=== Céline & Kagetsu ===
--- C ---


[Kagetsu]
Well, look what we have here. It is Princess
Céline of Firene!
[Kagetsu]
I trust you are well today, Princess Céline?
Shall we take tea?
[Céline]
Always brimming with energy, aren't you?
[Kagetsu]
Naturally!
[Kagetsu]
My spirits are constantly rising. I have plenty of
cheer to share!
[Céline]
Unfortunately, I've just come from teatime.
[Céline]
But I should be happy to take you up on that
offer at a later date.
[Kagetsu]
That is disappointing. Perhaps you will indulge
me in a round of mock combat, then?
[Kagetsu]
Exercise is always good just after tea. Come
now, show me your skill!
[Céline]
Hahaha!
[Kagetsu]
Hm? What is amusing to you?
[Céline]
One moment you invite me to tea, and the next
you challenge me to arms!
[Céline]
There aren't many who would behave that way
around a princess. You're a funny one.
[Kagetsu]
Haha! Flattery will not get you anywhere!
[Céline]
I shall pass on both the tea and the combat,
but the two of us must sit and chat sometime.
[Kagetsu]
Of course! That is what friends do.
[Céline]
Indeed it is.
--- B ---


[Kagetsu]
Princess Céline!
[Céline]
Greetings, Kagetsu.
[Kagetsu]
Hahaha! I have heard some interesting things.
[Kagetsu]
I heard that, despite your royal position, you
maintain excellent skill in swordsmanship.
[Kagetsu]
This makes me all the more intrigued. Will you
indulge me now? I am eager to see your skill.
[Céline]
I appreciate the spirit of your offer, but I have
no desire to fight without good reason.
[Kagetsu]
Disappointing. Do you feel no desire at all to
test your strength?
[Céline]
I keep myself on form to protect my nation,
but I've never sought to train for its own sake.
[Kagetsu]
To each their own, I suppose. Shall we take tea,
at least?
[Céline]
I would love to. However, I first have some
official business to tend to.
[Céline]
It's merely a letter I'm composing to send home.
Would you mind waiting?
[Kagetsu]
Princesses lead busy lives, indeed.
[Céline]
We do. I mustn't shirk my responsibilities.
[Kagetsu]
Do you not find this life to be constraining?
I would not be able to withstand it.
[Céline]
A princess's life is not without hardship, but I
do take a certain joy in it.
[Kagetsu]
Is that so? I confess, I find it difficult to believe.
[Céline]
Then the next time we meet, I'll show you
exactly where that joy can be found.
--- A ---


[Kagetsu]
Is this it?
[Céline]
Yes. This is it.
[Kagetsu]
I do not understand. How does this painting
bring you joy?
[Kagetsu]
It is of your kingdom, and it is impressively
made, but beyond that I do not see.
[Céline]
As we discussed, a princess's life is not without
its hardships.
[Céline]
But I take great joy in the sight of my people
living in peace.
[Kagetsu]
The ones depicted here do seem peaceful
and happy, I agree.
[Céline]
If I can ensure that their lives are tranquil and
prosperous, then my own struggles are worth it.
[Kagetsu]
I see now you carry a deep love of your country.
[Céline]
I most certainly do!
[Kagetsu]
I now understand what brings happiness
to princesses.
[Kagetsu]
For my part, I am much more happy to find
opponents who match my skill in battle!
[Céline]
Oh, yes... You wanted to spar with me.
[Céline]
If you ever tried to harm Firene, you would find
me to be a terrible and merciless opponent.
[Kagetsu]
Much as I would like to see you terrible and
merciless, I am unwilling to pay that cost.
[Céline]
Haha, I am relieved to hear it.
[Kagetsu]
Then if we cannot spar, let us take tea.
[Kagetsu]
You always choose excellent leaves.
[Céline]
That is a much better option. One in which
we can remain friends.
[Kagetsu]
To remain friends is always the goal!
--- S ---