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Julien sipped his water, stalling for a moment as he considered Elise's question. Then, setting down his glass, he launched into a thoughtful but concise answer. The back-and-forth volley of questions and answers continued over their meal, until the princess seemed satisfied.[break][break]

On his end, Julien endured the conversation well. It allowed him greater insight into the personality, strengths, and weaknesses of his political peer. He mentally filed away this information, for later scrutiny.[break][break]

All-in-all, however, he doubted he had to worry about trouble from the likes of Elise Calcifet.[break][break]

He paid for their meal, of course. Not that she couldn't afford it, but because it was the gentlemanly thing to do, especially since he was her elder. Then he thanked her for the company and bid her farewell.[break][break]

And he silently vowed, in the future, to communicate primarily through written correspondence.

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