[ Maomao clicks her tongue quietly in annoyance, just once. Jamil is her least favorite kind of attendant. Even if she can sympathize with him a great deal more than she can with Kalim, he sets her teeth on edge. And the way Kalim seems to shrink when he apologizes to Jamil bothers her. It really does remind her of some of the worst ladies-in-waiting she's met, and as far as she can gather, Kalim has no other confidant here. Is Kalim lonely? Well, far be it from her to understand the mind of someone like him.

She meets Jamil's indignation with placid look and a nod of concession. ]

I understand your concerns. You have a responsibility to uphold not only your station, but his as well. [ She begins tidying up the kitchen, gathering cooking utensils for washing. ] But you know, Jamil, even if we were back in your homeland now, his will would still triumph. As a lowly peasant, and one not even from this world, I wouldn't be in a position to refuse anything Kalim asked of me anyway, right?

[ Sorry Kalim, nothing personal! In fact, it sounds decidedly impersonal. Not waiting for an answer from Jamil, she turns back to Kalim. ]

May I ask why you want to learn to cook?