<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua'"><span class="fixed-color" style="color:#99ff99">"Knowledge, my dear Master Dresden, is always welcome at my court."  Kiara favored him with another smile and then realized that this was the opportunity she'd been looking for -- a reason to end court and escape to the privy!  "I gladly accept the gift sent by King Caddeus -- gladly and with much gratitude.  And as this gift requires my attention -- court is adjourned for the afternoon."  She waved a regal hand at the herald, who announced the closure.  "I shall entertain Master Dresden in the sunroom, if you please," she told one of the many pages that hovered near her throne.  "Please, have him escorted there -- and served whatever he would like to eat or drink."<br/>
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She nodded her head respectfully at Asriel.  "I shall see you again momentarily."<br/>
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And then she escaped -- rapidly, but not so speedily as to be rude -- to her privy.  She shed the heavy robe of state and heavier crown, giving both to a page once she'd taken care of her bodily functions.  Now looking more like the 'average' noble than the country's queen, she smoothed a hand over the swell of her baby and entered the sunroom.  "Tea, please, Maya," she said to the maidservant who was laying out refreshments.<br/>
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"Now."  Kiara seated herself smoothly in one of the armchairs, bathed in the sunlight.  "Let us speak more freely."  She took the teacup Maya handed her and rested it on her belly.</span></span>