To Pierce a Steel Heart (MT, IC, Ended)

[Camelone]

OOC

Ancestral manor of House Krieger

January 30th, 2018
A carriage is pulled through the freshly fallen snow by a team of horses, civilian vehicles having been banned starting at the outskirts of the manor's land about roughly three miles from the manor itself. For civilians traveling to the king's manor usually they would wait for a military vehicle to come and pick them up from one of the three surrounding monasteries that 'guard' the only three land paths to the manor. Instead of the usual wait a few monks were driving a carriage flanked by ceremonial dragoons, each lady who was to attempt to win the hand and love of King Frederick would be treated to the same spectacle of royal ceremony.

As the carriage approached the manor all the guard houses they had to pass through lowered their obstacles without as so much a world from the carriage drivers or the dragoons. Passing by the soldiers each one had their bayonets or trench knives out and extended out in salute to whoever was in the carriage with the commanding officer kneeling down as the carriage passed, the dragoons and monks remained silent. Not much punctured the natural silence except for the wheels of the carriage and the sounds of horses and the occasional order shouted out in Camelonean Gaelic. The beauty of the manor lands would be breathtaking to most, aided by the light reflecting off the snow and seemingly untouched by man that is to the unobservant eye. To those who looked hard enough they could catch glimpses of hidden SAM batteries, a few concealed machine gun nests, sniper stands, and a patrol of elite Royal Hunters moving stealthily through the snow. To many that was what Camelone was a land of great beauty hiding a ferocious martial spirit.

Approaching the manor itself the great work of masonry loomed over the surrounding forest and the presence of soldiers was more visible, with quick and sharp orders the gate was raised and the carriage moved through to see an honor guard of royal knights holding their banners with their swords out in salute. In the background royal officials could be seen going about their daily routine with a few watching the procession to go by and whispering among themselves. Moving through a final set of doors the carriage pulled up to the main doors of the king's manor where King Frederick himself lived. Standing before the staircase a thin man with brown hair and a large beard moved to open the door when the carriage had stopped. He wore a black clock and the uniform signifying that he was the head butler of King Frederick's manor.

He offered his hand to help them out of the carriage with a warm smile "I am Andrew, the head butler of his majesty. May I help you with anything my lady?" He spoke in the language that he was ordered to so that the guest would understand him.

Key
English
Camelonean Gaelic
Latin
Greek

[Kuronami]

Going from the southern hemisphere to the colder north was a welcome change for Kirie. She loved winter time and loved the snow more than any season. Granted it was a pretty long voyage for her, flying just wasn't a popular mode of transit for most Kuronami folks, they still liked trains, boats and automobiles. It was a pretty stormy trip too it was nothing short of a miracle she arrived on time. No doubt this was a lovely country, if nothing more she'd get a nice time away from home for a change. The only other time Kirie ever got to leave the little fiefdom her family controlled was to Sonomi or Caloris on business. She did get to attend the coronation of the Empress but now she was on an adventure. Once she was out of the carriage she opened up her parasol until she was safely indoors again. It kept her long pristine raven hair at its best and her lovely kimono in good condition.

"It's good to meet you. I'm Hanamura Kirie. Uh, Kirie Hanamura." She caught herself needing to reverse her name to more conventions. Odd given the heavy Eastern-Western blend Kuronami was it was usually pretty easy to remember but still old habits. "I'm happy to be here. If you wouldn't mind helping me with my things." she gestured to her large trunk.

[Greater vakolicci haven]

For Maria Schtenko, the plane ride was relaxing, but when you were sat in the back of just one of your family's private jets, things tended to be. She'd spent the few hours from hot, dry Celeria to the snowy land of Camelone being pampered by people whose job it was to make sure that she wanted for nothing: they did it well.
Although the cyborg was a traveller, she rarely ended up anywhere so cold: aside from Celeria's direct northern neighbour of Woodstovia most of her visits were to other warm states. This, however, was not the most pleasant: she sighed...she would cope, she always did.

As she emerged from the carriage she shook her head at the footman who spoke to her, her large suitcase ballenced on one unwavering hand.
"I prefer to carry my own things if that is possible," she stated. "In my homeland the possibility that somebody is tampering with things is extremely high. I do not doubt that this land is much safer, but paranoia has become something of a way of life. I mean no offence by it."

