Author's note: As always, thanks for waiting! Do consider this particular chapter (all three parts of it) as a breather episode, before things kick back up again.

BTW, the jumble of words put into one sentence is Marie's train of thought whenever she gets excited. And yes, I've cut particular scenes involving anything sexual with her since she's...you know...? (^_^;)

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Around the same time that Freyja and Dampierre's battle ended, Marie sighed happily as she had another cup of non-alcoholic juice. Dancing was a lot of fun, but sometimes taking a break was always reasonable.

"You know..." she told Patroklos. "I've a feeling this bout of freedom will last for tonight, and the next day, we'll have to catch up with what lies ahead."

Marie nodded. It didn't take long for her to ask, "Can we go outside and talk over something private?"

Remembering how she brought up his sexual escapades with Lydia (and to some extent, Elizabeth), he nodded. "Of course."

Eagerly, she took Patroklos's hand, and they left for the courtyard.

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Once they were outside, Marie exclaimed, "Wow! The sky is so pretty!"

Patroklos nodded. "It sure is, and it's all quiet out here, too."

"Unless you include the party inside the castle grounds." she added.

Both of them chuckled, before Marie finally began, "About those times you've slept with Lydia, I've become...rather curious."

"About what?" he asked.

"I was wondering what sex is all about; my mother and I brought it up in secret, and she told me that someday, I'll experience it for myself." she told him.

As she smiled at him, Patroklos took notice of her sudden assertiveness. "Then maybe...Maybe I'll teach you."

His words took her by surprise, and her smile grew even bigger. "You will? Wow..." she said, before leaning in to kiss him.

Initially, he was bewildered, but he went along with it as he locked lips with hers. It was perhaps the very first kiss that Marie had that had passion within, and he seemed very honored.

OhmygoshIcan'tbelieveitIt'sseriouslyhappening!

Just as they would add their tongues to the mix, though, they'd broke the kiss. "I'll be more than happy to bring you back home." Patroklos told her, to which she nodded in approval.

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After her father had thanked everyone for the birthday wishes and gifts bestowed upon him, (the song 'Happy Birthday to You' wasn't around until 1893, so instead a birthday dance was also had), Marie escorted Patroklos out of the castle after bidding her friends goodbye and goodnight. Isuzu raised an eyebrow as the she watched the duo leave, prompting Helen to look over at her.

"Isuzu, I've a feeling that we're slowly being drawn to him like never before." she said.

"Really?"

"Yeah...but unlike you, I'm not that very...skilled, if you know what I'm talking about." Helen replied.

"Don't worry, Helen, 'cause chances are, he'll probably take a fancy towards one of us. Or perhaps all five of us." Isuzu said.

Helen blushed, but managed to let out a small smile as she wordlessly agreed.

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Back at the Mad Hearts Neo's base, Patroklos was more than happy to be a gentleman towards Marie. As he brought her to her room, he had briefly admired the golden torc around her neck, before he took it off with both hands and it onto her desk.

She would then turn around, having blushed immensely as her nervous hands took care of removing his clothes. He'd return the favor almost instantly, starting with her dress.

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How long is it until he gets back?

Elsewhere, Malice was tapping one of his feet impatiently. It was apparent that Greed had begun flirting with a beautiful woman whom he had asked to dance with, and took her up to someplace more private.

As for Z.W.E.I. and Viola, on the other hand, they had enjoyed the banquet together, and it seemed as if romance was beginning to truly blossom for them, much like Patroklos and Marie. That is, if she won over him completely.

And so, the banquet had come to an exquisite finale...

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Chapter 14 will show up eventually. It's a pretty short one, but still...

With love for my fans,

Chrissy