0. Ah, Ferdinand. I hadn't realized you'd returned to [cdb]the palace.
1. Yes, here I am. Not that I have official business [cdb]like you.
2. Then why come such a long way— Ah, I see. You're here to visit your father.
3. I am ashamed to say this was my first time seeing him [cdb]in his cell.
4. My father insisted I stay away for my own safety.
5. Though I must confess, the dungeon was not the [cdb]horrid place I had imagined it to be.
6. I was envisioning...you know. Fiery hot pokers, [cdb]spikes...that manner of thing.
7. Oh? Then it may interest you to know that we do [cdb]actually have such a dungeon. I've only seen it [cdb]once, myself.
8. It's...further down from where we're keeping the [cdb]former duke. It's a dismal place, one where rats [cdb]scurry to and fro.
9. Rats? I do not imagine Father would cope well with [cdb]that at all.
10. While he did look haggard, it sounds as though his [cdb]treatment could be far, far worse.
11. We're doing our best to keep him in good health— [cdb]the rest will depend on his frame of mind.
12. Well, you will hear no complaints from me.
13. I care only that he is kept alive and given a fair trial. And that his punishment fits the crime, of course.
14. You'd better speed things along then, because Hubert is quickly losing patience.
15. A fact of which I am very well aware. The problem is [cdb]that I remain unable to connect my father to many of [cdb]the acts he is accused of.
16. Perhaps you're wasting your time. A noble as [cdb]powerful as your father could easily have [cdb]documents forged and witnesses bought off.
17. Any records that remain will be considered far too [cdb]dubious to prove guilt or innocence.
18. Another fact I am very much aware of...
19. In truth...I already found proof some time ago. Proof of his corruption, that is.
20. I discovered it while looking through his tax records. When I realized what he had done, I was ready to [cdb]serve him up to the authorities myself.
21. Your own father? I'm surprised to hear you say that.
22. I mean it. I thought I could carefully build a solid [cdb]case against him while studying at the academy.
23. However, you had him clapped in irons before I [cdb]could have my case organized. Heh. Now there [cdb]is a bit of comedy.
24. I idolized my father ever since I was a child. Yet I had to push those feelings aside in order to [cdb]muster the anger to punish him.
25. Now I find myself trapped between both of those [cdb]emotions with no resolution in sight.
26. I see. And tell me, is that the end of your story?
27. I thought you were going to become prime minister. Keep me in line. Surpass me, even.
28. Oh! Uh, well, I did not mean...
29. You can still share words with your father and see him [cdb]punished for his crimes, you know.
30. So if you desire resolution, start resolving matters. It's never too late.