[Camelone]

"It's good to meet you. I'm Hanamura Kirie. Uh, Kirie Hanamura." She caught herself needing to reverse her name to more conventions. Odd given the heavy Eastern-Western blend Kuronami was it was usually pretty easy to remember but still old habits. "I'm happy to be here. If you wouldn't mind helping me with my things." she gestured to her large trunk.

"Of course Lady Kirie." Andrew said bowing his head at the request.

"Tasgall, Cathan to me." He barked out in Camelonean Gaelic to which two young men dressed in a simpler version of Andrew's uniform. "Help Lady Kirie with her luggage. Bring it to her room immediately." Bowing respectfully to Kirie the two men started to move the large trunk into the manor.

Turning back Andrew smiled "Please go on in I shall be here for the other ladies who shall arrive. May you have good health here Lady Kirie."

At the doorway two ceremonially uniformed guardsmen opened the grand doors of the manor.

As she emerged from the carriage she shook her head at the footman who spoke to her, her large suitcase ballenced on one unwavering hand.
"I prefer to carry my own things if that is possible," she stated. "In my homeland the possibility that somebody is tampering with things is extremely high. I do not doubt that this land is much safer, but paranoia has become something of a way of life. I mean no offence by it."

A few minutes later a second carriage pulled up and Andrew went through the same routine once more, and after hearing that she does nor need any help he bowed and got out of her way. Though balancing that large suitcase with a single hand was truly a perplexing sight for not only Andrew but the other servants in the vicinity.

"Tis perfectly reasonable Dutchess Maria and be rest assured I take no offence to that. If you go inside King Frederick will be with you soon, last I heard he was within his study."

As with Kirie earlier the guards opened the doors to the manor.

---

10 minutes earlier
"King Frederick, King Frederick wake up." Seneschal Cormac said shaking the sleeping form of the king who was laying on the couch in his study in front of a now vacant fire place a book was on top of his face and a blanket barely hung onto his body, he was still wearing his military uniform from the troop inspections yesterday morning.

Stirring slightly Frederick moved the book and looked up at his Seneschal with a tired expression "I didn't even get five pages in." He muttered sitting up and rubbing his eyes, a noticeably thick set of black rings sat underneath his eyes.

"Next time try to read before 4 in the morning." Cormac advised as he began folding the blanket and putting it on one of the two chairs that flanked the couch while Frederick began pulling on his military boots, tucking in his pants that were baggy zouave inspired trousers. While lacing up his boots he heard Cormac continue "You are aware that the ladies are arriving soon?" Before Frederick could respond Cromac cut him off "I know you locked the door so I couldn't rouse you from your slumber but I picked the lock."

"Damn you old man." Frederick muttered in half hearted anger as he pushed himself off the couch and began tucking his shirt back in tying the white sash around his waist before throwing on his jacket and buttoning the top buttons and placing his decorations on with the help of Cormac. Cormac produced a few cases of make up and ordered the king to sit back down to which Frederick obeyed and let the Seneschal apply make up to attempt to cover up the deep circles underneath his eyes.

The two men remained silent and when he finished Frederick grabbed his gloves pulling them on with ease and grabbed his sword, beginning to fasten it onto his belt while Cormac held his pistol and holster giving Frederick a look that asked did he really need a pistol.

"Fine no pistol then." Frederick snapped as he looked himself in the mirror before nodding and headed for the door with Cormac following close behind the two discussing the events that were to transpire that day as they were making their way to the foyer where both Kirie and Maria should be waiting.

[Kuronami]

"Of course Lady Kirie." Andrew said bowing his head at the request.

"Tasgall, Cathan to me." He barked out in Camelonean Gaelic to which two young men dressed in a simpler version of Andrew's uniform. "Help Lady Kirie with her luggage. Bring it to her room immediately." Bowing respectfully to Kirie the two men started to move the large trunk into the manor.

Turning back Andrew smiled "Please go on in I shall be here for the other ladies who shall arrive. May you have good health here Lady Kirie."

At the doorway two ceremonially uniformed guardsmen opened the grand doors of the manor.

