linkSylvainvolume_up
Thank you for joining me on this moonlit stroll, my dear lady.
linkMercedesvolume_up
Thank you for the invitation. I've always been fond of such nighttime wanderings.
linkMercedesvolume_up
The moon and stars are lovely, and there are also certain flowers that bloom only at night.
linkSylvainvolume_up
Hahaha! Count on you to know something like that. You'll have to point me in the direction of those flowers sometime.
linkMercedesvolume_up
Yes, well, what did you want to talk about?
linkSylvainvolume_up
Well, I heard you were getting engaged, and I was just...wondering how you felt.
linkMercedesvolume_up
Goodness! Someone is well-informed.
linkSylvainvolume_up
Well, your fiancé-to-be is a noble from Gautier territory. It's only natural word would find its way to me.
linkSylvainvolume_up
Are you going to accept? I mean, I don't think he's a bad guy or anything, but...
linkMercedesvolume_up
No, it's a fair question. However, as my adoptive father backs the proposal, I doubt I have much say in the matter.
linkMercedesvolume_up
Though if I did, I'd likely refuse. There's still so much I want to do and experience in this world.
linkMercedesvolume_up
Still, I doubt there's much hope of the parties involved relenting.
linkSylvainvolume_up
Why not just turn him down like you do all the other guys?
linkMercedesvolume_up
I've refused so many proposals that my adoptive father has run out of patience.
linkMercedesvolume_up
And as he's already initiated the marriage discussions, it would be difficult to back out now.
linkSylvainvolume_up
That lowlife doesn't care about your feelings at all! He just cares about that Crest of yours.
linkMercedesvolume_up
We don't choose our bloodline, just like flowers don't choose where to bloom.
linkMercedesvolume_up
If being married means I will never know want, then I've no right to complain—even if it is not my preferred outcome.
linkMercedesvolume_up
You're much the same, yes? People like us have to try to bloom as best we can.
linkSylvainvolume_up
Never really thought of myself as a flower, but I get what you're saying.
linkSylvainvolume_up
Flowers are stuck in the same spot for life, whether they like it or not. And if they happen to sprout in a bad area, they're out of luck.
linkSylvainvolume_up
But we have legs, not roots. We can go wherever we want.
linkSylvainvolume_up
And we don't have to give up on our dreams, so long as we're clever about it.
linkMercedesvolume_up
I see. And what is your "clever" solution in this case?
linkSylvainvolume_up
Well, if your only goal is to end negotiations with this guy, I could ask you to marry me instead.
linkMercedesvolume_up
I'm not sure I follow. You would marry me so...I don't have to marry someone else?
linkSylvainvolume_up
To be perfectly clear, I'm not making advances on you or anything.
linkSylvainvolume_up
But I'm the heir of House Gautier.
linkSylvainvolume_up
If I ask you, this other guy will have no choice but to bow out. Though I doubt he'd be happy about it.
linkSylvainvolume_up
After that, you can do whatever you want. Go work at a church or ladle out soup or whatever makes you happy. I won't stop you.
linkMercedesvolume_up
But that would prevent you from marrying the person you love.
linkSylvainvolume_up
Haha! OK, look, it's just an idea. You've got lots of options available to you.
linkMercedesvolume_up
You really do know the ways of the world, Sylvain. I've always admired that about you.
linkSylvainvolume_up
The honor of receiving such a compliment from you lifts my feet from the ground! But seriously, let me know if you need any help. I'm always here for you.