shy and introverted..."
| |
|
| |
| As her thoughts grew more and more heated, the acidity slowly crept into her tone and words.
| |
|
| |
| "--Basically she had the delusional fantasy in her head that I was some kind of alpha male figure when I'm not. Reality is ''such'' a disappointment."
| |
|
| |
| "You do fit a girl pretty well though," Pascal commented in a matter-of-fact tone.
| |
|
| |
| "Geez, how nice of you!" Kaede's fake gratitude rose another pitch, only to sound even more girlish. "Now can we please get off the topic before I reward your kindness with a fresh stabbing?"
| |
|
| |
| On the other side, Sylviane silently giggled in response. But as rose quartz met wisteria eyes, the Princess answered with a gentle smile:
| |
|
| |
| "The best traits of men are courage, vision, and leadership. I would say that your recent actions proves two of those qualities just fine."
| |
|
| |
| Kaede blinked several times as she ran those words through her mind a second time. For Sylviane to acknowledge her with such directness... she almost wondered if her own senses had gone delusional.
| |
|
| |
| "I... uh... thanks," she stammered back. "It was a pretty desperate situation, so I kind of jumped it..."
| |
|
| |
| "That is what courage is -- decisiveness in the face of absolute necessity," Pascal interjected, albeit rather neutrally. "Had you done that any other time, it would have been absolutely imbecilic..."
| |
|
| |
| He almost snorted the air out of his nose before continuing:
| |
|
| |
| "The only difference between a hero and a fool is that the hero was lucky enough to succeed. Only morons would gamble on that in anything but utter desperation. I do hope my familiar will not do so unnecessarily in the future."
| |
|
| |
| "Do I look like a moron to you?" Kaede glared back. "I certainly don't plan on jumping in front of oversized swords again anytime soon."
| |
|
| |
| "Good."
| |
|
| |
| Pascal's single response was almost cheerful as he sped up his pace, and it took Kaede a moment before she could figured it out:
| |
|
| |
| ''Can't you just say you were worried about me?''
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
| <nowiki>----- * * * -----</nowiki>
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
| "It's beautiful!"
| |
|
| |
| Ariadne couldn't help but grin proudly as Cecylia admired engagement ring on her finger. The size of the gem itself was quite modest, with her birthstone -- a sapphire -- held inside a magically grown diamond. The two tiny pegasus wings in platinum that hovered around the centerpiece had also been intricately detailed to specification, not to mention the layers of protective enchantments...
| |
|
| |
| "I'm a bit surprised he proposed now, though -- middle of a campaign and all," the dhampir girl thought aloud.
| |
|
| |
| Standing at the edge of the encampment, Ariadne was supposed to be overlooking the ''Ghost Riders'' as Colonel von Hammerstein put them through a chaotic mock melee combat exercise.
| |
|
| |
| Except when Cecylia demanded someone's attention, she usually received it.
| |
|
| |
| "Parzifal said he had wanted to proposed before we marched off to war, but that was before Operation White Typhoon sped everything up," Ariadne answered. "He ended up proposing in front of the entire company last night, just after we left the ceremony."
| |
|
| |
| "Well given the customizations on this ring, he had certainly been preparing for a while," Cecylia commented as she looked back up. Then, she whispered in a cat-like grin: "Sooo... have you two done it yet?"
| |
|
| |
| The look Ariadne sent back was a mix of scandalized and 'you-should-know-better'.
| |
|
| |
| "What? You're properly engaged now. It's technically considered acceptable."
| |
|
| |
| "Would you like to ask Parzifal on how well that 'technically' holds up against the Holy Scriptures?" Ariadne asked in her angelic voice, totally unfazed.
| |
|
| |
| "Pass," the smaller girl waved it off. "Too early in the day for a sermon. Although..." her eyes quickly spun around with a fresh idea, "it may be worth it just to see him glow like an apple."
| |
|
| |
| Then, as Ariadne spotted Pascal coming around the corner with Sylviane and Kaede besides him, Cecylia pulled her left hand up and waved it backwards towards the newcomers.
| |
|
| |
| "Hey Pascal! Check it out!"
| |
|
| |
| The excitement had apparently reduced Cecylia to an adolescent maiden instead of her usual aristocratic poise -- at least in public.
| |
|
| |
| Her lively cry caught even the attention of quite a few soldiers in the combat drill, many of whom soon took a beating from their better focused opponents.
| |
|
| |
| "I actually heard the news last night," Pascal grinned as he steadily walked up. "Congratulations are in order, Ariadne."