"Thank you very much" she grabbed her personal belongings while they took care of her trunk. "I hope I didn't over pack too much. Just a long enough trip here plus the extended time I'll be here I thought I'd best be prepared." At least she separated some things from her trunk to her bag so it wouldn't be so heavy for the men who would move it for her. She always treated her servants back home with respect and she'd be sure to do so anywhere else she'd go. "Might I add this place is truly beautiful. I love the snow and I love winter! Cold weather is just my thing!"

[Camelone]

"Thank you Lady Kirie I am most pleased on behalf of my country that you find it beautiful. If cold weather is your thing than Camelone should feel just at home for you." Andrew said with a large smile as the two other servants thanked Kirie for making their load lighter to which Andrew had to translate their thanks. "Now if you would please enter the manor I am sure that King Frederick will be waiting for you and do feel free to make yourself at home. If there is anything that I can do to make your stay here any better please feel free to inform me." With another smile he gestured for her to enter the manor.

[Greater vakolicci haven]

Maria gave Andrew a slight nod as she entered the foyer, it was like many other grand houses she had seen in her time: indeed, it bore similarities to her own. It managed to look tastefully decorated while still managing to promote the exploits of the family which called it home: it was a most delicate of ballencing acts and this palace appeared to have done a relatively good job at preserving the ballence.
She positioned herself on one of the chairs that gave a good view of the door; it was only then that she noticed their was another, younger, woman in the room.
"Hello," she said softly, trying to make conversation and extending her hand. "Maria Schtenko...from Celeria. I assume you are here for the same purpose as me?" She had no idea whether this other woman would recognise her, it largely was based on whether she entered the Olympics; as somebody who entered 5 Olympic sports she was a pretty regular and well-known face in sporting papers around that time of year.

[Camelone]

Present time, Foyer
The foyer of the manor house was a spacious room with suits of armor lined up against the wall with portraits of all the previous patriarchs of House Krieger even the late King Ludwig, and the family crest and flag hanging from the wall between windows, a tall vaulted ceiling had a brilliantly crafted chandelier. The staircase, with a crimson carpet, continued forward before splitting off to the right and the left with a large window directly across from the door. Flanking the central window was two stain glass windows with the image of St. Michael on it protecting the Mother Mary as she crushes the head of the snake holding the baby Jesus in her arms. Standing in the foyer of the Krieger manor made one feel that they were in the middle of a ball room instead instead of the front of a home.

As both Kirie and Maria were in the foyer the peace was broken by a loud voice speaking firmly in Camelonean Gaelic.

"Damn it Cormac I told you to have them wait and stay in one of the guest houses not a guest room in the manor! How am I supposed to get my work done with two new people inside my home!" The voice of the king seemed to be seething in rage.

"Your majesty please calm and collect yourself the ladies must be in the foyer at this very moment. What is done is done!" Cormac's voice responded in a pleading yet forceful tone.

Soon both men appeared from the left staircase as Cormac finished his sentence and his face lit up making his white mustache dance a bit as he smiled at the ladies present. Frederick on the other hand had a more cold and stoic look on his face as he grabbed his jacket and shifted it on his shoulders a bit, he had a commanding presence about him with a stiff formal stance that came from years of leading men on the battlefield and driving the usurpers of his throne to their deaths. He appeared to no longer resemble the young man that Maria once knew he seemed to have seen fifty years of life instead of the ten that truly passed. Stopping at the bottom of the side staircase and the top of the central one holding onto the railing he continued to look at both Maria and Kirie.

"Dutchess Maria it is a great pleasure to see you once more." His voice was vacant of any hint of warmth or friendliness, but it wasn't necessarily hostile just formal and tired. Turning his head towards Kirie he continued "Lady Kirie a pleasure to make your acquaintance. I see my prayers to the Lord for your safe arrival have been met." Again the tone of his voice did not change. To the keen observer they could see that he was indeed wearing make up underneath his eyes to hide something and that he held himself as if the weight of the world sat upon his shoulders, despite his best attempts to hide it. He remained at the top of the central staircase as Seneschal Cormac made his way down.

The Seneschal was a tall and thin man with grandfatherly features and a twinkle in his eyes, his white hair was combed neatly and his mustache was neatly trimmed, his clothing was an expensive looking aristocrats suit, and his riding boots softly clicked on the staircase.

"Welcome to the ancestral manor of House Krieger I am Senschal Cormac Kendrick. Is there anything I can do for either of you? Draw up a bath, fetch some drinks, show you around the manor?" Cormac said with a cheerful voice.

