Ah, but this tea was simply tremendous. A truly
[cdb]fitting find for nobles such as ourselves!
Yes, but I fear it pales in comparison to the teacakes
[cdb]you so thoughtfully procured.
And yet, far more than the provisions themselves, it is
[cdb]your noble self who deserves the greatest measure of
[cdb]praise for organizing this most festive occasion.
My dear Lorenz, you flatter me.
Yet I must once again return to this lovely tea which
[cdb]has soothed my weary soul. Truly, it is a testament to
[cdb]your impeccable character and taste!
Why, Ferdinand! Now it is you who flatters me!
Ah, but my hackneyed words could never do justice
[cdb]to a pinnacle of nobility such as yourself.
Nay, those hackneyed words have become pure
[cdb]poetry by the alchemy of your noble idiom!
Uh...
Uh...
My, what fine examples of nobility you are. The two
[cdb]of you shine brighter than any sun, and make my own
[cdb]visage all the sadder as a result.
Good day, Constance. Not feeling well, are we?
I had thought to offer you some tea, but...
This again, is it, Constance? There there, come have
[cdb]some tea and warm yourself up.
Oh, don't worry about me, Lorenz, I'm quite all right.
Well, I certainly won't force you. But do let me know
[cdb]if you change your mind.
Hmm...
Yes, well, there was something I wanted to ask you.
Though I fear it's a rather difficult question.
I have all confidence the two of us are up to
[cdb]the challenge.
Indeed, there has not been a question yet posed that
[cdb]could stump the two noblest of nobles!
In that case—and again, please forgive my
[cdb]impudence—but...
I noticed you both complimenting each other regarding
[cdb]your suitability to your noble stations.
But it is an impossibility for the two of you to be
[cdb]perfectly equal in this. One must be the most suited—
[cdb]the most noble. So which of you is it?
Which one of us?
I fear you misunderstand. This is not a competition,
[cdb]and would be unbecoming of nobles to compare
[cdb]ourselves in such a manner.
But are you not constantly comparing yourselves?
"You are the most noble!" "Nay, it is clearly you, sir!"
Etcetera, etcetera.
Hmm. You know, you may be right.
Now hold just one moment. It is true that we
[cdb]compare each other in a purely literal sense, but it is
[cdb]only so we might take pride in our collective peerage.
And in that we are equal, for there are no degrees of
[cdb]true nobility.
Again, forgive me, but it sounds as if there are indeed
[cdb]differences—you merely turn a blind eye to them in
[cdb]order to avoid unseemly competition.
In any case, if that is the stance you both wish to take,
I'll not press the matter further.
Enjoy your shared throne at the pinnacle of nobility.
No! Wait a moment! You make it sound as if we
[cdb]refuse to compete because we fear losing to the other!
Indeed! I had assumed we were sharing a large divan,
[cdb]but if we are actually squeezing ourselves into a single
[cdb]seat, that is another matter entirely.
Not at all. You both are wonderful, perfect nobles.
Hrm...
Hrm...
I cannot back down from this challenge. Doing so
[cdb]would disgrace my very name!
Indeed! We must determine for good and all who of
[cdb]us is the noble most true!
A splendid turn of events, and one I am most
[cdb]undeserving of. I knew I could count on the two
[cdb]of you to reach the appropriate conclusion.
You've gotta be kidding me.
You've gotta be kidding me.
Oh, we most certainly are not. In fact, I nominate you
[cdb]to serve as arbitrator for our competition.
Hear, hear! You may also select the criteria.
Decline the offer.
Jump at the chance to judge them.
Yeah, no. I'd rather not.
Yeah, no. I'd rather not.
Please! You have a fine eye for this sort of thing—
[cdb]there is no one I would trust more.
The only thing I've got a fine eye for involves pointy
[cdb]weapons and battlefields.
The only thing I've got a fine eye for involves pointy
[cdb]weapons and battlefields.
Still, I fear you will have to do.
OK. But I warn you, my eye for talent pretty much
[cdb]begins and ends at the battlefield.
OK. But I warn you, my eye for talent pretty much
[cdb]begins and ends at the battlefield.
Still, I fear you will have to do.
In that case, how about we use the results of the next
[cdb]training battle? That should be pretty clear cut.
In that case, how about we use the results of the next
[cdb]training battle? That should be pretty clear cut.
Hmm, yes. A lord must be able to command their
[cdb]soldiers, after all.
An exemplary measure of a noble's worth!
And you will also bear witness to our personal
[cdb]prowess as well, for a true noble must be able to
[cdb]safeguard themselves from injury above all else.
Sounds like a plan. I'll let Edelgard know.
Sounds like a plan. I'll let Edelgard know.
To think my off-the-cuff remark would lead to this...
But the stakes could not be higher.
For the winner will be forever known as the noblest of
[cdb]all nobles in the land.
hopes.fedatamine.com