| |
|
| |
| Had Ariadne lacked a disciplined mask of perfection, her eyes would have narrowed as she took a moment to question the Runelord's sincerity. It was hard to tell at times, since he always seemed to shadow any smile with a smirk.
| |
|
| |
| But this time, there was neither sarcasm nor contempt. The insufferable prat had truly meant it for once.
| |
|
| |
| "Thank you," Ariadne replied with gracious serenity, followed swiftly by a deep curtsy towards the Rhin-Lotharingie Princess.
| |
|
| |
| She didn't say anything though. Proper nobles did not talk directly to royalty without an introduction, even if she was the daughter of a Margrave, which in Weichsel meant a Duke in charge of a militarized coastal frontier.
| |
|
| |
| But if nothing else, the Runelord at least knew proper manners:
| |
|
| |
| "Sylviane, may I introduce Lady Ariadne Charlotte von Zimmer-Manteuffel, daughter to the Margrave of Saale-Holzland. She is General Wiktor von Manteuffel's second cousin, once removed."
| |
|
| |
| "It is a pleasure to meet you," answered the Princess. "I have heard many things about you, Milady, and I'm grateful for your help in keeping my fiancé alive."
| |
|
| |
| Sylviane was smiling, except it was somewhat cold and forced. She tried to hide its imperfections, but to someone with Ariadne's social expertise, the emotions behind them were quite readily apparent.
| |
|
| |
| Grateful or not, the Princess clearly did not like her one bit.
| |
|
| |
| ''No doubt because of that self-centered prick,'' Ariadne swiftly concluded.
| |
|
| |
| "As an officer of Weichsel, it is my duty to uphold the safety of our countries' alliance," she replied with her best smile and a light bow.
| |
|
| |
| It might take her longer thanks to the obstacle named 'Pascal', but there was more than one way to earn someone's respect. Ariadne always believed that impeccable professionalism was every bit as potent as individual charm.
| |
|
| |
| But for now, Sylviane merely nodded back coolly.
| |
|
| |
| "My congratulations on your engagement as well."
| |
|
| |
| Her Highness' words were soon followed by Kaede's, except with far more enthusiasm.
| |
|
| |
| "Thank you."
| |
|
| |
| Ariadne replied warmly to each of them, but Sylviane didn't wait a second longer to break eye contact as she turned towards Pascal with a frown:
| |
|
| |
| "How come I never received an engagement ring from you?"
| |
|
| |
| "Because your father was the one who proposed our betrothal, not me," Pascal stated simply.
| |
|
| |
| Ariadne had to stop herself from grinning as the Princess sighed softly.
| |
|
| |
| ''Fact or not, to tell your fiancé like that only proves you're every bit as much as prick as two years ago.''
| |
|
| |
| "You were so much cuter as a kid," Sylviane complained aloud before turning away.
| |
|
| |
| For a second, Pascal looked like he was about to retort, only to close his opened mouth as he sent Kaede a brief glance.
| |
|
| |
| The familiar girl had apparently told her master to shut up, before his foot went any further into his mouth.
| |
|
| |
| "I thought the ''Ghost Riders'' already spent most of yesterday drilling?" Pascal decided to change the topic. "Your company was supposed to get some rest before returning to combat duty this afternoon."
| |
|
| |
| "Tell the Colonel that," Ariadne shrugged as she turned back towards the exercise. "A few troopers actually complained about it this morning. Colonel von Hammerstein asked them if they'd rather be a little bruised and tired, or dead in the next major battle."
| |
|
| |
| "If I overheard correctly, I believe his opening words were... ''you think this is kinderparty!? one easy tussle and you greens think you're vets already?''"
| |
|
| |
| It was shocking how smoothly Cecylia transitioned from her natural, soothing soprano into a perfect imitation of von Hammerstein's loud, gruff voice. Even Ariadne, who knew Cecylia's expertise with illusion magic quite well, found herself more than a little surprised.
| |
|
| |
| "Good man," Pascal nodded approvingly once his own astounishment wore off. "It would not do a unit any good to praise them after just one success, not if they are to become elites."
| |
|
| |
| ''It takes a prick to know a prick.''
| |
|
| |
| But of course, Ariadne kept thoughts like that to herself.
| |
|
| |
| To be fair, Sir Erwin von Hammerstein ''was'' an excellent commander. Ariadne admitted it; she even followed his example. The men might complain every once a while, but she also knew perfectly that few commanders were as lionized as the Colonel.
| |
|
| |
| She just couldn't forgive how he called her a man on their first meeting.
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
| ( trying to decide if I should squeeze the Kaede - Captain von Lichnowsky meeting into this chapter... it certainly fits the name )
| |