[Greater vakolicci haven]

Maria regarded her former friend and classmate with a mixture of sadness and shock. Truly, Frederick had seen some bad things in the 10 short years since they had met last; and from the looks of things, he seemed to be coping with them. The first looks of things, that was.
As she looked closely she saw the makeup and the world-weary expression on his face, and so she resolved herself and flashed the king, as well as his servant, a smile before slowly walking up to him.
"It is nice to once again see you," she said, extending her arms for a hug. Anybody who had been to Celeria, as the king had would know that the locals of that country would not see a hug as a strange and over-friendly greeting: rather, it was a common one between distant friends and family that would not generally be viewed with suspicion. She awaited his acceptance or rejection of the gesture.

[Camelone]

Frederick decided to humor Maria and accepted her hug though with hesitation and weakly hugged her, it wasn't necessarily normal for distant friends to hug but it wasn't out of the ordinary. He could see Cormac smiling behind Maria to which Frederick was able to give a small smile, and broke the hug to look at Maria once more.

"To say that I was surprised to here that you were coming would be an understatement Duchess Maria. How has life treated you? I pray that it has been good, as you can tell my life has gotten a tad bit more busy." Frederick said with the same tired tone but with a little warmth entering into it, he shifted his jacket once more and smoothed out his shirt.

Resuming his formal posture once more he looked over at Cormac and switched to Camelonean Gaelic. "Seneschal Cormac would you please give a tour to our guests I have some business to attend to, there are petitions that I must read and address at the moment. I must also finish my appeal to the Primate of the Church."

"Your highness I do believe that you can wait a little longer to look through those who desire your attention or writing your argument for the Church to acknowledge your divine right to rule to be placed into doctrine." Cormac responded trying to stand firm but the glare that Frederick cast made him stand down.

"I rule by the Providence of God and I must do all I can to convince the clergy of the truth that and so it shall take up most of my time today. I will also be looking over the plans for the anniversary of my coronation."

Bowing his head Cormac yielded "As you desire King Frederick."

With a nod he turned back to Maria and switched back to English "I do have business to attend to so please excuse for the time being. Both of you. I shall make sure to make an appearance at dinner. It is good to see you both." Frederick stated once more before he began making his way back to his study.

[Kuronami]

Suddenly hearing Duchess Maria already knew Fredrick suddenly made her feel awkward and a bit regretful. Hiding her red face in the fur that adorned her neck she averted her gaze a moment. I might have just made a mistake..., she thought to herself. Well still there were three months and she did insist on pursuing this so she might as well keep it going. When Cormac asked "Actually, I would like to settle in a bit and have a bath if you'd please, Mr. Kendrick."

[Camelone]

"Of course Lady Kirie. I will have a servant draw one up for you immediately. Allow me to show you both to your rooms and you may go off from there but please do not disturb the king when he is working he will not appreciate it in the slightest." Cormac said with a smile as he gestured for everyone to follow him as he began walking up the right staircase.

"The original manor was built in the 11th century AD to consolidate the power of House Krieger in this region and has since been the home of the House. Many great Cameloneans hailed from these lands and my family has been in the service of the Krieger's since the early 1800's, the Kendrick sept and House Krieger have close bonds so the relationship is more of family then servant and master." Cormac was explaining the history of the families as he led them down a hallway with classical paintings of great victories of House Krieger and captured banners lined the walls between the windows and paintings. When they reached the end of the hallway he pointed to two doors across from each other.

"Lady Kirie will be to the right and Duchess Maria will be to the left. The bathroom is connected to your rooms and Lady Kirie your bath should already be drawn. If you need anything call line one on the landline that connects the manorlands and we will be happy to oblige." Cormac said with a bow.

Both rooms were copy's of each other with a large master bed fit for royalty in the center, large windows along the walls with crimson curtains, the House crest on the wall across from the headboard of the bed, and a collection of finely built furniture. A fire place was off to the side and a sliding door could be seen connecting the bedroom to the bathroom near the window.

