=== Céline & Alcryst === --- C --- [Céline] ... [Alcryst] Princess Céline? You're up rather late. Is something the matter? [Céline] Oh, Prince Alcryst. [Céline] It's nothing. My sleep was restless tonight, that's all. [Alcryst] Ah. Did you have a bad dream? [Céline] ... [Céline] I dreamt my brother died. [Alcryst] Oh... [Céline] This is a recurring dream, mind you. One that I have had many times since childhood. [Céline] My brother used to be chronically ill, you see. [Céline] But even now, I can't shake the feeling that he might be taken from me at any moment. [Alcryst] Oh, Princess Céline... [Céline] Alfred has recovered since then, make no mistake. He is the picture of robust health now. [Alcryst] That he is. He always seems so brave on the battlefield. It's amazing. [Alcryst] For what it's worth, I have those same bad dreams myself... [Alcryst] Dreams where my brother Diamant is taken from me, that is. [Céline] Oh! Do you now? [Alcryst] I do. They're a bit grim, so I've never discussed them with anyone. [Céline] I see. I should like to hear more about them, if you are willing. [Céline] But the hour is far too late for that, I think. Another time, Prince Alcryst? [Alcryst] Of course. I'm free to talk whenever you need a sympathetic ear. --- B --- [Céline] ... [Alcryst] Another bad dream, Princess Céline? [Céline] Hah... Is it so obvious? [Céline] As I recall, you've also had dreams of losing your brother, haven't you? [Céline] I'm curious... When did they start for you? [Alcryst] Only recently, shortly after we entered this war against the Fell Dragon. [Alcryst] My father told me, "If your brother and I both die, it will fall to you to protect our kingdom." [Alcryst] I thought that sounded impossible at the time. [Alcryst] My mighty father and invincible older brother... die in battle? How ridiculous. [Alcryst] But wars are often...unpredictable. [Céline] I know what you mean. [Alcryst] Now I'm haunted by a growing fear that my bad dreams might become reality. [Alcryst] What if an enemy catches him off guard? What if we're separated and I never find him again? [Alcryst] I've lost count of all the horrible ways my dreams have taken Diamant from me... [Céline] My experience has been similar. In my dreams, every disaster I can think of comes to pass. [Alcryst] Now, after every nightmare, I crawl out of bed and check on him as he sleeps. [Alcryst] Seeing him sprawled out, snoring louder than the sawing of a log... That puts my fears to rest. [Céline] I'm glad you have that, at least. [Céline] My brother is too much of an early riser for me to do the same. I'd be roped into his workouts. [Alcryst] Heh... Funny, I'd imagine that seeing him up and running in circles would be a relief. [Céline] Heh heh, it does help, I admit. [Céline] Well! Speaking with you has calmed my nerves. I am sorry for worrying you. [Alcryst] Not at all. If you have another bad dream and want to talk about it, I'm always here. [Alcryst] I can't make them go away, but...at the very least, you know you're not alone. [Céline] Thank you, Prince Alcryst. I find that very reassuring. --- A --- [Céline] This tea has a lovely fragrance. And a stirring taste, as well. [Alcryst] I agree! The tea leaves are from the Brodian highlands. They're said to be a potent sleep aid. [Céline] Truly? [Céline] Oh... You prepared this just for me, didn't you? I'm touched. [Alcryst] How have your dreams been lately? [Céline] No better, I'm afraid. As the war intensifies, so too do my nightmares. [Alcryst] I'm so sorry to hear that. [Alcryst] ... [Alcryst] You know...I don't think either of us will ever rule our countries. [Céline] I beg your pardon? [Alcryst] Ah, that came out wrong. I meant that, should the worst happen, we'd do our duties, but... [Alcryst] The worst isn't going to happen. We'll fight to protect them─our brothers, our future kings. [Alcryst] Fear may persist in our dreams, but we won't let it affect our realities. [Alcryst] In fact, I'll go a step further...and do my best to protect Prince Alfred as well! [Céline] Oh! [Alcryst] He's the crown prince of an allied kingdom, so I consider him to be my brother too. [Alcryst] Oh, wait... He might be annoyed if a weakling like me were to offer protection as a brother. [Céline] Don't be silly! Alfred would be overjoyed. I know I am. It's enough to bring me to tears. [Céline] It's very reassuring to know someone so skilled as you will be watching over him. [Alcryst] Oh. I...appreciate that you think so highly of me. [Céline] I, in turn, will safeguard your brother, the crown prince Diamant. [Céline] Working together to protect the future kings will benefit both our nations. [Céline] I would go so far to risk my own life for them, if needed. [Alcryst] Princess Céline! That's not─ [Céline] It isn't the normal order of things. I am aware. And yet... [Céline] I suspect you would do the same, yes? [Alcryst] Hm... [Alcryst] You're right of course, but...we should probably keep this agreement a secret. [Céline] Yes, indeed. [Alcryst] I believe we just formed an alliance that would worry most of our friends and allies. [Céline] Yet I think that because of it, my nightmares will plague me less frequently. [Alcryst] I think that might be true for me as well. [Alcryst] We may never bear our own crowns, but we can certainly bear each other's burdens. [Céline] Yes. Even after the war ends, may we always act in harmony for the sake of our nations. --- S ---