1. Hey there, Edelgard.
  2. Hey there, Edelgard.
  3. Leafing through documents, are we? This is new.
  4. Yeah, completely out of character, I know. But one of [cdb]these reports has been stuck in my mind.
  5. Yeah, completely out of character, I know. But one of [cdb]these reports has been stuck in my mind.
  6. Back when Count Rowe declared fealty to the Empire, other lords committed to doing the same, [cdb]right?
  7. Back when Count Rowe declared fealty to the Empire, other lords committed to doing the same, [cdb]right?
  8. But the moment we left and the Kingdom army [cdb]marched south, they fell right back in line.
  9. But the moment we left and the Kingdom army [cdb]marched south, they fell right back in line.
  10. It's like they never betrayed Faerghus in the [cdb]first place.
  11. It's like they never betrayed Faerghus in the [cdb]first place.
  12. Good memory. That's exactly what happened.
  13. Houses Elidure and Duval both made overtures to [cdb]join the Empire.
  14. So why is the Kingdom welcoming them back without [cdb]so much as a wrist slap? Is this another House Gloucester thing where the politics demand it?
  15. So why is the Kingdom welcoming them back without [cdb]so much as a wrist slap? Is this another House Gloucester thing where the politics demand it?
  16. Seems like their importance as noble families [cdb]outstrips the fact that they're all two-faced liars.
  17. Seems like their importance as noble families [cdb]outstrips the fact they're all two-faced liars.
  18. Politics are doubtless involved, but the heads of [cdb]houses can change, as they did with Gloucester.
  19. We're not bound to place importance on any one [cdb]individual—only the bloodline.
  20. So the Kingdom's aristocracy gets the same free pass [cdb]as the Alliance's?
  21. So the Kingdom's aristocracy gets the same free pass [cdb]as the Alliance's?
  22. Yes, and the Empire's as well, even though I do my [cdb]best to treat everyone equally.
  23. I cannot afford to slight a minister's house, [cdb]for example.
  24. They broke fealty to the former prime minister when [cdb]they swore it to me.
  25. Would you call that treachery? What makes it [cdb]different from the actions of Count Gloucester?
  26. Ask her what she thinks.
  27. Say it depends on ulterior motives.
  28. Say she's comparing apples to oranges.
  29. I dunno, you tell me.
  30. I dunno, you tell me.
  31. It depends on what motivated the change of heart.
  32. Greed makes it different—and I'd say betraying [cdb]someone for money is lower than low.
  33. Greed makes it different—and I'd say betraying [cdb]someone for money is lower than low.
  34. That's one way to look at it. I agree that what matters [cdb]is the reason behind the change of heart.
  35. You can't blame someone for switching sides when [cdb]they're outnumbered. Do you think they're just [cdb]gonna lay down and die?
  36. You can't blame someone for switching sides when [cdb]they're outnumbered. Do you think they're just [cdb]gonna lay down and die?
  37. That's part of it. I think what matters is why they [cdb]had the change of heart.
  38. Was it for land? For status? To exact revenge or [cdb]seize glory?
  39. Because I view a betrayal for any of those reasons to [cdb]be utterly worthless.
  40. Yeah, money and vengeance are pretty shallow [cdb]motives. Though, that's why I'm here.
  41. Yeah, money and vengeance are pretty shallow [cdb]motives. Though, that's why I'm here.
  42. I'm not talking about mercenaries. I'm talking [cdb]about lords.
  43. Each of their decisions has the ability to upend the [cdb]lives of thousands, if not more.
  44. Only a person with the character to realize that is [cdb]truly fit to lead.
  45. I've worked for plenty of nobles in my time.
  46. I've worked for plenty of nobles in my time.
  47. And till now I couldn't have cared less what it means [cdb]to actually be one.
  48. And till now, I couldn't have cared less what it means [cdb]to actually be one.
  49. But then you gave me responsibility over all of these [cdb]soldiers, and it...
  50. But then you gave me responsibility over all of these [cdb]soldiers, and it...
  51. Well, I guess I'm starting to see the world in a [cdb]different way—and the people who live in it, too.
  52. Well, I guess I'm starting to see the world in a [cdb]different way—and the people who live in it, too.
  53. I see...
  54. I admit your grand designs sail clear over my head [cdb]sometimes—most of the time, actually.
  55. I admit your grand designs sail clear over my head [cdb]sometimes—most of the time, actually.
  56. But that's why I stand by you. I feel like one of these [cdb]days, something important's gonna rub off on me.
  57. But that's why I stand by you. I feel like one of these [cdb]days, something important's gonna rub off on me.
  58. And I feel the same.
  59. You've opened my eyes to all manner of things I [cdb]might never have seen otherwise.
  60. You are a commoner without the fetters of a family [cdb]name, wielding your sword directly for me.
  61. That's more valuable than you may realize.