[Kuronami]

"Thank you very much, Good sir. I will be sure to let you know if I need anything." she gently closed the door once they were parting company. Maybe she would still try to get aquainted with Maria later. Just because they were vying for the same man doesn't mean they had to be uncivilized shrews about it, even though know she felt at a disadvantage. The room was quite lavish with a large bed too! Kirie was more used to sleeping on the floor in a nice futon which she neglected to bring for reasons she wasn't even sure other than it was a hassle to carry it around. She didn't sleep in beds often and wasn't used to them but she'd do her best. She also got a glance out the window seeing the snowy landscape adorn the grounds, it was beautiful. Well no doubt her bath was waiting so she undressed, undid her hair letting it completely free and into the hot water she sank. It felt good from her long trip here to sit and soak and think a bit. She wondered what the King was really like, how he felt about two foreign women being offered up for his hand in marriage, would she get picked or would it be Maria?

[Greater vakolicci haven]

The king may easily have been able to stare Cormak, or anybody else for that matter down...one would have a hard job with Maria, 17th dutchess of Altach, however. She smiled at king Frederick with an almost jocular persona showing and giggled slightly, her focussed eyes the only thing that showed she was not making a joke.
"Surely," she told him, "Such matters as your coronation...you have servants to attend to such menial things. After all, what are servants and cabinet members for if not to do those things that would take up time that we would much rather be spent doing things we much wanted to do. Such as socialising with old friends we haven't seen for years," she looked pointedly to where the makeup was all to visible and lowered her voice "Or getting some sleep. For fucks sake, even I sleep and I don't really have to, when did you last get a proper nights sleep?"

[Camelone]

The king may easily have been able to stare Cormak, or anybody else for that matter down...one would have a hard job with Maria, 17th dutchess of Altach, however. She smiled at king Frederick with an almost jocular persona showing and giggled slightly, her focussed eyes the only thing that showed she was not making a joke.
"Surely," she told him, "Such matters as your coronation...you have servants to attend to such menial things. After all, what are servants and cabinet members for if not to do those things that would take up time that we would much rather be spent doing things we much wanted to do. Such as socialising with old friends we haven't seen for years," she looked pointedly to where the makeup was all to visible and lowered her voice "Or getting some sleep. For fucks sake, even I sleep and I don't really have to, when did you last get a proper nights sleep?"

Frederick froze in mind step realizing that Maria could understand Camelonean Gaelic 'Well there goes discussing anything important when Maria is around.' He thought somewhat bitterly. He kept his back turned to her only looking over his shoulder slightly "The anniversary of my coronation is also the anniversary that my father was murdered in front of me, that is why I will not leave it to any servants, as for when I last got a proper nights sleep, a truly peaceful one, would be in in 2009 when the fate of a people wasn't my responsibility." There was a slight crack in his voice that was covered up quickly when he mentioned his father and his hands were balled into fists. Taking a deep breath he calmed himself down and resumed his original formal tone.

"Now excuse me once more... I will see you at dinner Maria, I promise I'll catch up with you there." Turning his head forward once more he resumed his walk to the study.

[Greater vakolicci haven]

Maria stopped to lay a gentle but supportive hand on Frederick's shoulder, however she wasn't stupid and knew when she was not wanted. At this point, harassing him could only get her worse: and after all, if she was going to use her former friendship with the king as a head start to get herself a kingdom, she didn't want to screw it up. Not that she loved Frederick in that way, although something about his hard persona and vulnerable inside did present some empathy from her...Maria, however, wanted to be a queen. And so she'd be a nice, loving woman until that point. Until she had him snared, possibl longer if he was good.

Turning to follow Cormak, she gave one last smile to Frederick as she walked upstairs. The cyborg dutchess had perfected the art of smiling, eyes included; however her facial expressions were as fake as her purpose-built insides.
"Is their a place I will be able to spar with worthy opponents," she asked Cormak matter-of-factly. "I am an Olympic-level athlete and it is vital that I keep my fitness up to peak levels while I am here. I must of course fight...shoot...lift weights while I am here, all of these things I compete in at the highest level. Where will this be possible?"

[Camelone]

Cormac thought for a bit tapping his chin "Well the knights and soldiers train after every day so maybe some of them would spar with you but usually they stay within their platoons for training purposes. The king and I fence every now and then but he isn't one to accept any challenge mostly because he desires a slower pace to clear his head. There is a shooting range on the premise, if you hear muffled gun shots at night the king is practicing his skeet shooting in the range so that is off to the basement and go through the large glass doors across from the swimming pool and the hot tub is located just outside the shooting range, it is currently functional and I am told it is quite pleasant in this weather. The royal weight room is also downstairs in the basement as well, you have to walk through the pool area but it is just straight. That is all we have available for you at the moment as the military areas are off limits to foreigners, even foreigners who know the king."

