=== Ivy & Hortensia ===
--- C ---



[Ivy]
Hortensia.
[Hortensia]
Something on your mind, Ivy? Or are you
just here to admire my pretty face?
[Ivy]
Hmm. I'm just happy.
[Ivy]
We've been through so much, but we're finally
together again.
[Ivy]
You're my only family now. I want you to know
that you are important to me.
[Hortensia]
Guess it's a relief to hear a half-sister counts
as family.
[Ivy]
That has never mattered to me. I have always
thought of you as my sister.
[Ivy]
And you are all the family I need.
[Hortensia]
Yeah, well... No need to make it awkward.
[Hortensia]
But I feel the same way, so... Thanks.
[Ivy]
Hmm. You have your mother's smile.
[Ivy]
In fact, you seem to resemble her more and
more each day.
[Hortensia]
You think so?
[Hortensia]
I'm flattered... I'm really glad.
[Hortensia]
It's only thanks to her I get to call you my sister
in the first place.
[Ivy]
...
[Hortensia]
Ah, I don't mean to dig all that up. I'm not
holding a grudge or anything.
[Ivy]
I know...
[Ivy]
Even so, it is because of my mother that you─
[Hortensia]
Oh, y'know what? I just remembered something
I gotta do...somewhere. Sorry, Ivy! Talk later!
[Hortensia]

[Ivy]
I'm sorry, Hortensia...
--- B ---


[Hortensia]
Ivy... Do you remember much about my mother?
[Ivy]
Of course. She was quite memorable.
[Hortensia]
Maybe you could tell me a little about her...
[Hortensia]
What do you remember most?
[Ivy]
...
[Ivy]
My clearest memory is her smile.
[Ivy]
My mother hated all of Father's...other women.
Your mother especially.
[Ivy]
So she was badly mistreated by my mother
and by all who sought her favor.
[Ivy]
Yet even through all of that, she never seemed
to stop smiling.
[Hortensia]
Yeah...
[Ivy]
By her charm and wits, she eventually won even
my mother over.
[Ivy]
She turned her biggest enemy into a friend
through sheer determination.
[Ivy]
It left a powerful impression on me.
[Ivy]
It made me realize how strong a parent can be
for a child.
[Hortensia]
How strong?
[Ivy]
Yes.
[Ivy]
It seems to me your mother fought those battles
to carve out a niche for you.
[Hortensia]
For me?
[Ivy]
Yes. She was the sort of person who shone
a light on everyone who knew her.
[Ivy]
And you were the reason she shined so bright.
[Hortensia]
...
[Hortensia]
This was something I needed to hear.
[Hortensia]
Thank you, Ivy.
--- A ---


[Hortensia]
Hey, Ivy?
[Ivy]
Yes?
[Hortensia]
Do you think...I could be like my mother
someday?
[Hortensia]
I mean, obviously I've got her looks already.
But I'm not sure I have her other qualities.
[Ivy]
You know, Hortensia...
[Ivy]
I think you do.
[Ivy]
You lost her when you were seven, correct?
[Hortensia]
Yes.
[Ivy]
But you kept living in the castle, even without
the benefit of her protection.
[Ivy]
You know what a viper's den of intrigue that
place is. No ordinary child could survive it.
[Ivy]
But your charisma made that possible.
[Hortensia]
What are you getting at?
[Ivy]
Your wit and charm won you allies in the court
and a safe place in the castle. Sound familiar?
[Ivy]
You thrived in the academy as well─you even
skipped enough grades to catch up to me.
[Ivy]
All that was done by virtue of your own merit.
[Ivy]
Do you see it yet?
[Ivy]
You said you hoped you could become like
your mother someday.
[Ivy]
But you already are. Your light shines on
everyone you touch, just as hers did.
[Hortensia]
...
[Hortensia]
I...I can't believe that's how you see me.
[Hortensia]
Thank you.
[Ivy]
I should be thanking you.
[Ivy]
Your example has given me courage more times
than I can count.
[Ivy]
Thank you for shining your light on
me, Hortensia.
[Hortensia]
Aww...
[Hortensia]
I'm gonna do all I can to live up to the image
you have of me.
[Hortensia]
It was so hard not to just despair and give up
when we were separated.
[Hortensia]
Father was gone. You were gone... I had no one.
[Ivy]
I'm truly sorry, Hortensia. From now on, we'll
be together.
[Hortensia]
That better be a promise...because you're not
getting rid of me.
[Ivy]
Absolutely. We will never be separated again.
I promise.
[Ivy]
I am blessed to have family like you, Hortensia.
I will never willingly let that go.
[Hortensia]
Good. Me neither.
--- S ---