[She nods, thoughtful, actually listening to his story.]
Then you are, like me, from an especially brutal place. And you are a warrior, too. I have never heard of games where people kill for entertainment, but many die in war and in acts of cruelty.
It is different from some here, if you are already accustomed to death.
You wouldn’t be wrong, but I’m not from a wealthy family, I’m from royalty.
[She puts a hand up as though expecting a protest.]
I’m sure you expect that I think I’m better than others based on the wealth we have or that status, but I assure you it cannot be further from the truth. Royalty and nobility in my country is decided by bloodlines and the strength of one’s crest, both accidents of birth, and therefore a great many fools and talentless oafs will rise to the top of society rather than those who are deserving.
But the difference is that while the children of the wealthy may expect to lead idle lives, the children of the nobility are expected to defend their lands and lead armies into battle. The elder children will be expected to learn to fight.
Myself, I was the ninth born to my father and had brothers. But my siblings perished, and I became first the heir and later the emperor. And my reign has not been a peaceful one. Since I assumed the throne, I have seen a great many battles.
[Huh. Well, he's never encountered royalty, but he sure has encountered the wealthy, and maybe that's the difference: the latter inspires mild derision, but he can at least grudgingly acknowledge the former's validity.]
So I oughta be calling you Emperor and not princess, huh?
Technically, the correct address is Your Majesty. But you are not my subject. As I said, Edelgard will do.
[She's not all that concerned with titles. But 'princess' does chafe a bit.]
There is. I mentioned that in truth, the nations of Fodlan are controlled by the church. It is a corrupt institution, responsible for enforcing a cruel social structure and carrying out many atrocities in the service of its own power. It has always been my desire to expose the lies taught by the church and free my countrymen from its tyranny.
Given the power of the church, the only way to break its grip is war.
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timeasmymeasure
no subject
Date: 2019-11-10 11:29 pm (UTC)Then you are, like me, from an especially brutal place. And you are a warrior, too. I have never heard of games where people kill for entertainment, but many die in war and in acts of cruelty.
It is different from some here, if you are already accustomed to death.
no subject
Date: 2019-11-11 07:50 pm (UTC)[Better, in that he hit the ground running. Worse, in that he's been dealing with PTSD for about five weeks now.]
What kinda fighter are you, anyway? I mean, usually people as rich as you act don't have to fight.
no subject
Date: 2019-11-11 09:28 pm (UTC)You wouldn’t be wrong, but I’m not from a wealthy family, I’m from royalty.
[She puts a hand up as though expecting a protest.]
I’m sure you expect that I think I’m better than others based on the wealth we have or that status, but I assure you it cannot be further from the truth. Royalty and nobility in my country is decided by bloodlines and the strength of one’s crest, both accidents of birth, and therefore a great many fools and talentless oafs will rise to the top of society rather than those who are deserving.
But the difference is that while the children of the wealthy may expect to lead idle lives, the children of the nobility are expected to defend their lands and lead armies into battle. The elder children will be expected to learn to fight.
Myself, I was the ninth born to my father and had brothers. But my siblings perished, and I became first the heir and later the emperor. And my reign has not been a peaceful one. Since I assumed the throne, I have seen a great many battles.
no subject
Date: 2019-11-13 10:03 pm (UTC)So I oughta be calling you Emperor and not princess, huh?
[Interesting.]
There a reason for all those battles?
no subject
Date: 2019-11-14 05:11 am (UTC)[She's not all that concerned with titles. But 'princess' does chafe a bit.]
There is. I mentioned that in truth, the nations of Fodlan are controlled by the church. It is a corrupt institution, responsible for enforcing a cruel social structure and carrying out many atrocities in the service of its own power. It has always been my desire to expose the lies taught by the church and free my countrymen from its tyranny.
Given the power of the church, the only way to break its grip is war.