Tapping something in his ear Cormac looked off to the distance for a bit before he gave another kind smile to Maria "I am called elsewhere, please come to dinner at around 6:30, King Frederick will join you soon afterwards. Till then Duchess Maria." Bowing Cormac took his leave. Cormac made a mental note to inform Lady Kirie about the time for dinner and left a quick message on her room phone from the small tablet hidden underneath his suit sleeve.

---

6:45 Private Dining Hall
The private dining hall of the manor was much smaller compared to the grand hall just a room over, instead of a long table with numerous chairs this room had a rather large circular table with only three chairs visible one with its back to the fire place and the other two equally far away from it so that they were closer together then they were close to him. It was rather dark but just light enough for the average person to see relatively easy, though the corners were dark and there appeared to be a door close to the chair near the fire place where the king was to presumably sit. The walls were rather bare in here except for a scrolls with the Camelonean alphabet written on them placed every so often on them, instead of the usual horizontal script these went vertical.

A few appetizers were on the table already sitting directly in front of each chair as well as a jug for water, a jug for mead, and a jug for wine arranged around a central flower arrangement. A servant stood off to the side near the kitchen door ready to address any questions that needed to be answered. The silverware was fine crafted with even finer china and glasses.

King Frederick made his way into the dining hall followed closely behind by one of his close advisers Earl Marcas Kavanagh, a heavily burned and decorated nobleman who wore his military accomplishments proudly on his uniform, most of the left side of his face was burned discoloring his left eye and the two men were talking quickly in Camelonean Gaelic.

"King Frederick I do not think it is a wise choice to let these... foreigners have free roam of the manor. They are not Camelonean women and your heir would not be a full blooded Camelonean. Are they even Catholic, or at the very least Christian?!"

Turning to his close aide and friend he put a hand on his shoulder as they stood behind Frederick's chair "Marcas I know your distrust for foreigners is well founded and you have nothing but my best intentions at heart, as well as the realms as a whole, so you have my deepest gratitude for that. Now I ask you to trust me again."

Sighing Marcas conceded "I've followed you into deaths valley before Frederick and I would do it again in a heartbeat so I will trust you but I'll be watching them closely." The two men clasped each others hands before Marcas gave a crisp salute handing the documents in his hands to Frederick and left.

Sitting down at the table Frederick began looking through the paperwork as he merely nodded his head at the presence of the others in the room without any apology for being late. The servant was looking at both Maria and Kirie to see how they would react to the king's usual dinner behavior.

[Kuronami]

After her bath Kirie drifted off into a doze then woke up seeing the time was nearly 6. "Ooh I'd better get ready for dinner." she quickly got up again it seemed when her things were brought to her room her clothes were nicely put away which made things very easy. (if I'm over stepping by assuming that, just let me know) . She did up her hair again tying into a loose ponytail with a pink scrunchie, and put on a lighter pink flora print kimono and pinned a small rose in her hair. Putting on just a dash of mascara foregoing lipstick. Socks, zori, now she was a pearl of the orient of her Empire. She had her mobile which she still had on mute and set inside the breast pocket.

As long as it took her to get dressed, it didn't take her as long as to find the dining hall. The heavy air of awkward silence seemed to hang in the room even when the king entered. Upon his entrance she stood and bowed and waited for him to sit before resuming seating herself. How odd he seemed to be lost in work. Very improper manners even if he is a king, dinner time was family time and her family (even if they had yet to call or message her) always ate together and talked together. Work was not an option. "Ahem..." She cleared her throat "Frederick-ue. I believe it is proper at dinner to engage with your guests. We Maria-san and I are here after all to see if we're potential suitors for marriage."

[Camelone]

"Huh?" Frederick asked as his head snapped up from the documents he was looking over surprised that someone had called him out on continuing to work even at the dinner table. Coughing into his hand to compose himself he closed the document that he was reading and placed it off to the side "I apologize for any perceived sleight that I have given either of you, it is hard to break habits that you have grown accustomed to. Earl Marcas had to fetch me from the study because I both lost track of time and forgot that I was supposed to come here." Looking back at the document off to the side he placed it under his chair knowing full well that if it was still out he would be much to tempted to go back to working.

