[Xander offers a gentle rise and fall of the shoulders at this inquiry.] Admitedly, I don't rightfully know if there are any ramifications for not participating other than living in squalor and never receiving any items from home... [No horse, no sword... no anything. He will live with that.] That doesn't mean this place won't push you as hard as it can if you leave yourself unaware or let your guard down.
As someone who lived in Nohr for a time you are likely familiar with the history. My father's history, to be precise. There is no force alive that would convince me to behave in such a way. I will live here as I lived back home... And I do not wish to become--
[Tarnished. Sullied... There are many words that equate to the feeling of just giving yourself away like it is nothing. Marrying for love has always been off the table for him had he lived to actually be king. But this is the other extreme. And it is just as unhappy and unsavory.]
It matters not. But I will not partake. [Not unless the need was truly dire. To save a life or some sort. Regardless... Laslow's dedication is a precious thing. To serve even in this strange afterlife it truly pulls at his heart in a way he's never felt before. Which is why despite not wanting to speak of it... it needs to be said. So Laslow doesn't throw away his entire afterlife on him.]
Laslow... What I am about to ask is not a question of your loyalty though admittedly it will sound like it. Do you wish to serve me out of guilt or out of the same sense of duty you felt when we first met?
[The unspoken third option which doesn't occur to the Prince. This bond they've formed after all this time. And while he does consider Laslow one of his dear friends it would be foolish to assume the same of those that work and serve beneath you. That is a relationship that is not equal, even he is aware of that.]
If it is guilt that drives you... then I must confess something to you. [He hesitates for a moment.] If it is guilt that drives you... I should assure you that it was never my intention to survive that battle. That's why I locked you and Peri away... so you would not get involved. So you would not see me fall. And so you would not fall yourselves.
The truth of the matter... was that I was going to win against Corrin. I would have been the victor and perhaps our kingdom saved but Elise... I ended up cutting her down. [The words are hard to say even now but his voice does not break. It trembles but nothing else.] And then, just like that, my family was broken... Shattered so completely, never to be repaired. The blood of my siblings was staining the floors once more and by my hand no less.
The guilt you feel over my demise is not one you should carry. The moment I locked the door to that room with you and Peri inside there was nothing more to be done. I am only truly and deeply sorry that you were also slain in this pointless battle. And it is, without a doubt, that you and Peri and Elise... and countless others are gone.
So again, I ask, do you serve me out of guilt or out of the same sense of duty you felt when we first met?
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As someone who lived in Nohr for a time you are likely familiar with the history. My father's history, to be precise. There is no force alive that would convince me to behave in such a way. I will live here as I lived back home... And I do not wish to become--
[Tarnished. Sullied... There are many words that equate to the feeling of just giving yourself away like it is nothing. Marrying for love has always been off the table for him had he lived to actually be king. But this is the other extreme. And it is just as unhappy and unsavory.]
It matters not. But I will not partake. [Not unless the need was truly dire. To save a life or some sort. Regardless... Laslow's dedication is a precious thing. To serve even in this strange afterlife it truly pulls at his heart in a way he's never felt before. Which is why despite not wanting to speak of it... it needs to be said. So Laslow doesn't throw away his entire afterlife on him.]
Laslow... What I am about to ask is not a question of your loyalty though admittedly it will sound like it. Do you wish to serve me out of guilt or out of the same sense of duty you felt when we first met?
[The unspoken third option which doesn't occur to the Prince. This bond they've formed after all this time. And while he does consider Laslow one of his dear friends it would be foolish to assume the same of those that work and serve beneath you. That is a relationship that is not equal, even he is aware of that.]
If it is guilt that drives you... then I must confess something to you. [He hesitates for a moment.] If it is guilt that drives you... I should assure you that it was never my intention to survive that battle. That's why I locked you and Peri away... so you would not get involved. So you would not see me fall. And so you would not fall yourselves.
The truth of the matter... was that I was going to win against Corrin. I would have been the victor and perhaps our kingdom saved but Elise... I ended up cutting her down. [The words are hard to say even now but his voice does not break. It trembles but nothing else.] And then, just like that, my family was broken... Shattered so completely, never to be repaired. The blood of my siblings was staining the floors once more and by my hand no less.
The guilt you feel over my demise is not one you should carry. The moment I locked the door to that room with you and Peri inside there was nothing more to be done. I am only truly and deeply sorry that you were also slain in this pointless battle. And it is, without a doubt, that you and Peri and Elise... and countless others are gone.
So again, I ask, do you serve me out of guilt or out of the same sense of duty you felt when we first met?
[Neither should exist now.]