[b]Sylvia was completely silent at Aranhil's words, watching him put away Hoppy into his cage before going back to lecturing her. His words cut deeply into her, making her feel more like a child than his wife. Was she really such an obstacle to him that he had to insist that their arguments were entirely his fault? What happened to that man that used to find amusement in their little spats & admit fault when he had it?

Slowly, the princess sat down before her food. Meat was the main focus of the meal again, of course;Sylvia could only imagine how much worse the other meal had been if Aranhil believed that she would be offended by it. Sylvia admitted to herself that she ate the dragons' food, followed their customs, & even bowed to Aranhil in things that she felt strongly against. How much harder could it possibly be to become exactly what Aranhil wanted?

"I will do as you want," Sylvia mumbled quietly as she began to eat her food, "I am sorry to have worried you, Husband. I've just been feeling more emotional than usual; it must be the pressure of planning the Autumn Festival with your mother & sister." 

Sylvia made sure to keep her words mild, ladylike even, & kept her gaze away from his so her actual emotion wasn't betrayed in her facial exprssions. Her excuse was pathetic, but it seemed like one that a dainty, submissive princess would give to someone. All she had to do was do things like this to please Aranhil, right? Perhaps he could stomach her more if she just did as he commanded.[/b]