Emotional Boundaries
Having established a foothold at the ancient castle in the Mistholt known as the Halidom, Alberius continued to fight for a better future. I remained at his side, supporting him more than ever. And yet...
Alberius: Mym, do you have a moment? It's about our next expedition.
Myriam: Ah, yes. I just finished compiling the scouts' reports, and—oops!
Myriam: Now they're all over the floor. Sorry.
Alberius: I'll help you pick them up.
Myriam: Ah...
Alberius: Sorry, I didn't mean to bump your hand.
Myriam: Oh, you're fine.
Alberius: Mym? You're terribly flushed.
Myriam: Am I?
Alberius: Your breathing seems labored, too. Are you coming down with something?
Myriam: (He's so close! I'm not sure I can bring myself to look him in the eye...)
Cleo: Alberius, sir? Dinner is prepared.
Alberius: Ah, very good. Thank you for letting me know, Cleo.
Cleo: But of course. That's my job. Now, if you'll excuse me.
Alberius: Hm. I see she's as distant as ever.
Myriam: That girl just now...
Alberius: That was Cleo, a page. She's got this place running like clockwork.
Alberius: I find my attempts to thank her are always rebuked somehow, though.
Myriam: Hm. I wonder why. Perhaps I could try in your stead?
Cleo: Is that so? I appreciate you communicating his gratitude.
Myriam: He would've much rather thanked you himself, you know.
Myriam: The next time he speaks to you, perhaps you would be so good as to not let your bashfulness prevent you from listening.
Cleo: What gave you the idea I was feeling bashful?
Myriam: Your ears flutter restlessly whenever you speak with him.
Cleo: I am merely observing the appropriate deference for someone of his station.
Myriam: He's not one to stand on ceremony, you know.
Cleo: Be that as it may, I believe it is appropriate for a servant such as myself to set boundaries. There is an order to these things.
Myriam: An order, you say...
Myriam: (We're at war with the Empire. My fanciful feelings have no place in battle, and yet...)
Alberius: Halt, troops! We rest here. Mym, how long until we reach our destination?
Myriam: Erm... Sorry. I'll get a map out.
Myriam: (The more I try to suppress my emotions, the more my heart aches.)
Myriam: Oh no! We've taken a wrong turn.
Alberius: What?!
Myriam: Looking at the map, we should have taken a turn at the last crossroads. I'm so sorry for not realizing sooner.
Alberius: We have to reach our destination by nightfall. We'll have to double back. All forces, about face! Hurry!
Archbishop: Myriam. I heard of Alberius's success taking down the southwestern imperial stronghold on your latest expedition.
Archbishop: Though I understand you had some trouble along the way?
Myriam: I made a navigational error that cost us some time, but we managed to make up for it.
Archbishop: I see. Ah, and while I have you, I wanted to mention—I know a promising young businessman who is looking for a wife.
Archbishop: In fact, I'm certain the two of you would get along swimmingly. Perhaps I could arrange a meeting?
Myriam: To...what end?
Archbishop: He's adopted a neutral position in the current war, but his distribution network could bolster your army's provisions considerably.
Myriam: You speak of a strategic marriage, then. One to benefit the war effort.
Archbishop: You would also stand to gain much. A kind-hearted soul like yourself ill suits the muck and mire of a battlefield.
Archbishop: You may endeavor to endure it for now, but fatigue will eventually take its toll, and your strong facade will crack.
Myriam: What? Perish the thought! I am fit for battle!
Archbishop: Look at what happened on your last expedition. Can you be sure you won't make another such mistake? Or one greater still?
Myriam: I...
Archbishop: You need not wade through the trenches yourself to fight for peace. Surely you can find a path better suited to you.
Myriam: ......
Myriam: (If I continue to aid Alberius in my current capacity, my feelings are bound to render me useless before long.)
Myriam: (Perhaps it would be better to remove myself from the situation, as the high priest suggests.)
Myriam: (For both our sakes.)
Alberius: Mym? I'm coming in.
Alberius: Cleo mentioned you seemed down. Are you all right?
Myriam: Never better. You needn't worry.
Alberius: ...You're a terrible liar. What troubles you?
Myriam: If, hypothetically speaking, I was to resign from my post... Who would you choose as my replacement?
Alberius: Can't say I've ever entertained that line of thought. I can't imagine fighting without you by my side.
Alberius: If you're truly considering it, though... I'd really rather you didn't.
Myriam: What...?
Alberius: I wouldn't be in this fight if it weren't for you.
Alberius: That's why I want you to fight alongside me to the very end. I want you to see what I can achieve, as the hero you made me.
Myriam: Together...to the very end, huh?
Alberius: Of course, this is all my ego talking. If you really wanted to leave the fight, I would have no right to stop you.
Myriam: Don't worry. I'm not going anywhere. It was just a hypothetical.
Soldier: Adjutant Myriam, I've finished inspecting the latest shipment of supplies from our allies.
Myriam: Very good. I'll take it from here. Cleo, would you mind helping me sort the foodstuffs?
Cleo: It would be my pleasure. ...You know, you seem different, Mym.
Myriam: How so?
Cleo: It's like you're fully present at last.
Myriam: I made up my mind to fight with him until the end. I will turn the beating of my captivated heart into a source of strength.
Cleo: What's this about a "captivated heart"?
Myriam: Ignore me. Let's get down to work.
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