<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua'"><span class="fixed-color" style="color:#99ff99">"The correct term of address is 'your Majesty' or 'my Queen," the servant pouring tea -- Maya -- whispered to Asriel.  "My Queen would not correct you, but others at court may think you disrespectful if you refer to her as 'Highness.'  That is the address for a Prince or Princess, here."  She flashed him a small, private smile before retreating to the other side of the room.  Aside from Kiara and Asriel, Maya and a male servant were the only other occupants of the sunroom -- and the servants were at the far end, intentionally out of earshot.<br/>
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Kiara sighed and frowned slightly at Asriel's question.  "Aside from being terribly tired of being asked that?"  She laughed a little.  "It has not been an easy few months.  My husband - the late King Arocan - was a very strong leader, but not as strong in administration and diplomacy.  The military has had difficulty accepting that they now report to a woman... though the bureaucrats are satisfied with my leadership, at least."  She paused.  "Perhaps you think I am foolish, to speak to you so freely -- but I interpreted your vow to me as one that would include your silence with regard to our discussions.  Have I misunderstood, or are the words we share to remain private?"</span></span>