Straightening back up he looked over at the servant "Odilo would you please tell the chefs to make final preparations for the main course?" Frederick asked in English to convey that the servant could easily take everyone's requests.

"Of course your majesty." Odilo said with a bow and a grin on his face as he turned and left for the kitchen.

"And wipe that damn grin off of your face!" Frederick ordered to which only a laugh could be heard from the kitchen. "Seems I can not even get respect from my servants, oh what is a king to do?" It appeared that Frederick was joking though his tone remained the same formal neutral as it was beforehand.

"Has everything been to your liking so far?" He decided to ask to start some small talk.

[Greater vakolicci haven]

Maria sat down in her chair, for a dutchess who regularly acted as if she ran her own dutchy as a separate state the formality of the rooms around her were not odd in the slightest. As Frederick walked in, still working and late, however, she began to rise however Kiri got their before her and berated the king for it; at least she would have an ally in this matter, then.
"Everything has," Maria spoke up in anwer to his questin, "Although I must say that I am incredibly concerned about the lack of good martial arts training facilities and opponents I can use to practise my skills on. I compete at the highest level and I must maintain my training; can something be arranged?"

[Camelone]

"Outside of open festivities very few knights or soldiers would ever think about dueling a foreigner, even for training. Cameloneans, as you probably already know, do not necessarily trust foreigners as my efforts to gradually allow the outside world and Camelone to interact has backfired greatly. The Knights of St. Anthony the Great, more commonly known as the Tomb Guard, may very well accept a sparring match but they come to the manor sparingly and stay in their cave monasteries. Other than that I can not think of anything to help you, I can of course bring some additional equipment you may need to help out." Frederick responded thinking that the facilities available now were more then enough but guessed that Maria needed extra for a more rigorous training then he needed.

He adjusted the silverware in front of him slightly as he was not used to having nothing to do as he waited for dinner, either it be him doing work in his study or reading a book but he has not had company eating that wasn't in the grand hall in a long time.

"So may I know some more of who you are Lady Kirie or what you have been up to Duchess Maria?" Frederick trying to start a conversation.

[Greater vakolicci haven]

"I've got a great idea," Maria told Frederick. Whenever she was annoyed, or speaking in a more methodical tone her eastern celari accent became more obvious: it was rather obvious now.
"my idea is thus. You go talk to people, and say 'Hey! This woman is saying that she can beat any one of our soldiers. For national pride, shut her the fuck up for me and show her that she can't.' Wouldn't that get them thinking that maybe they want a fight?"
As she was asked about food, Maria ordered a whole long list of different things. "Those are...all full-sized portions yes," she stated, "I apologise, Frederick. My table manners have not improved since you knew me before, they simply cannot if I am to survive. I hope you understand."

[Camelone]

Frederick raised an eyebrow at the 'idea' "You said you wanted to train you would get a lot of brash squires and soldiers but no true warriors with that plan. Either way I can order another man into a duel it would be a gross violation of honor, each man is free to decline if he so wishes. You are certainly free to ask anyone you wish."

"Is that the main difference between our countries politics then, table manners?" Frederick jokingly jabbed at Maria with a small smile forming on his face.

Odilo returned from the kitchen and held up four fingers with Frederick nodded back in thanks.

[Kuronami]

"I must say, I'm quite impressed, Miss Maria-san. You sound like you are an accomplished fighter? Or am I simply reading too much? The only real fighting experience I have is Kendo with a Shinai. Even then I'm nothing compared to my elder brothers and even my elder sister." Fredrick seemed to have an interest in a woman who probably could fight even if her experience in Kendo wasn't much it was worth throwing out there. Plus honesty is always a virtue, right?

[Greater vakolicci haven]

Maria thought for a few seconds before sighing.
"Perhaps you could call a great contest," she stated, "Which, naturally I will enter. It would be one way that I could gain acceptance here, would it not?" She took another bite of one of the appetisers before continuing "Or you could just imort good fighters from around the world, after all by the most accepted international body, I am literally the best boxer, wrestler and judoka in the world right now. As for my table manners...I just have to eat a tremendous amount of food to survive. The systems that make everything tick do get incredibly hungry, you know."